Author Topic: Two Adjustments that Might Help  (Read 2346 times)

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Two Adjustments that Might Help
« on: November 22, 2018, 10:11:59 AM »

Offline DefenseWinsChamps

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1. Play Robert Williams more in key stretches. HERE ME OUT. I'm all for CBS ability to develop players slowly. If CBS doesn't think he is ready, he probably isn't, but I have a specific reason for this.

Scoring guards are killing us this season. Oladipo, Walker, Burke, Mitchell, Booker, just to name a few. The reason is strategy-specific. The Celtics employ a strategy that puts Brown and Smart on an island alone against these guys. CBS refuses to allow those scorers to become distributors, which would include the rest of the opposition's offense. On probability (and especially in a 7 game series) a scoring guard like this can't beat the Celtics by themselves.

Normally, Horford's or Baynes' man comes and sets a pick for the scoring guard. CBS strategy is that Horford and Baynes contain the drive, create indecision in the driver, and give Smart, Rozier, or Brown enough time to get back in front of the ball-handler. A good scoring guard refuses to become indecisive and, instead, attacks with a pullup or drive, forcing Horford or Baynes to try to make a play. The other thing they do is snake, get their defender on their hip, and slowly work their way into the lane for a floater or layup.

I do not believer Williams' IQ is ready for big minutes yet, but if you put him in there for four minute stints when those scorers are getting going, you make life much harder on them. One of Williams greatest assets is his length and quickness off the floor, which gives him the ability to block pullup jumpers (or at least make the shooter really uncomfortable) while giving the ball-handler space to prevent drives.

Its gimmicky. It's a small chess move. I don't think he is ready to be consistent rotation player yet, but he could be huge in key moments for us. In fairness, all the opposing team would have to do would be to send a different screener other than Williams' man. However, if you played Williams with wings and guards, if they sent a different screener, you'd just switch every pick and stagnate their offense, forcing the scorer to go one-on-one against a set defender.

2. Simplify the offense. One of the reasons the offense is struggling is because of the talent. We have a lot of guys that can be very good, but that doesn't mean it should be egalitarian. We have too many guys trying to learn and grow. Rozier is still trying to master timing in the pick-and-roll so he can be a starter in this league. Tatum is trying to take his game to the next level as a scorer/distributor. Brown is trying to draw more fouls and distribute as well. Irving is still learning how to control the game as a point guard. Hayward is trying to get back to 100%. In the middle of all of this, Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart are ball dominant (even though they have been pretty good at times), which hurts the rhythm of other players.

Run all the offense through Irving, Smart, and Hayward only. Run the offense through them like Houston runs it through Harden, Paul, and Gordon. For the time being, Rozier, Tatum, and Brown are all relegated to the Ojeleye corner role. Baynes, Williams, Horford, and Morris can all be the screeners, but ideally 90% of those minutes go to Horford and Morris.

Hayward has demonstrated the ability to run the offense and get good looks for teammates. Irving is growing every game as a distributor for his teammates. Smart can be the secondary ball-handler for either guy because he can get good looks for his teammates in the pick-and-roll and his weakness as a shooter is mitigated when the ball is in his hands.

Let all of those guys get into rhythm in those simple roles. Then, little by little, let the other guys figure out their roles.

It seems like we are trying to do too much all at once. Maybe CBS sees a way to get all this figured out in one frustrating stretch at the beginning of the season, but I'm a bit worried we are biting off more than we can chew and we might end up choking.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2018, 10:21:07 AM »

Offline KGBirdBias

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Hmm, I believe in playing William's. Anything he offers is gravy. He's a pogo stick and blocks, rebounds or fouls is good for this team. You know why Steven's doesn't play him...he cant shoot a 3. Again, Steven's doesn't value bigs who cant shoot 3s.

The offense needs to run through Horford and Hayward...not Kyrie.

Too many agendas for chemistry to be formed.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2018, 10:25:35 AM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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I would love to see some Williams, too.   He is raw but his athletic potential is amazing.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2018, 10:30:11 AM »

Offline mctyson

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The two adjustments that need to be made do not include playing Williams.  They are:

1) Start Marcus Morris.

or

2) Start Marcus Smart.

or...figure out a way so that those two play with Horford, Kyrie, and Tatum as much as possible.  That is the best 5-man team they have right now, +/- Hayward for one of them.

Brown and Rozier need to be benched.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2018, 10:41:54 AM »

Offline wiley

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agree with the OP on each point...

