Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[aluminum seats]

Go small ball at times with Tatum at the 5

Have been hoping they would try this. It seems like with this and playing some of the other bench guys, and this isn't a characteristic unique to Mazzulla, but coaches seem like they don't want to mix things up in the playoffs. I think that kind of flexibility can be key so we'll see

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

I agree although Joe still has to do some tinkering with the lineup because we shouldn’t just resign ourselves to a shootout every game. He has options…

1. Play X/Queta and Brissett. Inject the defensive energy for tough contests, hustle and second chance points.

2. If we do ride it out with our current bench rotation make sure that Tatum is playing with them as much as possible. He is more of a stabilizing force than any other player on the court. While our other guys are great players they don’t make the bench much better.

3. Go small ball at times with Tatum at the 5. They put him on Myles Turner quite a bit in the second half and he went fairly quiet. They were constantly targeting Horford and Kornet.

Hope Joe pushes some buttons to improve our defense.

I agree with most of this post, but I worry about going small ball. If I'm Carlisle and I see that I'm countering with a lineup of big guys who have motors and will force play inside, leading to foul trouble for small Celtics defenders who are unable to double as the Pacers are excellent at passing the ball.

The bench is going to be a problem all series. I don't want to see too much of them as a result of foul trouble.

 

[Real fan 02]

Have been hoping they would try this. It seems like with this and playing some of the other bench guys, and this isn't a characteristic unique to Mazzulla, but coaches seem like they don't want to mix things up in the playoffs. I think that kind of flexibility can be key so we'll see

Agreed. Wyc wants another title. If Muzzulla doesn't pull out all stops to ensure the Cs get back to the finals then he may be out as HC. It's all about adjusting and matching up with the opponent. They couldn't do it last year is why we lost in 7.. Joe needs to utilize his bench players more.. Brissett and queta as it was mentioned should see some opportunities.

 

[Real fan 02]

I agree with most of this post, but I worry about going small ball. If I'm Carlisle and I see that I'm countering with a lineup of big guys who have motors and will force play inside, leading to foul trouble for small Celtics defenders who are unable to double as the Pacers are excellent at passing the ball.

The bench is going to be a problem all series. I don't want to see too much of them as a result of foul trouble.

Yes. Is why a bench is so important especially in the playoffs. Our bench is not at the level of the Pacers. So I'd say mix it up some

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Fyi

 

[Real fan 02]

Fyi

Speaking for myself.. if we get to finals I want no part of the T wolves. I'd rather face mavs..

 

[Kdo5]

I agree with most of this post, but I worry about going small ball. If I'm Carlisle and I see that I'm countering with a lineup of big guys who have motors and will force play inside, leading to foul trouble for small Celtics defenders who are unable to double as the Pacers are excellent at passing the ball.

The bench is going to be a problem all series. I don't want to see too much of them as a result of foul trouble.

I hear you, I think my thing is just to try it out not necessarily commit to it. We were already having a lot of problems with our bigs defensively in Game 1 so can it get much worse?

Give it a shot just to see. We can back off of it if what you say happens.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Speaking for myself.. if we get to finals I want no part of the T wolves. I'd rather face mavs..

Yeah same here. My guess is Celtics and Wolves would go 7. Celtics would take out Mavs in 5 or 6.

 

[Real fan 02]

Yeah same here. My guess is Celtics and Wolves would go 7. Celtics would take out Mavs in 5 or 6.

Agree. Or just because there is no Answer for Edwards in the NBA. They just have so much length in the 2-5 spots.. Mavs definitely in 5,6

 

[aluminum seats]

Fyi

Would have loved to see Minn favored here

 

[aluminum seats]

By the way, I think we're missing the big question from last night

Was Brown's shot worthy of a Mike Breen double bang?

 

[RobertWeathers]

By the way, I think we're missing the big question from last night

Was Brown's shot worthy of a Mike Breen double bang?

Yes

 

[maust]

Yes

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

By the way, I think we're missing the big question from last night

Was Brown's shot worthy of a Mike Breen double bang?

In Celtics playoff lore in my lifetime that sequence at the end of the 4th (forcing the TO then hitting the shot) is right up there with Bird stealing the ball vs Detroit.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

I hear you, I think my thing is just to try it out not necessarily commit to it. We were already having a lot of problems with our bigs defensively in Game 1 so can it get much worse?

Give it a shot just to see. We can back off of it if what you say happens.

Fair enough. I'm reluctant to change the philosophy after a win, even a close one, but I agree that all ideas should be on the table. I think we need to accept to some extent that without Porzingis this is going to be a track meet. What is really needed in my mind is more from the bench and a continued commitment to getting tough points in the paint and getting to the line.

 

[RobertWeathers]

In Celtics playoff lore in my lifetime that sequence at the end of the 4th (forcing the TO then hitting the shot) is right up there with Bird stealing the ball vs Detroit.

There was more riding on the Bird steal than last night's great sequence.

In '87, if we went down 2-3 going to DET for G6 we would have certainly lost.

With that said, I'll always maintain if we had lost G5, Parish plays G6 in DET (he was suspended for *****-slapping Laimbeer).

 

[maust]

With that said, I'll always maintain if we had lost G5, Parish plays G6 in DET (he was suspended for *****-slapping Laimbeer).

That may have been the most *****-slap worthy team of all time, so many *****es and just the two hands. Lambeer, Mahorn, Rodman, Dantley, Dawkins, Rodman and Thomas all on one team. Of course you slap Lambeer first but 2nd? That's a tough call. I know a lot of folks would say Rodman now but at the time I'd have had a real difficult choice between Thomas and Mahorn. I guess I'd go with Thomas just so we could watch him cry while slapping around the rest but tough call. Lord that was a hatable bunch

 

[RobertWeathers]

That may have been the most *****-slap worthy team of all time, so many *****es and just the two hands. Lambeet, Mahorn, Rodman, Dantley, Dawkins, Rodman and Thomas all on one team. Of course you slap Lambeer first but 2nd? That's a tough call. I know a lot of folks would say Rodman now but at the time I'd have had a real difficult choice between Thomas and Mahorn. I guess I'd go with Thomas just so we could watch him cry while slapping around the rest but tough call. Lord that was a hatable bunch

Isaiah Thomas might be my most hated professional athlete. Laimbeer was just a cheap-shot, bully, a-hole (hated him too)

Thomas was a political, manipulative, diabolical, drama-queen. God I hate that man.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Really weird that Tatum was first team all nba given Brunson finished ahead of him by a comfortable margin in mvp voting.

Brown didn’t make all nba, despite having a better season than last year.

White not surprisingly wasn’t mentioned.

 

[jimnance]

In Celtics playoff lore in my lifetime that sequence at the end of the 4th (forcing the TO then hitting the shot) is right up there with Bird stealing the ball vs Detroit.

Now you guys are just rubbing it in cuz I fell asleep with 3 minutes to go in regulation.
I saw Bird make that steal.
Y'all suck