Why are we playing at such a slow pace?

[jade88]

Check out where we rank in Pace

http://stats.nba.com/leagueTeamGeneral.html?pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=30&MeasureType=Advanced&PerMode=Totals&sortField=PACE&sortOrder=DES


Considering how we don't have many great 1-1 iso players and overall we're not the most talented team out there, why aren't we running like Philly?


I mean we're most suited for the fast break especially when you think about Wallace, Jeff Green and Rondo's eventual return. These are fast break guys! Rondo is an excellent half court player, but imagine what he could do in a system like last years Nuggets or something.

With his return atleast on the horizon, why are playing the game so slow?

[Yenohb]

Good Defense = More Fastbreak Oppurtunities

[Boris Badenov]

I think this fits with Stevens' style at Butler:

Stevens never had a specific style of play except for grind-it-out, half-court basketball. This past season, Butler ranked No. 219 nationally in tempo, according Kenpom.com's advanced statistics. In fact, in six years as head coach, Stevens never had a team that cracked the top 200.

http://kenpom.com/index.php?y=2013

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1713831-how-brad-stevens-butler-system-translates-to-the-boston-celtics

[Celtics18]

I think this fits with Stevens' style at Butler:

Stevens never had a specific style of play except for grind-it-out, half-court basketball. This past season, Butler ranked No. 219 nationally in tempo, according Kenpom.com's advanced statistics. In fact, in six years as head coach, Stevens never had a team that cracked the top 200.

http://kenpom.com/index.php?y=2013

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1713831-how-brad-stevens-butler-system-translates-to-the-boston-celtics

I don't think that's what's happening at all.  Stevens has been saying that he wants this team to push the tempo and get out and run.

I actually think pace can be a somewhat misleading stat.  For example, I see Philly leads the league in pace.  I question whether that is solely because they are good at pushing the pace, or if it's because they are getting the pace pushed at them.  Are they a good running team, or are they just getting run?  It's likely more of the latter than the former. 

But, I agree with the OP.  I'd love to see us doing better at pushing the tempo offensively, without giving it up on the other end.  It's a delicate balance. 

[2short]

I really expected a running team with or without rondo.  Celtics play pretty good defense and should rebound well so why not run?  We have good level talent so to me that means everyone play HARD.  Our 4 deep power forwards sully, bass, humphries, ko not much drop off from first-4th or at this point maybe 2-4 so run other teams into the ground.  tommy ball reborn!
Same can be said for sf position, green then wallace, need another put bogans in.  SG and C we would loose a step by 3rd string but I'm all for it.  Our center spot for true bigs is fav and humphries with both guys being able to beat most true centers up the floor.

[CFAN38]

I like Stevens system and pace. Seems like it will eventually translate well to playoff basketball. Opertunistic fast breaking , solid movement and passi g on oftence.

[GreenWarrior]

personally I think we're too concerned with getting the ball to the pg. we did it a lot when rondo was healthy too. I understand you want to get the ball to rondo. but sometimes a better play is available.

last season when rondo got injured we passed the ball up regardless of the situation because we didn't have a true pg, and it actually led to some easy baskets. we did this for a little while and then we stopped doing it for whatever reason and now we do it occasionally like when the moon is in it's 3rd quarter and it happens to be a Tuesday.

[PhoSita]

When your team doesn't have much talent, you reduce the number of possessions in the game to give yourself a better chance.

Also, this team lacks ball-handlers so if they tried to speed things up too much they'd turn the ball over a ton.

[D.o.s.]

But we're neck and neck with the fastest teams of 2003-2004.

You know what's crazy? The Seven Seconds or Less Suns had a pace of just over 98. That's not even in the top ten a decade later.

[PhoSita]

But we're neck and neck with the fastest teams of 2003-2004.

You know what's crazy? The Seven Seconds or Less Suns had a pace of just over 98. That's not even in the top ten a decade later.

When you're taking a ton of three pointers, your offense doesn't need to spend a lot of time finding a shot.  Just whip it around the perimeter.

[2short]

When your team doesn't have much talent, you reduce the number of possessions in the game to give yourself a better chance.

Also, this team lacks ball-handlers so if they tried to speed things up too much they'd turn the ball over a ton.

tp for clarity
could argue the number of possession theory but it makes sense and big yes to ball handlers, we have some good passers but pressey, crawford, wallace and maybe lee are the best ball handlers and none are rondo