Celtics General Thread 2019-20, "Re-Start"

[sam_I_am]

Here's a dumb thing I'm tracking -- number of 25+ point games from players outside of our top scorer. I felt we've never really had legit scoring threats outside of IT, Irving, and to a smaller extent Jeff freaking Green in the Stevens era. This might be the first season where we have 3 or 4 guys who can score 25+ any given night.

Spoiler:

2013-14:
• Green - 13
• Others - 16 (next highest: 5)

2014-15:
• Green - 7
• Others - 16 (next highest: 5)

2015-16:
• Thomas - 24
• Others - 12 (next highest: 5)

2016-17:
• Thomas - 55
• Others - 8 (next highest: 4)

2017-18:
• Irving - 28
• Others - 13 (next highest: 5)

2018-19:
• Irving - 31
• Others - 14 (next highest: 5)

Three games in, we have one 25+ point game each from Kemba, Tatum, Brown, and Hayward.

Six games in, FOUR from Kemba and FIVE from others -- Hayward (2), Tatum (2), Brown (1). With Brown sidelined for the last three games.

I know this probably can’t last with Jaylen back as there will be less touches.....but I don’t remember a Celtics team with 3 guys averaging 20 ppg since the original Big 3.

Kemba 26 ppg
Tatum 21.3 ppg
Hayward 20 ppg
Brown 17 ppg

To think that we can have 3 legit 20 ppg scorers who are all threats to score from 3, mid range and driving to rim is exciting. Add in Brown’s drives and spot up 3s, Smarts 3 and D game, Kanter’s post game and Carson’s microwave potential off the bench and this team has the potential to be a Warriors - lite offensive juggernaut.

Brad has to figure out how to get them to play at a much faster pace to maximize depth and scoring potential. Defense will always be Achilles heel....but being a dangerous and entertaining but flawed team like D’antoni Suns and Rockets would make for a great season.

[zoyathedestroya]

Here's a dumb thing I'm tracking -- number of 25+ point games from players outside of our top scorer. I felt we've never really had legit scoring threats outside of IT, Irving, and to a smaller extent Jeff freaking Green in the Stevens era. This might be the first season where we have 3 or 4 guys who can score 25+ any given night.

Spoiler:

2013-14:
• Green - 13
• Others - 16 (next highest: 5)

2014-15:
• Green - 7
• Others - 16 (next highest: 5)

2015-16:
• Thomas - 24
• Others - 12 (next highest: 5)

2016-17:
• Thomas - 55
• Others - 8 (next highest: 4)

2017-18:
• Irving - 28
• Others - 13 (next highest: 5)

2018-19:
• Irving - 31
• Others - 14 (next highest: 5)

Three games in, we have one 25+ point game each from Kemba, Tatum, Brown, and Hayward.

Six games in, FOUR from Kemba and FIVE from others -- Hayward (2), Tatum (2), Brown (1). With Brown sidelined for the last three games.

I know this probably can’t last with Jaylen back as there will be less touches.....but I don’t remember a Celtics team with 3 guys averaging 20 ppg since the original Big 3.

Kemba 26 ppg
Tatum 21.3 ppg
Hayward 20 ppg
Brown 17 ppg

To think that we can have 3 legit 20 ppg scorers who are all threats to score from 3, mid range and driving to rim is exciting. Add in Brown’s drives and spot up 3s, Smarts 3 and D game, Kanter’s post game and Carson’s microwave potential off the bench and this team has the potential to be a Warriors - lite offensive juggernaut.

Brad has to figure out how to get them to play at a much faster pace to maximize depth and scoring potential.

Since Stevens has staggered his scorers more this season, at least one or two of Tatum/Kemba/Hayward are always on the floor. There's a conscious effort to free them up and find them whenever they're on the court. Shot distribution is also well-defined and top heavy this season compared to previous ones. Tatum and Kemba lead w/ 19+ FGAs each. Hayward around 15 FGAs and Brown at 13 FGAs. As predicted, all those additional attempts by Rozier/Morris/Horford are now being shared among the three wings. All the rest are bit players in terms of scoring volume.

