Stevens wants to speed up pace of play

[KGBirdBias]

I think this is really how this teams should be playing. We don't have a great halfcourt game unless plays are running through Horford. Let these young guys run...but first they have to rebound.

[droopdog7]

Generally comes at a cost.  Guys leaking out, rebounding suffering, wear and tear, etc.

[celticsclay]

What is our current ranking for pace of play (i actually don't know how to look that up)..

[Monkhouse]

What is our current ranking for pace of play (i actually don't know how to look that up)..

Our current ranking in pace is 20.

https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/
You can go there, and just click on pace like you would normally on any button on excel to adjust descending and ascending values.

[blink]

What is our current ranking for pace of play (i actually don't know how to look that up)..

Our current ranking in pace is 20.

https://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/
You can go there, and just click on pace like you would normally on any button on excel to adjust descending and ascending values.

Thanks for the link.  Yeah with our currently starting lineup, we should probably being playing faster, trying to get more shots up, and putting pressure on the opposing def. to make more athletic stops in transition.  We are not a great 1/2 court team on offense, especially lately.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think this is code for "small ball," which doesn't excite me. They've already been playing quite a bit of small ball and it hasn't been going well.

[CelticSooner]

I heard somewhere recently that the pace was that low and I was shocked. I feel like you are doing the team a disservice playing so slow with the youth and athleticism this team has. Maybe CBS doesn't want to the team to rely so much on pace if it hurts them in the playoffs? I don't know.

[Chris22]

You can't run without rebounds.

[Csfan1984]

I felt they pushed the pace better to start the year. Mostly when Horford was in beast mode. As Horford goes so does the team. When he brings energy and effort in running and attacking the glass it's like rocket fuel.

[jackpercussion]

Fine!  As long as Baynes and Theis account for 48 minutes per game.

[RodyTur10]

Fine!  As long as Baynes and Theis account for 48 minutes per game.

I second this (TP). Horford is (like Csfan pointed out, also TP) the most important player on the team. He's the guy who gets the team running.

However he's not a defensive anchorman. He really likes to play of a center who does the dirty work underneath the basket. Baynes is crucial on defense in that role (and Theis has done a surprising good job with the second unit).

When Horford is the center he gets too much responsibility that he's comfortable with.

[trickybilly]

Fine!  As long as Baynes and Theis account for 48 minutes per game.

I'd like to see more Theis overall. Baynes' minutes depend on matchups - he's far less versatile..

[GreenWarrior]

unfortunately this is going to be "small ball". which is a shame, I said earlier in the season that the problem was that they look to get the ball to the PG(no matter who it is) after a rebound way too much and let him kill 6-7 secs. on the shot clock by dribbling the ball up. instead they should be getting the ball up to Jaylen and tatum as much as possible after a rebound. this would solve a lot of problems.

but stevens is going to have 3 PG's on the court and it will work for 1 game and after that we're doomed. you can't play fastbreak ball if you don't rebound.

also it seems he's changing his philosophy mid-season... that can't be good.

[Green-18]

Right now the Celtics pace isn't much different than last season.  It looks worse because the rest of the league is playing significantly faster.  Our half court offense is also less consistent.  The Celtics definitely need to start pushing the pace but that doesn't mean that they can't be selective.  Fast pace ball allows you to create mismatches against lazy defense.  If you don't look to run then these opportunities go to waste.  I believe Brad is trying to find a balance between fast and smart.   

My biggest concern is the fact the team struggles unless their defense is playing at an elite level.  Hopefully they can fix some things during the 2nd half of the season and enter the playoffs as a much more balanced team.

[chilidawg]

There's different ways to think of pace.  The pace stat measures how quickly you shoot, but I think what Brad wants is the players to move and think with greater pace, move the ball quicker, cut quicker.  I don't think that's a change of philosophy, nor does it require a small ball approach.  Just do what we've been trying to do better and more quickly.