Why do the Celtics seem to blow so many large leads this season?

[Rosco917]

This is simple: This team is definitely missing a second reliable scorer. IT being the single reliable scorer we do have. (presently sitting on the bench with injury)

Now... IT is also our Point Guard...a position that relies on a player to distribute the ball, find open shooters, get others involved, and contribute defensively, all while making the most of his open opportunities. The ball is usually in the point guards hands more than any other player on the team. What this "PG" does with that ball dictates the personality, and chemistry of the offense's ability to score the ball. Even with IT healthy, much of the time our offensive "chemistry" is lacking too much of the time.

When you eliminate IT from the C's lineup, you have a situation dependent on other players, who are mostly inconsistent, to score the ball.

To this point, we have a serious problem. The Celtics have no player that can create his own shot other than IT. When the little guy is absent...we fail to score when the opposing team makes its "usual" 3rd and 4th quarter push.

This team needs a trade, our bigs are at best below average, and soft. And we need this second scorer. Or we can just drift in mediocrity. Or pray we hit a home run in the draft.

The question of, can this second scorer thrive with IT also on the floor, is a different subject entirely.

[kozlodoev]

talent

Not about talent. In terms of talent, we made perhaps a lateral move as compared to last season, but created gaps in the competencies we have on the roster and never adequately addressed them.

Last season, in games like the one against OKC, we'd give the ball to Turner down the stretch, and usually something good would come out of it. This was generally true regardless of whether he stunk all game before that. This season, we have the anti-Turner in Al Horford, who can give you a three quarters of positive plays but will fizzle when the game is on the line.

While Turner wasn't the most talented guy on the roster, what he brought to the team in terms of poise and ability to deliver under pressure has not been addressed. And thus, we lose more than people thought we would.

Thomas didn't play last night though.  He is by far Boston's best offensive player and it isn't close.

What I described was true last season even with Thomas available.

[tankcity!]

I think the main isssue is we're not consistent enough on defense. I don't know why we had trouble stopping Westbrook when that team is one of the worst 3pt shooting teams in the league. There really should be no space for Westrbook to make his move. Also, I saw that people were partially blaming Bradley for Westbrook's performance. Um Smart guarded him for a lot of the game too so there is more than enough blame to share there. I don't understand why our guards are getting burned.

[Moranis]

I think the main isssue is we're not consistent enough on defense. I don't know why we had trouble stopping Westbrook when that team is one of the worst 3pt shooting teams in the league. There really should be no space for Westrbook to make his move. Also, I saw that people were partially blaming Bradley for Westbrook's performance. Um Smart guarded him for a lot of the game too so there is more than enough blame to share there. I don't understand why our guards are getting burned.

Westbrook is a monster.  No one can guard him, but you can't let Adams go 7 for 8 and Kanter go 6 for 10.

[tankcity!]

I think the main isssue is we're not consistent enough on defense. I don't know why we had trouble stopping Westbrook when that team is one of the worst 3pt shooting teams in the league. There really should be no space for Westrbook to make his move. Also, I saw that people were partially blaming Bradley for Westbrook's performance. Um Smart guarded him for a lot of the game too so there is more than enough blame to share there. I don't understand why our guards are getting burned.

Westbrook is a monster.  No one can guard him, but you can't let Adams go 7 for 8 and Kanter go 6 for 10.

He's shooting 43% from the field, 32% from three. He's not Durant. He's guard-able. Not to mention he is a PG size. Those guys are guardable. See what Cleveland did to Curry last year in the playoffs, same with the Thunder. The fact that he shot over 50% against us is embarrassing.

[mctyson]

I still think it is very understated that Stevens' penchant for the small lineup at the end of games might not be such a good idea.