ESPN predicts Celtics to finish #12 in the East.

[D.o.s.]

How do we know how Stevens is going to coach before he even coaches a single NBA game?

If you're going to apply one standard to players' success in the NBA, it would seem that a similar standard would apply to coaches, right?

[Galeto]

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,

It actually does the exact opposite since the clock doesn't start until someone touches the ball.  You really think they rolled the ball up the floor to waste time?  Come on. 

About Stevens, I like the hiring a lot but I would be more confident about if he had coached and dominated the West Coast Conference like Olynyk did.  At least we'd know for sure that his coaching would translate.

[Tr1boy]

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,

It actually does the exact opposite since the clock doesn't start until someone touches the ball.  You really think they rolled the ball up the floor to waste time?  Come on. 

About Stevens, I like the hiring a lot but I would be more confident about if he had coached and dominated the West Coast Conference like Olynyk did.  At least we'd know for sure that his coaching would translate.

your right about the clock not starting. What i meant to say is that it waste time that the defense has time to prepare the defense. The rolling the ball unless its absolute necessary is something Rondo has to stop doing.

[Smitty77]

The Warriors won so much last year because they generally had a very good offense that got to the line a lot, an average defense that was the best defensive rebounding team in the league and then had one of the fastest paces in the league. They got their defensive rebounds, got out on the break and had a good offense that was better than their defense so they generally outscored their opponents and won most of their games.

If David Lee was actually a good defensive force underneath, the Warriors, theoretically, could have had an overall better defense and won even more games. Just because David Lee is a bad defensive player doesn't mean that the Warriors couldn't be a very good team. One thing has very little to do with the other.

Agree and disagree with some of ur pts. Lee is a better defender than most think. Not top level but not basement bad. He makes up his shortcoming of being unathletic with high bbiq and hard work. He really works hard for those rebounds

In addition if the warriors can win mainly bc of great teamwork, so can the celts.

It seems like you didn't read what Nick wrote. "Teamwork" had little to do with it. It was about offensive talent.

The Celtics don't have anything close to that level of offensive talent. All the teamwork in the world won't change that.

I don't think that we are as bereft of offensive talent as some of you seem to.  Rondo is an excellent offensive player, and Jeff Green is a fairly good offensive player as well.  Sully and Olynyk both look like promising young offensive players and even Brandon Bass can hit a mid range jumper. 

I'm hoping for a defense that--although, undoubtedly won't be as highly ranked as when KG was anchoring it--will be a high pressure, high turnover producing one that results in more easy offense and a faster pace than we've seen in recent years. 

I think we have the personnel to be pretty good if we can play a ball-hawking, up tempo style of ball.

I was mostly just saying we don't have the personnel the Warriors do. But I do have pretty serious concerns. Look at it this way: at what positions will we be starting an above-average scorer? Maybe SF, and I think that's it. Rondo's a great set-up guy, but he needs scorers too. And we don't know when he'll be back.

I do see your point (and Nick's above) about picking up the pace. That seems like the right thing to do now that KG is gone, because it's no longer so valuable to get our half court D set every time down the floor without KG playing middle linebacker.

But of course, shooting more quickly and (as Nick says) crashing the boards more will both tend to yield more easy baskets for the other team. So, even if we score more because our pace is higher, we may be giving up even more on the other end.

We'll see. So much is up in the air, from our starting lineup to how Stevens runs our offense and defense. It'll be interesting to see how things play out.

Boris,

Only THREE starting PG's shot a higher percentage than Rondo.  They were Tony Parker, Steve Nash, and Jose Calderon.  Rondo can score.  He just needs to NOW shoot more and he will do that with this roster.

http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/FieldGS.jsp?league=00&season=22012&conf=OVERALL&position=5&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=N&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=

Smitty77

[LooseCannon]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

In certain spots, gambling on defense could be the correct play from a mathematical perspective.

[Celtics18]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,  and no pounding the rock bc its too easy for the defense to cover their man and waste time on the clock again. Watch some of butler games and you will see the team hot potatoe the ball on top of the key , creating confusion for the defensive team.

These examples will imo clash with the way rondo wants to handle the game. Rondo wants guys to run around like headless chickens and for him to feed the open guy. But there is only 5 sec left by then. Stevens wants to push the ball after rebounds and these years rondo is playing a more halfcourt game.

I'm guessing that Rondo would welcome the opportunity to play an uptempo style that suits his strengths.  If coach Stevens is as smart as everyone says he is, I'm sure that he will tailor a style of play that fits the personnel on his roster.  In my opinion, that means we'll be seeing a much faster pace from the 2013-14 Celtics than we have in the past. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the new version of the Boston Celtics play.  I think they'll be exciting . . . and I think they have a good shot at making this year's playoffs.   

