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Post by drewski6 on Mar 6, 2024 12:53:08 GMT -5
Really good teams - they generally have much higher winning % in games decided by 10+ points than close games. Because really good teams dont often get blown out so youre going to win the majority of those games.
Over a large enough sample, every team's record in "close games" is close to .500. Kenneth Pomeroy proved this many moons ago.
If a team is "clutch" - hereby defined as winning close games - they usually win 60% of close games, but even that - a 1 year sample isnt really enough. Thats why Pomeroy adjusts for "luck factor" (which is defined by winning close games)
Maybe we're under that 60% - and maybe that shows something. Im not dismissing the points. Maybe Mazz isnt great at drawing up the final shot, maybe Tatum tries to do too much. Maybe something there needs correction.
But the whole "throw out the games we win too easily, the real team is the team you see when the game is on the line" - youre putting too many eggs in a small sample size basket. And you are underestimating the impact that randomness has on close games.
The problem really isnt that we cant win games by 1 point. The problem is "why was it so close to begin with". Because games decided by one possession are basically coin flips (over a large enough sample).
And lets take last nights - they stormed back because we gave them wayyy too many open 3s. And as someone who has studied this team for 5 years (not to imply you all havent) - I can tell you one thing....2 things really stand out when we dont win easily. 1) perimeter defense (see last night) and 2) turnovers.
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Post by drewski6 on Mar 6, 2024 12:57:32 GMT -5
bad teams have a better winning % in close games than blowouts (because they are usually on the receiving end of the blow out) and close games usually come down to coin flips.
good teams have a better winning % in blowouts because they are usually doing the whooping and close games usually come down to coin flips.
They arent completely coin flips, you can move the needle slightly in your direction with "clutch play" at the end. But even the clutch teams are close-ish to 50/50 in close games over a large enough sample
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Post by hedleylamarr on Mar 6, 2024 13:07:05 GMT -5
Not for anything here, but a little research has provided the following:
I believe we are 21-9 in games decided by 10 points or fewer
I believe we have suffered 4 defeats of 10 or more and lastly
I believe we are 2-3 in OT games.
Not as concerning as I thought, BUT, one of the OT wins was against DET........
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Post by Cabutan on Mar 6, 2024 13:11:48 GMT -5
Lately we have been rocking. Thats my crappy assessment. We beat bad and good teams..what i have noticed is that when we are offensively on target, we beat opponents by alot. When we suck in the 3 department, we tend to come close or lose.
I want a well oiled machine going to the playoffs. I dont want any hero ball BS. Lose as a team and thats fine with me. But to lose because we go back to old habits, that's where i have an issue.
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Post by drewski6 on Mar 6, 2024 13:26:12 GMT -5
Lately we have been rocking. Thats my crappy assessment. We beat bad and good teams..what i have noticed is that when we are offensively on target, we beat opponents by alot. When we suck in the 3 department, we tend to come close or lose. I want a well oiled machine going to the playoffs. I dont want any hero ball BS. Lose as a team and thats fine with me. But to lose because we go back to old habits, that's where i have an issue. Good post - just to add when we are doing "hero ball BS" (and I have no issue with that phrasing) .... I dont even like seeing that at any point of the game (but especially dont like seeing it and of games). We have too many gifted ballers to decide who should be taking on the whole defense 1 on 5 before the play. I believe in "taking what the defense gives you" , if they are doubling Tatum, someone is open. If they are clogging the middle, the outside is prob open. If they are all defending the perimeter, find Porz inside. When the Celtics get into trouble, even going back to the Kyrie/Gordon years, its when they fall into the habbit of "taking turns" Hey JB, Tatum scored the last 9 and , so we're just gonna hand the ball off to you this play and you can take on the whole defense by yourself because its your turn. This was especially bad in the Gordon / Kyrie years because even then some players even said "you look to score when you touch the ball because you dont know the next time you are going to get it" But generally we havent seen as much of that this year. Most guys assists are up. But I agree with what you are saying Cab, when we see it , we should call it out and remind ourselves "lets not let these bad habits reemerge" You should be looking to improve your bad habits and things you did that held you back in previous years throughout the game. Close games arent decided by the final possession. Its every possession. |
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Post by Cabutan on Mar 6, 2024 13:38:14 GMT -5