Forcing turnovers and minimizing our own generate extra possessions. We've done that so far. What we lack is a guy who can clean up defensive boards so our wings/guards don't have to gang-rebound/box-out. Instead, they could run and find early scoring opportunities in transition. Hayward has been great with pushing the ball after a rebound either by bringing it down himself or with a forward pass to someone who leaks out. But we can't run if we keep giving up offensive boards though.

So far, we've been in the bottom 3rd in terms of how quick we score in the half-court (after an opponent makes a shot). Our three-ball (esp from the corners) could also improve.

[ThirtyFour]

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Not sure this was the best game for the team to play after a whole season of being forced to “Escape Room” whenever Kyrie started talking.

[sam_I_am]

Six games in, FOUR from Kemba and FIVE from others -- Hayward (2), Tatum (2), Brown (1). With Brown sidelined for the last three games.

I know this probably can’t last with Jaylen back as there will be less touches.....but I don’t remember a Celtics team with 3 guys averaging 20 ppg since the original Big 3.

Kemba 26 ppg
Tatum 21.3 ppg
Hayward 20 ppg
Brown 17 ppg

To think that we can have 3 legit 20 ppg scorers who are all threats to score from 3, mid range and driving to rim is exciting. Add in Brown’s drives and spot up 3s, Smarts 3 and D game, Kanter’s post game and Carson’s microwave potential off the bench and this team has the potential to be a Warriors - lite offensive juggernaut.

Brad has to figure out how to get them to play at a much faster pace to maximize depth and scoring potential.

Since Stevens has staggered his scorers more this season, at least one or two of Tatum/Kemba/Hayward are always on the floor. There's a conscious effort to free them up and find them whenever they're on the court. Shot distribution is also well-defined and top heavy this season compared to previous ones. Tatum and Kemba lead w/ 19+ FGAs each. Hayward around 15 FGAs and Brown at 13 FGAs. As predicted, all those additional attempts by Rozier/Morris/Horford are now being shared among the three wings. All the rest are bit players in terms of scoring volume.

Forcing turnovers and minimizing our own generate extra possessions. We've done that so far. What we lack is a guy who can clean up defensive boards so our wings/guards don't have to gang-rebound/box-out. Instead, they could run and find early scoring opportunities in transition. Hayward has been great with pushing the ball after a rebound either by bringing it down himself or with a forward pass to someone who leaks out. But we can't run if we keep giving up offensive boards though.

So far, we've been in the bottom 3rd in terms of how quick we score in the half-court (after an opponent makes a shot). Our three-ball (esp from the corners) could also improve.

I think Kanter will fix a lot of rebounding issues. Sure he’s a sieve defensively but if he can prevent the offensive rebounds and grab a few himself, my hope is we can put enough pressure on most teams offensively that they can’t keep up.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

No B2B for LAC so we likely get both Kawhi and PG on the 20th. Good early test aka finals preview.

[GoCeltics123]

Watch on YouTube

[KGboss]

Here's a dumb thing I'm tracking -- number of 25+ point games from players outside of our top scorer. I felt we've never really had legit scoring threats outside of IT, Irving, and to a smaller extent Jeff freaking Green in the Stevens era. This might be the first season where we have 3 or 4 guys who can score 25+ any given night.

Spoiler:

2013-14:
• Green - 13
• Others - 16 (next highest: 5)

2014-15:
• Green - 7
• Others - 16 (next highest: 5)

2015-16:
• Thomas - 24
• Others - 12 (next highest: 5)

2016-17:
• Thomas - 55
• Others - 8 (next highest: 4)

2017-18:
• Irving - 28
• Others - 13 (next highest: 5)

2018-19:
• Irving - 31
• Others - 14 (next highest: 5)

Three games in, we have one 25+ point game each from Kemba, Tatum, Brown, and Hayward.

Six games in, FOUR from Kemba and FIVE from others -- Hayward (2), Tatum (2), Brown (1). With Brown sidelined for the last three games.

