Anyone else find the Celtics boring to watch?

[165bows]

Their all-time great RS statistics feels like beating a wounded Eastern Conference rather than the greatness of their roster.

Celtics had a 23-7 record against the Western Conference this season. I.e., the Western Conference (outside of Denver) did no better. Worse, even.

This said, two of the losses were against Denver, their likely Finals opponent. And while both those games were "close," neither felt like Denver was really in danger. Jokic was/is just that good.

To beat Denver four games, Celtics would need Porzingis back (to make Jokic work on defense) and a career series from Tatum, Brown and White. Even then, it would go seven games and be a toss-up in that last game. (If Porzingis does not return healthy and/or Tatum, Brown and White don't all have great series, Denver wins in five at most.)

In response to the OP, I personally enjoy watching the Celtics play. They mesh well together--no big egos--move the ball, and play good defense. I also like how you never know which player will lead that team on any given day--White, Jrue, Al, Pritchard, Hauser, etc. have all had big games too (a tribute to their unselfish play/philosophy). It's kind of refreshing to watch a bunch of guys who sincerely seem to like playing basketball with one another.

I'll admit that they're more fun to watch when Porzingis plays, because he gives them a post-up threat that adds variety to the offense. That said, they're not "boring" by any means.

Tatum didn't play that well at all, at least scoring-wise, in those two games.

Love Al Horford but like you say with Porzinigs giving them a different element, Al can't really score inside the arc at all anymore which doesn't get discussed much. I think that's part of it that people feel but can't articulate. Horford is a big time winner and asset on the court but they have KP and no other athletic rim rattling big guy out there.

[taikibansei]

Their all-time great RS statistics feels like beating a wounded Eastern Conference rather than the greatness of their roster.

Celtics had a 23-7 record against the Western Conference this season. I.e., the Western Conference (outside of Denver) did no better. Worse, even.

This said, two of the losses were against Denver, their likely Finals opponent. And while both those games were "close," neither felt like Denver was really in danger. Jokic was/is just that good.

To beat Denver four games, Celtics would need Porzingis back (to make Jokic work on defense) and a career series from Tatum, Brown and White. Even then, it would go seven games and be a toss-up in that last game. (If Porzingis does not return healthy and/or Tatum, Brown and White don't all have great series, Denver wins in five at most.)

In response to the OP, I personally enjoy watching the Celtics play. They mesh well together--no big egos--move the ball, and play good defense. I also like how you never know which player will lead that team on any given day--White, Jrue, Al, Pritchard, Hauser, etc. have all had big games too (a tribute to their unselfish play/philosophy). It's kind of refreshing to watch a bunch of guys who sincerely seem to like playing basketball with one another.

I'll admit that they're more fun to watch when Porzingis plays, because he gives them a post-up threat that adds variety to the offense. That said, they're not "boring" by any means.

Tatum didn't play that well at all, at least scoring-wise, in those two games.

Love Al Horford but like you say with Porzinigs giving them a different element, Al can't really score inside the arc at all anymore which doesn't get discussed much. I think that's part of it that people feel but can't articulate. Horford is a big time winner and asset on the court but they have KP and no other athletic rim rattling big guy out there.

Al these days is an awesome guy off the bench/spot starter. He's no longer an everyday starter for a team with championship aspirations, mainly (as you also say) due to his limitations on offense, but there are durability/endurance issues as well. (How old is he now, about 50? ) Tatum not playing well was at least partly due to Denver (very underrated on defense). Denver's go-to strategy seems to be to implement effective schemes to limit their opponent's best offensive player, in effect daring the rest of each team to beat them. Meanwhile Jokic is either scoring big numbers himself or (if doubled/tripled) facilitating the offense with pinpoint passing. That's a tough combination to beat, particularly as many teams panic/go passive when their "star" no longer can score at will.

Porzingis played well in both games against Denver. While he's no Jokic, he did pull Jokic away from the key a bit, as well as helped the Celtics through several scoring droughts. A healthy return would ensure that the Celtics have somebody to dump the ball in to during those long stretches (at least once/game) when their 3's aren't falling. That said, Tatum, Brown and White would be the keys to victory. They need to consistently share the ball, take advantage of the hot hand/good match up, and if guarded well on the perimeter, be aggressive going to the basket. While they usually do all these things, too often--especially in close 4th quarters--they go long periods when they don't. Denver will kill them if it happens in the finals.

[WentzerWuver]

Celtics had a 23-7 record against the Western Conference this season. I.e., the Western Conference (outside of Denver) did no better. Worse, even.

This said, two of the losses were against Denver, their likely Finals opponent. And while both those games were "close," neither felt like Denver was really in danger. Jokic was/is just that good.