Lately we have been rocking. Thats my crappy assessment. We beat bad and good teams..what i have noticed is that when we are offensively on target, we beat opponents by alot. When we suck in the 3 department, we tend to come close or lose. I want a well oiled machine going to the playoffs. I dont want any hero ball BS. Lose as a team and thats fine with me. But to lose because we go back to old habits, that's where i have an issue. Good post - just to add when we are doing "hero ball BS" (and I have no issue with that phrasing) .... I dont even like seeing that at any point of the game (but especially dont like seeing it and of games). We have too many gifted ballers to decide who should be taking on the whole defense 1 on 5 before the play. I believe in "taking what the defense gives you" , if they are doubling Tatum, someone is open. If they are clogging the middle, the outside is prob open. If they are all defending the perimeter, find Porz inside. When the Celtics get into trouble, even going back to the Kyrie/Gordon years, its when they fall into the habbit of "taking turns" Hey JB, Tatum scored the last 9 and , so we're just gonna hand the ball off to you this play and you can take on the whole defense by yourself because its your turn. This was especially bad in the Gordon / Kyrie years because even then some players even said "you look to score when you touch the ball because you dont know the next time you are going to get it" But generally we havent seen as much of that this year. Most guys assists are up. But I agree with what you are saying Cab, when we see it , we should call it out and remind ourselves "lets not let these bad habits reemerge" You should be looking to improve your bad habits and things you did that held you back in previous years throughout the game. Close games arent decided by the final possession. Its every possession. 💯 They should use White as an example every time they go back to old habits. That guy has been the epitome of playing unselfish quick and great decision making ball and thats what they all need to be at all times. |
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Post by kyceltic on Mar 6, 2024 13:44:15 GMT -5
What I disliked the most about this game, was watching the Kelce Brothers celebrate like they'd just won the super bowl!
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Post by kyceltic on Mar 6, 2024 13:47:37 GMT -5
Good post - just to add when we are doing "hero ball BS" (and I have no issue with that phrasing) .... I dont even like seeing that at any point of the game (but especially dont like seeing it and of games). We have too many gifted ballers to decide who should be taking on the whole defense 1 on 5 before the play. I believe in "taking what the defense gives you" , if they are doubling Tatum, someone is open. If they are clogging the middle, the outside is prob open. If they are all defending the perimeter, find Porz inside. When the Celtics get into trouble, even going back to the Kyrie/Gordon years, its when they fall into the habbit of "taking turns" Hey JB, Tatum scored the last 9 and , so we're just gonna hand the ball off to you this play and you can take on the whole defense by yourself because its your turn. This was especially bad in the Gordon / Kyrie years because even then some players even said "you look to score when you touch the ball because you dont know the next time you are going to get it" But generally we havent seen as much of that this year. Most guys assists are up. But I agree with what you are saying Cab, when we see it , we should call it out and remind ourselves "lets not let these bad habits reemerge" You should be looking to improve your bad habits and things you did that held you back in previous years throughout the game. Close games arent decided by the final possession. Its every possession. 💯 They should use White as an example every time they go back to old habits. That guy has been the epitome of playing unselfish quick and great decision making ball and thats what they all need to be at all times. True in most cases, but White was terrible last night. |
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Post by petey62 on Mar 6, 2024 14:08:12 GMT -5
So one bad quarter over the last month overshadows 45 good ones? Tough crowd indeed. That being said, there were things that can be and should be learned. Let's not equate winning 11 straight games to playing 44 good quarters of basketball (4-point win vs WAS, 1st half vs a totally undermanned PHI team). We've played some less than inspired quarters during our steak. But we had won 11 straight games. Then you add several teams we played during the streak that were just bad, short-handed, or just laid down at half (MEM, WAS, BKN x2, ATL, CHI, NYK-no frontcourt starters, MIA-no Butler, PHI-totally undermanned, GSW). Even CLE was shorthanded missing two starters (Mitchell, Strus) and then losing Mobley. WHEN will we learn NOT to solely ISO in the 4th quarter? WHEN will we learn to call a timeout to set up a game-winning play (this one might come in handy in the playoffs)? It's time we start calling timeouts to set up winning plays instead of losing while "letting the players figure things out". |
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Post by petey62 on Mar 6, 2024 14:20:34 GMT -5
Calling the 4Q simply "bad" you are being waaaaaaay too diplomatic.
