Don't get down about the Pistons loss

[TheFlex]

Was gonna post this in the game thread, but felt it merited its own discussion.

There will be a lot of negative posts about losing two in a row, the second of which to the Pistons, who people will make out to be some scrub team. I follow the Pistons more than any team besides the Celtics. Their starting lineup is statistically dominant -- it is their bench that reduces them to just a borderline playoff team (albeit, a borderline playoff team in a very tough East). Their best player -- Drummond -- is far superior to anyone on our roster. Their second best player -- Reggie Jackson -- is also probably superior to any Celtic; Isaiah Thomas is right with him offensively, but Jackson's physical tools make him more useful defensively. So, consider this: How does it tell you our season is going if we lose the second night of a back-to-back on the road to a team with two superior players and are disappointed? Hint: very good.

Any time Detroit can play KCP 44 minutes and he's shooting over 50%, in combination with typical Jackson/Drummond games, Detroit is going to have a very good chance at winning. Too bad we had to waste a couple of really good games from IT and Sully, who did an admirable job trying to neutralize Detroit's biggest player advantages.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

We'll be fine, I'm glad this isn't the NFL, won't have to think about it too long. 

[tarheelsxxiii]

Agree it's not a reason to get down on our season. Roster consolidation is still largely warranted, though. Some of the rotations tonight, in general, made little sense. And it's difficult to watch KO put up 28 against GSW, then drop a goose egg in 16 minutes (same as Jerebko) against DET. If we are to keep moving forward, it's vital that we both consolidate and upgrade talent.

[TheFlex]

Agree it's not a reason to get down on our season. Roster consolidation is still largely warranted, though. Some of the rotations tonight, in general, made little sense. And it's difficult to watch KO put up 28 against GSW, then drop a goose egg in 16 minutes (same as Jerebko) against DET. If we are to keep moving forward, it's vital that we both consolidate and upgrade talent.

To not consolidate our talent would be out of the question. We have too many picks and players. That said, let's enjoy this 15-deep Celts team while we can. I think we're going to see a whole bunch of new Celtics next season.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Agree it's not a reason to get down on our season. Roster consolidation is still largely warranted, though. Some of the rotations tonight, in general, made little sense. And it's difficult to watch KO put up 28 against GSW, then drop a goose egg in 16 minutes (same as Jerebko) against DET. If we are to keep moving forward, it's vital that we both consolidate and upgrade talent.

To not consolidate our talent would be out of the question. We have too many picks and players. That said, let's enjoy this 15-deep Celts team while we can. I think we're going to see a whole bunch of new Celtics next season.

Love this team and will be disappointed to see almost anyone go. Wondering what moves you anticipate as being feasible and/or likely though?

[TheFlex]

Agree it's not a reason to get down on our season. Roster consolidation is still largely warranted, though. Some of the rotations tonight, in general, made little sense. And it's difficult to watch KO put up 28 against GSW, then drop a goose egg in 16 minutes (same as Jerebko) against DET. If we are to keep moving forward, it's vital that we both consolidate and upgrade talent.

To not consolidate our talent would be out of the question. We have too many picks and players. That said, let's enjoy this 15-deep Celts team while we can. I think we're going to see a whole bunch of new Celtics next season.

Love this team and will be disappointed to see almost anyone go. Wondering what moves you anticipate as being feasible and/or likely though?

I'd like to see Zeller moved. The "depth" argument is kinda moot. If Zeller is moved and Sully or Amir goes down, Kelly and Lee can play a lot more minutes than they are now, and Jordan Mickey can finally get some burn. I'd be fine with Zeller being moved for a late 1st + an expiring/nonguaranteed deal.

I think the Celtics will try to get Cousins, Beal, DeRozan, perhaps even older guys like Howard/Noah at the deadline, but are unlikely to meet the price. I think things are much more likely to go down in the offseason than in the middle of the season.

I think the Celtics will try to move up in the draft again, and I think this time, they'll be successful. Even if they land the #1 pick with the 2016 BKN 1, they'll look to move up with their own pick by using a combination of young players (Young, Hunter, Rozier, Mickey) and remaining 2016 selections. Let's say we get something like the 18th pick and Dallas finishes with the 16th pick. Chicago traded 16 & 19 to get 11 in 2014. I think Young, Rozier, #16 + #18 could get you as high as 8, more likely in the 10-12 range. That'd be sweet to come away with Ben Simmons and Cheick Diallo.

In the offseason, a lot of dominoes will fall. Where does Washington go if they miss out on Durant? What will Atlanta do if they lose Horford? Memphis if they lose Conley? What if Durant leaves, but goes to a team that needs to clear cap, such as Toronto? Who could be the third team that ends up picking up a valuable piece? What does Houston do if they keep Dwight and lose in the 2nd round? What does Philadelphia do, with Colangelo? What does LAL do, without Kobe? What does New Orleans do, with a top-flight prospect paired with AD? Etc. Celtics will have a number of opportunities to strike when the time is right.