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2018, 10:45:06 AM »

Offline hpantazo

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The two adjustments that need to be made do not include playing Williams.  They are:

1) Start Marcus Morris.

or

2) Start Marcus Smart.

or...figure out a way so that those two play with Horford, Kyrie, and Tatum as much as possible.  That is the best 5-man team they have right now, +/- Hayward for one of them.

Brown and Rozier need to be benched.

Brown is still our best wing defender. We have to hope his offense improves, because we need his defense.

Rozier however can sit the bench, we don't need anything that he brings right now.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2018, 11:00:36 AM »

Offline Chris22

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I have been calling for Williams for the entire season. I would love to see him play with the starters.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2018, 11:58:57 AM »

Offline Mahk E Mahk

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to shake things up, i really like the idea of running the offense through hayward, op. in spite of his offensive struggles, his passing game has been excellent. he seems to see the entire floor better than most other celtics, with the possible exception of smart.  get kyrie some easier looks by playing him off-ball more often and open up the offense by allowing hayward to play the point-forward role. tyronn lue had success with this when he needed a spark for the cavs offense, so he played lebron at pf and moved kyrie off-ball at times. hayward is not lebron but the move could open up the offense and create more motion.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2018, 12:50:48 PM »

Offline drooldaddy

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I tend to agree that CBS should consider starting the Marcus - es.  The idea of playing Williams is appealing but if Brad doesn’t have faith we should have faith in Brads lack of faith. Or something.

I think we need to  strongly  consider searching for a legit big. So tiredly of getting pounded by 7 foot 260 in centers. Al can’t play these guys and Baynes gives his best but has some flaws.

A legit defensive minded big would cure a lot of our problems. Since our guards don’t seem to be stopping penetration we need someone in the middle. Tyson Chandler might have actually been helpful here. Sadly I can’t think of a center out there that is reasonably obtainable.

Marcus and Marcus starting with KI, Al and Tatum would be an interesting option. Not certain about the bench then.  Brown , Rozier, Gord, Baynes that feels like it could be awkward fit.

Sorry for the rambling, I think I am just as perplexed as the rest of you.

And don’t get me started on how every guard seems to be having a career day versus us.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2018, 01:13:55 PM »

Offline footey

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I’ve been clamoring to play Williams since day one.  Others have been saying he’s too raw, trust Brad, blah blah.

Well I don’t trust Brad right now. He seems pretty clueless. His assessment, game after stinking game, is that we’re not playing hard enough or we’re not that good. That seems to be motivating the players. Ya right.

I’d start Williams, Yabu, Semi, Smart and Morris. Because they are the only dudes who play hard and show full effort. Start that team vs the Hawks and see what happens. If they lose I Guaranty you it won’t be for lack of effort. Besides our current squad won’t stand a chance against any team right now.  If they win, keep starting them.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2018, 01:15:44 PM »

Offline footey

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One player few are singling out as a problem is Horford. He has been god awful on both sides of the ball. Sit Al. Doesn’t deserve to start.

Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2018, 01:20:09 PM »

Offline tstorey_97

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Celtics are averaging 49 points in the first half....worst in NBA.
They are 26th in offensive efficiency.
They are third in turnovers.
They are 29th in the NBA in shooting percentage.

They just su*& right now. You can rearrange the furniture, but, they just miss layups, throw the ball away and do everything the didn't do last year when they beat everybody in the league.

I guess this is the other side of the mountain.

They will get it together and the shots will fall and they'll win their share in a very tough east.

In the meantime, there is always football.


Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2018, 01:25:49 PM »

Offline KGBirdBias

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I've always said Horford is more effective with a big center next to him. Maybe start Williams and let him play work in the paint while Al is at the 3. Hell the Lakers start McGee why not start William's. If he gets in foul trouble so what.

We need more defense to start games. It will help alleviate the crazy 4th quarter comebacks.

Kyrie
Smart
Tatum
Horford
Williams

Rozier
Brown
Hayward
Morris
Baynes


Three the soft mentality 3 ball out and start becoming a more physical, defensive minded team.


Re: Two Adjustments that Might Help
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2018, 01:38:20 PM »

Offline Rosco917

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Shorten the roster. Play the most experienced group giving them 30 minutes a game. Pretend like we're not as deep as we are.

Irving
Hayward
Horford
Morris
Tatum

Smart (6th man)
Baynes to spell Horford and go big.

Let Rozier and Brown earn their way back on the court. (Rozier has an agenda, and Brown has simply regressed back to 19 years old.)