[Galeto]

The Warriors won so much last year because they generally had a very good offense that got to the line a lot, an average defense that was the best defensive rebounding team in the league and then had one of the fastest paces in the league. They got their defensive rebounds, got out on the break and had a good offense that was better than their defense so they generally outscored their opponents and won most of their games.

If David Lee was actually a good defensive force underneath, the Warriors, theoretically, could have had an overall better defense and won even more games. Just because David Lee is a bad defensive player doesn't mean that the Warriors couldn't be a very good team. One thing has very little to do with the other.

Agree and disagree with some of ur pts. Lee is a better defender than most think. Not top level but not basement bad. He makes up his shortcoming of being unathletic with high bbiq and hard work. He really works hard for those rebounds

In addition if the warriors can win mainly bc of great teamwork, so can the celts.

It seems like you didn't read what Nick wrote. "Teamwork" had little to do with it. It was about offensive talent.

The Celtics don't have anything close to that level of offensive talent. All the teamwork in the world won't change that.

I don't think that we are as bereft of offensive talent as some of you seem to.  Rondo is an excellent offensive player, and Jeff Green is a fairly good offensive player as well.  Sully and Olynyk both look like promising young offensive players and even Brandon Bass can hit a mid range jumper. 

I'm hoping for a defense that--although, undoubtedly won't be as highly ranked as when KG was anchoring it--will be a high pressure, high turnover producing one that results in more easy offense and a faster pace than we've seen in recent years. 

I think we have the personnel to be pretty good if we can play a ball-hawking, up tempo style of ball.

I was mostly just saying we don't have the personnel the Warriors do. But I do have pretty serious concerns. Look at it this way: at what positions will we be starting an above-average scorer? Maybe SF, and I think that's it. Rondo's a great set-up guy, but he needs scorers too. And we don't know when he'll be back.

I do see your point (and Nick's above) about picking up the pace. That seems like the right thing to do now that KG is gone, because it's no longer so valuable to get our half court D set every time down the floor without KG playing middle linebacker.

But of course, shooting more quickly and (as Nick says) crashing the boards more will both tend to yield more easy baskets for the other team. So, even if we score more because our pace is higher, we may be giving up even more on the other end.

We'll see. So much is up in the air, from our starting lineup to how Stevens runs our offense and defense. It'll be interesting to see how things play out.

Boris,

Only THREE starting PG's shot a higher percentage than Rondo.  They were Tony Parker, Steve Nash, and Jose Calderon.  Rondo can score.  He just needs to NOW shoot more and he will do that with this roster.

http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/FieldGS.jsp?league=00&season=22012&conf=OVERALL&position=5&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=N&yearsExp=-1&splitDD=

Smitty77

I guess that settles it, Rondo's an elite shooter, three-pointers and free throws be [dang]ed.  He's even a better scorer/shooter than Curry.

[Tr1boy]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

In certain spots, gambling on defense could be the correct play from a mathematical perspective.

which sport is that??

In basketball gambling on defense usually doesn't turn out well.  Rondo taking focus away from his man, trying to go for the steal somewhere else is risky. Player x predicting his player won't go to his left this time, when he can't go right is risky. Stevens wants high percentage plays from the games i've seen him coach. If that guy who can't dribble left very well, beats you going left once or twice, he is not going to care as long as you don't let him beat you going to his right.

[Galeto]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,  and no pounding the rock bc its too easy for the defense to cover their man and waste time on the clock again. Watch some of butler games and you will see the team hot potatoe the ball on top of the key , creating confusion for the defensive team.

These examples will imo clash with the way rondo wants to handle the game. Rondo wants guys to run around like headless chickens and for him to feed the open guy. But there is only 5 sec left by then. Stevens wants to push the ball after rebounds and these years rondo is playing a more halfcourt game.

I'm guessing that Rondo would welcome the opportunity to play an uptempo style that suits his strengths.  If coach Stevens is as smart as everyone says he is, I'm sure that he will tailor a style of play that fits the personnel on his roster.  In my opinion, that means we'll be seeing a much faster pace from the 2013-14 Celtics than we have in the past. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the new version of the Boston Celtics play.  I think they'll be exciting . . . and I think they have a good shot at making this year's playoffs.

No one was stopping Rondo from playing at a faster pace.  Doc kept imploring him through the press (and I assume in person) to pick up the pace and pass the ball ahead more.  Nobody told Rondo to slow walk the ball up the court like he was a gimpy 95 year old while his four teammates waited for him.  I'm referring to an extreme slow walk, to where the ball would cross half court with microseconds to spare even though there was no ball pressure.  That happened more times than with any other team in the league. 

It was almost like a show of power: You'll wait for me, I'm the maestro.  He wouldn't have been allowed to do the same thing earlier in his career; that he came far enough to where it was permitted made it seem like he was showing off his power and status.  Him slightly jogging the ball up the court instead of slow waking would've been a major improvement.