The wheels came off, pure and simple! (Didn't anyone think to torque the lug nuts along the way?)
I'm not impressed with regular season wins/losses and I don't feel particularly validated by last night's fiasco.
I'm hard to impress, perhaps too hard, but this team has yet to impress me with its maturity, leadership, coaching and toughness.
Wins have come too often and too easily. Perhaps the players have been reading their press clippings with a bit too much gusto!
The season hinges 100% on PO results alone and that smoke will soon clear.
Until then, I'm not changing or conceding my story line.
If I misjudged... it's that Porgy is a helluva lot better than I ever expected.... the Jays not so much!
Pud
You should listen to Charles Barkley. Teams that are mentally strong dont win a ton of close games. Because they play consistent and end up winning by more. If too many wins are too easy, that shows maturity. Of course nobody plays their best 48 mins every game. But if we're winning too many games by too much for you to be impressed, that shows we are mostly playing above the other teams consistently. Last night was bad, no doubt. ANd you make some other good points. I think you and Barkley have it wrong! Teams need that mental toughness to keep the poise necessary to win the close games. Unless we blow out a team for 4 quarters, we're likely to "CHOKE" it away or have a "partial collapse" in a close game because we lack the mental toughness. That shows a lack of maturity! It shows immaturity and panic sets in because they aren't mentally tough. We win a lot of games because we're simply better than any other team we play! We win a lot of games because a lot of our opponents have not had our fortune to be as healthy as we have been when we play. But when those teams display that mental toughness, see LA Lakers, our lack of mental toughness is so evident. |
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Post by petey62 on Mar 6, 2024 14:36:25 GMT -5
I'm literally watching the game RIGHT NOW on NBA TV and we're up by 22 points and Greg Anthony and the other announcer are making excuses for CLE and suggesting they are a good team. They are going on and on about them being a good team that will be good in the playoffs.
Even they felt the game was over just like the Celtics.
BTW, I'm convinced, speaking of mental toughness, that Jayson Tatum IS NOT mentally tough. He just went to the hoops, lost the ball in the air, got it back (should have been a travel call) and then missed an attempted putback. First thing he does is clap and then walk to the ref asking why a foul wasn't called. I just looked at him whining WHEN HE DID NOT GET FOULED. That is weak!
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Post by Cabutan on Mar 6, 2024 14:57:30 GMT -5
💯 They should use White as an example every time they go back to old habits. That guy has been the epitome of playing unselfish quick and great decision making ball and thats what they all need to be at all times. True in most cases, but White was terrible last night. but his approach to the game is always the same, consistent. No personal agendas with this guy |
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Post by drewski6 on Mar 6, 2024 15:12:25 GMT -5
You should listen to Charles Barkley. Teams that are mentally strong dont win a ton of close games. Because they play consistent and end up winning by more. If too many wins are too easy, that shows maturity. Of course nobody plays their best 48 mins every game. But if we're winning too many games by too much for you to be impressed, that shows we are mostly playing above the other teams consistently. Last night was bad, no doubt. ANd you make some other good points. I think you and Barkley have it wrong! Wouldnt be the first time (for either of us) |
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Post by drewski6 on Mar 6, 2024 15:14:13 GMT -5
You should listen to Charles Barkley. Teams that are mentally strong dont win a ton of close games. Because they play consistent and end up winning by more. If too many wins are too easy, that shows maturity. Of course nobody plays their best 48 mins every game. But if we're winning too many games by too much for you to be impressed, that shows we are mostly playing above the other teams consistently. Last night was bad, no doubt. ANd you make some other good points. I think you and Barkley have it wrong! Teams need that mental toughness to keep the poise necessary to win the close games. Unless we blow out a team for 4 quarters, we're likely to "CHOKE" it away or have a "partial collapse" in a close game because we lack the mental toughness. That shows a lack of maturity! It shows immaturity and panic sets in because they aren't mentally tough. We win a lot of games because we're simply better than any other team we play! We win a lot of games because a lot of our opponents have not had our fortune to be as healthy as we have been when we play. But when those teams display that mental toughness, see LA Lakers, our lack of mental toughness is so evident. And likely is too strong a word there. We arent above 50% to choke. Not to deny our choke % cant and shouldnt improve. I agree about timeouts at end of games. If youre not gonna run , timeout. Dont dribble up into a half court set. |
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Post by Admin on Mar 6, 2024 15:33:59 GMT -5
Breaking down Celtics' last-second shots reveals one clear issue
The Celtics need better execution in clutch situations late in games.
