Official Celtics 2020-21 Regular Season Thread

[Zeroforwinger]

Brad Stevens came into the league, we were told, with a big advantage in Xs and Os specifically in the matter of ATO plays. He copied other people, other people copied him, and so the advantage was likely to ebb over time -- but his first few years in the league, players/coaches/media all said the advantage was real.

Does that advantage still exist, or has it thoroughly eroded over time? Or should this be a a two-part question involving both play design and coaching?

(Obviously, one of the examples I'm thinking of here is against Toronto ...)

Are you saying you weren’t thoroughly impressed with the end of game play call? Tatum dribble around and take a contested fall away 3

[BK_2020]

I don't know if I'm alone in this or not, but the lack of confidence coming from Grant WIlliams is REALLY bothering me.

He gets the ball in the corner, pump fakes a non existent defender, drives to the basket and turns the ball over. I can't take it any more...

Take the open shot!!

It's like he thinks he's going to lose PT if he misses, but he should lose PT cuz he won't shoot.

I'm beyond frustrated that Nesmith isn't getting this PT.

my feelings exactly...Grant doesn't have to do anything on offense other than make an occasional open shot or set up someone else if covered.

my Biggest pet peeve of Stevens. The opposite mentality of Spo. No one can tell me that D Robinson, K Nunn and Tyler Hero were "ready and they all played/started the 1st game last season. Now they are doing the same with Precious getting good minutes and playing well.

Progress goes faster WITH EXPERIENCE! and I am not even advocating they play in the 4th. just more in the 1-2-3rd quarter

Duncan Robinson is like 28 years old. Kendrick Nunn was 24 when he entered the league.

[Gomes3PC]

Really hope we see a consistent 20 MPG from Timelord. Dude just makes plays. He's healthy and we really need his energy and the gravity he creates diving to the rim on P&R.

[Fencer reregistered]

In the third game of his career, Pritchard was on the floor for the final shot.

Yeah, there are asterisks:
-- Teague was cold.
-- It was a funky, zero-big set.
-- Pritchard didn't seem to have much to do except be a decoy.
-- The play actually failed.
-- And of course Kemba is hurt.

Still -- Pritchard was on the court for the final shot.

[fallguy]

We've played three games. Nesmith will get his time. It's nuts to be that frustrated this early.

[BK_2020]

Teague is worse than Pritchard who is bad. Simple as.

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

[Gomes3PC]

Read on Twitter

Great to see his teammates have his back. I just cross my fingers he stays healthy, because I think with 15-20 consistent minutes a game he's going to make huge strides. He's just a nightmare on offense for opponents between his lobs, putbacks, and ability to pass out of the high and low post. He's also become a pretty good screen-setter, though with time that will even improve via better chemistry with the Jays/Kemba/et al.

Just give the kid time, and live with the early-season mistakes that might cost a game or two. Development is a process and he and Grant have proven over the last year-plus they are worthy of riding out the bumps with.

[keevsnick1]

Celtics next 4 games are....

12/30 vs MEM (1-2)
1/1 @ DET (0-4)
1/3 @ DET (0-4)
1/4 @ TOR (0-3)

A couple second nights of a back too back, three on the road, but still DET is terrible, MEM is missing their entire team so you gotta go 3-1 in that stretch at least.

[playa-hater]

After Boston's win and PP's coming out (even more) party, I can't sleep. So I am looking at the possibility of upgrading the rosters with our TPE.

Just the first look/suggestion based on salaries + need. It looks like Harrison Barnes + Bjelica fit perfectly into out TPE. HB is a young veteran with a ton of playoff experience. Bjelica is a big with a good 3pt shoot. Certainly better than Theis.

I wonder if Theis+(whomever between Semi/Green/Edwards) for Roster throw ins and our TPE + top 10 protected 1st would work for all.

I think for sure improves our chances.

[playa-hater]

Celtics next 4 games are....

12/30 vs MEM (1-2)
1/1 @ DET (0-4)
1/3 @ DET (0-4)
1/4 @ TOR (0-3)

A couple second nights of a back too back, three on the road, but still DET is terrible, MEM is missing their entire team so you gotta go 3-1 in that stretch at least.

Nesmith better get some decent PT in the 1st 3 games easy.

[Triple7]

Easily could be a 4-5 games streak before we face the heat. We should not take this next few games lightly. I’m looking forward to the heat matchup.

[Fencer reregistered]

Brad says he's experimenting. And he's indeed getting data on a lot of guys. I expect this to continue.

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

[zoyathedestroya]

Theis for Bjelica? Can Nemanja defend the 4? Can Nemanja defend at all? 'Cos he's a better fit as a stretch big to complement either Thompson/Timelord.

[Captain_Caveman]

NBA not having an All-Star Game this year, but still plans to recognize players with fan input. I would guess this takes place either midseason or at end of year.

