The Reason(s)why We are struggling in the Playoffs

[return2glory]

There are a few reasons why we are playing worst than most expected in the playoffs. Doc Rivers and the less than average performance of PGA are valid reasons why we have struggled. But that's not the reason we have been struggling.

The the main reason we are struggling in the playoffs with a 6-5 record is because we don't have any an type of inside scoring. As everyone knows the playoffs are a more slow paced style of play. The makeup of this team is mainly made of off outside shooters. This type of play does not work in the playoffs.

This lack of a low post scorer along along with the inability to get to the line is really hurting this team. The offense struggles because of these two reasons. Whenever this team needs a basket, we settle for the outside shot because we can't score from inside or get to the line.

Danny Ainge did a very good job this season. But one thing he missed on was getting a low post player to give us a balanced offensive attack. Until Ainge can address this need, we will continue to struggle in the playoffs.

[GreenGrizz]

We need Walker's passing ability.

[Celts17Pride]

This lack of a low post scorer along with the inability to get to the line is really hurting this team. .

or Pierce, Allen, KG, Cassell & Rondo can quit jacking up shots from the outside and take it to the hoop.

[return2glory]

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or Pierce, Allen, KG, Cassell & Rondo can quit jacking up shots from the outside and take it to the hoop.

That's part of the problem. They can't. None of these guys can get to the line on a regular basis. Pierce used to get to the line about 10 times a game for many years. He can't do that as well as he used to. He especially can't beat Lebron to the basket.

[BigHands]

There are a few reasons why we are playing worst than most expected in the playoffs. Doc Rivers and the less than average performance of PGA are valid reasons why we have struggled. But that's not the reason we have been struggling.

The the main reason we are struggling in the playoffs with a 6-5 record is because we don't have any an type of inside scoring. As everyone knows the playoffs are a more slow paced style of play. The makeup of this team is mainly made of off outside shooters. This type of play does not work in the playoffs.

This lack of a low post scorer along along with the inability to get to the line is really hurting this team. The offense struggles because of these two reasons. Whenever this team needs a basket, we settle for the outside shot because we can't score from inside or get to the line.

Danny Ainge did a very good job this season. But one thing he missed on was getting a low post player to give us a balanced offensive attack. Until Ainge can address this need, we will continue to struggle in the playoffs.

I agree with the lost post scorer point and have posted as much several times.

Of course Ainge did have that that player but he was the cost of KG.

[MyInsatiableOne]

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or Pierce, Allen, KG, Cassell & Rondo can quit jacking up shots from the outside and take it to the hoop.

KG is the only one making anything so I'm fine with him. The others are pissing me off,though...

[return2glory]

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I agree with the lost post scorer point and have posted as much several times.

Of course Ainge did have that that player but he was the cost of KG.

Image if we still had Jefferson instead of Perkins. We would be unstopable.
I would really like if Ainge was somehow to give Kevin Love. He reminds me of Jeff Ruland with passing ability. Brook Lopex is another guy I would love to have, but he will go in the top 5.

[humblebum]

I think a large part of the Celtics struggles thus far into the playoffs is the fact that Pierce has had a rough go of it on the offensive side of the ball. Pierce is the key to the Celtics offense because he is best at drawing fouls and getting easy baskets (the only other player who can do this for the Celtics in this series is probably Tony Allen... but he can't get off the bench). Plus Pierce is a solid playmaker who gets guys easy shots. If Pierce's offense isn't flowing than the Celtics will struggle unless Perk/Rondo/Ray really step up.

In the Atlanta series Pierce struggled with foul trouble and thus he had trouble getting into a rhythm. Plus Atlanta has a lot of Athletic defenders who made it difficult to finish at the rim.

In the Atlanta series he has to go at Lebron is the most underrated defensive player in the league. IMO he's probably the most versatile defender in the game and the only athlete who you can even compare to him is Josh Smith (seeing a trend here???). Besides being defended by Lebron the Cavs are one of the top 3 teams of clogging the paint and limiting teams to one shot. In other words, the Cavs matchup really well with the C's.

[return2glory]

humblebum, first the Hawks were a tough match up and now the Cavs? All this tells me is the obvious, that everyone is a tough match up because we aren't really that good.

Stop making excuses like everyone else. The reason we aren't getting it done is because we just can't win all the time when about 80% of our shots are beyond 15 feet away.

We are a very good defensive team and that is why we are even in this series. The fact is that the offense is struggling because their is no easy baskets, no inside play to speak of, and very little driving to the basket. The defense can only keep us in the games for so long. It's the lack of offensive balance, the inside/outside game and lack of free throws that is hurting us.

[tombattor]

How about we stick with what got us here? Before the arrival of Sam the Satan, our bench routinely outscored opposing bench and our 2nd unit gave us a jolt of energy when the starters were a little flat. Then the starters would come back and put the game away.

Now, with Doc the great's awesome rotation where SOB Cassell is playing half the game, that doesn't happen because no one is else is getting involved. Once ET goes back to Mars or Hell, I bet we finally win one on the road.