By John Tomase •
If it feels like the Celtics never get a good shot in the final seconds of regulation or overtime to tie or take the lead, it's because that's pretty much true. They're just 1-for-12 in such situations, and their lone make never even found the bottom of the basket, Detroit's Cade Cunningham called for an oh-so-close goaltend on a Tatum finger roll in December.
At least that was a layup. More typical are shots like Tuesday's, where the ball never left Tatum's hands before he took a Kobe Bryant-esque 17-foot fallaway. Tatum has also missed versions of that shot against the Pistons, Timberwolves, and Nuggets, and he's 1-for-7 in such scenarios overall. It might be the lowest-percentage attempt in his considerable arsenal, and yet it's invariably where the Celtics land with the game on the line.
Dec. 28 vs. Pistons
Jan. 10 vs. Timberwolves
Jan. 19 vs. Nuggets
... this group's lone NBA Finals run was kickstarted by perhaps the best play of the Brown-Tatum Era, when everyone touched the ball before Tatum whirled past Kyrie Irving for a buzzer-beating layup against the Nets in the opener of the 2022 playoffs.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla should make that play mandatory viewing when the Celtics discuss late-game execution, because they're at their worst when they play isolation ball.
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Post by puddin on Mar 6, 2024 15:39:19 GMT -5
Breaking down Celtics' last-second shots reveals one clear issue
The Celtics need better execution in clutch situations late in games.
By John Tomase •
If it feels like the Celtics never get a good shot in the final seconds of regulation or overtime to tie or take the lead, it's because that's pretty much true. They're just 1-for-12 in such situations, and their lone make never even found the bottom of the basket, Detroit's Cade Cunningham called for an oh-so-close goaltend on a Tatum finger roll in December.
At least that was a layup. More typical are shots like Tuesday's, where the ball never left Tatum's hands before he took a Kobe Bryant-esque 17-foot fallaway. Tatum has also missed versions of that shot against the Pistons, Timberwolves, and Nuggets, and he's 1-for-7 in such scenarios overall. It might be the lowest-percentage attempt in his considerable arsenal, and yet it's invariably where the Celtics land with the game on the line.
Dec. 28 vs. Pistons
Jan. 10 vs. Timberwolves
Jan. 19 vs. Nuggets
... this group's lone NBA Finals run was kickstarted by perhaps the best play of the Brown-Tatum Era, when everyone touched the ball before Tatum whirled past Kyrie Irving for a buzzer-beating layup against the Nets in the opener of the 2022 playoffs.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla should make that play mandatory viewing when the Celtics discuss late-game execution, because they're at their worst when they play isolation ball.
Keep shoot'n those last second ISO fallaway jumpers Mr. Ruffles.
The law of averages is most definitely on your side!
