Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread

[playa-hater]

From what I can see, the three-point shots aren't falling at the same rate they were earlier in the season, but I also feel like the ball movement has become completely stagnant. White and Jrue are almost non-factors now because Tatum, Brown, and KP have been taking the majority of the shots. To me, it looks like Tatum and Brown have reverted back to relying too much on isolation ball.

I think Tatum and Brown just need to get back to making that extra pass. If they do, their offense will get back on track.

Definitely my theory as well.

I'm not a huge fan of the high pick-and-roll with KP. I understand the logic behind it – he's a 7'3" unicorn, so he’s a matchup nightmare – but it often bogs down the offense. When the ball ends up getting dumped down to him, the spacing suffers, and the other players become too stationary. This lack of movement and flow makes the offense more predictable and less dynamic.

agree again.

[shackles10]

Definitely my theory as well.

I'm not a huge fan of the high pick-and-roll with KP. I understand the logic behind it – he's a 7'3" unicorn, so he’s a matchup nightmare – but it often bogs down the offense. When the ball ends up getting dumped down to him, the spacing suffers, and the other players become too stationary. This lack of movement and flow makes the offense more predictable and less dynamic.

agree again.

It worked last year because the points per possession with his post up was so high. This year I’ve not seen the stat, assumedly due to low sample size and just not the league leading results anymore either, but the eye test alone shows a lot of what you’re saying and it’s just not as effective as it was a season ago.

[165bows]

November: 56.8 3PTA rate; 120.9 ORtg (2nd)
December: 53.8 3PTA rate; 117.7 ORtg (4th)
January: 49.7 3PTA rate; 115.5 ORtg (11th)

The plan to shoot less threes not going great, I see?

Karalis is a graduate of the school of correlation is not causation I see.

Maybe the conclusion could have been their 3PT shooting has been *** lately so they've been forced to attack the rim more.

And attacking the rim more hasn't led to an improvement in our offense either?

That’s exactly what I am saying, that’s the result not the cause.

Eg every announcer ever “hey their shots aren’t falling they should attack the rim more.”

[Celts17Pride]

In my opinion when it comes to three point attempts it's quality of attempts that's more important than quantity of attempts. Even though I'm not a huge fan of 50-60 three point attempts per game. If they are good quality of attempts the Celtics have the talent to knock them down.

[redslastlaugh]

I agree.

I think theoretically you could say, “we want 50 great 3PTA” and in theory who could argue. But in organic, high quality game action there are never 50 great 3PTA opportunities. Realistically, you’re burning some possessions and messing with the flow/spirit of the sport if you’re shooting that many.

In my opinion when it comes to three point attempts it's quality of attempts that's more important than quantity of attempts. Even though I'm not a huge fan of 50-60 three point attempts per game.

[ConstableGeneva]

I believe the clamoring for more quality threes will die down once threes start falling more when in reality they’ll be taking the same type of threes they were missing. Been that way for years. We cry for more ball movement when team misses more shots. We barely hear about ball movement when we’re scoring at a high clip and winning. When in reality, we’ve been a low passing, low movement team for a few seasons now. We’re likely to get those one or two-pass possessions than the drive-kick-swing-swing possessions which we get maybe 3 or 4 times a game even when we were winning earlier in the year.

[Fierce1]

Celtics should learn from OKC and the Cavs.

Both those 2 top teams don't force shots.
If the player is not open or does not have a good shot, they pass the ball.

Celtic players have this tendency of shooting over defenders or taking contested shots.

It's just about making good decisions.

It's only natural shooting efficiency goes up if you're taking less ill-advised shots.

[ConstableGeneva]

Someone (Anything’s Poddable) finally acknowledged how the starting five with KP (and single big KP) has sucked. Doesn’t mean they’ll continue to suck but at least they’re aware instead of the default of putting the blame on the bench or maligning Kornet lol.

[ConstableGeneva]

Watch on YouTube

[Fencer reregistered]

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/nba-win-percentage-record-lakers-spurs/681453/

[Jaqua92]

I think it's very reasonable to be frustrated with this team's level of play, and it's perfectly reasonable to draw worrisome conclusions about this team's ability to repeat this year.

I also think there's loads of evidence that suggests we don't need to panic and that the Celtics are still the favorites..

Over the last 2 weeks, they've generally been a top 3 team in net rating and offensive and defensive effeciency despite the poor play.

But what's even more encouraging and should give every single one of you loads of confidence?

Celtics are ranked 2nd in team EPM to OKC and are well beyond Cleveland. But that's not what's encouraging. They were ranked first for quite a bit, and traded top spot with OKC the last 2 weeks or so, back and forth.

So, if OKC who is playing hungry and at an unsustainable 70 win pace is being nearly matched by the Celtics who have been playing .500 basketball for a month and a half does that not lend itself to this team's potential?

The Celtics floor is so high that despite their poor play, they were ranked either first or second in team EPM.

I genuinely think they'll be fine when it matters. I don't think it'll be easy as last year but I also don't think they need to be perfect to beat Cleveland or OKC, and I'm still convinced Denver will amount to being the biggest scare come playoff time.

[165bows]

SAC and Indy losses don’t look *quite* as bad in retrospect as those are two of the hottest teams in the league, both on 8-2 runs right now.

[KamikazeK]

I haven't been around much so no clue what the vibe has been like here recently, but for what it's worth, I'm on team "Just chill". They're the defending champs. They got nothing to prove and it's a long season. It's not the same as before they won, when there were questions about whether or not they could do it. They proved they could do it, so now what matters is the playoffs.

Like does anyone actually think they can't win a road game in Cleveland in the playoffs if it comes down to it? I'm not worried at all.

[Fierce1]

I haven't been around much so no clue what the vibe has been like here recently, but for what it's worth, I'm on team "Just chill". They're the defending champs. They got nothing to prove and it's a long season. It's not the same as before they won, when there were questions about whether or not they could do it. They proved they could do it, so now what matters is the playoffs.

Like does anyone actually think they can't win a road game in Cleveland in the playoffs if it comes down to it? I'm not worried at all.

You are definitely not a master of panic.

I too want to be a member of the "Just Chill" club.

[bisme37]

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[Shak_Celts]

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I’m still worried!

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

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What does he know...

[keevsnick1]

SAC and Indy losses don’t look *quite* as bad in retrospect as those are two of the hottest teams in the league, both on 8-2 runs right now.

To be honest i never considered the loss to either bad, especially to the Pacer's. I know the C's swept them in the ECF but those were very tough well fought games. And in the regular season the last 2 years the C's are now 4-4 vs Indy, for whatever reason they play the Celtics tough.

[phincsfan]

No team is beating the C’s in a 7 game series. They’ll get it done.

[bisme37]

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