I'm not saying Rondo never pushed the pace.  Of course he did and when he did, he could be spectacularly great or spectacularly turnover prone.  But there were too many instances of taking forever to cross half court.

Rondo averaged more dribbles per game than anybody else in the league.  That's a clock killing statistic; I don't think it was forced upon him.

[Celtics18]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

In certain spots, gambling on defense could be the correct play from a mathematical perspective.

which sport is that??

In basketball gambling on defense usually doesn't turn out well.  Rondo taking focus away from his man, trying to go for the steal somewhere else is risky. Player x predicting his player won't go to his left this time, when he can't go right is risky. Stevens wants high percentage plays from the games i've seen him coach. If that guy who can't dribble left very well, beats you going left once or twice, he is not going to care as long as you don't let him beat you going to his right.

Of course it's risky to gamble off your man on defense, but in my opinion it is a risk that is often worth taking.  I actually think that for this team, which has lost its defensive anchor, that risk-taking is something they will have to do more of, not less of, to be successful. 

[Tr1boy]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,  and no pounding the rock bc its too easy for the defense to cover their man and waste time on the clock again. Watch some of butler games and you will see the team hot potatoe the ball on top of the key , creating confusion for the defensive team.

These examples will imo clash with the way rondo wants to handle the game. Rondo wants guys to run around like headless chickens and for him to feed the open guy. But there is only 5 sec left by then. Stevens wants to push the ball after rebounds and these years rondo is playing a more halfcourt game.

I'm guessing that Rondo would welcome the opportunity to play an uptempo style that suits his strengths.  If coach Stevens is as smart as everyone says he is, I'm sure that he will tailor a style of play that fits the personnel on his roster.  In my opinion, that means we'll be seeing a much faster pace from the 2013-14 Celtics than we have in the past. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the new version of the Boston Celtics play.  I think they'll be exciting . . . and I think they have a good shot at making this year's playoffs.

No one was stopping Rondo from playing at a faster pace.  Doc kept imploring him through the press (and I assume in person) to pick up the pace and pass the ball ahead more.  Nobody told Rondo to slow walk the ball up the court like he was a gimpy 95 year old while his four teammates waited for him.  I'm referring to an extreme slow walk, to where the ball would cross half court with microseconds to spare even though there was no ball pressure.  That happened more times than with any other team in the league. 

It was almost like a show of power: You'll wait for me, I'm the maestro.  He wouldn't have been allowed to do the same thing earlier in his career; that he came far enough to where it was permitted made it seem like he was showing off his power and status.  Him slightly jogging the ball up the court instead of slow waking would've been a major improvement.

I'm not saying Rondo never pushed the pace.  Of course he did and when he did, he could be spectacularly great or spectacularly turnover prone.  But there were too many instances of taking forever to cross half court.

Rondo averaged more dribbles per game than anybody else in the league.  That's a clock killing statistic; I don't think it was forced upon him.

i agree. It was frustrating to watch. Tommy was constantly complaining about Rondo not pushing the pace.

This year it can't happen again. If it does and we lose, and stevens does nothing about it, it will be a long year.

[Galeto]

I watched the game 6 2008 Finals and dang, Rondo was great in that game.  And he wasn't great like he's been great the past three seasons, holding the ball forever and making everyone a role player.  He was a great uptempo point guard.  He ran nearly every time he touched the ball, he got rid of it like he had an internal clock in his head and he was aggressive attacking the paint.  I think the worst thing Doc ever did to the Celtics and to Rondo was letting him hog the ball so much.  Rondo was great when he was integrated into the team and not above anyone else.  The Rondo Show is a dribbling fest.

[Tr1boy]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

In certain spots, gambling on defense could be the correct play from a mathematical perspective.

which sport is that??

In basketball gambling on defense usually doesn't turn out well.  Rondo taking focus away from his man, trying to go for the steal somewhere else is risky. Player x predicting his player won't go to his left this time, when he can't go right is risky. Stevens wants high percentage plays from the games i've seen him coach. If that guy who can't dribble left very well, beats you going left once or twice, he is not going to care as long as you don't let him beat you going to his right.

Of course it's risky to gamble off your man on defense, but in my opinion it is a risk that is often worth taking.  I actually think that for this team, which has lost its defensive anchor, that risk-taking is something they will have to do more of, not less of, to be successful.

i disagree. Solid in front of your man defense AB/Lee style is the way the team needs to play. If you can take the calculated risk to execute a steal , go for it.

But Rondo gambled way too much and got burnt enough times. This not only cost points but worse tired our defense trying to make up for his mistakes.  It can't happen

[Celtics18]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,  and no pounding the rock bc its too easy for the defense to cover their man and waste time on the clock again. Watch some of butler games and you will see the team hot potatoe the ball on top of the key , creating confusion for the defensive team.

