Official Celtics 2020-21 Regular Season Thread

Post #1361 » by **Parliament10** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 3:52 pm

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Whew. We Dodged a Bullet there!!!

Celts17Pride · Post #1362 » by **Celts17Pride** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 7:21 pm

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Great. The Celtics are the new Portland Trailblazers

bucknersrevenge · Post #1363 » by **bucknersrevenge** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 7:37 pm

Celts17Pride wrote:

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Great. The Celtics are the new Portland Trailblazers

We need Kemba to learn how to be a #3 guy and play off-ball more and we need him to learn it fast.

playa-hater · Post #1364 » by **playa-hater** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 7:40 pm

Celts17Pride wrote:

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Great. The Celtics are the new Portland Trailblazers

Big difference is Dame and CJ don't/can't play defense.

playa-hater · Post #1365 » by **playa-hater** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 7:43 pm

bucknersrevenge wrote:
Celts17Pride wrote:

Read on Twitter

Great. The Celtics are the new Portland Trailblazers

We need Kemba to learn how to be a #3 guy and play off-ball more and we need him to learn it fast.

Tactically such an easy fix. 6th man. Kawhi and PG very similar to Tatum and Brown. Lou Williams comes off the bench bombing. Kemba can do the same.

Problem is will Kemba be OK with it? Will Stevens get the nerve to ask?

bucknersrevenge · Post #1366 » by **bucknersrevenge** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 7:52 pm

playa-hater wrote:
bucknersrevenge wrote:
Celts17Pride wrote:

Read on Twitter

Great. The Celtics are the new Portland Trailblazers

We need Kemba to learn how to be a #3 guy and play off-ball more and we need him to learn it fast.

Tactically such an easy fix. 6th man. Kawhi and PG very similar to Tatum and Brown. Lou Williams comes off the bench bombing. Kemba can do the same.

Problem is will Kemba be OK with it? Will Stevens get the nerve to ask?

I don't know if he has to come off the bench. Maybe it's just as simple as changing the rotations around a bit. Instead of Tatum coming off early at the 5 minutes mark, have Kemba come off instead and bring Kemba back in to QB the bench group at the end of the 1Q into the 2nd and 3Q into the 4th. Let him run with that group handling the ball and coming off screens. And when he plays with them instead of having Theis or Rob or TT always bee the screener, run more with Tatum and Brown as the screener and leave the big in the dunker's spot.

playa-hater · Post #1367 » by **playa-hater** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 7:58 pm

bucknersrevenge wrote:
playa-hater wrote:
bucknersrevenge wrote:
We need Kemba to learn how to be a #3 guy and play off-ball more and we need him to learn it fast.

Tactically such an easy fix. 6th man. Kawhi and PG very similar to Tatum and Brown. Lou Williams comes off the bench bombing. Kemba can do the same.

Problem is will Kemba be OK with it? Will Stevens get the nerve to ask?

I don't know if he has to come off the bench. Maybe it's just as simple as changing the rotations around a bit. Instead of Tatum coming off early at the 5 minutes mark, have Kemba come off instead and bring Kemba back in to QB the bench group at the end of the 1Q into the 2nd and 3Q into the 4th. Let him run with that group handling the ball and coming off screens. And when he plays with them instead of having Theis or Rob or TT always bee the screener, run more with Tatum and Brown as the screener and leave the big in the dunker's spot.

another good alternative. different way, but same result.

Post #1368 » by **Parliament10** » Mon Feb 1, 2021 8:38 pm

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Jaylen Brown has been in the running for PotW a few times.

zoyathedestroya · Post #1369 » by **zoyathedestroya** » Tue Feb 2, 2021 5:48 pm

Depressing stat alert: The Boston Celtics are LAST in offensive rating and 28th in net rating in 4th quarters. We have got to finish games better. Poor offensive execution in close games has haunted us since the Heat series and has apparently carried over to this season.

