AOS Celtics Burned Again! ECF Game 3 Loss vs MIA 5/21 (MIA leads 3-0)

[FlatearthZorro]

I obviously don’t keep up with the Celtics as much as you guys do, but blaming Mazzulla for 90% of the issues seems to be a cop out.

This same core had issues beating Miami’s zone in 2020 & got walked in 5 while Brad Stevens was the coach.

This same core was heavily favored last year against Miami & still got taken to 7 under Ime Udoka — in which, they proceeded to blow a late lead & almost lost on missed Butler 3.

Then this year under Joe Mazzulla, they’re getting wiped off the floor by Miami — mostly due to Jaylen Brown playing like trash & Tatum failing to step up in the 4th quarters.

To me, this Boston squad reminds me of those mid 2010 Raptors who never knew how to win a series easily — there was always lapses in preparation & execution.

This isn’t a case like Bucks, where Bud was the coach for 5 years with repeated issues.

This very same core kicked BRAD STEVENS out of the locker room.

Maybe Mazulla isn’t the answer — but then the question becomes ‘Who is?’

It’s been 3 coaches now. Nobody will want this job unless personnel changes are made.

Brad was super soft, and the only coach who was tough on this core, got them to the Finals. Ime wasn't even that strong a coach, just tougher on the players than anyone they've seen. If we had a coach that wasn't afraid to bench a guy for not running back because they're arguing a call, or sit Smart when it's a late game offensive play and you need shooters/offense on the floor, we'd have put away the Hawks in 5, Sixers in 6, and definitely not be down 0-3 here. Everything I see wrong with this team is affected by weak coaching.

True, Brad is a better coach, Ime was tougher on the players. Although his timeout, halftime speeches were kinda corny, tbh and our offense was somewhat of a mess, we played harder.

[Fierce1]

Other than the coach, the Cs really need a big who can give the Cs some points in the paint.

The inability to play inside-outside basketball is really making the Cs predictable on offense.

Not only that. Some players that can hit mid ranges. We can’t be too predicatble on offense like this 3pt chucking bunch.

Yeah, have to agree with you on that one.

Jimmy killed the Cs using mid-range shots.

[London2Boston]

You can’t blow away every single team. Some teams won’t bend to the 3 point avalanche and our inability to win the close games all season and in Game 1 and Game 2 is what will cost us this year.

Retool. Get in some guys that can execute down the the stretch of games. Get rid of Joe and Brad and go from there.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Ime was lucky that Tatum actually showed up until the finals. Horford was a different player offensively. Timelord and Smart were better defensively.

It’s clear this group of players just doesn’t understand how to make things easier for themselves, how to be efficient and how to manage games properly.

Look Mazzulla has been far from impressive these playoffs. But this team was doing the same BS last playoffs. It’s like we’ve all forgotten.

Against the Bucks they completely imploded in game 5. The entire Miami series they made shocking mistakes, played into Miami’s hands, threw away two home games. And how could we forget them almost blowing a 20 point lead in game 7? It carried over in the finals.

Basketball IQ is probably separating this core from a title or two so far.

[GrandTheftRondo]

You can’t blow away every single team. Some teams won’t bend to the 3 point avalanche and our inability to win the close games all season and in Game 1 and Game 2 is what will cost us this year.

Retool. Get in some guys that can execute down the the stretch of games. Get rid of Joe and Brad and go from there.

The team genuinely needs to learn how to manage games, look after the ball better.

We win games 1 and 2 if we played with more poise and made smarter decisions down the stretch.

It’s infuriating.

[Fierce1]

Yeah, this team is ultra talented and highly skilled, but the IQ is horrible.

[Celts17Pride]

You can’t blow away every single team. Some teams won’t bend to the 3 point avalanche and our inability to win the close games all season and in Game 1 and Game 2 is what will cost us this year.

Retool. Get in some guys that can execute down the the stretch of games. Get rid of Joe and Brad and go from there.

The team genuinely needs to learn how to manage games, look after the ball better.

We win games 1 and 2 if we played with more poise and made smarter decisions down the stretch.

It’s infuriating.

Celtics need a vet head coach. Ainge brought in Stevens a young guy to learn with young players.

Celtics are past all that. They need a vet coach that can ride them and knows what to do.

[Bird84]

Pretty wild we built our squad to deal with Giannis and Bucks when it was Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin we needed to worry about.

That's just a symptom of how entitled this bunch is. Not willing to do the hard work.

[Fierce1]

But it would be a bummer for everybody if the Cs win Game 4 and Miami needs to go back to Boston.

What an inconvenience if it happens.

[The Corey's]

Why is muzzla still employed.

You'll never recover from admitting you don't have your team ready for the **** ECF and that You've lost the locker room.

[Bostondave]

I obviously don’t keep up with the Celtics as much as you guys do, but blaming Mazzulla for 90% of the issues seems to be a cop out.

This same core had issues beating Miami’s zone in 2020 & got walked in 5 while Brad Stevens was the coach.

