Celtics 4th best defensive team in the NBA-toughness and physicality working.

[PhoSita]

That's a pretty tough schedule.  With the exception of the Sixers (obviously) every one of those games has been against competitive teams with win records of 0.500 or better and seeded 9th or higher.

I agree that it's been a tough schedule.  I was commenting on the quality of offensive teams that the Celts have faced, which bears on how effective the Celts have been defensively.

[hpantazo]

Considering the depth on the team I don't see how it's not sustainable. What will be a bigger problem late in the year is getting buckets when the other teams really turn it up.

I'm not sure what depth has to do with forcing turnovers.  Perhaps it shows up in the energy guys have to get into passing lanes.  That's plausible.

Still, it's a little hard to believe the Celts will keep forcing almost 19 TOs a game.

Well, I think he's implying that the consistent high level of effort on defense is directly related to forcing turnovers, and our depth means that we can afford to sustain that level of effort long term.

[tankcity!]

After watching this team play on defense, it is pretty clear to me this team is one star away from being a contender. I think that's a pretty good spot to be in right now, especially with their assets. Let's hope it attracts players. Although it's a petty there aren't any desirable UFA's upcoming.

[Celtics18]

That's a pretty tough schedule.  With the exception of the Sixers (obviously) every one of those games has been against competitive teams with win records of 0.500 or better and seeded 9th or higher.

I agree that it's been a tough schedule.  I was commenting on the quality of offensive teams that the Celts have faced, which bears on how effective the Celts have been defensively.

Offensive Ratings of Celtics' opponents:

Oklahoma City: 2nd, 109.4
Toronto: 5th, 106.8
Atlanta: 7th, 106.2
San Antonio: 8th, 106.1
Milwaukee:  11th, 104.3

League Avg:  103.5

Washington, 22nd, 101.4
Indiana, 23rd, 101.2
Philadelphia, 30th, 94.6

Celtics' Defensive Rating:  97.1

[CelticSooner]

Considering the depth on the team I don't see how it's not sustainable. What will be a bigger problem late in the year is getting buckets when the other teams really turn it up.

I'm not sure what depth has to do with forcing turnovers.  Perhaps it shows up in the energy guys have to get into passing lanes.  That's plausible.

Still, it's a little hard to believe the Celts will keep forcing almost 19 TOs a game.

Yeah

[LooseCannon]

After watching this team play on defense, it is pretty clear to me this team is one star away from being a contender. I think that's a pretty good spot to be in right now, especially with their assets. Let's hope it attracts players. Although it's a petty there aren't any desirable UFA's upcoming.

Just have to find a star who wants to play defense and won't take plays off on that end of the court.

[PhoSita]

That's a pretty tough schedule.  With the exception of the Sixers (obviously) every one of those games has been against competitive teams with win records of 0.500 or better and seeded 9th or higher.

I agree that it's been a tough schedule.  I was commenting on the quality of offensive teams that the Celts have faced, which bears on how effective the Celts have been defensively.

Offensive Ratings of Celtics' opponents:

Oklahoma City: 2nd, 109.4
Toronto: 5th, 106.8
Atlanta: 7th, 106.2
San Antonio: 8th, 106.1
Milwaukee:  11th, 104.3

League Avg:  103.5

Washington, 22nd, 101.4
Indiana, 23rd, 101.2
Philadelphia, 30th, 94.6

Celtics' Defensive Rating:  97.1

The Bucks are up that high?  Huh.  Interesting.

Yeah, you're right, the slate of offensive opponents has been pretty good.  Even with the caveats I can mention, the Celts have been impressive.



Maybe leading the league in turnovers forced really is an effort thing.

It'd be awesome if the Celts led the league all season long by a wide margin.

[max215]

After watching this team play on defense, it is pretty clear to me this team is one star away from being a contender. I think that's a pretty good spot to be in right now, especially with their assets. Let's hope it attracts players. Although it's a petty there aren't any desirable UFA's upcoming.