To beat Denver four games, Celtics would need Porzingis back (to make Jokic work on defense) and a career series from Tatum, Brown and White. Even then, it would go seven games and be a toss-up in that last game. (If Porzingis does not return healthy and/or Tatum, Brown and White don't all have great series, Denver wins in five at most.)

In response to the OP, I personally enjoy watching the Celtics play. They mesh well together--no big egos--move the ball, and play good defense. I also like how you never know which player will lead that team on any given day--White, Jrue, Al, Pritchard, Hauser, etc. have all had big games too (a tribute to their unselfish play/philosophy). It's kind of refreshing to watch a bunch of guys who sincerely seem to like playing basketball with one another.

I'll admit that they're more fun to watch when Porzingis plays, because he gives them a post-up threat that adds variety to the offense. That said, they're not "boring" by any means.

Tatum didn't play that well at all, at least scoring-wise, in those two games.

Love Al Horford but like you say with Porzinigs giving them a different element, Al can't really score inside the arc at all anymore which doesn't get discussed much. I think that's part of it that people feel but can't articulate. Horford is a big time winner and asset on the court but they have KP and no other athletic rim rattling big guy out there.

Al these days is an awesome guy off the bench/spot starter. He's no longer a starter for a team with championship aspirations, mainly (as you also say) due to his limitations on offense, but there are durability/endurance issues as well. (How old is he now, about 50? ) Tatum not playing well was at least partly due to Denver (very underrated on defense). Denver's go-to strategy seems to be to implement effective schemes to limit their opponent's best offensive player, in effect daring the rest of each team to beat them. Meanwhile Jokic is either scoring big numbers himself or (if doubled/tripled) facilitating the offense with pinpoint passing. That's a tough combination to beat, particularly as many teams panic/go passive when their "star" no longer can score at will.

Porzingis played well in both games against Denver. While he's no Jokic, he did pull Jokic away from the key a bit, as well as helped the Celtics through several scoring droughts. A healthy return would ensure that the Celtics have somebody to dump the ball in to during those long stretches (at least once/game) when their 3's aren't falling. That said, Tatum, Brown and White would be the keys to victory. They need to consistently share the ball, take advantage of the hot hand/good match up, and if guarded well on the perimeter, be aggressive going to the basket. While they usually do all these things, too often--especially in close 4th quarters--they go long periods when they don't. Denver will kill them if it happens in the finals.

They will dispose of their next Indy/NY opponent with boring ease without KP. Only Denver will pose a challenge between two super teams.

https://youtu.be/sEHV-v5xkio?si=ba7nq85sGEMx0f3v

How the C's went about this creation is still a marvel to behold as reference on how to build a superteam.

[taikibansei]

Tatum didn't play that well at all, at least scoring-wise, in those two games.

Love Al Horford but like you say with Porzinigs giving them a different element, Al can't really score inside the arc at all anymore which doesn't get discussed much. I think that's part of it that people feel but can't articulate. Horford is a big time winner and asset on the court but they have KP and no other athletic rim rattling big guy out there.

Al these days is an awesome guy off the bench/spot starter. He's no longer a starter for a team with championship aspirations, mainly (as you also say) due to his limitations on offense, but there are durability/endurance issues as well. (How old is he now, about 50? ) Tatum not playing well was at least partly due to Denver (very underrated on defense). Denver's go-to strategy seems to be to implement effective schemes to limit their opponent's best offensive player, in effect daring the rest of each team to beat them. Meanwhile Jokic is either scoring big numbers himself or (if doubled/tripled) facilitating the offense with pinpoint passing. That's a tough combination to beat, particularly as many teams panic/go passive when their "star" no longer can score at will.

Porzingis played well in both games against Denver. While he's no Jokic, he did pull Jokic away from the key a bit, as well as helped the Celtics through several scoring droughts. A healthy return would ensure that the Celtics have somebody to dump the ball in to during those long stretches (at least once/game) when their 3's aren't falling. That said, Tatum, Brown and White would be the keys to victory. They need to consistently share the ball, take advantage of the hot hand/good match up, and if guarded well on the perimeter, be aggressive going to the basket. While they usually do all these things, too often--especially in close 4th quarters--they go long periods when they don't. Denver will kill them if it happens in the finals.

They will dispose of their next Indy/NY opponent with boring ease without KP. Only Denver will pose a challenge between two super teams.

Denver's a "super team" now? With just one superstar and several other good (not great) players? Interesting how the definition of "super team" differs so radically among people.

