What happened to our defense?

[ianboyextreme]

Even though we have been winning these last several games, our defense has been pretty mediocre. It really takes away from the wins. It looks nothing like it did in, say, february. Could Jermaine Oneal's absence be the problem? If any of you guys who are more knowledgeable about the intricasies of the Celtics defense are reading, please help me figure this out. It seems to have been this way for about a month now.

[esel1000]

well today's game was a great example of, "oh, now that none of us got traded, we don't need to play with the same urgency we did the last few games to convince danny not to trade us." The lack of defense, at least tonight, was from a lack of effort. It was stunning

[xmuscularghandix]

I think it was an example of... "Greg Stiemsma is a good player lets give him some minute against Demarcus Cousins".

Celtics need to get some big guys NOW... or just throw the season to get a higher pick.

[aporel#18]

JO was decent with his blocks and charges, and we need some decent 7-footer who can protect the paint and doesn't get crushed by players like Cousins. That's why Doc won't put JJJ out there unless it's garbage/gino time.

But I agree with esel, lack of effort is the main reason they were horrible last night.

Danny, get a veteran big (could Kurt Thomas be bought out?) and a big body (Fesenko/Gadzuric/... anyone who can throw 6 fouls). Kaman would be fantastic... but I don't think he'll come to Boston.

Doc, make them players watch the Bird games where he couldn't sit on the bench because of the pain... celtic pride? show it, guys

[Bahku]

I think it was an example of... "Greg Stiemsma is a good player lets give him some minute against Demarcus Cousins".

Celtics need to get some big guys NOW... or just throw the season to get a higher pick.

Sorry, but I just don't think you can hang this one on Stiemsma ... the guy only played just over fifteen minutes, and while he didn't score, (scoring was not our issue tonight), he did have four boards and three blocks in those few minutes.

It'd be nice to have a sweet excuse for our starters lack of effort and execution, but it's certainly not Greg. The C's  knew they'd pretty much be able to score at will against the Kings, and so assumed their defensive play would take little effort as well.

Add to that the passing of the trade deadline and the emotional let-down following, a tough road schedule, and a Sacramento team that basically had nothing to lose and a chance to beat a franchise team like the Celts, and you may come close to that excuse.

Still, this is a game they should have blown out, not the opposite, and there really is no good excuse. They gave little effort, played absolutely no defense, had no heart or sense of urgency, and for whatever reasons, just never showed up for this one.

Every team has a stinker-or-two during each season, so this was bound to happen, but it's too bad it couldn't have happened against a Miami or a Chicago, and not a youthful, immature, mistake-prone team like the Kings ... the embarrassment was magnified by ten as a result.

Here's hoping they learned something from it, and got the wake-up call that they needed to, (and that they never become the kind of team it takes to throw a season for the sake of a higher pick).

 

[2short]

crazy shortened nba season, celtics didn't' show up pretty much no one on the team, pietrus came to play
chicago looses to portland as well
miami lost the other night to a team they should have (can't remember who)

I would have thought the let down game was coming up next game which was something like less than 24 hrs from kings game with flights etc.

[Chief]

When you play small, you lack interior defense. Doc does this by choice. He could start Steamer, who could play the Perk role, but he chooses not to.

[2short]

When you play small, you lack interior defense. Doc does this by choice. He could start Steamer, who could play the Perk role, but he chooses not to.

While the interior defense wasn't good the guard and wing defense was the main issue, didn't seem like ANYONE wanted to work last night, team night off
if i was doc i would have gotten thrown out of the game and gone for a nice dinner/drink

[KGs Knee]

Brandon Bass happened.

KG starting at center isn't so much the problem as, KG starting at center forces Bass to start at PF.

Bass is good on offense, which is part of why our offensive numbers are up, but he is terrible at defending the pick and roll and isn't the best help defender either.  His one on one defense is passable, but that's about it.