Pud
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Post by dfries13 on Mar 6, 2024 15:53:33 GMT -5
Keep shoot'n those last second ISO fallaway jumpers Mr. Ruffles. The law of averages is most definitely on your side! Pud Tatum is 15 of 46 in Clutch Situations about 35% doesn't make the top 50 White is # 5 in the league at 60% Per ESPN NOT ME The fault also goes to Mazz. Teams know Tatum is taking the last shot and double team him... www.nba.com/news/nba-storylines-2023-24-clutch-leaders?lctg=5ed4cd31c0cd4110c421d01e&lid=esakw5m7s5zbTatum thinks he should be the MVP. MVP players should make clutch shots. |
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Post by puddin on Mar 6, 2024 16:24:53 GMT -5
Keep shoot'n those last second ISO fallaway jumpers Mr. Ruffles. The law of averages is most definitely on your side! Pud Tatum is 15 of 46 in Clutch Situations about 35% doesn't make the top 50 White is # 5 in the league at 60% Per ESPN NOT ME The fault also goes to Mazz. Teams know Tatum is taking the last shot and double team him... www.nba.com/news/nba-storylines-2023-24-clutch-leaders?lctg=5ed4cd31c0cd4110c421d01e&lid=esakw5m7s5zbTatum thinks he should be the MVP. MVP players should make clutch shots. Hey amigo.... White can be the decoy!
That should help Ruffles battling the law of averages, don'tcha think?
Pud
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Post by dfries13 on Mar 6, 2024 16:57:58 GMT -5
Keep shoot'n those last second ISO fallaway jumpers Mr. Ruffles. The law of averages is most definitely on your side! Pud Tatum is 15 of 46 in Clutch Situations about 35% doesn't make the top 50 White is # 5 in the league at 60% Per ESPN NOT ME The fault also goes to Mazz. Teams know Tatum is taking the last shot and double team him... www.nba.com/news/nba-storylines-2023-24-clutch-leaders?lctg=5ed4cd31c0cd4110c421d01e&lid=esakw5m7s5zbTatum thinks he should be the MVP. MVP players should make clutch shots. Hey amigo.... White can be the decoy!
That should help Ruffles battling the law of averages, don'tcha think?
Pud
That would be smart. The ball has to touch White's hand however for him to pass it to Ruffles. When Tatum is the only one touching the ball in the last 19 seconds teams know damn well he's taking the shot. There was plenty of time to pass it around. There was plenty of time for Mazz to draw up a decoy play. Mazz just stands there he's as much as fault as Tatum. Stevens when he was coach at least drew up a play and called a timeout. Sometimes it worked. It's a sad situation when i give Stevens praise i never thought he was a great coach. I've came to one conclusion. Mazz signed cheap and there is a one year clause in his contract to be dismissed without any buyout money . You were right about Porgy he's better than i thought too. Stevens has assembled a great 6 lor 7 player team they deserve a real coach.. |
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Post by elvissurfs on Mar 6, 2024 17:04:44 GMT -5
Last play should have been White. Not Tatum. Yeah, anybody but Tatum if for no other reason than to mix it up, keep them guessing...pretty easy to guard 1 with 5... |
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Post by puddin on Mar 6, 2024 17:30:28 GMT -5
Hey amigo.... White can be the decoy!
That should help Ruffles battling the law of averages, don'tcha think?
Pud
That would be smart. The ball has to touch White's hand however for him to pass it to Ruffles. When Tatum is the only one touching the ball in the last 19 seconds teams know damn well he's taking the shot. There was plenty of time to pass it around. There was plenty of time for Mazz to draw up a decoy play. Mazz just stands there he's as much as fault as Tatum. Stevens when he was coach at least drew up a play and called a timeout. Sometimes it worked. It's a sad situation when i give Stevens praise i never thought he was a great coach. I've came to one conclusion. Mazz signed cheap and there is a one year clause in his contract to be dismissed without any buyout money . You were right about Porgy he's better than i thought too. Stevens has assembled a great 6 lor 7 player team they deserve a real coach..
This guy ^^ will likely be looking for yet another gig at season's end. Can you welcome him back to Beantown?
.... or ^^ how about this guy, assuming that he is bonded out?
I'm feel'n generous today..... your choice!