This same core was heavily favored last year against Miami & still got taken to 7 under Ime Udoka — in which, they proceeded to blow a late lead & almost lost on missed Butler 3.

Then this year under Joe Mazzulla, they’re getting wiped off the floor by Miami — mostly due to Jaylen Brown playing like trash & Tatum failing to step up in the 4th quarters.

To me, this Boston squad reminds me of those mid 2010 Raptors who never knew how to win a series easily — there was always lapses in preparation & execution.

This isn’t a case like Bucks, where Bud was the coach for 5 years with repeated issues.

This very same core kicked BRAD STEVENS out of the locker room.

Maybe Mazulla isn’t the answer — but then the question becomes ‘Who is?’

It’s been 3 coaches now. Nobody will want this job unless personnel changes are made.

Brad was super soft, and the only coach who was tough on this core, got them to the Finals. Ime wasn't even that strong a coach, just tougher on the players than anyone they've seen. If we had a coach that wasn't afraid to bench a guy for not running back because they're arguing a call, or sit Smart when it's a late game offensive play and you need shooters/offense on the floor, we'd have put away the Hawks in 5, Sixers in 6, and definitely not be down 0-3 here. Everything I see wrong with this team is affected by weak coaching.

Good points. Although somehow some way Brad had the team playing hard. They were kinda fun to watch. Had heart. I've read a lot of admiration for Udoka. I didn't like him. He wasn't that good. And now this guy's shortcomings is apparent and I think the team has now tuned him out. He's gone. Too many weak coaches in quick succession here and it's infected the core. Keep Brown, Tatum and Rob and I don't care what happens to the rest. I think Smart has outlived whatever usefulness he's had. We need a real point.

[will]

Fault it not solely on Joe. First time head coach.

He will learn from this.

Really need to get the Jaylen Brown situation sorted. Can't help but believe the contract situation has not helped.

[Bostondave]

I'm a Celtics fan to the core and will always watch and root for them but these are bad indicators that need real fixing. There's some internal bleeding that needs fixing. Far as I can see this is over for now. Time to try to fix whats broken with this team. Rookie GM, Rookie Coach, young players (who're actually veterans now) simply is not working. I'm championship driven.

[Tyakack]

Remember when the old celtics core on their last legs, missing rondo, fell behind 0-3 to the knicks in their final year in 2013? That team had pride and won the next 2. Even though they weren't even good that year. This team is gonna lose by 40 in game 4.

[RondoToKG]

Why is muzzla still employed.

You'll never recover from admitting you don't have your team ready for the **** ECF and that You've lost the locker room.

That was such a weird press conference

[Bostondave]

And you know there's something no one is talking about. This damn Heat team is tuned and locked in. They did beat the Bucks pretty handily. Something has clicked into place with them and they are playing tremendous ball. I saw them making some tough shots. They're rolling.

[BRUNiNHO91]

Remember when the old celtics core on their last legs, missing rondo, fell behind 0-3 to the knicks in their final year in 2013? That team had pride and won the next 2. Even though they weren't even good that year. This team is gonna lose by 40 in game 4.

And they had a **** furious comeback in game 6 in the 4th quarter. Avery Bradley started going HAM defensively, Jeff Green carried the offense and we went on a huge run before losing in the end. Always saw that moment like a last gasp of air from that squad before finally dying. Such a great group of guys.

[The Corey's]

Why is muzzla still employed.

You'll never recover from admitting you don't have your team ready for the **** ECF and that You've lost the locker room.

That was such a weird press conference

He couldn't right have any excuses last night. It would of actually been worse than admitting you've lost the locker room.

That said, he admitted he lost the locker room. How would you even go about getting that back?

Running him back is doubling down on a failed endeavor. It should cost Stevens his job if he did and we are having this same conversation next year.

[BRUNiNHO91]

Fault it not solely on Joe. First time head coach.

He will learn from this.

Really need to get the Jaylen Brown situation sorted. Can't help but believe the contract situation has not helped.

Plp talk about Jaylen but compare his presser to the rest. He looked genuinely bothered about it. Apologized to the fans and called the current situation embarrassing. Didn’t see Tatum speak but I imagine he was more worried about hitting the Miami night life with that fabulous outfit he had on.

[The Corey's]

I'm a Celtics fan to the core and will always watch and root for them but these are bad indicators that need real fixing. There's some internal bleeding that needs fixing. Far as I can see this is over for now. Time to try to fix whats broken with this team. Rookie GM, Rookie Coach, young players (who're actually veterans now) simply is not working. I'm championship driven.

Stevens isn't a rookie GM. Not only is he not a rookie, he's actually been really good since he took over. He's made all the right moves.

However, as I said above. If he's gonna double down on Muzzuka then he has to hitch his ride to this wagon, for better or worse.

Stevens doesn't get to hire 3 head coaches.

If he keeps little Joe and next year is the same as this year then you have to clean house. New GM, new head coach, new philosophy.