Bass' deficiencies within the team defensive scheme make it harder on our perimeter defenders.  Without having KG there to cover for them as often, they are forced to try and play their own men straight up a little more.  Quicker, younger players get by Pierce and Allen too easily, too often.  And as for Rondo, he's always preferrred to be more of a gambler on defense.  With KG behind him he could get away with it, with Bass there now, not so much.  Rondo needs to play like he did against CP3 the other night, a bit more straight up.

Teams that like to push the pace and have young, quick guards will continue to expose us unitl we find a way to get KG back to the PF spot more often.  It's really that simple.

[2short]

Brandon Bass happened.

KG starting at center isn't so much the problem as, KG starting at center forces Bass to start at PF.

Bass is good on offense, which is part of why our offensive numbers are up, but he is terrible at defending the pick and roll and isn't the best help defender either.  His one on one defense is passable, but that's about it.

Bass' deficiencies within the team defensive scheme make it harder on our perimeter defenders.  Without having KG there to cover for them as often, they are forced to try and play their own men straight up a little more.  Quicker, younger players get by Pierce and Allen too easily, too often.  And as for Rondo, he's always preferrred to be more of a gambler on defense.  With KG behind him he could get away with it, with Bass there now, not so much.  Rondo needs to play like he did against CP3 the other night, a bit more straight up.

Teams that like to push the pace and have young, quick guards will continue to expose us unitl we find a way to get KG back to the PF spot more often.  It's really that simple.

good point, i've seen rondo & kg talking to him on more than a few occasions about missed assignments or rotations

[Tone]

age is what happened to our defense

[Carhole]

When you play small, you lack interior defense. Doc does this by choice. He could start Steamer, who could play the Perk role, but he chooses not to.

In no world could steamer play the perk role. Steamer has excellent timing and that is about it, he is a statue when anyone  posts or iso's on him. I have never seen someone stand straight up and lean into a post players back so consistently only to be left in the dust.

He is a help shot blocker, that is it. People just love blocks - He is serviceable for what he is, d league call up 4th big off the bench. Nothing wrong with that, but him in the starting lineup does not solve anything

[pearljammer10]

No intimidation in the middle is what happened to our defense. Since the Perkins trade, our middle has been open for business. Teams drive to the hoops on us at will because there is no one in the middle to change or effect shots. Stemah can block shots but if someone gets position on him and posts up he is done for.

[clover]

Brandon Bass happened.

KG starting at center isn't so much the problem as, KG starting at center forces Bass to start at PF.

Bass is good on offense, which is part of why our offensive numbers are up, but he is terrible at defending the pick and roll and isn't the best help defender either.  His one on one defense is passable, but that's about it.

Bass' deficiencies within the team defensive scheme make it harder on our perimeter defenders.  Without having KG there to cover for them as often, they are forced to try and play their own men straight up a little more.  Quicker, younger players get by Pierce and Allen too easily, too often.  And as for Rondo, he's always preferrred to be more of a gambler on defense.  With KG behind him he could get away with it, with Bass there now, not so much.  Rondo needs to play like he did against CP3 the other night, a bit more straight up.

Teams that like to push the pace and have young, quick guards will continue to expose us unitl we find a way to get KG back to the PF spot more often.  It's really that simple.

That's why unless Turiaf or someone can be got to better hold down the center spot, I want to see them simply bring in the best bruiser they can to team with Bass off the bench--and let KG team and coach with Stiemsma in the starting lineup.  

What an education for the Stiemer--much like Perk got.  Considering the C's didn't bother to bring in any kind of dedicated big man coach to work with him and 3J, that's probably the best way to get him ready for either the playoffs or next year--whichever comes first.

[OmarSekou]

A lot of it is effort. Last night we gave up a lot of uncontested shots by not closing out. Our transition D has been shaky. We're not applying defensive pressure.

Bass is the biggest individual problem because he doesn't rotate well enough.

Rebounding is also always a huge issue. Our opponents are getting easy put backs and more second chances by outhustling us.