Previous years rankings (Offensive, Net):
2019-20 - 2nd, 7th
2018-19 - 6th, 3rd
2017-18 - 6th, 7th
2016-17 - 3rd, 8th

So this poor showing in 4th quarters is anomalous as far as recent Stevens-coached teams go. Still lots of basketball season to go to remedy this.

Post #1370 » by **Parliament10** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 12:17 am

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Fierce1 · Post #1371 » by **Fierce1** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 12:20 am

zoyathedestroya wrote:Depressing stat alert: The Boston Celtics are LAST in offensive rating and 28th in net rating in 4th quarters. We have got to finish games better. Poor offensive execution in close games has haunted us since the Heat series and has apparently carried over to this season.

Previous years rankings (Offensive, Net):
2019-20 - 2nd, 7th
2018-19 - 6th, 3rd
2017-18 - 6th, 7th
2016-17 - 3rd, 8th

So this poor showing in 4th quarters is anomalous as far as recent Stevens-coached teams go. Still lots of basketball season to go to remedy this.

To remedy that, the Celts must get veteran players using the TPE.

Miami did that last season when they got Iguodala and Crowder at the trade deadline.

Post #1372 » by **djFan71** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 12:39 am

Working theory I haven't really dug into: We can't really use the TPE on anyone new in the offseason that we couldn't also get by the deadline - if we send out enough salary to duck the hard cap.

In the summer, everyone thinks we won't be hard-capped. Which we won't. BUT, to trade for anyone that isn't currently signed, it would have to be a sign & trade. Which means we would be hard-capped again! And with Tatum's contract we have a lot LESS room under that cap (assuming we fill out the roster), if any. I haven't run those #s.

Right now, we are something like $22M under the apron hard cap. The TPE is $28.5M. If we send out $7M+ in salary, we can take anyone THIS year that is a lower salary than Hayward. We might be in the tax, but we can do it.

If we wait til the offseason, there are no new players available to fit into the TPE. If they aren't signed now, we have to S&T for them which triggers the hard-cap again.

Some reasons to wait til the summer are:
1) Currently signed players not available at the deadline may become available. Teams are more willing to deal in the offseason.
2) Ducking the tax.

1 could be significant and 2 stops the repeater tax this year, so you get the guy you want in the summer instead if he would mean paying tax. Non-trivial. BUT, I don't think the idea of waiting to the summer to open up loads more opportunities to get different guys than we can get now makes sense.

OK, tear apart that theory please.

Fierce1 · Post #1373 » by **Fierce1** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 1:01 am

djFan71 wrote:Working theory I haven't really dug into: We can't really use the TPE on anyone new in the offseason that we couldn't also get by the deadline - if we send out enough salary to duck the hard cap.

In the summer, everyone thinks we won't be hard-capped. Which we won't. BUT, to trade for anyone that isn't currently signed, it would have to be a sign & trade. Which means we would be hard-capped again! And with Tatum's contract we have a lot LESS room under that cap (assuming we fill out the roster), if any. I haven't run those #s.

Right now, we are something like $22M under the apron hard cap. The TPE is $28.5M. If we send out $7M+ in salary, we can take anyone THIS year that is a lower salary than Hayward. We might be in the tax, but we can do it.

If we wait til the offseason, there are no new players available to fit into the TPE. If they aren't signed now, we have to S&T for them which triggers the hard-cap again.

Some reasons to wait til the summer are:
1) Currently signed players not available at the deadline may become available. Teams are more willing to deal in the offseason.
2) Ducking the tax.

1 could be significant and 2 stops the repeater tax this year, so you get the guy you want in the summer instead if he would mean paying tax. Non-trivial. BUT, I don't think the idea of waiting to the summer to open up loads more opportunities to get different guys than we can get now makes sense.

OK, tear apart that theory please.

1. Ainge should use the TPE NOW because the Celts are in the hunt.

Right now the Celts are not the favorites to win a championship.
But the east is very unpredictable.
Nobody expected the Heat to be in the finals against the Lakers last season.
Use the TPE to upgrade the roster so that the Celts will be in a better position to win the east.

