Bears Eat Our Faces! Loss vs MEM 12/7

[bisme37]

I actually thought last night was one of our better defensive games, especially on tired legs. If not for that it would have been a blowout.

As far as all the 3's, I'm cool with it. We just won a title playing this way. Only time it bugs me is when we have stretches where we forget to touch the paint. Take a 3, but move the defense around first and put some pressure on them. But I think the team knows that.

[fallguy]

This loss is on Joe and Jrue. Jrue was terrible offensively (and didn't exactly shut down anybody on defense either). But this is Joe's major failing as a coach. If plan A doesn't work, plan B comes late, if at all. There was no reason Jrue had to take that many shots given the way Memphis was defending. Corner threes sure. Everything else, no. There are so many actions that would have opened up shots for other guys.

Same reason KP took them at the end, they were open. Jrue will never shoot that many again because teams will have to guard him, no way he misses like that again. I also think we should have drove when we were wide open like that, but no one likes the mid anymore.

I want us to take a bazillion threes every game but if the shot isn’t falling, why can’t we drive a little and take a mid just to change the defense. Missed threes can also lead to a lot of fast breaks.

If it’s JT missing those 3s people would be yelling at him to start driving! If it was JB they’d say don’t shoot or take him out he’s selfish. If that’s the case, we should have wanted Jrue and KP to do the same. I think Jrue tried at one point but he was missing bunnies too.

Yes, take great shots. But at a certain point, you have to say 'Memphis has reduced our offense to an ineffective Jrue Holiday doing everything' and change up your approach.

[Lee Van Cleef]

We should have played dead. Wait! Was that for grizzlies or black bears?

[Celts17Pride]

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Good gamble by the Grizz. They won't be the last team to try that.

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I agree with this too.

[ConstableGeneva]

This loss is on Joe and Jrue. Jrue was terrible offensively (and didn't exactly shut down anybody on defense either). But this is Joe's major failing as a coach. If plan A doesn't work, plan B comes late, if at all. There was no reason Jrue had to take that many shots given the way Memphis was defending. Corner threes sure. Everything else, no. There are so many actions that would have opened up shots for other guys.

Same reason KP took them at the end, they were open. Jrue will never shoot that many again because teams will have to guard him, no way he misses like that again. I also think we should have drove when we were wide open like that, but no one likes the mid anymore.

I want us to take a bazillion threes every game but if the shot isn’t falling, why can’t we drive a little and take a mid just to change the defense. Missed threes can also lead to a lot of fast breaks.

If it’s JT missing those 3s people would be yelling at him to start driving! If it was JB they’d say don’t shoot or take him out he’s selfish. If that’s the case, we should have wanted Jrue and KP to do the same. I think Jrue tried at one point but he was missing bunnies too.

Yes, take great shots. But at a certain point, you have to say 'Memphis has reduced our offense to an ineffective Jrue Holiday doing everything' and change up your approach.

They adjusted in the 2nd half. Played Jrue less. Jrue also took less in the 2nd half when he did play. They played PP more who made shots but made our defense worse. We still won the 2nd half by a significant margin to make up for the awful 1st half. Even led in the 4th but we couldn't stop JJJ for one stretch and it came down to one or two possessions in the end (which happens in every clutch game in NBA history).

[31to6]

Same reason KP took them at the end, they were open. Jrue will never shoot that many again because teams will have to guard him, no way he misses like that again. I also think we should have drove when we were wide open like that, but no one likes the mid anymore.

I want us to take a bazillion threes every game but if the shot isn’t falling, why can’t we drive a little and take a mid just to change the defense. Missed threes can also lead to a lot of fast breaks.

If it’s JT missing those 3s people would be yelling at him to start driving! If it was JB they’d say don’t shoot or take him out he’s selfish. If that’s the case, we should have wanted Jrue and KP to do the same. I think Jrue tried at one point but he was missing bunnies too.

Yes, take great shots. But at a certain point, you have to say 'Memphis has reduced our offense to an ineffective Jrue Holiday doing everything' and change up your approach.

They adjusted in the 2nd half. Played Jrue less. Jrue also took less in the 2nd half when he did play. They played PP more who made shots but made our defense worse. We still won the 2nd half by a significant margin to make up for the awful 1st half. Even led in the 4th but we couldn't stop JJJ for one stretch and it came down to one or two possessions in the end (which happens in every clutch game in NBA history).

