What the Celtics team can improve on to make a deep run in the playoffs

[OldCeltics]

What the Celtics team can improve on to make a deep run in the playoffs:

Brad's defensive system:

No doubt Brad's defensive team schemas are solid, but they do have a weakness, and that is off course defending the post. We do a lot of switching, trapping, jumping out of big men to cut off people driving the lane. However, it seems to me it causes mismatches, and our big men find themselves out of place. If I was an opposing coach, pass around the perimeter, drive and pass out, find a miss match inside. This blue print is scary.

Why not switch it up occasionally, position your bigs to keep opponent bigs away from the rim, and go for blocks instead of jumping out to trap. I know its easier said than done.

Brad's offensive system:

Lately i see a lot of 1 on 1 play from the team. Which in the playoffs, in a grid it out game is very important to have in your back pocket. However, it shouldn't be the primary offense. The more you pass, the more you tire your opponent out. If they are covering everyone and swarming the passing lanes then take it to the rim, layup or pass back out, instead of spotting up for a contested jumper. In Miami/Bucks game, once their defenses start to swarm we passed around the perimeter, until someone bricked a contested jumper.

[themoneyteam2]

Not play Semi and Wanamaker 40 minutes combined.

[OldCeltics]

Not play Semi and Wanamaker 40 minutes combined.

An off course in the playoffs rotations will shorten. However, in the Bucks and Miami loses, i found that it was the starters that often lost ground, and backups that actually made runs for us.

[GoGreen]

Unfortunately this is who they are imo.

[Feed Your Head]

Unfortunately this is who they are imo.

But who they are is one of the very few teams in the league with a top 5 offensive, defensive, and net rating (or they were before last night, need to check again). They’re one of the best teams in the league against top teams, though obviously that was before the bubble.

They just need to figure out their rotations on defense, and move the ball offensively.

[djFan71]

Good topic idea.

Defensively, I don't think you change the scheme up. Just gotta do it better. Every D gives up something. We just need to be up tighter in everyone's grill a little more, and call out the rotations louder/better.

Offensively, I'd like to see some more dribble penetration, esp from Kemba. I assume that comes back when he's off his minutes restrictions.

[GoGreen]

Unfortunately this is who they are imo.

But who they are is one of the very few teams in the league with a top 5 offensive, defensive, and net rating (or they were before last night, need to check again). They’re one of the best teams in the league against top teams, though obviously that was before the bubble.

They just need to figure out their rotations on defense, and move the ball offensively.

You have more faith in those numbers than I do. I think they're a second round exit. Will they compete, maybe take it to 7? Yea, I think they could. But their bench is garbage, Kemba's effectiveness is still in question imo, they are not a physical team, and I don't think they're mentally tough, either. B*tching about the refs after the Bucks game was weak sauce. Told me a lot about them. Still a young team that needs to mature.

[Feed Your Head]

Unfortunately this is who they are imo.

But who they are is one of the very few teams in the league with a top 5 offensive, defensive, and net rating (or they were before last night, need to check again). They’re one of the best teams in the league against top teams, though obviously that was before the bubble.

They just need to figure out their rotations on defense, and move the ball offensively.

You have more faith in those numbers than I do. I think they're a second round exit. Will they compete, maybe take it to 7? Yea, I think they could. But their bench is garbage, Kemba's effectiveness is still in question imo, they are not a physical team, and I don't think they're mentally tough, either. B*tching about the refs after the Bucks game was weak sauce. Told me a lot about them. Still a young team that needs to mature.

I think there’s a pretty decent chance they’re a second round exit too, though I think if they are playing well they would beat the Raps.

I just don’t think it’s them being a disappointment or anything, I don’t think many people expected a championship this year. This season was about seeing if Tatum can make the leap, and if Jaylen can significantly improve. Both have happened, so now it’s going to be about building the right team around them.

[ConstableGeneva]

Stay healthy. Tighten the rotation. Get back to where they were defensively earlier in the year. Hoping for more drives from Kemba and Gordo, which can shift the defense and leave open our shooters. Generate/take/make more threes.