2. The tax should not be an issue if the goal is winning championships.

Post #1374 » by **djFan71** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 1:52 am

Fierce1 wrote:
djFan71 wrote:Working theory I haven't really dug into: We can't really use the TPE on anyone new in the offseason that we couldn't also get by the deadline - if we send out enough salary to duck the hard cap.

In the summer, everyone thinks we won't be hard-capped. Which we won't. BUT, to trade for anyone that isn't currently signed, it would have to be a sign & trade. Which means we would be hard-capped again! And with Tatum's contract we have a lot LESS room under that cap (assuming we fill out the roster), if any. I haven't run those #s.

Right now, we are something like $22M under the apron hard cap. The TPE is $28.5M. If we send out $7M+ in salary, we can take anyone THIS year that is a lower salary than Hayward. We might be in the tax, but we can do it.

If we wait til the offseason, there are no new players available to fit into the TPE. If they aren't signed now, we have to S&T for them which triggers the hard-cap again.

Some reasons to wait til the summer are:
1) Currently signed players not available at the deadline may become available. Teams are more willing to deal in the offseason.
2) Ducking the tax.

1 could be significant and 2 stops the repeater tax this year, so you get the guy you want in the summer instead if he would mean paying tax. Non-trivial. BUT, I don't think the idea of waiting to the summer to open up loads more opportunities to get different guys than we can get now makes sense.

OK, tear apart that theory please.

1. Ainge should use the TPE NOW because the Celts are in the hunt.

Right now the Celts are not the favorites to win a championship.
But the east is very unpredictable.
Nobody expected the Heat to be in the finals against the Lakers last season.
Use the TPE to upgrade the roster so that the Celts will be in a better position to win the east.

2. The tax should not be an issue if the goal is winning championships.

That wasn't really my point, but I don't disagree. I was looking to see if anyone disagreed with the cap gymnastics of it all, not whether or not we should use it now or in the summer. Though, if people agree with my reading of the cap, that is a point in favor or using it now.

Post #1375 » by **Parliament10** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 1:55 am

djFan71 wrote:
Fierce1 wrote:
djFan71 wrote:Working theory I haven't really dug into: We can't really use the TPE on anyone new in the offseason that we couldn't also get by the deadline - if we send out enough salary to duck the hard cap.

In the summer, everyone thinks we won't be hard-capped. Which we won't. BUT, to trade for anyone that isn't currently signed, it would have to be a sign & trade. Which means we would be hard-capped again! And with Tatum's contract we have a lot LESS room under that cap (assuming we fill out the roster), if any. I haven't run those #s.

Right now, we are something like $22M under the apron hard cap. The TPE is $28.5M. If we send out $7M+ in salary, we can take anyone THIS year that is a lower salary than Hayward. We might be in the tax, but we can do it.

If we wait til the offseason, there are no new players available to fit into the TPE. If they aren't signed now, we have to S&T for them which triggers the hard-cap again.

Some reasons to wait til the summer are:
1) Currently signed players not available at the deadline may become available. Teams are more willing to deal in the offseason.
2) Ducking the tax.

1 could be significant and 2 stops the repeater tax this year, so you get the guy you want in the summer instead if he would mean paying tax. Non-trivial. BUT, I don't think the idea of waiting to the summer to open up loads more opportunities to get different guys than we can get now makes sense.

OK, tear apart that theory please.

1. Ainge should use the TPE NOW because the Celts are in the hunt.

Right now the Celts are not the favorites to win a championship.
But the east is very unpredictable.
Nobody expected the Heat to be in the finals against the Lakers last season.
Use the TPE to upgrade the roster so that the Celts will be in a better position to win the east.

2. The tax should not be an issue if the goal is winning championships.

That wasn't really my point, but I don't disagree. I was looking to see if anyone disagreed with the cap gymnastics of it all, not whether or not we should use it now or in the summer. Though, if people agree with my reading of the cap, that is a point in favor or using it now.

I think that we should wait.
If it comes to it, then we trade for a number of lesser players.