Current ASG selection rules: 12 positions total. Fans vote in 5 starters. 2 backcourt and 3 frontcourt. 7 reserves voted in by coaches. 2 backcourt, 3 frontcourt, 2 at-large. There is no distinction between Forwards and Centers, and no official quota for the latter.

That means there has to be 4 backcourt players, and can be no more than 6. Have to be 6 frontcourt players, and can be no more than 8.

If they keep those rules this year, there will be no injury replacements as there is no actual game. Names below represent viable candidates, with top candidates in bold. Two of the bolded names above would not get in.

Pick two.

BACKCOURT
Trae
Kyrie
Westbrook
Lowry
JRue
LaVine
Beal
Dipo
Barrett
Rozier
Brogdon
Sexton

FRONTCOURT
Durant
Giannis
Tatum
Simmons
Butler
Embiid
Bam
Jaylen
Siakam
Hayward
Middleton
Warren
Collins
Vucevic
Sabonis

[Floody100]

NBA not having an All-Star Game this year, but still plans to recognize players with fan input. I would guess this takes place either midseason or at end of year.

Current ASG selection rules: 12 positions total. Fans vote in 5 starters. 2 backcourt and 3 frontcourt. 7 reserves voted in by coaches. 2 backcourt, 3 frontcourt, 2 at-large. There is no distinction between Forwards and Centers, and no official quota for the latter.

That means there has to be 4 backcourt players, and can be no more than 6. Have to be 6 frontcourt players, and can be no more than 8.

If they keep those rules this year, there will be no injury replacements as there is no actual game. Names below represent viable candidates, with top candidates in bold. Two of the bolded names above would not get in.

Pick two.

BACKCOURT
Trae
Kyrie
Westbrook
Lowry
JRue
LaVine
Beal
Dipo
Barrett
Rozier
Brogdon
Sexton

FRONTCOURT
Durant
Giannis
Tatum
Simmons
Butler
Embiid
Bam
Jaylen
Siakam
Hayward
Middleton
Warren
Collins
Vucevic
Sabonis

I’m not trying to start arguments but are you prepared to say you were wrong about Jaylen’s contract ?

[Captain_Caveman]

NBA not having an All-Star Game this year, but still plans to recognize players with fan input. I would guess this takes place either midseason or at end of year.

Current ASG selection rules: 12 positions total. Fans vote in 5 starters. 2 backcourt and 3 frontcourt. 7 reserves voted in by coaches. 2 backcourt, 3 frontcourt, 2 at-large. There is no distinction between Forwards and Centers, and no official quota for the latter.

That means there has to be 4 backcourt players, and can be no more than 6. Have to be 6 frontcourt players, and can be no more than 8.

If they keep those rules this year, there will be no injury replacements as there is no actual game. Names below represent viable candidates, with top candidates in bold. Two of the bolded names above would not get in.

Pick two.

BACKCOURT
Trae
Kyrie
Westbrook
Lowry
JRue
LaVine
Beal
Dipo
Barrett
Rozier
Brogdon
Sexton

FRONTCOURT
Durant
Giannis
Tatum
Simmons
Butler
Embiid
Bam
Jaylen
Siakam
Hayward
Middleton
Warren
Collins
Vucevic
Sabonis

I’m not trying to start arguments but are you prepared to say you were wrong about Jaylen’s contract ?

OK fine... it took 13.5 years to be wrong about something of significance, but Jaylen is not overpaid by $4-5m a year.

[Floody100]

NBA not having an All-Star Game this year, but still plans to recognize players with fan input. I would guess this takes place either midseason or at end of year.

Current ASG selection rules: 12 positions total. Fans vote in 5 starters. 2 backcourt and 3 frontcourt. 7 reserves voted in by coaches. 2 backcourt, 3 frontcourt, 2 at-large. There is no distinction between Forwards and Centers, and no official quota for the latter.

That means there has to be 4 backcourt players, and can be no more than 6. Have to be 6 frontcourt players, and can be no more than 8.

If they keep those rules this year, there will be no injury replacements as there is no actual game. Names below represent viable candidates, with top candidates in bold. Two of the bolded names above would not get in.

Pick two.

BACKCOURT
Trae
Kyrie
Westbrook
Lowry
JRue
LaVine
Beal
Dipo
Barrett
Rozier
Brogdon
Sexton

FRONTCOURT
Durant
Giannis
Tatum
Simmons
Butler
Embiid
Bam
Jaylen
Siakam
Hayward
Middleton
Warren
Collins
Vucevic
Sabonis

I’m not trying to start arguments but are you prepared to say you were wrong about Jaylen’s contract ?

OK fine... it took 13.5 years to be wrong about something of significance, but Jaylen is not overpaid by $4-5m a year.

We’ll take it

[UNCBlue012]

Y'all, I've joined the hype train and I'm Team #8Mile. He's the perfect player for this team.