[GreenWarrior]

according to Gorman the Pistons bench was the worst thing about their team. we let 'em look good...that's disappointing.

esp. since it was another team with length.

[TheFlex]

according to Gorman the Pistons bench was the worst thing about their team. we let 'em look good...that's disappointing.

esp. since it was another team with length.

Celts have had a very tough schedule the past 5 games. We gave it our best shot, but again, if Jackson/Drummond are doing their thing and then X-factors like KCP's offensive game and bench production go in their favor, you're gonna have a hard time beating Detroit. Not too disappointed considering we only lost by 3 on the second night of a back-to-back.

[Ed Hollison]

The Celtics were absolutely gassed last night. I think we've gotten so used to the notion of them winning on the second half of back-to-backs that we take for granted what it actually means to play in Boston one day and then get on a plane and play the next day in another city.

What was particularly frustrating about this loss wasn't just that Reggie Jackson and Caldwell-Pope couldn't miss down the stretch, but also that they basically played hero ball with no ball movement and the C's actually played decent defense on most of those posessions. They just made the shots. Add in a few bad calls and a half-court three-pointer from the worst jump shooter in the league, and that's your ball game.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I agree with the OP on all except one point. I do think Thomas is a better player than Jackson. If Thomas was playing with Drummond, he would be even more efficient on the pick-and-roll because of the attention Drummond draws. Jackson is a good player who really benefits from playing the pick and roll with Drummond.

I kinda' think Thomas wanted to beat up on Jackson last night to prove that he deserves to be an All-star over Jackson.

[apc]

The Celtics were absolutely gassed last night. I think we've gotten so used to the notion of them winning on the second half of back-to-backs that we take for granted what it actually means to play in Boston one day and then get on a plane and play the next day in another city.

What was particularly frustrating about this loss wasn't just that Reggie Jackson and Caldwell-Pope couldn't miss down the stretch, but also that they basically played hero ball with no ball movement and the C's actually played decent defense on most of those posessions. They just made the shots. Add in a few bad calls and a half-court three-pointer from the worst jump shooter in the league, and that's your ball game.

I agree,
I am upset with this loss because we had the game. 
And the back to back streak was kind of cool thing.
I am happy Zeller got to play, and hopefully will get back regular minutes.

[TheFlex]

I agree with the OP on all except one point. I do think Thomas is a better player than Jackson. If Thomas was playing with Drummond, he would be even more efficient on the pick-and-roll because of the attention Drummond draws. Jackson is a good player who really benefits from playing the pick and roll with Drummond.

I kinda' think Thomas wanted to beat up on Jackson last night to prove that he deserves to be an All-star over Jackson.

Sure, Jackson has help, but let's not act like IT doesn't either. If that was the case -- that IT was the lone talent on Boston's roster -- the Celtics would most certainly not be the team they are right now.

IT doesn't have a high-flying P&R threat, no. But he does multiple skilled bigs that can run the pick & pop better than Drummond can, as well as Amir whose athleticism gets the job done on the P&R. In addition, Thomas has two of the best perimeter defenders in the game who cover up Thomas' vulnerability on defense in AB and Crowder, who also have both served as above-average three-point shooting threats for IT. IT doesn't have an individual sidekick at the level of Drummond, but he does have a greater quantity of threats than Jackson does, and his limitations on the defensive end require more accommodations than Jackson's do. It should be noted that both team stats and watching the Pistons first hand suggest that Detroit is being carried by its top 3-4 players, whereas Boston's attack is more spread out. Jackson will get credit for being a 20-point scorer on a .500 or better team whose substantial contributors can be counted on one hand. The same can be said for Thomas, except the last part. Boston has consistently has 6-8 notable contributors.

IT and Reggie have both played like All-Stars. It is a shame that at least one if not both will not get the nod because of impressive guard play in the East through the first 25 games or so. It will likely come down to record. If Boston isn't in the top 3-4 in the East and Detroit is hanging around 6-8, I think Reggie gets the nod. If Boston makes a surge over the next couple months and Detroit is sitting outside the playoff picture, IT will get the nod. If neither Boston and Detroit are winning enough games, they will likely both get snubbed.

[manl_lui]

this year's East is literally open for anyone to take...but then again we're a month and a half into the season only

and also, I'm not upset cuz

1. Nets lost
2. Dallas lost

[Donoghus]

this year's East is literally open for anyone to take...but then again we're a month and a half into the season only

and also, I'm not upset cuz

1. Nets lost
2. Dallas lost

Well, it's CLE's to take but its anyone else's in regards to the remainder of the East.  Would it really shock anyone if Boston was a 2 seed or a 7 seed?

[TheFlex]

this year's East is literally open for anyone to take...but then again we're a month and a half into the season only

and also, I'm not upset cuz

1. Nets lost
2. Dallas lost

Well, it's CLE's to take but its anyone else's in regards to the remainder of the East.  Would it really shock anyone if Boston was a 2 seed or a 7 seed?

Neither would surprise me all that much.