Alison Brie, you're doing noble work, but didn't you hear? It's over. The Cs had to give up the Larry O'Brien trophy from last season because they shoot too many 3s. Also all of their other championships, ever, because they didn't win their 6th game in 9 nights. Also I am hearing rumors that Khris Middleton didn't even play. So: it's done. Please turn out the lights on your way out. Thsanks

[ConstableGeneva]

Our offense has been great. Stop poo-pooing on our offensive philosophy. +8.2 relative offensive rating is one of the best in NBA history lol. Defense has been subpar since opening night. That's where the team's focus should be.

+7.7 after the Grizzlies game. Drat. Dropping us from top 3 to about top 5 in NBA history.

[ConstableGeneva]

I think our 3s are hiding our D, they keep asking about our three-point shooting, but I want to know about our poor defense. They need to ask why the players think it’s not good. I asked about Joe not mentioning it like last season. He kept saying that they had to talk about it more throughout the season and that they didn’t emphasize it enough the season prior, so they let it slip. This season I never hear about the defense, but I don’t watch every post game.

Definitely similar vibes from 2022-23. Not same, but similar, 'cos if I recall, we shot lights out from 3 to start that season (not the case this season). Defense isn't as bad but still not where we want it to be. Not having Timelord for first 30 games was a factor then and not having Porzingis to start season is a factor now (+ more PP/semi-deep bench).

Joe after Hawks loss: Hawks deserved the win, Cs lost the battle of the margins, mainly poor defensive rebounding + turnovers
Joe after Warriors loss: Challenged by Dubs physicality/handsiness in 1st half, able to adjust 2nd half, poor defensive rebounding near end of game w/ unlucky bounces
Joe after Indy loss: Pacers played great with their pace; Cs chipped away; Ton of missed layups/rebounds
Joe after Cavs loss: Empty possessions end of 3rd/start of 4th while Cavs made plays. Gave Mitchell a couple of different looks which they connected on
Joe after Grizzlies loss: Poor transition defense; not making enough open looks

Sorry for poor short paraphrasing. Anyway, nothing alarming and overly upsetting yet. All our losses have come down to one or two bounces near the end. Even when we get down in the 1st half, we fight back and make a game out of it. Still somehow doing that 2 losses (or less) in every 9 games pace we did last season.

EDIT: It doesn't mean that if Joe doesn't talk about defense with the media (unless directly asked) that they don't talk about it in film sessions or in the locker room or in practices.

[ConstableGeneva]

Yes, take great shots. But at a certain point, you have to say 'Memphis has reduced our offense to an ineffective Jrue Holiday doing everything' and change up your approach.

They adjusted in the 2nd half. Played Jrue less. Jrue also took less in the 2nd half when he did play. They played PP more who made shots but made our defense worse. We still won the 2nd half by a significant margin to make up for the awful 1st half. Even led in the 4th but we couldn't stop JJJ for one stretch and it came down to one or two possessions in the end (which happens in every clutch game in NBA history).

Alison Brie, you're doing noble work, but didn't you hear? It's over. The Cs had to give up the Larry O'Brien trophy from last season because they shoot too many 3s. Also all of their other championships, ever, because they didn't win their 6th game in 9 nights. Also I am hearing rumors that Khris Middleton didn't even play. So: it's done. Please turn out the lights on your way out. Thsanks

I used to complain a lot about the amount of threes we take. Then I realized they're not changing anytime soon (unless they change their main guys) so I said, "if I want to celebrate a championship with these guys, I should embrace who they are." In fact, there's a memo circulating that fans complaining every 5 seconds about the 3-pt attempts aren't allowed to celebrate wins this season. And there's been a ton of them so far.

[Shak_Celts]

I think our 3s are hiding our D, they keep asking about our three-point shooting, but I want to know about our poor defense. They need to ask why the players think it’s not good. I asked about Joe not mentioning it like last season. He kept saying that they had to talk about it more throughout the season and that they didn’t emphasize it enough the season prior, so they let it slip. This season I never hear about the defense, but I don’t watch every post game.