These examples will imo clash with the way rondo wants to handle the game. Rondo wants guys to run around like headless chickens and for him to feed the open guy. But there is only 5 sec left by then. Stevens wants to push the ball after rebounds and these years rondo is playing a more halfcourt game.

I'm guessing that Rondo would welcome the opportunity to play an uptempo style that suits his strengths.  If coach Stevens is as smart as everyone says he is, I'm sure that he will tailor a style of play that fits the personnel on his roster.  In my opinion, that means we'll be seeing a much faster pace from the 2013-14 Celtics than we have in the past. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the new version of the Boston Celtics play.  I think they'll be exciting . . . and I think they have a good shot at making this year's playoffs.

No one was stopping Rondo from playing at a faster pace.  Doc kept imploring him through the press (and I assume in person) to pick up the pace and pass the ball ahead more.  Nobody told Rondo to slow walk the ball up the court like he was a gimpy 95 year old while his four teammates waited for him.  I'm referring to an extreme slow walk, to where the ball would cross half court with microseconds to spare even though there was no ball pressure.  That happened more times than with any other team in the league. 

It was almost like a show of power: You'll wait for me, I'm the maestro.  He wouldn't have been allowed to do the same thing earlier in his career; that he came far enough to where it was permitted made it seem like he was showing off his power and status.  Him slightly jogging the ball up the court instead of slow waking would've been a major improvement.

I'm not saying Rondo never pushed the pace.  Of course he did and when he did, he could be spectacularly great or spectacularly turnover prone.  But there were too many instances of taking forever to cross half court.

Rondo averaged more dribbles per game than anybody else in the league.  That's a clock killing statistic; I don't think it was forced upon him.

The reason Rondo didn't pass the ball ahead more often was because there wasn't anyone on his own team ahead of him all that often. 

So, actually, the team as a whole was stopping him from playing at a faster pace. 

Do you have a link to the statistics that show that Rondo dribbles the ball more per game than anyone else in the league?

[Galeto]

Stevens is about statistical analysis and everyone being on the same page. This means no rolling  the ball midcourt unless time is running out, no gambling on defense, no pounding the rock.

No rolling the ball bc it kills time of the 24 sec clock,  and no pounding the rock bc its too easy for the defense to cover their man and waste time on the clock again. Watch some of butler games and you will see the team hot potatoe the ball on top of the key , creating confusion for the defensive team.

These examples will imo clash with the way rondo wants to handle the game. Rondo wants guys to run around like headless chickens and for him to feed the open guy. But there is only 5 sec left by then. Stevens wants to push the ball after rebounds and these years rondo is playing a more halfcourt game.

I'm guessing that Rondo would welcome the opportunity to play an uptempo style that suits his strengths.  If coach Stevens is as smart as everyone says he is, I'm sure that he will tailor a style of play that fits the personnel on his roster.  In my opinion, that means we'll be seeing a much faster pace from the 2013-14 Celtics than we have in the past. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the new version of the Boston Celtics play.  I think they'll be exciting . . . and I think they have a good shot at making this year's playoffs.

No one was stopping Rondo from playing at a faster pace.  Doc kept imploring him through the press (and I assume in person) to pick up the pace and pass the ball ahead more.  Nobody told Rondo to slow walk the ball up the court like he was a gimpy 95 year old while his four teammates waited for him.  I'm referring to an extreme slow walk, to where the ball would cross half court with microseconds to spare even though there was no ball pressure.  That happened more times than with any other team in the league. 

It was almost like a show of power: You'll wait for me, I'm the maestro.  He wouldn't have been allowed to do the same thing earlier in his career; that he came far enough to where it was permitted made it seem like he was showing off his power and status.  Him slightly jogging the ball up the court instead of slow waking would've been a major improvement.

I'm not saying Rondo never pushed the pace.  Of course he did and when he did, he could be spectacularly great or spectacularly turnover prone.  But there were too many instances of taking forever to cross half court.

Rondo averaged more dribbles per game than anybody else in the league.  That's a clock killing statistic; I don't think it was forced upon him.

The reason Rondo didn't pass the ball ahead more often was because there wasn't anyone on his own team ahead of him all that often. 

So, actually, the team as a whole was stopping him from playing at a faster pace. 

Do you have a link to the statistics that show that Rondo dribbles the ball more per game than anyone else in the league?

That there was no one up ahead to pass to is simply not true.  One, that would make for one unbalanced floor.  Rondo often physically came back for the ball.  It would be impossible for him to have any outlet options. And two, the first game Rondo came back I think from his suspension, he was great at throwing the ball up head.  It was really fun to see.  I remember this because it was something I had wanted to see for a long time.  That lasted all of one half.  I assume he got tired of it, preferred to play the half court chess games he loves so he just stopped.