[leper-con]

I think the fact this Doc. has turned this team into a slug on offense is a big part of the failure. we should be running for easy hoops. Rondo is at his best pushing the ball as is Ray. KG is one of the fastest bugs in the league and an excellent trailer with his ability to hit form the outside. PP is best when he can slash before the defense is set up.

[BigHands]

I think the fact this Doc. has turned this team into a slug on offense is a big part of the failure. we should be running for easy hoops. Rondo is at his best pushing the ball as is Ray. KG is one of the fastest bugs in the league and an excellent trailer with his ability to hit form the outside. PP is best when he can slash before the defense is set up.

The Celtics have to attack the hoop on the road. That means Rondo, PP, and Tony Allen (remember him, Doc) plus feeds down low to Perk/Powe.

KG needs to be in the post more on offense.

The Celts lack a post scorer. Superb defense covered for that during the season.

In the playoffs everyone's defense steps up. A force in the post can stress any defense and force the D to pull back from the perimeter - attack the hoop!

Cleveland is playing excellent defense because they are getting away with with ignoring Perk and Rondo (although Rondo played better last game).

Both slashing and jump shots require ball movement and the ball does not move with Sam in the game.

Doc revamped the team's top 8 with PJ and Sam. I think I understand his reasoning but it still looks like a mistake.

[tombattor]

PJ Brown's been great. He's rebounding, playing good D and taking the shots they give him. Sam Cassell's been a major problem. He doesn't even try to play D, jacks up shot after shot and completely kills any offensive flow we've had.

The bench used to be our strength, but now with Cassell, it's become a major problem.

[BigHands]

PJ Brown's been great. He's rebounding, playing good D and taking the shots they give him. Sam Cassell's been a major problem. He doesn't even try to play D, jacks up shot after shot and completely kills any offensive flow we've had.

The bench used to be our strength, but now with Cassell, it's become a major problem.

PJ has gotten better versus the Cavs and he had a good game 4.

But half his made baskets, half his blocks and over one-third his rebounds came in that one game. At 38, I don't see him playing 23 minutes a game consistently.

I too am down on Sam. I think House, Tony Allen and Baby all need some minutes to keep their edge.

The Celtic first 8 as Doc has defined it recently is too old for the number of playoff games the Celts are/will be playing.

[MyInsatiableOne]

PJ Brown's been great. He's rebounding, playing good D and taking the shots they give him. Sam Cassell's been a major problem. He doesn't even try to play D, jacks up shot after shot and completely kills any offensive flow we've had.

The bench used to be our strength, but now with Cassell, it's become a major problem.

You know I agree with you on the whole Cassell thing. Even though I thought his newest article today was crap, Simmons at least grasps that not only does Cassell kill the offense but he kills Rondo and House's confidence. At least someone other than you and I noticed, tombattor!

[tombattor]

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You know I agree with you on the whole Cassell thing. Even though I thought his newest article today was crap, Simmons at least grasps that not only does Cassell kill the offense but he kills Rondo and House's confidence. At least someone other than you and I noticed, tombattor!

I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to see that. It's just too bad Doc is too stupid to see it.

[MyInsatiableOne]

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I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to see that. It's just too bad Doc is too stupid to see it.

I'm of the belief Doc is either scared that Sam will ruin the chemistry on the team in the locker room, or that he's been ordered by Danny/Wyc to play Sam heavily in order to save face since it was such a high-profile pick-up late in the season.

[return2glory]

How about we stick with what got us here? Before the arrival of Sam the Satan, our bench routinely outscored opposing bench and our 2nd unit gave us a jolt of energy when the starters were a little flat. Then the starters would come back and put the game away.

Now, with Doc the great's awesome rotation where SOB Cassell is playing half the game, that doesn't happen because no one is else is getting involved. Once ET goes back to Mars or Hell, I bet we finally win one on the road.

I disagree. It's not Sam's fault alone. Just look at game 3 vs the Cavs. We were down by about 20 in the 1st quarter before Sam entered the game. That game was lost in the 1st quarter.

Also the reason we can't stick to want got us here is because the playoffs and the regular season are very different. It's more of a half court game in the playoffs. This is where a balanced inside/outisde game beccomes more important.

Shooting jumpers 80% of the time is not going to get it done. Just look at the recent Phoenix teams. Great regular season teams, but struggled in the playoffs because the slowed down pace wasn't their style.

[return2glory]

Again the reason we are struggling in the playoffs is:

1. Lack of low post game.
2. Not getting to the line enough.

Game 6: We scored 69 mother **** points. 69!!!!!!

We attempted only 13 **** FT's the entire game.

We have become a weak, soft jump shhoting that that has gotten exposed in the playoffs. The Cavs shot only 33% from the field and we still lost.

Thank God for Tom T. and his defense for else we would have been elimated from the playoffs a long time ago. What good is Doc Rivers to the team.

[PPAW4Life]

The C's just don't flop as well as the Cavs....so when we do attack the basket or paint we don't get the calls.

There was obvious contact on 3 of PP's drives, 2 of Allen's drives, all of Big Baby's inside shot attempts and no calls.....mean while the C's get called for contact initiated by the Cavs defenders.

Firs foul on Pierce was a pure joke. It's almost as if someone instructed a ref to get Pierce into foul trouble early to even up the "star power" in this game to force a Game 7.