Definitely similar vibes from 2022-23. Not same, but similar, 'cos if I recall, we shot lights out from 3 to start that season (not the case this season). Defense isn't as bad but still not where we want it to be. Not having Timelord for first 30 games was a factor then and not having Porzingis to start season is a factor now (+ more PP/semi-deep bench).

Joe after Hawks loss: Hawks deserved the win, Cs lost the battle of the margins, mainly poor defensive rebounding + turnovers
Joe after Warriors loss: Challenged by Dubs physicality/handsiness in 1st half, able to adjust 2nd half, poor defensive rebounding near end of game w/ unlucky bounces
Joe after Indy loss: Pacers played great with their pace; Cs chipped away; Ton of missed layups/rebounds
Joe after Cavs loss: Empty possessions end of 3rd/start of 4th while Cavs made plays. Gave Mitchell a couple of different looks which they connected on
Joe after Grizzlies loss: Poor transition defense; not making enough open looks

Sorry for poor short paraphrasing. Anyway, nothing alarming and overly upsetting yet. All our losses have come down to one or two bounces near the end. Even when we get down in the 1st half, we fight back and make a game out of it. Still somehow doing that 2 losses (or less) in every 9 games pace we did last season.

EDIT: It doesn't mean that if Joe doesn't talk about defense with the media (unless directly asked) that they don't talk about it in film sessions or in the locker room or in practices.

Thanks for the breakdown.

[Fierce1]

They adjusted in the 2nd half. Played Jrue less. Jrue also took less in the 2nd half when he did play. They played PP more who made shots but made our defense worse. We still won the 2nd half by a significant margin to make up for the awful 1st half. Even led in the 4th but we couldn't stop JJJ for one stretch and it came down to one or two possessions in the end (which happens in every clutch game in NBA history).

Alison Brie, you're doing noble work, but didn't you hear? It's over. The Cs had to give up the Larry O'Brien trophy from last season because they shoot too many 3s. Also all of their other championships, ever, because they didn't win their 6th game in 9 nights. Also I am hearing rumors that Khris Middleton didn't even play. So: it's done. Please turn out the lights on your way out. Thsanks

I used to complain a lot about the amount of threes we take. Then I realized they're not changing anytime soon (unless they change their main guys) so I said, "if I want to celebrate a championship with these guys, I should embrace who they are." In fact, there's a memo circulating that fans complaining every 5 seconds about the 3-pt attempts aren't allowed to celebrate wins this season. And there's been a ton of them so far.

Live by the 3, die by the 3, so you must win 3.

[Fierce1]

Those who don't like the Cs philosophy of shooting 3s will be miserable for the next 4 months.

[fallguy]

Same reason KP took them at the end, they were open. Jrue will never shoot that many again because teams will have to guard him, no way he misses like that again. I also think we should have drove when we were wide open like that, but no one likes the mid anymore.

I want us to take a bazillion threes every game but if the shot isn’t falling, why can’t we drive a little and take a mid just to change the defense. Missed threes can also lead to a lot of fast breaks.

If it’s JT missing those 3s people would be yelling at him to start driving! If it was JB they’d say don’t shoot or take him out he’s selfish. If that’s the case, we should have wanted Jrue and KP to do the same. I think Jrue tried at one point but he was missing bunnies too.

Yes, take great shots. But at a certain point, you have to say 'Memphis has reduced our offense to an ineffective Jrue Holiday doing everything' and change up your approach.

They adjusted in the 2nd half. Played Jrue less. Jrue also took less in the 2nd half when he did play. They played PP more who made shots but made our defense worse. We still won the 2nd half by a significant margin to make up for the awful 1st half. Even led in the 4th but we couldn't stop JJJ for one stretch and it came down to one or two possessions in the end (which happens in every clutch game in NBA history).

Yeah, that's fair. They did. And they rode PP down the stretch. I was arguing mostly against the idea of 'taking good shots' to the point where the other team is dictating your offense.

[Fierce1]

Fatigue was dictating the Celtic offense in this game.

[seiffert82]

I think our 3s are hiding our D, they keep asking about our three-point shooting, but I want to know about our poor defense. They need to ask why the players think it’s not good. I asked about Joe not mentioning it like last season. He kept saying that they had to talk about it more throughout the season and that they didn’t emphasize it enough the season prior, so they let it slip. This season I never hear about the defense, but I don’t watch every post game.

