Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[Jim Beankie]

With a 30 point lead, not much of an offense is needed to win. Just a defense. The only way to lose is to go cold, and for the opponent to get hot, from the 3 point line. Simply play defense at the 3 point line so the other team does not get in a 3 point rhythm. Not having a point guard, especially with a defensive point guard specialist like Springer available, on the floor was a huge coaching failure. And Springer could have used the playing time while others could have rested. I like Mazzulla, but he was really bad in that game.

I'm glad they're getting that wakeup call now versus in the playoffs.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I'm glad they're getting that wakeup call now versus in the playoffs.

Honestly there’s no wakeup call. This is just the same old Tatum/Brown stuff. Sure this game was particularly bad because of the 30 point lead and the opponent but these issues will continue. How many times have I posted something similar about crunch time stupidity?

And again, look at that last play and tell me how that’s on Mazulla when Brown refuses to run the offense. How is it on Porzingis when Brown refuses to pass it to him there? Tatum and Brown are in a competition for who is the team’s “alpha” and the truth is they both absolutely suck running the Kobe Bryant drill in the final minutes.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Derrick White is the most underrated athlete in the four major sports.

Where are all the other “gritty role players” who “isn’t a real number one but means a lot to his team” on this list?

 

[aluminum seats]

Honestly there’s no wakeup call. This is just the same old Tatum/Brown stuff. Sure this game was particularly bad because of the 30 point lead and the opponent but these issues will continue. How many times have I posted something similar about crunch time stupidity?

And again, look at that last play and tell me how that’s on Mazulla when Brown refuses to run the offense. How is it on Porzingis when Brown refuses to pass it to him there? Tatum and Brown are in a competition for who is the team’s “alpha” and the truth is they both absolutely suck running the Kobe Bryant drill in the final minutes.

Agree that it's gone on way too long to be considered a wake up call, but disagree you can't blame the coach because if he can't assert his authority then what's the point?

You put the ball in Jrue's or White's hands, you run double actions for the Jays and get them the ball 12 feet from the rim on the move. If they demand iso ball instead in the last minute, sit their asses on the bench, I don't care

 

[Zuma]

 

[1960Pats]

I've been watching the NBA since the 60's and I don't ever recall a seeing a player get a 10 second violation without being pressured by the defense. Incredible. Throw in the dribble off his foot and his usual strip while trying to go between two players with his high dribble and you could almost blame that loss on him.

Until Tatum grows a brain and Brown learns to hit foul shots I'll continue to worry about this team in the playoffs no matter what record they have.

And Mazulla? What a sick joke that guy is. Good coaches don't allow a star studded team to consistently give up 20 and 30 point leads. They better not piss away another chance at title #18 because of him.

 

[1960Pats]

I'm glad they're getting that wakeup call now versus in the playoffs.

Listening to Tatum after the game has me concerned that he's still asleep..

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Hawks broadcasters thrilled the Celtics didn’t get White a shot in the last two minutes, basically laughing at Tatum.

 

[aluminum seats]

Missed the game, was the last possession in the 4th Tatum dribbling for 20 seconds and hurling up a last second three?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Missed the game, was the last possession in the 4th Tatum dribbling for 20 seconds and hurling up a last second three?

More like 6 seconds, but yes you are right.

 

[aluminum seats]

More like 6 seconds, but yes you are right.

Of course. But I'm sure they've learned their lesson this time!

 

[Kdo5]

Of course. But I'm sure they've learned their lesson this time!

I’m most concerned with Joe Mazzula. If it’s gotta go to Tatum then draw something up!

I realize this time it was only six seconds but more generally there is no creativity, no screens. It’s toss the ball to Tatum, let him get doubled and just throw it up.

The guy either doesn’t know how to draw up OOB plays, is scared of taking it out of Tatum’s hand at the last second or both.

Derrick White was 8/9 from three, lights out shooting. Brown hit two clutch mid range shots in that game, one could’ve been the game winner. Zingis and Jrue can definitely make the shots. It doesn’t always need to be Tatum.

It’s not going to change though. If you listen to Mazzula’s press conference he said JT is going to get the ball and he thought it was a good look.

Let us hope we have a lot of blow outs in the playoffs because close games aren’t good for us.

 

[aluminum seats]

Agreed @Kdo5

Watching the clips, the last second shot that Brown hit is a small step in the right direction possibly. Grasping at straws here maybe

They can get to the conference finals without having to win a close game but not sure beyond that

 

[RobertWeathers]

Maybe Scott Wedman can come out of retirement for the playoffs. Need some toughness and veteran leadership....

Hes currently getting free lunches at hardware stores.

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[Kdo5]

Agreed @Kdo5

Watching the clips, the last second shot that Brown hit is a small step in the right direction possibly. Grasping at straws here maybe

They can get to the conference finals without having to win a close game but not sure beyond that

I was thinking about last second moments under Stevens and Ime too. I’m sure there were other examples of Tatum ISO’s that didn’t work but for instance I was thinking about Game 1 vs the Nets back in 2022.

Remember they brought it up the court and every single player touched the ball, swung it around until Tatum was found cutting for the layup? No effing way that happens with this group, at least from what I’ve seen.

That would’ve been a pass to Tatum who dribbles up to take the jumper. This is on Joe in my opinion. He has to step up. Tatum is superstar, there is an inherent selfishness. Joe needs to tame it for the team to make better plays in the last second. He treats him like he’s Lebron.

One fix and I’d feel so much better about our championship hopes.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I was thinking about last second moments under Stevens and Ime too. I’m sure there were other examples of Tatum ISO’s that didn’t work but for instance I was thinking about Game 1 vs the Nets back in 2022.

Remember they brought it up the court and every single player touched the ball, swung it around until Tatum was found cutting for the layup? No effing way that happens with this group, at least from what I’ve seen.

That would’ve been a pass to Tatum who dribbles up to take the jumper. This is on Joe in my opinion. He has to step up. Tatum is superstar, there is an inherent selfishness. Joe needs to tame it for the team to make better plays in the last second. He treats him like he’s Lebron.

One fix and I’d feel so much better about our championship hopes.

I am positive there is a clever plan. In the playoffs we will not run iso ball with Tatum, but run set plays. The reason we don't run set plays during the season is because we want to surprise our opponents in the playoffs when the games are more important.

 

[Ghost_Rush02]

If I haven't said it here, I want to go on record. Mazzulla is a horrible coach and is not the right coach for this franchise.

It becomes more and more evident in these games plus he sounds stupid when Gary Washburn presses him in post-game talks.

 

[Real fan 02]

No. Pritch and Hauser are serviceable off the bench. Kornet is fine as a 5th big.

Champ won't play at all. He might be the only one.

The team is starting to show vulnerability, IMO springer is the best on ball defender we have. 2 losses at Atlanta with basically thier whole starting 5 out...

 

[bresna]

The refereeing in today's game was pretty putrid, especially in the first half. The Celtics players were complaining like crazy for a good reason. The refs weren't calling anything on the Pelicans. Their failure to overturn that second challenge with 1:45 to go was embarrassing. You hope the league looks at this stuff and lets the crew know.... ha ha ha ha.

A win is a win. That being said, I was not that impressed with their offensive play today. This win was all on their defense,

Brown needs to throw out those sneakers.

 

[Kdo5]

The team is starting to show vulnerability, IMO springer is the best on ball defender we have. 2 losses at Atlanta with basically thier whole starting 5 out...

I stand by the only vulnerability that will truly cost us a championship is Joe Mazzula and bad last second plays/shots.

This team has what it needs otherwise. They are pretty much completely healthy.