Just have to find a star who wants to play defense and won't take plays off on that end of the court.

His name is Paul George. If you're willing to speculate on future talent and wait for the Draft, Jaylen Brown fits the mold as well.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

After watching this team play on defense, it is pretty clear to me this team is one star away from being a contender. I think that's a pretty good spot to be in right now, especially with their assets. Let's hope it attracts players. Although it's a petty there aren't any desirable UFA's upcoming.

Just have to find a star who wants to play defense and won't take plays off on that end of the court.

His name is Paul George. If you're willing to speculate on future talent and wait for the Draft, Jaylen Brown fits the mold as well.

Too bad he seems untouchable. I mean, I would think my GM/Organization would be dumb to trade him if we had him. I would probably go on strike and say a lot of things out of anger.

[Celtics18]

That's a pretty tough schedule.  With the exception of the Sixers (obviously) every one of those games has been against competitive teams with win records of 0.500 or better and seeded 9th or higher.

I agree that it's been a tough schedule.  I was commenting on the quality of offensive teams that the Celts have faced, which bears on how effective the Celts have been defensively.

Offensive Ratings of Celtics' opponents:

Oklahoma City: 2nd, 109.4
Toronto: 5th, 106.8
Atlanta: 7th, 106.2
San Antonio: 8th, 106.1
Milwaukee:  11th, 104.3

League Avg:  103.5

Washington, 22nd, 101.4
Indiana, 23rd, 101.2
Philadelphia, 30th, 94.6

Celtics' Defensive Rating:  97.1

The Bucks are up that high?  Huh.  Interesting.

Yeah, you're right, the slate of offensive opponents has been pretty good.  Even with the caveats I can mention, the Celts have been impressive.



Maybe leading the league in turnovers forced really is an effort thing.

It'd be awesome if the Celts led the league all season long by a wide margin.

What I think is cool is that so far we have been able to build a top level defense with our best defenders being perimeter guys.

I thought Avery finally started to look like the Honey Badger again last night, and Evan's been using his length and anticipation to good effect lately. 

Jae and Marcus, of course, are playing defense on a level that's out of this world. 

[The One]

After watching this team play on defense, it is pretty clear to me this team is one star away from being a contender. I think that's a pretty good spot to be in right now, especially with their assets. Let's hope it attracts players. Although it's a petty there aren't any desirable UFA's upcoming.

Just have to find a star who wants to play defense and won't take plays off on that end of the court.

I see you Carmelo!!

[SHAQATTACK]

Jonas plays good D too .

Crowder and Marcus just have a pair of middle linebacker defensive attitudes that set the tone for the whole team ......even KO is playing inspired D .

Everybody but Zeller is buying in .   His body language is wrong.....watching players .....not standing in taking charges ,  giving up the body like Amir .

If his scoring rhythm is off ,meh can still step up and play aggressive D use up his 6 fouls for the team.

[SCeltic34]

Jonas plays good D too .

Crowder and Marcus just have a pair of middle linebacker defensive attitudes that set the tone for the whole team ......even KO is playing inspired D .

Everybody but Zeller is buying in .   His body language is wrong.....watching players .....not standing in taking charges ,  giving up the body like Amir .

If his scoring rhythm is off ,meh can still step up and play aggressive D use up his 6 fouls for the team.

Not sure where you're getting that from.  Zeller has been professional despite spending a lot of time on the bench. 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4720985/tyler-zeller-has-set-standard-for-bostons-overcrowded-frontcourt

"Every day I see Tyler, Tyler is doing conditioning because he’s not getting the minutes that he normally gets," said Sullinger, who produced his third consecutive double-double on Friday. "He’s lifting, he’s constantly in the gym working on his game, and that’s a big-time hats off to Tyler because, him going from starting to sometimes not even thought about then he’s thrown into [Friday's] game ... Tyler was ready and that’s being a pro's pro."

Also, he stepped in to take a charge last night but it was called a block on a 50/50 call.