Sixers (0-0) at Celtics (0-0) Game #1 10/28/15

[Ilikesports17]

Thomas-Smart-Crowder-Sully-Amir.

Id like to see a lot of that this year.

[Jon]

Too early for this yet, but if the play of Sully and Jerbenko keeps up and Olynyk has a role on this team, does that mean that Zeller could lose his spot in the rotation as the season progresses?

[tarheelsxxiii]

Good win, I want to see what they do with Toronto friday night. First good team they play.

Looked good tonight against Indy. Carroll with 14/8/4

[littleteapot]

Too early for this yet, but if the play of Sully and Jerbenko keeps up and Olynyk has a role on this team, does that mean that Zeller could lose his spot in the rotation as the season progresses?

I think Sully was in due to the matchup with Okafor. I don't know if he needs to play that much against everyone. Plus we could get away with a slower defender against one of the worst offenses in the league - it could be tougher for him against quicker, more skilled teams without the same type of post threat.

[SHAQATTACK]

Sully , played well.

[Kuberski33]

CBS has to be licking his chops about coaching this team.  Lots of useful parts and its going to be up to the coach to get the lineups and matchups right night after night while hoping he can improve the team enough over the long haul to be a tough out in the playoffs.  These guys are going to be a lot of fun to watch.

[Snakehead]

Sully was defintiely playing to counter Okafor's size.  That's why he checked in so quickly.

Anyways, that is a sign to come for the team as far as match ups.  Stevens will sit Zeller if he's not getting it done physically and play someone else.  I think Olynyk could counter someone like that by making them play defense outside.  Sullinger obviously has the weight to counter Okafor.

Against a team like say Golden State, I might expect Zeller to sit too and Jerebko get more minutes.  I think the minutes with some guys are just going to vary.

The team will be versatile.  I think the 76ers are really weak outside of the post and we just attacked them there.

As far as the rest of the game:

Smart I think was outstanding.  I am very excited to see the rest of his season.  While the rest of the starting unit struggled, he was plus 22.

Lee I thought got roughed up but in fairness I thought Noel was really impressive on defense.  I was impressed with Okafor too so I didn't see a shame in that.  I think Amir looked way better than Lee though.  I am not sure about that starting spot.

[littleteapot]

Anyways, that is a sign to come for the team as far as match ups.  Stevens will sit Zeller if he's not getting it done physically and play someone else.  I think Olynyk could counter someone like that by making them play defense outside.  Sullinger obviously has the weight to counter Okafor.

That's why you have depth.

[Snakehead]

Anyways, that is a sign to come for the team as far as match ups.  Stevens will sit Zeller if he's not getting it done physically and play someone else.  I think Olynyk could counter someone like that by making them play defense outside.  Sullinger obviously has the weight to counter Okafor.

That's why you have depth.

Yeah that's a strength of the team.

I just have a hope that everyone on the team is okay with that.  When Olynyk plays there are going to be less minutes to go around.

[crimson_stallion]

So mickey is officially averaging 36 points, 36 rebounds and 18 assists per 36 for the season bahaha

Jokes aside though, this game went exactly how I expect Boston's season to go.  Closely fought in the first quarter, and then the lead growing more and more as the game progresses.

Fact is that Boston's ability to have fresh (and skilled) legs on the court at all times is going to make this team a lot harder to handle than people realise.  It gives them two strong advantages:

1) The ability to play hard, physical defense non-stop for 48 minutes
2) The ability to play a high octane, fast paced offense non-stop for 48 minutes

At the start of games Boston's lack of outright talent will make it hard to build / hold a lead, since they will simply be up against more talented players.  But as the game goes on they are going to wear teams down on both ends of the court. 

The fast paced offense is going to leave opposing teams running all night to try to stay with the ball, and that defensive pressure is going to force teams to expend a huge amount of energy just to bringing the ball up the court and initiate their offense.

There are going to be very, very few teams who have the depth to be able to keep enough fresh guys on the court to be able to keep up with this team.  Boston might not be seen as a contender, but they are going to be one of those teams that every single team (even the great ones) are going to absolutely hate playing against. 

The athletic / aggressive players on this team (i.e. Thomas, Crowder, Johnson, Rozier, Bradley) are going to have a lot of huge 4th quarters, because by that point in the game no opponent is going to have the energy to stick with them.

The best part is going to be on the second game of back-to-backs, and in overtime games.  Boston should pretty much dominate in those contexts.

[max215]

So mickey is officially averaging 36 points, 36 rebounds and 18 assists per 36 for the season bahaha

TP

[crimson_stallion]

again super glad i added Okafor in half my fantasy teams 

other than that, nice start. Amir was good, Sully seems better, IT4 has settled as the star of the team.

Bradley did not show much, and Kelly was nearly invisible.

Only in all satisfied from the easy win.

I don't agree with that.

Bradley didn't SCORE much.  Defensively, he was an absolute monster out there.  I felt like he was well and truly the leader of that three headed Smart-Bradley-Crowder monster.

Speaking of which, I think we are going to need a nickname for that trio soon. 

[crimson_stallion]

Sully has been phenomenal

not a surprise

Agree.

We all need to remember that at the end of the day, the ONLY thing holding Sully back is his weight/conditioning issues.  The man has always had beastly talent.

The team configuration as it stands now (with everybody getting reduced minutes, and 10+ guys playing) plays right into Sully's lap.  His conditioning will be less of an issue, and he should be able to play in "Full Sully" mode every.  I expect this season to be by far his best, in terms of Per-minute production.

[jdz101]

That starting five zeller/lee combo doesn't work. No D there.

[tarheelsxxiii]

That starting five zeller/lee combo doesn't work. No D there.

It was always Amir. I get he and IT benefit a lot from one another, but Amir's the no-brainer to start at C. It'll have to happen eventually.