CelticsStrong
Celtics Basketball => Celtics Talk => Topic started by: vjcsmoke on November 05, 2017, 09:47:30 PM
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Wow Celtics just won their 8th straight. And this time they held the Magic to under 90 points scoring. I believe they set some kind of record for holding opponents to 95 points or less.
On average we are leading the entire NBA with only 94.7 ppg allowed on the year so far!
What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??
We hoped for some improvement, but who could have dreamed that signing Baynes, trading for Kyrie, and letting the younguns play would lead to this kind of defense? Especially since we had to give up defensive ace Avery Bradley AND we lost Hayward to a possibly season-ending injury?
Peep these stats as of today 11/5/17:
(https://i.imgur.com/DZTGA4g.jpg)
Who was predicting these defensive advanced stats before the season started?
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#1 period
Bring on the GSW
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What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??
The largest change is that we aren't playing 4v5 due to IT anymore.
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We do play at a relatively slow pace which helps but considering all the 3pt shooting it is a significant achievement.
We limit opponents' easy baskets. Top of the league in opp 3pt% at 30.8. Don't have the stats but I'd assume that means we're at the top in limiting open 3pt shots. The Cavs are worst at 41.7%. We're also top 5 in limiting opp fast break points, points off turnovers, 2nd chance points and free throws. One area that we're middle of the road is points in the paint.
So play good defense without fouling, force the opponent to take tough shot and grab the ball when they miss. That's a winning hand.
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Agreed that the defensive rebounding, over 80%, and limiting second chance points, less than 10 second chance ppg, has played a big part in their success. If you make them take tough shots, and limit their chances to score, well everything starts working very well!
Guys, do you see Brad doing anything different defensively this year with his schemes or what do you think makes the difference when we compare the 2017 Celtics to the 2016 Celtics? Yes I appreciate that IT was only 5'9. But did it make that big of a difference or are other factors at work here? Is our scheme better or is it our talent?
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What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??
The largest change is that we aren't playing 4v5 due to IT anymore.
Has way more to do with us having a ton more length on the wings leading to much better rebounding and less gaps in the defense for offensive rebounders to steal rebounds away. Bradley and Crowder were overrated defenders (especially Crowder). Smart (through weight loss), Rozier, and Brown are also much improved defenders.
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Back in 07-08 the fast start the Big Three had was primarily defensive. They were smothering. They closed out. They were physical in the paint. They overwhelmed teams defensively.
The game is different now with the focus on threes and pace and space but in a lot of ways, this Celtic team, like in 07-08 is remaking itself with elite defense. Their length, size, strength, physicality, and mental toughness defines this team much like the defense defuned the 08' team.
Difference is that team was led by older vets. This team is defensively elite and led by youth. We could be looking at one of the best defensive teams in the league for the next 5 years. They are playing that well. It is just so cool to watch.
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Double post
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What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??
The largest change is that we aren't playing 4v5 due to IT anymore.
Has way more to do with us having a ton more length on the wings leading to much better rebounding and less gaps in the defense for offensive rebounders to steal rebounds away. Bradley and Crowder were overrated defenders (especially Crowder). Smart (through weight loss), Rozier, and Brown are also much improved defenders.
You listed a few things that are debatable (Bradley and crowder defense vs brown and Tatum). You could be right or wrong. It's clearly not the largest reason, however. A defense is only as strong as the weakest defender. Now the Celtics don't have to do clever hiding of IT and they can switch all picks. There really is no weakness in our current defense because we have 5 capable defenders on the floor at all times. If you swap Bradley for brown or crowder for Tatum, I bet we'd see similar results. The key upgrade was at PG and I'm sorry it's not even close.
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What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??
The largest change is that we aren't playing 4v5 due to IT anymore.
I think this is the largest change indeed. I mean last year we had our best rating when we put in Marcus for IT, but we couldnt score a lick so we still end up having trouble.
Another thing is I think our new roster is more equipped for the defensive style Brad uses. It was no wonder we played best when Jerebko and Brown started last year alongside Crowder, switch heavy defense works best with players who can guard multiple positions.
Another is rebounding, certainly helps that there are less offensive boards for the opponent.
I still feel there are times when we are going to miss AB's defense, but overall its not bad.
