Official Celtics 2022 Off-Season Thread

[zoyathedestroya]

Lineups with Schroder-Richardson-Smart trio are so far outscoring opponents by 27.5 points per 100 possessions (100th percentile). For 3 guys who can't shoot, their offensive rating of 125.3 (100th percentile) is not all that bad lol. Ime's bet on the right vets is so far working, fans twisting themselves into a pretzel notwithstanding.

Horford-Timelord combo holding strong defensively (180 possessions so far). Defensive rating of 89.5, good for 100th percentile.

But, but, but...spacing..um, shooting. I, um..

Please, using stats like this can be so misleading.. do you have the "stats" of having these 3 vs a "shooting 3 to compare against?? (though we have yet to see 3 shooters so NO!) How do you know that 3 "shooters" wouldn't have far superior point diffs?? 2 of those 3 play most of the game. Maybe their contributions are overly inflated by the play of Tatum, Rob and Horford. Perhaps a shooting 3 of Nesmith/JRich/Romeo and/orPP getting the major minutes would leave even a far better result.. than Smart Schroder etc..

Can you compare an Apple to an Orange if the Apple hasn't been tasted yet?

Dissecting small sample sizes when it becomes convenient is the holy grail of fool's gold.

When Tatum, Nesmith, and Pritchard were on the floor together last season, Cs had a net rating of -2.5. Remove Tatum, it's down to -6.1. On larger samples. So much for having shooters on the floor.

[playa-hater]

But, but, but...spacing..um, shooting. I, um..

Please, using stats like this can be so misleading.. do you have the "stats" of having these 3 vs a "shooting 3 to compare against?? (though we have yet to see 3 shooters so NO!) How do you know that 3 "shooters" wouldn't have far superior point diffs?? 2 of those 3 play most of the game. Maybe their contributions are overly inflated by the play of Tatum, Rob and Horford. Perhaps a shooting 3 of Nesmith/JRich/Romeo and/orPP getting the major minutes would leave even a far better result.. than Smart Schroder etc..

Can you compare an Apple to an Orange if the Apple hasn't been tasted yet?

Dissecting small sample sizes when it becomes convenient is the holy grail of fool's gold.

When Tatum, Nesmith, and Pritchard were on the floor together last season, Cs had a net rating of -2.5. Remove Tatum, it's down to -6.1. On larger samples. So much for having shooters on the floor.

But even that is so misleading because it fails to list other players with them. Example Tristen Thompson, Kemba Walker? C Edwards, Trey Waters, Grant Williams, Semi etc.. even more so Boston did not have Horford who is fantastically gluing this team together.

last night example was Nesmith played about 6 minutes. those minutes were paired with Schroder's 3 straight turnovers. I was actually waiting for someone to point out that Nesmith had a - net rating though he didn't touch the ball.

wasn't there a game this year where Smart was 1-9 zero asts and yet had a +22 net?? my point is there are so many variables that have to be considered. and it isn't always or even as cut and dry as numbers show.

EDIT - somewhere in these threads was a Stat of Brown and Tatum's 3 point % when Nesmith and PP played with the Js last season.. Dissecting stats can be used for or against to back up many claims..

[La Flame]

I just noticed Brown is top 10 in PPG as of now on almost 50/40/78

[playa-hater]

I just noticed Brown is top 10 in PPG as of now on almost 50/40/78

I believe he had similar stats or better last year early on.. the real test will come y mid season when all the games start grinding on the body..

[Parliament10]

Read on Twitter

[TH15]

I’m excited by Langford’s development so far. He is a prototypical NBA wing who can do anything on a basketball court, is a plus athlete, and a plus defender. He’s getting more and more comfortable with his shooting, and the driving and finishing consistency will come in time - he has the ability. That block he had last game was sweet and just a glimpse of what’s to come.

Between injuries and covid, Romeo hasn’t had an ideal start to his NBA career, but I don’t think he’s far off in skill development and ability from where Jaylen was at similar age. Romeo is an excellent complement to the Jays and by the end of the year I predict most will view him as a core piece (unless he’s packaged for a star).

[playa-hater]

I’m excited by Langford’s development so far. He is a prototypical NBA wing who can do anything on a basketball court, is a plus athlete, and a plus defender. He’s getting more and more comfortable with his shooting, and the driving and finishing consistency will come in time - he has the ability. That block he had last game was sweet and just a glimpse of what’s to come.

