Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Brown seems to be trending in the right direction, but for some reason, still has one or two of his "dribbling into a double team" episodes per game. His 3 point shot looks a lot better, and I think he looks good when we posts up or takes a mid-range jumper. Still a bit rough around the edges, but I think he looks like he is engaged and supportive of the game plans.

The issue isn’t really whether he’s making those midrangers and postups. We know over his career that he’s going to hit some amazing shots but also going to miss roughly half of them, like most iso players.

The issue is that every time he gets the ball he stops the offense so he can hold, position, plan, and attack, while the defense resets and the other four players give up their leverages and just watch. That’s why the offensive net rating and other analytics are picking up on.

He did move the ball significantly better and quicker last night and created a few nice looks for teammates, but when he’s in there with some of the lesser players it really jams things up since they’re more ball flow dependent.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

He did move the ball significantly better and quicker last night and created a few nice looks for teammates, but when he’s in there with some of the lesser players it really jams things up since they’re more ball flow dependent.

Agreed. He played within the plan last night except for 1 or 2 exceptions (fewer than most games). Let's hope it continues.

 

[They_Hate_We]

Are we all in agreement that the in-season tournament is the dumbest thing ever?

It reeks of NASCAR's in-season gimmicks in an attempt to increase viewer's interest. NASCAR is a clown show now.

 

[jimnance]

It’s funny that you dismiss the season long +/- trend because it hurts your agenda but then go all-in on it when +/- supports it. He was +4 and the small variation among starters is statistical noise rather than the huge gaps I’ve been pointing out.

He did hit some big shots in the 4th quarter and had a decent game.



Here’s the updated season box plus minus.



The gap between Brown and Pritchard is smaller than the gap between Hauser and Brown, but by all means everyone should continue yelling and screaming at the suggestion that the Celtics would be better with Hauser playing more minutes and Brown playing less.

?My agenda? LMFAO.
Dude,I dont have an agenda. ?You do.
I'm not a Brown fanboy. But you ?have an obsession with him. Not in a healthy way.
You remind me of DKF with Josh McD.
Or Brewskies right here with Jason Tatum.
You make some good points about Brown. I agree with most, not all.
But you lose all credibility because your hatred of him is so over the top.
You also constantly bring up the evil horrors of iso. Not many Championships are won without at least one good to great iso player. It's a large part of Tatums game. Embiid.Gianmis. Luka.
Durant. Steph. Jokic.
Most of the alltime great players had iso as a large part of the game. Especially in late game high stakes situations you need a go-to guy who can get you a bucket,foul or assist.
The problem with iso play is obviously when a guy holds the ball too long. That's not always the case with Brown.
A great iso player opens easy scoring opportunities for teammates.
Especially on a drive, he's gonna get doubleteamed leaving someone wide open. No, you don't want it as the basis of your entire offense but there's times you need it.
No nba team is gonna win a title with nothing but catch and shoot spot up shooters. That's ridiculous

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Someone on Celtics forum pointed out that Hauser is having an outlier season in NBA history in taking “three point specialist” to the extreme. He has 7 two point attempts and 73 three point attempts, so over 90% of his attempts are threes. Even a modern “three point specialist” is still rarely over 70%. That’s pretty mind boggling.

 

[jimnance]

Someone on Celtics forum pointed out that Hauser is having an outlier season in NBA history in taking “three point specialist” to the extreme. He has 7 two point attempts and 73 three point attempts, so over 90% of his attempts are threes. Even a modern “three point specialist” is still rarely over 70%. That’s pretty mind boggling.

He's a bit more than just a great 3pt shooter. He's a very good defender, both as a team defender and one on one.
I won't go as far as you and say he should replace Brown as a starter. But he's become a damn good player.
I'll also admit that no current Celtic has pissed me off more at times than Brown, going back to last season. Kinda like Marcus Smart used to.
But I see improvement this year. Maybe not as much or as fast as I'd like but it gives hope.
It's a long season. I don't think he can continue being a bone head sometimes with the 4 starters he's playing with. He'll get better just by osmosis.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I don't think he can continue being a bone head sometimes with the 4 starters he's playing with. He'll get better just by osmosis.

I am not sure that the osmosis argument always works. We have some posters here that have not changed in 10 or 20 years ;-).

 

[jimnance]

I am not sure that the osmosis argument always works. We have some posters here that have not changed in 10 or 20 years ;-).