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after 5 years THIS roster is custom made by Ainge for Stevens, we are going to witness what he can really do
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The biggest difference between this years defense and last years is that the big men are not extending near as far out to the 3 point line. Baynes, Horford and Theis almost always hang back and allow the longer more effective guards and wings to fight over picks and contest the 3 point line, this has also helped the rebounding greatly. Another huge factor has been the help defense and the switching, we actually have guys on the perimeter that can block a shot occasionally, defend the rim, rebound and switch up much more effectively. The defense has been a joy to watch without those disgusting, ineffective, undersized lineups.
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What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??
The largest change is that we aren't playing 4v5 due to IT anymore.
The largest change is that they got larger.
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Yes, but with the caveat that the opponent 3pt % percentage is a bit concerning. Typically 3pt % is one of those stats that a defense cant actually control all that much, the fact that the Celtics lead the league in that stat could mean we are due for some regression (ie, we've had some good luck). The much improved rebounding does help however.
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Yes, but with the caveat that the opponent 3pt % percentage is a bit concerning. Typically 3pt % is one of those stats that a defense cant actually control all that much, the fact that the Celtics lead the league in that stat could mean we are due for some regression (ie, we've had some good luck). The much improved rebounding does help however.
Believe it or not the C's have been top 5 in opponent 3 pt. % for 10 years running (yes even the tanking years), including 2nd last year at 33.2% only the Warriors were better at 32.4%.
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If you watch games from last year, they are maximizing what they have. The schemes are designed for, IT, AB, Jae, Al and whomever...right? Smart and Rozier off the bench with Kelly.
The only way Stevens could get his best 5 players on the floor together was to "go small."
The small unit had to play out of their minds to make it work and it did, but, the playoffs were tougher than tough. I really think Stevens was the formula up to the finals. The last 6 games (reg/playoffs) against the Cavs, our small team just got crushed. Brad looked down the bench and started Green in the ECF.
This year's team isn't small. They have a big aggressive 2.
They have a traditional center...if they bring him in.
Their point guard has enough size to have a chance on defense.
The bench rotation is better because the starters rotating onto the second unit are "better".
Baynes - Morris - Irving - Smart - Rozier (sort of, this year's "small" unit)
The above or whatever was on the court last night for awhile. Kyrie does not need to be covered by this bench unit like IT did, thus, Rozier and Smart can do their thing. There's a center who covers the opposing center. Kelly isn't on the floor anymore.
Tatum and Brown are young. They also happen to be long and it is easier to roll for 4 quarters when you're 20.
Kyrie is good on defense this year? Of course he is. His mates are playing their butts off on defense. Marcus Smart is the team's leader and he's screaming at the rooks for defensive commitment. Kyrie is onboard stealing every ball he can get his hands on.
Watch the bench rotation at the beginning of the fourth for the last few games...Heat, Thunder, Magic, Bux....they can't get their shots, they have to switch out of the play that was called, Rozier is freaking relentless, Smart is being Smart, Baynes is wrestling with the bigs underneath...the Celtics are ahead and Westbrook, the Freak or any of the stars whom are supposed to get a shot somehow aren't able to do spit.
Look at the schedule for the next 12 games. GSW and Philly look tough, that's about it.
Our bench defense is far, far better, we have a center and our starting back court is bigger.
I'm sure there will be a slump, but, nobody wants to play this team now.
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Ya, I looked it up. they've been very good defending the 3 recently which is weird considering how much team turnover there's been the last 5 seasons. So maybe 30.8% isnt sustainable, but 33% might be. Also, we have great length on the perimeter which i gotta think helps disrupt outside shooting so who knows.
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Back in 07-08 the fast start the Big Three had was primarily defensive. They were smothering. They closed out. They were physical in the paint. They overwhelmed teams defensively.
The game is different now with the focus on threes and pace and space but in a lot of ways, this Celtic team, like in 07-08 is remaking itself with elite defense. Their length, size, strength, physicality, and mental toughness defines this team much like the defense defuned the 08' team.
Difference is that team was led by older vets. This team is defensively elite and led by youth. We could be looking at one of the best defensive teams in the league for the next 5 years. They are playing that well. It is just so cool to watch.
TP for the observation and the optimism.
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I had to think for a moment who is this Chandler Parsons...
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This team is harder to defend and they wear guys down.
It is significantly harder to defend this year's team. Jaylen. Tatum. Baynes.
Guys that were a lot easier to defend have left the building