Pud
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Post by Admin on Mar 6, 2024 17:37:40 GMT -5
If Celtics have title hopes, then late-game process needs improvement
The C's need to figure out how to turn the corner on a key issue.
By Chris Forsberg, Celtics Insider •
Nineteen.
Jayson Tatum dribbled the ball 19 times before hoisting the final shot in Cleveland on Tuesday night, a back-rim miss on a contested fadeaway as the Celtics fumbled away a 22-point fourth-quarter lead and watched their 11-game winning streak end against the undermanned Cavaliers.
The Celtics had 19.1 seconds to generate a quality look, chase a second-chance opportunity, and/or foul to extend the game. Instead, Tatum dribbled the ball 19 times while Joe Mazzulla’s overdue request for a timeout went unnoticed, and the Celtics suffered a loss for the first time in over a month.
Let’s get a few disclaimers out of the way here before we (mildly) vent:
1) The Celtics had a horrendous fourth quarter that featured plenty of missteps, which only served as the lukewarm appetizer for the overcooked final possession. The Celtics never should have been in a spot where Tatum even had the chance to dribble out the final 19.1 seconds and settle for a suboptimal look.
2) Boston has been much better in crunch-time games (score within five points, final five minutes) this season. In 2022, the Celtics were an impossibly bad 13-22 in crunch-time games and still marched to the NBA Finals. History suggests there is no such thing as crunch time momentum and teams can spend the season learning how to thrive in late-game situations.
3) It feels unseemly to vent about a team with a 48-13 record with a 7.5-game lead over the nearest rival in the Eastern Conference. But with championship aspirations comes heightened scrutiny of the miscues. And late-game execution is one of the few nits we can still pick with this obviously talented team.
But now the venting: Tatum absolutely cannot go that slowly on the final possession. Mazzulla absolutely cannot let Tatum go that slowly on the final possession. A team that prides itself on playing with pace, moving the basketball, and identifying an ideal matchup cannot settle for a 19-dribble fadeaway.
A single loss does not change how we view this team. The Celtics are still the championship front-runner with a loaded roster. But a championship front-runner with a loaded roster absolutely should not fumble away a 22-point lead against a Donovan Mitchell-less Cavs team.
Yes, the Celtics’ crunch-time numbers look good this year. But they get a little less sexy the more you crunch:
And there are other concerning numbers when you zoom in on the crunchiest of moments:
We understand Mazzulla’s desire to use tense regular-season moments to build the team’s composure for when the postseason arrives. There will be times on the postseason stage where Mazzulla won’t be able to call a timeout before a must-have possession. You can absolutely make a case that it’s far better to take those lumps now than when it matters most.
The Celtics, dominant throughout their recent winning streak, hadn’t even played a crunch-time game since Feb. 11 in Miami. Mazzulla dismissed the notion that the team might be rusty in those situations. But the frustrating part for observers is that Boston doesn’t always seem to learn from past missteps.
You can absolutely learn from losses. We’re simply not sure we’ve seen that progress with this team, at least in late-game moments. And it’s undeniable that a higher percentage of games will trigger the clutch criteria in the postseason. The Celtics, having routinely made their lives more difficult by extending series in past years, should desire to own those moments.
Or maybe they’ll just blow the doors off opponents throughout the playoffs and it won’t matter. You can re-share this article and mock the consternation if they cruise through May and June.
With little left to accomplish this regular season, we yearn to see tangible progress.
Kristaps Porzingis, forever the beacon of positivity, suggested this was a good loss for the Celtics. We’re not ready to go that far but we understand his suggestion.
Kristaps Porzingis explains how the loss to the Cavs may actually be a positive for the team
We like the way Tatum took some accountability for the late-game woes. We like how Mazzulla didn’t hide from the fact that his team went too slow (and also subtly needled Tatum for a bonus-inducing foul in the final two minutes with Boston already trailing by three).
And we really like Jaylen Brown’s bold declaration that Boston couldn’t just dismiss the loss and how he yearned to learn from the film. You know the old saying: Those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
We’re absolutely nitpicking. But when nine of your 13 losses came in one-possession games with under three minutes to play, it seems to suggest that, 1) You barely ever get blown out (which is good!) and 2) You’re struggling to close out close games (which isn’t good).