Since we still lack that elite guy unless Tatum goes nuclear, we need at least 3 of our top 5 to bring it every night. Can't ask much from our 7th-10th rotation players other than to not make too many mistakes and to not take away shots from our main guys.

[ConstableGeneva]

Read on Twitter

[Kalela]

They need to communicate better defensively. The amount of times Kemba Walker **** up on defensive assignments in the first half was concerning. Also I really don't understand why they double a player shooting a 2 while leaving sharp shooters at the 3 point line wide open?

[Jaqua92]

Read on Twitter

Glad he said that

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[Realg2020]

A bit more solid play in half a dozen games during the season, especially when Toronto had a ton of key guys out like Siakam and Vanvleet for extended time and others (that New Years blowout game at the garden comes to mind after blowing them out in Toronto) in the same week, and Cs would be having a chance to play the Nets in 2 weeks. Now it is looking more like Embiid with the way Pacers and Heat are balling.

[Jaqua92]

Consistent effort, and a more distinct offensive system with a heiarchy.

Preferably a scoring hierarchy like the following:

1. Tatum
2. Brown/Hayward
3. Kemba

Or
1. Tatum
2. Brown/Kemba
3. Hayward as a primary ball handler

Smart should be relegated to a 3&D specialist guard off the bench with minimal offensive input UNLESS he's needed to run the offense. When he's initiating the offense with at least two starters, that's fine, but he needs to give up the ball within the first 6 seconds of the shot clock so the ball can start moving around.

We have elite shooters in our starting lineup. With the right movement and hierarchy, we should be generating LOTS of open looks.



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[chrisab123]

Honestly try to improve consistency with Tatum and Brown. Also keeping Williams healthy will be crucial.

[celticfan42487]

Honestly unless we can get Tatum to play at an even better level than he was in Feb (add in some assists too so he's an MVP level player) I think we aren't really going far.

I don't see much difference between us an Pacers, 76ers, Heat right now.

And with the way the Raps are playing I see us below the Raps and Bucks.

It's partly why I've been trying to think of a way to get a third all-star to surround a Kemba, Tatum, Brown (and ideally Theis) core.

If we had 3 all-stars on the court, Jaylen Brown would never need to create with the ball in his hands and he's an ELITE finisher. Not an just at the rim dunker but I mean scoring off assists. 3s, mid range, lobs, attacking an open lane. Basically an elite 3 and D guy at this point. I think a team like that has a shot at a title. And if Tatum developed playmaking at a good amount then they have a pretty good shot.

Just one more playmaking all-star like a Jimmy Butler away.

[KGboss]

Defense defense defense

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[24istheLAW]

Honestly unless we can get Tatum to play at an even better level than he was in Feb (add in some assists too so he's an MVP level player) I think we aren't really going far.

I don't see much difference between us an Pacers, 76ers, Heat right now.

And with the way the Raps are playing I see us below the Raps and Bucks.

It's partly why I've been trying to think of a way to get a third all-star to surround a Kemba, Tatum, Brown (and ideally Theis) core.

If we had 3 all-stars on the court, Jaylen Brown would never need to create with the ball in his hands and he's an ELITE finisher. Not an just at the rim dunker but I mean scoring off assists. 3s, mid range, lobs, attacking an open lane. Basically an elite 3 and D guy at this point. I think a team like that has a shot at a title. And if Tatum developed playmaking at a good amount then they have a pretty good shot.

Just one more playmaking all-star like a Jimmy Butler away.

I disagree with a lot of this analysis.

Jaylen Brown is not an elite finisher. He's shot .547 from 0-3 this season per BRef, and had his shot blocked 62 times. For comparison's sake, Ben Simmons shot .583 from 0-3. Tatum shot .617 from 0-3. Brandon Ingram with whom he is inextricably linked .672 from 0-3. He's a good one for sure, and he has great ability to absorb contact while attempting to finish, but as long as he lacks some craft in terms of fooling defenders, he's not going to be at that elite next level. His defensive impact also isn't THAT high by any measure.