Can't argue with that. But there's a few posters who would try. Like 20 pages worth of trying.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Are we all in agreement that the in-season tournament is the dumbest thing ever?

The thought is that younger audiences will love this going forward.
Yes ... I think it is absolutely foolish ... Fine change the floor ... like alternate uniforms but tournament ... really?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Let's hope Pritchard breaks out tonight

 

[Kdo5]

Brown seems to be trending in the right direction, but for some reason, still has one or two of his "dribbling into a double team" episodes per game. His 3 point shot looks a lot better, and I think he looks good when we posts up or takes a mid-range jumper. Still a bit rough around the edges, but I think he looks like he is engaged and supportive of the game plans.

I’m not sure Jaylen will ever learn from the “dribbling off the foot” in traffic thing. That’s one of the unfortunate flaws in his game that you just kind of have to live with. Part of his game is driving to the rim with a full head of steam, good defenses will have active hands and get turnovers here and there. The hope is that it just doesn’t happen in the most critical moments, Tatum has had his moments with that too, to a lesser extent.

I’m glad we have Jrue, he is a guy that I really trust to take care of the ball and make the smart plays.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

The thought is that younger audiences will love this going forward.
Yes ... I think it is absolutely foolish ... Fine change the floor ... like alternate uniforms but tournament ... really?

Would be really cool if they were non league games that don’t count in standings and all the international champion teams were invited to compete. That’s the whole point of the domestic soccer cups, you see different teams and promising players competing against the millionaires (who often don’t care that much and get upset.)

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I’m glad we have Jrue, he is a guy that I really trust to take care of the ball and make the smart plays.

I think Jrue is more than that. I think he is really nice person and is the quiet and positive leadership that the Js need. Watching Jrue's patience and passing has to effect Jason and Jaylen. Maybe I am tricking myself because that is what I want to happen? I think the team is really coming together. With one more scorer off the bench this is a great team. I am hoping Pritchard can be that bench scorer, but maybe someone else will step? To date the other bench players have not looked comfortable.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I think Jrue is more than that. I think he is really nice person and is the quiet and positive leadership that the Js need. Watching Jrue's patience and passing has to effect Jason and Jaylen. Maybe I am tricking myself because that is what I want to happen? I think the team is really coming together. With one more scorer off the bench this is a great team. I am hoping Pritchard can be that bench scorer, but maybe someone else will step? To date the other bench players have not looked comfortable.

I think you’re trolling me

Taking out big men who shoot a high pct close to basket, Hauser has the highest true shooting percentage in the NBA. They need to increase his minutes and attempts. Given where he is for accuracy, even a lower efficiency at higher volume will still make him a very solid option.

But I agree: another scorer is needed as well. Kornet has looked decent…not sure why he didn’t play last game.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Gotta admit this is ****ing hilarious and clever.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think you’re trolling me

Taking out big men who shoot a high pct close to basket, Hauser has the highest true shooting percentage in the NBA. They need to increase his minutes and attempts. Given where he is for accuracy, even a lower efficiency at higher volume will still make him a very solid option.

But I agree: another scorer is needed as well. Kornet has looked decent…not sure why he didn’t play last game.

Yes Kornet has looked OK, to my surprise. Horford played well against Toronto - glad we have him. Another big man might be needed, but I think everyone knows that. It is the extra bench scorere I am looking for while the Celtics work on the big bench player.

It will be interesting to see who plays today and tomorrow, back-to-back against two weaker teams before the Bucks on Wednesday night.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Yes Kornet has looked OK, to my surprise. Horford played well against Toronto - glad we have him. Another big man might be needed, but I think everyone knows that. It is the extra bench scorere I am looking for while the Celtics work on the big bench player.

It will be interesting to see who plays today and tomorrow, back-to-back against two weaker teams before the Bucks on Wednesday night.

Brown might play

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Brown might play

Do we need him? Smart is out for the Grizzlies, Ja Morant as well, so I think the B team might be OK.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Do we need him? Smart is out for the Grizzlies, Ja Morant as well, so I think the B team might be OK.

Well I think you know my opinion.

 

[They_Hate_We]

Do we need him? Smart is out for the Grizzlies, Ja Morant as well, so I think the B team might be OK.

The more minutes Kornet, Pritch and Hauser can get, the better IMO.