[jkvonny]

Al these days is an awesome guy off the bench/spot starter. He's no longer a starter for a team with championship aspirations, mainly (as you also say) due to his limitations on offense, but there are durability/endurance issues as well. (How old is he now, about 50? ) Tatum not playing well was at least partly due to Denver (very underrated on defense). Denver's go-to strategy seems to be to implement effective schemes to limit their opponent's best offensive player, in effect daring the rest of each team to beat them. Meanwhile Jokic is either scoring big numbers himself or (if doubled/tripled) facilitating the offense with pinpoint passing. That's a tough combination to beat, particularly as many teams panic/go passive when their "star" no longer can score at will.

Porzingis played well in both games against Denver. While he's no Jokic, he did pull Jokic away from the key a bit, as well as helped the Celtics through several scoring droughts. A healthy return would ensure that the Celtics have somebody to dump the ball in to during those long stretches (at least once/game) when their 3's aren't falling. That said, Tatum, Brown and White would be the keys to victory. They need to consistently share the ball, take advantage of the hot hand/good match up, and if guarded well on the perimeter, be aggressive going to the basket. While they usually do all these things, too often--especially in close 4th quarters--they go long periods when they don't. Denver will kill them if it happens in the finals.

They will dispose of their next Indy/NY opponent with boring ease without KP. Only Denver will pose a challenge between two super teams.

Denver's a "super team" now? With just one superstar and several other good (not great) players? Interesting how the definition of "super team" differs so radically among people.

Right!?

Nuggets a superteam?
LOl, that is too funny.

[Edrees]

People complain about Lebron's east past to the finals, or the warriors their first ring, but this run takes the cake.

Butler, Onuby, and Embiid injuries ruined the east playoffs

Edit: And giannis of course!!!

Oh please. Embiid is the Celtics bitch in the playoffs.

Yes we have had luck go our way injurywise in the playoffs but we have also missed Porzingis (arguably our most crucial piece for a chip) for a while in these playoffs.

Aside from Butler, who else did Miami miss in these playoffs ? Betty Louise ???

Why should we be punished for having a deep and very cleverly constructed roster. Brad Stevens is rightfully named GM of the year

Also little sympathy to Milwaukee, even without Giannis, they would have won their series vs the Pacers if they kept Jrue instead of trading for Dame.

Aside from New York and obviously Indiania, instead of sooking about Boston, why not roast the other East contending front offices for dropping the ball.

We clearly got better/improved with our bold off season moves, other contenders didn't, Aside from the Knicks, the DiVo F/A signing was a massive home run for them.

You're being way too sensitive. I'm not dissing Boston's team. I'm dissing the injuries ruining great playoff series. Even if Boston still wins these series at least they go 6-7 games and make things entertaining instead of watching a series where there's no chance one team wins.

[sp6r=underrated]

We have such an individual/personality obsessed culture in the NBA.

Basketball fans are unusually individual-centric for a team sport. They rarely care about teams without super-exciting superstars. Vince Carter and AI were much more popular with fans than Duncan and Dirk despite being worse players playing on worse teams. It didn't matter because fans loved watching those guys.

Tatusm doesn't excite the masses despite his greatness so it is hard to sell Celtics games. Jokic is playing at a top 10 level player all-time and he doesn't move the needle. Fans just don't care for his style of play. It is what it is.

[ForeverTFC]

Yes. In general they are more on the boring side mainly because their set offense is what it is and when that fails, they become a little stagnant and pull up heavy. They also don't have one of those players that fans of other teams fall in love with like a Jokic or Curry or Ant.

With that said, these playoffs so far are not indicative of how boring the Celtics are. They haven't been challenged at all and Porzingis has been out, so it's taken the boring to a next level. Once Porzingis is back, it will look a lot more interesting, even if the competition doesn't pick up.

[WentzerWuver]

Al these days is an awesome guy off the bench/spot starter. He's no longer a starter for a team with championship aspirations, mainly (as you also say) due to his limitations on offense, but there are durability/endurance issues as well. (How old is he now, about 50? ) Tatum not playing well was at least partly due to Denver (very underrated on defense). Denver's go-to strategy seems to be to implement effective schemes to limit their opponent's best offensive player, in effect daring the rest of each team to beat them. Meanwhile Jokic is either scoring big numbers himself or (if doubled/tripled) facilitating the offense with pinpoint passing. That's a tough combination to beat, particularly as many teams panic/go passive when their "star" no longer can score at will.

Porzingis played well in both games against Denver. While he's no Jokic, he did pull Jokic away from the key a bit, as well as helped the Celtics through several scoring droughts. A healthy return would ensure that the Celtics have somebody to dump the ball in to during those long stretches (at least once/game) when their 3's aren't falling. That said, Tatum, Brown and White would be the keys to victory. They need to consistently share the ball, take advantage of the hot hand/good match up, and if guarded well on the perimeter, be aggressive going to the basket. While they usually do all these things, too often--especially in close 4th quarters--they go long periods when they don't. Denver will kill them if it happens in the finals.