I'd argue that the Celtics have found a great match between Jaylen's skillset and role already. They ask him to shoulder a lot of defensive responsibility guarding top wings, which he does pretty well. And offensively his role is heavily slanted towards finishing - he's already the lowest usage 20 ppg scorer in the league, and his production is mostly spot-ups, attacking closeouts or openings in the defense, mismatches etc.

I think people are generally overcrediting the Jays with the success of the 2020 Celtics. I love them as much as everyone else, but they are both players who shoot. Right now they are empowered because they are paired with a highly unselfish offensive creator in Gordon Hwayard. If you swap out Hayward for a player who can't space the floor, and who demands shots, the sum of the parts isn't going to be as great.

Of the potentially available star players, I remain convinced that the one who fits with the Jays is Bradley Beal. But the price for Beal would presumably include Jaylen Brown... so its no longer about complementing the Jays anymore anyway.

[celticfan42487]

Honestly unless we can get Tatum to play at an even better level than he was in Feb (add in some assists too so he's an MVP level player) I think we aren't really going far.

I don't see much difference between us an Pacers, 76ers, Heat right now.

And with the way the Raps are playing I see us below the Raps and Bucks.

It's partly why I've been trying to think of a way to get a third all-star to surround a Kemba, Tatum, Brown (and ideally Theis) core.

If we had 3 all-stars on the court, Jaylen Brown would never need to create with the ball in his hands and he's an ELITE finisher. Not an just at the rim dunker but I mean scoring off assists. 3s, mid range, lobs, attacking an open lane. Basically an elite 3 and D guy at this point. I think a team like that has a shot at a title. And if Tatum developed playmaking at a good amount then they have a pretty good shot.

Just one more playmaking all-star like a Jimmy Butler away.

I disagree with a lot of this analysis.

Jaylen Brown is not an elite finisher. He's shot .547 from 0-3 this season per BRef, and had his shot blocked 62 times. For comparison's sake, Ben Simmons shot .583 from 0-3. Tatum shot .617 from 0-3. Brandon Ingram with whom he is inextricably linked .672 from 0-3. He's a good one for sure, and he has great ability to absorb contact while attempting to finish, but as long as he lacks some craft in terms of fooling defenders, he's not going to be at that elite next level. His defensive impact also isn't THAT high by any measure.

I'd argue that the Celtics have found a great match between Jaylen's skillset and role already. They ask him to shoulder a lot of defensive responsibility guarding top wings, which he does pretty well. And offensively his role is heavily slanted towards finishing - he's already the lowest usage 20 ppg scorer in the league, and his production is mostly spot-ups, attacking closeouts or openings in the defense, mismatches etc.

I think people are generally overcrediting the Jays with the success of the 2020 Celtics. I love them as much as everyone else, but they are both players who shoot. Right now they are empowered because they are paired with a highly unselfish offensive creator in Gordon Hwayard. If you swap out Hayward for a player who can't space the floor, and who demands shots, the sum of the parts isn't going to be as great.

Of the potentially available star players, I remain convinced that the one who fits with the Jays is Bradley Beal. But the price for Beal would presumably include Jaylen Brown... so its no longer about complementing the Jays anymore anyway.

Well notice my post didn't include Hayward in that core.

It's about finding basically a healthy Hayward. Or someone who can do the playmaking of Hayward but also high level scoring (whcih will only help the playmaking as the offense has to pay more attention to them).

And nothing about changing Brown's shot selection or the way he's used. Quite the opposite, it's pointing out he should always just be a finisher.

[captain green]

Couple things that I'll point out.
1. Fix sloppy transitions I feel out of sample size so far brown, and thies have shown more patience. But this can be fixed.
2. Rotation I like the idea of keeping 2 of the 6 on the court but do not like the smart and thies with bench choice. And keep the hot hand in more.
3. Cuts in the paint have killed us due to constant switches we always seem to be just a tad late in the paint.
4. Slow starts have killed us, however I like the no quit attitude sometime it would be nice to get dunks and fouls on the other team early. So take it to the paint early and whenever Kanter is in.
5. No team looks great right now, but looking at scores we are a rare team that can stay in games with any team in the league.
6. Langford time lord and gwill have to have good night's so far so good.