Fierce1 · Post #1376 » by **Fierce1** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 1:58 am

Parliament10 wrote:
djFan71 wrote:
Fierce1 wrote:
1. Ainge should use the TPE NOW because the Celts are in the hunt.

Right now the Celts are not the favorites to win a championship.
But the east is very unpredictable.
Nobody expected the Heat to be in the finals against the Lakers last season.
Use the TPE to upgrade the roster so that the Celts will be in a better position to win the east.

2. The tax should not be an issue if the goal is winning championships.

That wasn't really my point, but I don't disagree. I was looking to see if anyone disagreed with the cap gymnastics of it all, not whether or not we should use it now or in the summer. Though, if people agree with my reading of the cap, that is a point in favor or using it now.

I think that we should wait.
If it comes to it, then we trade for a number of lesser players.

Wait for the trade deadline or in the off-season?

Post #1377 » by **Parliament10** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 2:03 am

Fierce1 wrote:
Parliament10 wrote:
djFan71 wrote:That wasn't really my point, but I don't disagree. I was looking to see if anyone disagreed with the cap gymnastics of it all, not whether or not we should use it now or in the summer. Though, if people agree with my reading of the cap, that is a point in favor or using it now.

I think that we should wait.
If it comes to it, then we trade for a number of lesser players.

Wait for the trade deadline or in the off-season?

Both. We may have to split that TPE up into a few people.
Unless we're Trading Kemba, in the offseason, and taking back a $28.6M or less player.

Post #1378 » by **Shak_Celts** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 2:17 am

Fierce1 wrote:
zoyathedestroya wrote:Depressing stat alert: The Boston Celtics are LAST in offensive rating and 28th in net rating in 4th quarters. We have got to finish games better. Poor offensive execution in close games has haunted us since the Heat series and has apparently carried over to this season.

Previous years rankings (Offensive, Net):
2019-20 - 2nd, 7th
2018-19 - 6th, 3rd
2017-18 - 6th, 7th
2016-17 - 3rd, 8th

So this poor showing in 4th quarters is anomalous as far as recent Stevens-coached teams go. Still lots of basketball season to go to remedy this.

To remedy that, the Celts must get veteran players using the TPE.

Miami did that last season when they got Iguodala and Crowder at the trade deadline.

One remedy we have right now is stop isoing all the way home. You go I go in the 4th. The players can't worry about who's walking through the door they need to play better!

bucknersrevenge · Post #1379 » by **bucknersrevenge** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 2:31 am

zoyathedestroya wrote:Depressing stat alert: The Boston Celtics are LAST in offensive rating and 28th in net rating in 4th quarters. We have got to finish games better. Poor offensive execution in close games has haunted us since the Heat series and has apparently carried over to this season.

Previous years rankings (Offensive, Net):
2019-20 - 2nd, 7th
2018-19 - 6th, 3rd
2017-18 - 6th, 7th
2016-17 - 3rd, 8th

So this poor showing in 4th quarters is anomalous as far as recent Stevens-coached teams go. Still lots of basketball season to go to remedy this.

Hey, what's your source? When I checked Basketball Reference they list us at like 11th.

zoyathedestroya · Post #1380 » by **zoyathedestroya** » Wed Feb 3, 2021 3:15 am

bucknersrevenge wrote:
zoyathedestroya wrote:Depressing stat alert: The Boston Celtics are LAST in offensive rating and 28th in net rating in 4th quarters. We have got to finish games better. Poor offensive execution in close games has haunted us since the Heat series and has apparently carried over to this season.

Previous years rankings (Offensive, Net):
2019-20 - 2nd, 7th
2018-19 - 6th, 3rd
2017-18 - 6th, 7th
2016-17 - 3rd, 8th

So this poor showing in 4th quarters is anomalous as far as recent Stevens-coached teams go. Still lots of basketball season to go to remedy this.

Hey, what's your source? When I checked Basketball Reference they list us at like 11th.

stats.nba.com. I don't think BBRef lists net and offensive ratings by quarter.