Definitely similar vibes from 2022-23. Not same, but similar, 'cos if I recall, we shot lights out from 3 to start that season (not the case this season). Defense isn't as bad but still not where we want it to be. Not having Timelord for first 30 games was a factor then and not having Porzingis to start season is a factor now (+ more PP/semi-deep bench).

Joe after Hawks loss: Hawks deserved the win, Cs lost the battle of the margins, mainly poor defensive rebounding + turnovers
Joe after Warriors loss: Challenged by Dubs physicality/handsiness in 1st half, able to adjust 2nd half, poor defensive rebounding near end of game w/ unlucky bounces
Joe after Indy loss: Pacers played great with their pace; Cs chipped away; Ton of missed layups/rebounds
Joe after Cavs loss: Empty possessions end of 3rd/start of 4th while Cavs made plays. Gave Mitchell a couple of different looks which they connected on
Joe after Grizzlies loss: Poor transition defense; not making enough open looks

Sorry for poor short paraphrasing. Anyway, nothing alarming and overly upsetting yet. All our losses have come down to one or two bounces near the end. Even when we get down in the 1st half, we fight back and make a game out of it. Still somehow doing that 2 losses (or less) in every 9 games pace we did last season.

EDIT: It doesn't mean that if Joe doesn't talk about defense with the media (unless directly asked) that they don't talk about it in film sessions or in the locker room or in practices.

Good summary.

This team is clearly pacing itself. When the game is on the line and we pick up the defensive intensity we're a different team.

In most of those loses Mazzulla also threw weird combinations and bench players at the opposition that you will never see come playoff time. We are gathering intel on our bench options in different situations and giving the opposition nothing to work with when it matters.

In every loss this season, despite cruising half the time, we either got it to OT or were within 2 points with 4 minutes to go in the game. We're literally a handful of baskets away from having a 24-0 record.

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

[Fierce1]

I think our 3s are hiding our D, they keep asking about our three-point shooting, but I want to know about our poor defense. They need to ask why the players think it’s not good. I asked about Joe not mentioning it like last season. He kept saying that they had to talk about it more throughout the season and that they didn’t emphasize it enough the season prior, so they let it slip. This season I never hear about the defense, but I don’t watch every post game.

Definitely similar vibes from 2022-23. Not same, but similar, 'cos if I recall, we shot lights out from 3 to start that season (not the case this season). Defense isn't as bad but still not where we want it to be. Not having Timelord for first 30 games was a factor then and not having Porzingis to start season is a factor now (+ more PP/semi-deep bench).

Joe after Hawks loss: Hawks deserved the win, Cs lost the battle of the margins, mainly poor defensive rebounding + turnovers
Joe after Warriors loss: Challenged by Dubs physicality/handsiness in 1st half, able to adjust 2nd half, poor defensive rebounding near end of game w/ unlucky bounces
Joe after Indy loss: Pacers played great with their pace; Cs chipped away; Ton of missed layups/rebounds
Joe after Cavs loss: Empty possessions end of 3rd/start of 4th while Cavs made plays. Gave Mitchell a couple of different looks which they connected on
Joe after Grizzlies loss: Poor transition defense; not making enough open looks

Sorry for poor short paraphrasing. Anyway, nothing alarming and overly upsetting yet. All our losses have come down to one or two bounces near the end. Even when we get down in the 1st half, we fight back and make a game out of it. Still somehow doing that 2 losses (or less) in every 9 games pace we did last season.

EDIT: It doesn't mean that if Joe doesn't talk about defense with the media (unless directly asked) that they don't talk about it in film sessions or in the locker room or in practices.

Good summary.

This team is clearly pacing itself. When the game is on the line and we pick up the defensive intensity we're a different team.

In most of those loses Mazzulla also threw weird combinations and bench players at the opposition that you will never see come playoff time. We are gathering intel on our bench options in different situations and giving the opposition nothing to work with when it matters.

In every loss this season, despite cruising half the time, we either got it to OT or were within 2 points with 4 minutes to go in the game. We're literally a handful of baskets away from having a 24-0 record.

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

Bingo!