They will dispose of their next Indy/NY opponent with boring ease without KP. Only Denver will pose a challenge between two super teams.

Denver's a "super team" now? With just one superstar and several other good (not great) players? Interesting how the definition of "super team" differs so radically among people.

Oops, I couldn't stop laughing either when I typed that but was too hungry to bother changing it and went to make a spam wich. Now that I'm full, they are not a super team as the Clippers are much closer to a super team than the Nuggets but they cannot stay healthy. However, they do have an unstoppable dominate superstar surrounded by clutch centric teammates who understand their roles to win games. The C's should beat them on paper but it doesn't work that way sometimes but it should be one heck of a series!

[hippesthippo]

At times, yes... the 3-pt chucking gets boring, especially when they jack them up early and give away leads, but when Brown gets it going he's must watch TV slashing his way to the basket.

Too often I see Brown gets underrated on these boards (and half the time it's by Boston fans ). He's absolutely a player that can "wow you," as the OP put it.

Then again, generally speaking I seem to be higher on Brown than most, so maybe it's just me always catching him in the right games.

[Message Boar]

Yes, I agree. It's a very boring style for how good they are.

[Meeksology]

They are the most boring team that has ever been assembled. I would rather watch the historically bad Pistons. At least they have guys like Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and Marcus Sasser

You said the same thing when the Warriors went undefeated that season cause of all the boring 3 point shooting from the Splash Bros. Tatum is one of the best elite players in the game and they play a brand of tough nose defense on top of their offense to achieving the BEST record this season which you find boring Lol

The most boring team WAS and STILL is were the Duncan led Spurs, even in the playoffs cause they show no emotion when they win or make big shots unlike Tatum and the C's, so I can only assumed you are some kid who started watching bball after that but still not boring.

What a dumb thread just to piss off C's fans for their team achievement.

I wont comment on the whole post, but the highlighted is simply not true. Showing no emotion does NOT equal boring. Spurs basketball was one of the most beautiful sights to see on a basketball court. They had that ball humming from one side to the other. They were the extreme opposite of ISO ball, at least to the naked eye. Every possession seemed like all 5 players touched the ball before a nice cut or backdoor play. I get it when some fans would say they were boring. No highlight dunks or in your face personas, but their brand of basketball was simply beautiful.

[NYPiston]

It's a couple of things that make them boring. They've been near the top for a long time so it's gotten stale watching them (I remember them being exciting when they were up and coming) and for this season because they haven't been challenged which for Celtics fans is fun I'm sure but for everybody else is a bore. With a beaten up Knicks team or Pacers being their next opponent it's essentially.... wake us up when they're in the finals against an elite opponent.

[brackdan70]

If great defense and historic offense are boring, I guess.

[hippesthippo]

Their all-time great RS statistics feels like beating a wounded Eastern Conference rather than the greatness of their roster.

Celtics had a 23-7 record against the Western Conference this season. I.e., the Western Conference (outside of Denver) did no better. Worse, even.

This said, two of the losses were against Denver, their likely Finals opponent. And while both those games were "close," neither felt like Denver was really in danger. Jokic was/is just that good.

To beat Denver four games, Celtics would need Porzingis back (to make Jokic work on defense) and a career series from Tatum, Brown and White. Even then, it would go seven games and be a toss-up in that last game. (If Porzingis does not return healthy and/or Tatum, Brown and White don't all have great series, Denver wins in five at most.)

In response to the OP, I personally enjoy watching the Celtics play. They mesh well together--no big egos--move the ball, and play good defense. I also like how you never know which player will lead that team on any given day--White, Jrue, Al, Pritchard, Hauser, etc. have all had big games too (a tribute to their unselfish play/philosophy). It's kind of refreshing to watch a bunch of guys who sincerely seem to like playing basketball with one another.

I'll admit that they're more fun to watch when Porzingis plays, because he gives them a post-up threat that adds variety to the offense. That said, they're not "boring" by any means.

Tatum didn't play that well at all, at least scoring-wise, in those two games.

Love Al Horford but like you say with Porzinigs giving them a different element, Al can't really score inside the arc at all anymore which doesn't get discussed much. I think that's part of it that people feel but can't articulate. Horford is a big time winner and asset on the court but they have KP and no other athletic rim rattling big guy out there.

Yeah, Horford's late career reminds me a lot of Marc Gasol. Both had similar play-styles on offense throughout their career arcs and the defense remained top-notch thanks to anticipation and positioning, but near the end neither have/had what it takes to score inside anymore.

At least Horford can still shoot it reasonably well. At the end of Gasol's career he would hesitate to take even the most wide-open shots.