Between injuries and covid, Romeo hasn’t had an ideal start to his NBA career, but I don’t think he’s far off in skill development and ability from where Jaylen was at similar age. Romeo is an excellent complement to the Jays and by the end of the year I predict most will view him as a core piece (unless he’s packaged for a star).

His improved shooting is everything for me.. Hope he keeps that up and/or gets better at it. That and of-course stays injury free.

[TH15]

Someone else I feel really good about is Al Horford. It may not have shown up as much yet in the w/l column as we’d like, but he could be having as positive an impact on the team as ever. Al’s the ideal modern big man, and he’s old school enough to adapt to the loose whistle. If he keeps it up and his shooting reverts his norm, he’ll be earning every dollar, and that would be a massive coup for gm Stevens.

[La Flame]

Interesting video on Smart from one of the best NBA youtubers imo

Watch on YouTube

[Drax]

I wonder if we have a software engineer on this board who might be qualified enough.

Read on Twitter

We need someone on the inside who can feed us more scoops during the offseasons.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

One of the big reasons why we're only a .500 team right now. As I mentioned elsewhere, all our losses to the above-.500 teams have come in the clutch. Need our best player to come through for us in those situations.

[bucknersrevenge]

Arguable whether he should've aired this out publicly. But it's probably been said privately a number of times. But does Marcus have a point? Does he need the ball more? For context, these last 2 games have been his best of the season so far since making these statements. 12 assists 0 turnovers. along with 16ppg. He clearly asked for the ball when he signed his extension. He kinda hasn't been happy with his lack of touches. Is he right? Or does he need to just shut up and do his current role better?

Read on Twitter

?s=20

[playa-hater]

Arguable whether he should've aired this out publicly. But it's probably been said privately a number of times. But does Marcus have a point? Does he need the ball more? For context, these last 2 games have been his best of the season so far since making these statements. 12 assists 0 turnovers. along with 16ppg. He clearly asked for the ball when he signed his extension. He kinda hasn't been happy with his lack of touches. Is he right? Or does he need to just shut up and do his current role better?

Read on Twitter

?s=20

With the exception of a pure catch and shoot type player, I don't know anyone who wouldn't do better with more touches. But the better question is, if Smart gets more "touches" and shots, then who gets it less?

the best teams have a good a balance of players who are great with role players who can excel in their roles.. which is why I am always screaming "fit" matters. can a team have 5 "play makers" and no real shooters?? I say it is very hard.. play makers all need the ball a lot.

[bucknersrevenge]

Arguable whether he should've aired this out publicly. But it's probably been said privately a number of times. But does Marcus have a point? Does he need the ball more? For context, these last 2 games have been his best of the season so far since making these statements. 12 assists 0 turnovers. along with 16ppg. He clearly asked for the ball when he signed his extension. He kinda hasn't been happy with his lack of touches. Is he right? Or does he need to just shut up and do his current role better?

Read on Twitter

?s=20

With the exception of a pure catch and shoot type player, I don't know anyone who wouldn't do better with more touches. But the better question is, if Smart gets more "touches" and shots, then who gets it less?

the best teams have a good a balance of players who are great with role players who can excel in their roles.. which is why I am always screaming "fit" matters. can a team have 5 "play makers" and no real shooters?? I say it is very hard.. play makers all need the ball a lot.

Anyone but the Jay's is my answer. Not to harp on this guy again, but I think a little less is more with Schroeder. Great change of pace guy but too much Usage I think exposes some of his flaws. Smart has the 5th lowest Usage while Schroeder is 3rd and I just think that's too much.

[GoGreen]

If Tatum could just not play like ass, this team would be over .500 easy. What is going on with this dude.

[TommyPointGawd]

Interesting video on Smart from one of the best NBA youtubers imo

Watch on YouTube

For the people that don't appreciate smart. Do you listen to music or do you just skim through it?

[Larry_Russell]

When are the trades coming?

[Parliament10]

Watch on YouTube

[pac213up]

If Tatum could just not play like ass, this team would be over .500 easy. What is going on with this dude.

Although there are other opportunities...this one is the biggest. Your Top 15 player has to play like one. Relative to expectations Tatum has been trash with a PER hovering around 15 because of his inability to shoot consistently. He must of spent too much time hanging out with his buddy Beal who is also playing exceptionally poor right now and cannot shoot. Either Tatum figures it out or the season is going nowhere regardless of role players and Ime's rotations.

[Fierce1]

You guys are forgetting that some of the scorers last season are also struggling this season.

I'm sure the Wilson ball being used by the NBA has something to do with that.

Try it for yourselves.

The Wilson ball feels different from the Spalding basketball used by the NBA for decades.