Celts Hungry for a Title, Start By Eating Big Apple! Opening Night Victory Cigar vs NYK 10/25

[AussieCeltic]

It’s an ugly win, but you need to be able to win ugly to win a championship.

Knicks shot the lights out from 3 so I’m happy we got the dub.

Slightly concerned we couldn’t put the clamps on Quickly when we have White and Jrue. Those small, fast guards were an issue last year and I hope it’s not the same this year.

I think this thread has overlooked Tatum slightly given he’s not the shiny new toy that Kp is. But I feel he’s made even more of an improvement this off season. His dribble is super tight in the paint and his finishing seemed slightly more polished. First game so can’t take too much from it but I like what I see.

The Knicks are a good team and will be fighting for a ECF berth so I think we should be happy opening the season with a win on the road against a tough home opponent.

[Shak_Celts]

I think I may marry KP (Smart is into polygamy, don't worry), but I think this is just a SMALL (huge) taste of how impactful he is going to be! When the team gels, who gon check KP? Will end up with everybody wide open!!

[Shak_Celts]

It’s an ugly win, but you need to be able to win ugly to win a championship.

Knicks shot the lights out from 3 so I’m happy we got the dub.

Slightly concerned we couldn’t put the clamps on Quickly when we have White and Jrue. Those small, fast guards were an issue last year and I hope it’s not the same this year.

I think this thread has overlooked Tatum slightly given he’s not the shiny new toy that Kp is. But I feel he’s made even more of an improvement this off season. His dribble is super tight in the paint and his finishing seemed slightly more polished. First game so can’t take too much from it but I like what I see.

The Knicks are a good team and will be fighting for a ECF berth so I think we should be happy opening the season with a win on the road against a tough home opponent.

Big Trophy in the end with the MVP title to match!! People will be hurt, but we'll rejoice!

[Parasite]

We saw good and bad JB tonight. Some really bad even, but he did lead that bench unit that got us up 9 again, led the team in assists, and 2nd behind Zinger in +/- and did grab that big defensive board when we were getting crushed on the glass and the game was still up for grabs. Do better JB but he also did some good too.

He’s a supermax player. His play was unacceptable from a supermax player. No matter how people try and dress it up. He needs to get a LOT better. But I think he probably is what he is at this point.

[KamikazeK]

It’s an ugly win, but you need to be able to win ugly to win a championship.

Knicks shot the lights out from 3 so I’m happy we got the dub.

Slightly concerned we couldn’t put the clamps on Quickly when we have White and Jrue. Those small, fast guards were an issue last year and I hope it’s not the same this year.

I think this thread has overlooked Tatum slightly given he’s not the shiny new toy that Kp is. But I feel he’s made even more of an improvement this off season. His dribble is super tight in the paint and his finishing seemed slightly more polished. First game so can’t take too much from it but I like what I see.

The Knicks are a good team and will be fighting for a ECF berth so I think we should be happy opening the season with a win on the road against a tough home opponent.

Tatum has gotten better every year. He's not the most outwardly passionate guy on the court, but you can tell that he loves the game because of the work he puts into it. I really hope this is the year he puts it all together and wins that MVP (and a ring).

[bigboi]

Told y’all we should’ve traded Jaylen.

Just imagine Trae, Tatum and Porzingis smfh

[djFan71]

I went KP. The KP/Tatum combination is gonna be a nightmare for everyone. They're both just so skilled and complementary. Jrue and White were solid as always.

Good win. It's always a game of runs, and it felt like we should have been up more the whole game, but we fought and came away with W. Definitely some moments of unfamiliarity, but talent won out.

The fears going into the season are still valid after game 1 - bench production, and how does Jaylen fit and get his. Obviously there's time to work these out as everyone gets comfortable with each other. Hopefully Joe starts giving more bench guys more time as things go along (probably after Fri).

Jaylen did some nice things tonight, along with the obvious bad. But, it's early and hopefully everyone settles into the right roles. I liked the lineup with him, Kornet and shooters (Al, PP, Hauser), I would try that more (or Brisset/Banton instead of Kornet) and see how that goes with more reps.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

Brown's best quality/utility past couple of seasons was as a volume scorer and finisher on okay efficiency. With the addition of KP, that won't be the case game-to-game anymore. So he really needs to raise his game in other areas to justify that supermax extension. Not getting screened off the play on defense or not overhelping/leaving his man would be a good start. He has less scoring responsibility. He can focus on less glamorous but equally if not more impactful aspects of the game. The five or six assists were nice. The late live turnovers that led to six free Knicks points, not so much.