You almost certainly won’t survive in the postseason if you can’t win close games. The Celtics have the best offense in the NBA and can’t have a 17-point fourth quarter. The Celtics have the second-best defense in the NBA and can’t let Dean Wade key a 34-point Cavs outburst.
And even if we’re perfectly fine with the notion of putting the ball in your best player's hands for the final shot, you simply cannot watch Tatum dribble 19 times over 19 seconds and let the game come down to a contested jumper.
If the Celtics win Thursday night in Denver — particularly in a crunch-time game — everyone will forget about Tuesday’s trip-up. But, at least for a moment, the rare stumble shows there’s still room for improvement from a team that often looks like it’s on another level than the rest of the league.
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Post by rkarp1 on Mar 6, 2024 17:57:09 GMT -5
tough crowd against a team that loses once a month The Celtic team that showed up in the 4Q against the short-handed Cavs is very much the team I had winning 41 games this season.
Soft.... overconfident.... lacking mental toughness and effective leadership (on and off the court) in the crunch.
It wasn't that they lost.... it is how they lost.... and what that sez about how they will fare in the POs.
Will they be more like the 41 win team (I predicted) in the post season against quality opposition?
Stay tuned.....
Pud
you had the team winning 41 games, yet they will win 60+ games, maybe 65 games clearly your take on the team is completely wrong. please predict the team will lose in rd 1 of the playoffs so that they win the championship |
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Post by dfries13 on Mar 6, 2024 18:03:03 GMT -5
That would be smart. The ball has to touch White's hand however for him to pass it to Ruffles. When Tatum is the only one touching the ball in the last 19 seconds teams know damn well he's taking the shot. There was plenty of time to pass it around. There was plenty of time for Mazz to draw up a decoy play. Mazz just stands there he's as much as fault as Tatum. Stevens when he was coach at least drew up a play and called a timeout. Sometimes it worked. It's a sad situation when i give Stevens praise i never thought he was a great coach. I've came to one conclusion. Mazz signed cheap and there is a one year clause in his contract to be dismissed without any buyout money . You were right about Porgy he's better than i thought too. Stevens has assembled a great 6 lor 7 player team they deserve a real coach..
This guy ^^ will likely be looking for yet another gig at season's end. Can you welcome him back to Beantown?
.... or ^^ how about this guy, assuming that he is bonded out?
I'm feel'n generous today..... your choice!
Pud
Rondo, who had a court hearing last week in Jackson County, Indiana, for his gun charge as well as misdemeanor drug paraphernalia and marijuana charges, turned down a plea agreement offer from prosecutors and is now scheduled to stand trial on April 25, according to court records. Nah . I'll take Sam Cassell . Going 100 mph and with no license plate with a gun while smoking reefer even i draw the line. |
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Post by dfries13 on Mar 6, 2024 18:14:10 GMT -5
If Celtics have title hopes, then late-game process needs improvement
The C's need to figure out how to turn the corner on a key issue.
By Chris Forsberg, Celtics Insider •
Nineteen.
Jayson Tatum dribbled the ball 19 times before hoisting the final shot in Cleveland on Tuesday night, a back-rim miss on a contested fadeaway as the Celtics fumbled away a 22-point fourth-quarter lead and watched their 11-game winning streak end against the undermanned Cavaliers.
The Celtics had 19.1 seconds to generate a quality look, chase a second-chance opportunity, and/or foul to extend the game. Instead, Tatum dribbled the ball 19 times while Joe Mazzulla’s overdue request for a timeout went unnoticed, and the Celtics suffered a loss for the first time in over a month.
Let’s get a few disclaimers out of the way here before we (mildly) vent:
1) The Celtics had a horrendous fourth quarter that featured plenty of missteps, which only served as the lukewarm appetizer for the overcooked final possession. The Celtics never should have been in a spot where Tatum even had the chance to dribble out the final 19.1 seconds and settle for a suboptimal look.