I know this probably can’t last with Jaylen back as there will be less touches.....but I don’t remember a Celtics team with 3 guys averaging 20 ppg since the original Big 3.

Kemba 26 ppg
Tatum 21.3 ppg
Hayward 20 ppg
Brown 17 ppg

To think that we can have 3 legit 20 ppg scorers who are all threats to score from 3, mid range and driving to rim is exciting. Add in Brown’s drives and spot up 3s, Smarts 3 and D game, Kanter’s post game and Carson’s microwave potential off the bench and this team has the potential to be a Warriors - lite offensive juggernaut.

Brad has to figure out how to get them to play at a much faster pace to maximize depth and scoring potential. Defense will always be Achilles heel....but being a dangerous and entertaining but flawed team like D’antoni Suns and Rockets would make for a great season.

I guess when Brown comes back itll be Hayward playing the Rondo/Horford role...doing all the things on the floor to set up the other three guys.

If they play defense like they're capable of and the possessions are there I could see all 4 guys hovering right between that 26ppg to 19ppg area the entire season.

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[Fencer reregistered]

A blog article reminding us how dependent (Celtics) offense is on on-court chemistry.

https://www.celticsblog.com/2019/11/6/20949259/boston-celtics-small-ball-offense-against-switching-defenses-gordon-hayward-cleveland-cavaliers

[Fencer reregistered]

Six games in, FOUR from Kemba and FIVE from others -- Hayward (2), Tatum (2), Brown (1). With Brown sidelined for the last three games.

I know this probably can’t last with Jaylen back as there will be less touches.....but I don’t remember a Celtics team with 3 guys averaging 20 ppg since the original Big 3.

Kemba 26 ppg
Tatum 21.3 ppg
Hayward 20 ppg
Brown 17 ppg

To think that we can have 3 legit 20 ppg scorers who are all threats to score from 3, mid range and driving to rim is exciting. Add in Brown’s drives and spot up 3s, Smarts 3 and D game, Kanter’s post game and Carson’s microwave potential off the bench and this team has the potential to be a Warriors - lite offensive juggernaut.

Brad has to figure out how to get them to play at a much faster pace to maximize depth and scoring potential. Defense will always be Achilles heel....but being a dangerous and entertaining but flawed team like D’antoni Suns and Rockets would make for a great season.

I guess when Brown comes back itll be Hayward playing the Rondo/Horford role...doing all the things on the floor to set up the other three guys.

If they play defense like they're capable of and the possessions are there I could see all 4 guys hovering right between that 26ppg to 19ppg area the entire season.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I agree with the Horford analogy. A defense CAN shut down Horford's drives; there's just a price to be paid in terms of him passing to whoever is left open.

But Rondo when young was remarkable for dribbling all the way to the hoop and then back out from it, looking for a good passing opportunity. Hayward rarely does or would do that; he'd just score instead.

[yeahM8]

top of the pops.

feels good

[Fencer reregistered]

Read on Twitter

No jaylen, Tatum, or hayward again

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Jaylen's sick so he shouldn't be hanging out with the guys. Tatum and Hayward, who knows. Missing a night here or there is no big deal (especially when you have little kids) but you'd like to see them show up.

So who on the team these days has kids?

Theis and Hayward -- definitely.
Tatum -- it seems his son and the boy's mother are still around.
Rob Williams -- wasn't there news that he had a kid? If so, is that kid living with or near him?

Who else, if anybody?

[zoyathedestroya]

No jaylen, Tatum, or hayward again

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Jaylen's sick so he shouldn't be hanging out with the guys. Tatum and Hayward, who knows. Missing a night here or there is no big deal (especially when you have little kids) but you'd like to see them show up.

So who on the team these days has kids?

Theis and Hayward -- definitely.
Tatum -- it seems his son and the boy's mother are still around.
Rob Williams -- wasn't there news that he had a kid? If so, is that kid living with or near him?

Who else, if anybody?

Rob and Brad have kids. Not together. A kid each.