[djFan71]

Joe on Jaylen fit:
https://youtu.be/YOXL2hlyIpI?feature=shared&t=186

Roughly: "Secondary ball handler. 3 man actions. He can be a screener and just create with the guys. We'll learn each other"

[ConstableGeneva]

BTW, speaking of IQ, Quickley almost ended us lol. He a bad bad man. He was cooking anyone put on him. Love the Hart Brothers. Wish they were on my Celtics.

[djFan71]

Jrue on Randle all night was interesting and super useful.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Told y’all we should’ve traded Jaylen.

Just imagine Trae, Tatum and Porzingis smfh

I can imagine it. Both JT and KP free and Trae jacking it from 32 feet then watching his man waltz past him to the basket.

I have a number of issues with JB, but he is far better than Trae and he will have better games than tonight.

[djFan71]

BTW, speaking of IQ, Quickley almost ended us lol. He a bad bad man. He was cooking anyone put on him. Love the Hart Brothers. Wish they were on my Celtics.

Quickly, Grimes, Hart, Fournier and picks for... wait, nvm it's not summer anymore.
And we still have enough (more even) for the Jrue trade (and probably keep Rob).

[Memokerobi]

We saw good and bad JB tonight. Some really bad even, but he did lead that bench unit that got us up 9 again, led the team in assists, and 2nd behind Zinger in +/- and did grab that big defensive board when we were getting crushed on the glass and the game was still up for grabs. Do better JB but he also did some good too.

The positive for me is, when Jaylen has a bad shooting night, he's good for nothing, and its usually accompanied by turnovers. While scoring wise he was bad, still having some positive impact on the game is huge. I think Mazzulla will commend him for it. I hope he keeps making better reads than in the past because we all know the scoring is going to be fine

[Fierce1]

Told y’all we should’ve traded Jaylen.

Just imagine Trae, Tatum and Porzingis smfh

I can imagine it. Both JT and KP free and Trae jacking it from 32 feet then watching his man waltz past him to the basket.

I have a number of issues with JB, but he is far better than Trae and he will have better games than tonight.

True.

Trae is an absolute defensive liability like Kemba.

At the very least JB is not a liability on defense.

[Fierce1]

Hard to believe JB is a very intelligent person but keeps making bad reads in basketball.

[exculpatory]

Win - not satisfying - but plenty of time to grow!

Great D in general.
JT all solar system in the first half - too quiet in the second - but awesome all around game. Unselfish when trapped. Has real shot at MVP.
Zinger phenomenal on both ends. Closed the game for us like the Truth - when JT doubled & tripled.
He is our #2. JT + KP blend somewhat like KG + Truth.
Derrick super solid.
Jrue excelled on D. He will score more when we need him to.
#7 overall was ABYSMAL. **** brain dead 300 million dollar jack wad. Almost gave the game away. Same flaws as always. And we saw none of the things he actually does very well on O.
Al w a couple big 3s when it mattered & D.

Concerns (besides #7):
Killed on the O boards. Fix that ****.
Outshot very badly from 3.
Inadequate bench. Hauser & Pritch gotta be more productive & make their 3s, or gotta find some help.

Kick Miami’s ass at the Garden on Friday, please.

[Fierce1]

JB must realize that if he keeps making bad reads, like that stupid pass in the 4th, some Celtic fan might end up having a heart attack.

[Fencer reregistered]

Positive takeaway: We lose this game with last year's personnel. There is no doubt. We needed a team that could still find way to win when they don't shoot well from the 3pt line. We were a -18 from the arc and STILL won this one. We were -10 on the off boards. STILL won.
You could see the difference in Tatum's mindset for this season. Be bigger than your opponent and punish them in the post. His post passing is going to change this team. 34/11 and when this team figures a few things out, it's over. Porzingis is everything I thought he would be when we first traded for him. Such an easy complement to what JT does on the floor. His defense was exceptional and his shotmaking timely.
Jaylen with an off night tonight. Not so much bad passing but extremely indecisive with the ball tonight. Still maybe trying to figure out where he fits in the halfcourt offense but I thought he was out of his element trying to facilitate offense. Held onto the ball a few beats too long a few times and missed advantages we had. Jaylen is so much better when he just makes a decision quickly and attacks. He'll be better next game. As will the bench. First game done. 81 more to go!

97 more, at least.

Or 98 if we win the in-season tournament.

[Floody23]

You’d think Jaylen had 7 turnovers with the way you guys are talking. Give everyone time to gel on offence.