2) Boston has been much better in crunch-time games (score within five points, final five minutes) this season. In 2022, the Celtics were an impossibly bad 13-22 in crunch-time games and still marched to the NBA Finals. History suggests there is no such thing as crunch time momentum and teams can spend the season learning how to thrive in late-game situations.
3) It feels unseemly to vent about a team with a 48-13 record with a 7.5-game lead over the nearest rival in the Eastern Conference. But with championship aspirations comes heightened scrutiny of the miscues. And late-game execution is one of the few nits we can still pick with this obviously talented team.
But now the venting: Tatum absolutely cannot go that slowly on the final possession. Mazzulla absolutely cannot let Tatum go that slowly on the final possession. A team that prides itself on playing with pace, moving the basketball, and identifying an ideal matchup cannot settle for a 19-dribble fadeaway.
A single loss does not change how we view this team. The Celtics are still the championship front-runner with a loaded roster. But a championship front-runner with a loaded roster absolutely should not fumble away a 22-point lead against a Donovan Mitchell-less Cavs team.
Yes, the Celtics’ crunch-time numbers look good this year. But they get a little less sexy the more you crunch:
And there are other concerning numbers when you zoom in on the crunchiest of moments:
We understand Mazzulla’s desire to use tense regular-season moments to build the team’s composure for when the postseason arrives. There will be times on the postseason stage where Mazzulla won’t be able to call a timeout before a must-have possession. You can absolutely make a case that it’s far better to take those lumps now than when it matters most.
The Celtics, dominant throughout their recent winning streak, hadn’t even played a crunch-time game since Feb. 11 in Miami. Mazzulla dismissed the notion that the team might be rusty in those situations. But the frustrating part for observers is that Boston doesn’t always seem to learn from past missteps.
You can absolutely learn from losses. We’re simply not sure we’ve seen that progress with this team, at least in late-game moments. And it’s undeniable that a higher percentage of games will trigger the clutch criteria in the postseason. The Celtics, having routinely made their lives more difficult by extending series in past years, should desire to own those moments.
Or maybe they’ll just blow the doors off opponents throughout the playoffs and it won’t matter. You can re-share this article and mock the consternation if they cruise through May and June.
With little left to accomplish this regular season, we yearn to see tangible progress.
Kristaps Porzingis, forever the beacon of positivity, suggested this was a good loss for the Celtics. We’re not ready to go that far but we understand his suggestion.
Kristaps Porzingis explains how the loss to the Cavs may actually be a positive for the team
We like the way Tatum took some accountability for the late-game woes. We like how Mazzulla didn’t hide from the fact that his team went too slow (and also subtly needled Tatum for a bonus-inducing foul in the final two minutes with Boston already trailing by three).
And we really like Jaylen Brown’s bold declaration that Boston couldn’t just dismiss the loss and how he yearned to learn from the film. You know the old saying: Those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
We’re absolutely nitpicking. But when nine of your 13 losses came in one-possession games with under three minutes to play, it seems to suggest that, 1) You barely ever get blown out (which is good!) and 2) You’re struggling to close out close games (which isn’t good).
You almost certainly won’t survive in the postseason if you can’t win close games. The Celtics have the best offense in the NBA and can’t have a 17-point fourth quarter. The Celtics have the second-best defense in the NBA and can’t let Dean Wade key a 34-point Cavs outburst.
And even if we’re perfectly fine with the notion of putting the ball in your best player's hands for the final shot, you simply cannot watch Tatum dribble 19 times over 19 seconds and let the game come down to a contested jumper.
If the Celtics win Thursday night in Denver — particularly in a crunch-time game — everyone will forget about Tuesday’s trip-up. But, at least for a moment, the rare stumble shows there’s still room for improvement from a team that often looks like it’s on another level than the rest of the league.
Ya know i've been watching the NBA and listening to comments from players and coaches about 58 years. Not once can i remember any player or coach saying a loss is healthy and good for the team. There is a lot of BS in the air today but this by far is the largest con job i can remember. It's not OK or healthy to lose. |
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