[sam_I_am]

I know this probably can’t last with Jaylen back as there will be less touches.....but I don’t remember a Celtics team with 3 guys averaging 20 ppg since the original Big 3.

Kemba 26 ppg
Tatum 21.3 ppg
Hayward 20 ppg
Brown 17 ppg

To think that we can have 3 legit 20 ppg scorers who are all threats to score from 3, mid range and driving to rim is exciting. Add in Brown’s drives and spot up 3s, Smarts 3 and D game, Kanter’s post game and Carson’s microwave potential off the bench and this team has the potential to be a Warriors - lite offensive juggernaut.

Brad has to figure out how to get them to play at a much faster pace to maximize depth and scoring potential. Defense will always be Achilles heel....but being a dangerous and entertaining but flawed team like D’antoni Suns and Rockets would make for a great season.

I guess when Brown comes back itll be Hayward playing the Rondo/Horford role...doing all the things on the floor to set up the other three guys.

If they play defense like they're capable of and the possessions are there I could see all 4 guys hovering right between that 26ppg to 19ppg area the entire season.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I agree with the Horford analogy. A defense CAN shut down Horford's drives; there's just a price to be paid in terms of him passing to whoever is left open.

But Rondo when young was remarkable for dribbling all the way to the hoop and then back out from it, looking for a good passing opportunity. Hayward rarely does or would do that; he'd just score instead.

If Rob Williams can get it together ( as he is on his way to doing ) to stay on floor for 25 min per game, he may be the solution for the offense. The team offensive rating with him on the floor is off the charts even though he is so limited at that end. It’s because his passing, athleticism and threat to catch lobs is a fantastic match with 4 high level scorers and he provides enough defense, rebounding and shot blocking to help get the team running. If he has a monster second half of the season and Grant starts knocking down 3’s.....this team will be a legit, even if still a long shot, title contender.

[Fencer reregistered]

If you don't have any objections to reading the Herald, this article has some fun quotes in it from a couple of Cavs guys.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/11/06/kemba-walker-thrilled-hes-not-alone-on-celtics-scoring-list/

[Fencer reregistered]

I guess when Brown comes back itll be Hayward playing the Rondo/Horford role...doing all the things on the floor to set up the other three guys.

If they play defense like they're capable of and the possessions are there I could see all 4 guys hovering right between that 26ppg to 19ppg area the entire season.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I agree with the Horford analogy. A defense CAN shut down Horford's drives; there's just a price to be paid in terms of him passing to whoever is left open.

But Rondo when young was remarkable for dribbling all the way to the hoop and then back out from it, looking for a good passing opportunity. Hayward rarely does or would do that; he'd just score instead.

If Rob Williams can get it together ( as he is on his way to doing ) to stay on floor for 25 min per game, he may be the solution for the offense. The team offensive rating with him on the floor is off the charts even though he is so limited at that end. It’s because his passing, athleticism and threat to catch lobs is a fantastic match with 4 high level scorers and he provides enough defense, rebounding and shot blocking to help get the team running. If he has a monster second half of the season and Grant starts knocking down 3’s.....this team will be a legit, even if still a long shot, title contender.

A big who can set screens, pass and finish can easily be part of a high-quality offense. Dennis Rodman is the classic example, and he commonly played next to centers who were offensively dubious themselves.

[Gant]

top of the pops.

feels good

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[Gant]

Read on Twitter

[zoyathedestroya]

Not a peep about that Mook extension offer got out from either side. Just goes to show how much we don't know that goes behind the scenes or away from the media's prying eyes/ears and may never know.

[Bostonic33]

Read on Twitter

Ha. So fake outrage from fake tough guy... Morris's word means nothing... he verbally agreed to play for the Spurs and then went back on that to play for the Knicks.

[3D Chess]

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Ha. So fake outrage from fake tough guy... Morris's word means nothing... he verbally agreed to play for the Spurs and then went back on that to play for the Knicks.

I guess Morris was technically correct that the Celtics never called him when free agency started, but yeah pretty disingenuous comments from him (if Ainge is being honest).