Author Topic: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15  (Read 31923 times)

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Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #285 on: November 25, 2015, 12:50:35 AM »

Offline rocknrollforyoursoul

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If all the schlock of the last couple games is simply because of Smart's absence, it's time for the other players on the team to put on their big-boy pants and get to work.

But I don't think all of this has to do with Smart being out. Some of it, sure, on the defensive end, but they still have guys such as Crowder and Bradley and Amir who can do damage on D. On offense, Smart has hardly contributed this season (10 ppg, 3 apg, 33/24/68%), so his absence there doesn't hurt much.

Guys need to start making shots. I'm tired of hearing the Doc Rivers-inspired "it's a make-or-miss league" line. That logic applies if your team has an off shooting night once every half dozen games, but the Cs are shooting only 43.8% for the season, 31.3% on threes. That's a lot more than the occasional off night.

And what the heck happened in the fourth quarter tonight? I checked the score with 9 minutes left and it was 88-77 Hawks, and the Cs end up surrendering 121 points and losing by 24?

We were winning because of defense, and Marcus was clearly an integral part of that defense.

I agree that he's an integral part of the defense, but I think other guys can and should step up to help fill the void created by his absence.

Then again, his absence—and subsequent bad team defense—highlights the need for offensive improvements. It's clear this team has been relying too much on defense and needs to find a better balance.
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Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #286 on: November 25, 2015, 01:27:04 AM »

Offline LarBrd33

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I think Smart's absence has reaffirmed just how important he is to our future.
i don't think so.

We went from having a top 3 defense in the league to being this **** show. Defense is the identity of this team and Smart is the backbone of the defense.
Yeah I get why you guys think that, but Boston was 7-5 when Smart got hurt.  It was early in the season.  Then we lose a couple.  It's a .500 team.  It happens.  It'll happen all year.   I knew the loss of Smart would be blamed for any struggles, but his offense was a semi liability that negated a lot of what he was doing on defense.   His PER and +/- was one of the worst on the team.    If it helps his trade value for the narrative to be that Boston's defense went from top 3 to the gutter with his injury, then so be it.
« Last Edit: November 25, 2015, 01:32:09 AM by LarBrd33 »

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #287 on: November 25, 2015, 01:50:47 AM »

Offline guava_wrench

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My biggest concern with Smart out is requiring more minutes of players. Players can't run full speed with extended minutes. Losing Smart hurts because guys will need to slow down to last a full game.

Any drop in the defense will kill our offense since our offensive has been propped up so much by turnovers.

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #288 on: November 25, 2015, 01:55:27 AM »

Offline jpotter33

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I think Smart's absence has reaffirmed just how important he is to our future.
i don't think so.

We went from having a top 3 defense in the league to being this **** show. Defense is the identity of this team and Smart is the backbone of the defense.
Yeah I get why you guys think that, but Boston was 7-5 when Smart got hurt.  It was early in the season.  Then we lose a couple.  It's a .500 team.  It happens.  It'll happen all year.   I knew the loss of Smart would be blamed for any struggles, but his offense was a semi liability that negated a lot of what he was doing on defense.   His PER and +/- was one of the worst on the team.    If it helps his trade value for the narrative to be that Boston's defense went from top 3 to the gutter with his injury, then so be it.


Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #289 on: November 25, 2015, 02:02:44 AM »

Offline LarBrd33

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My biggest concern with Smart out is requiring more minutes of players. Players can't run full speed with extended minutes. Losing Smart hurts because guys will need to slow down to last a full game.

Any drop in the defense will kill our offense since our offensive has been propped up so much by turnovers.
The one thing this team doesn't lack is depth.  They should be able to withstand injuries since nobody on the team really stands out one way or the other.  Injuries are usually liberating in that they force rotations and define roles.  We'd almost be better off if a couple of our 7 power forwards got injured.  Playing too many players is never a good thing in the NBA.

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #290 on: November 25, 2015, 07:07:15 AM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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I think Smart adds toughness to our team.   Without him we lack it to some degree.   We still have Crowder who is hard nosed but Smart gets the whole team playing tougher.

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #291 on: November 25, 2015, 09:53:31 AM »

Offline cltc5

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We need a consistent starting five with a good pg and a star level scorer.  Right now we have fillers and role players

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #292 on: November 25, 2015, 10:21:05 AM »

Online Who

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It was the grey jerseys ...

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #293 on: November 25, 2015, 10:43:14 AM »

Offline apc

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We need a brake, when is the next trip to the west?

Re: Celtics (7-6) at Hawks (9-6) Game #14 11/24/15
« Reply #294 on: November 25, 2015, 10:52:39 AM »

Offline PhoSita

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It was the grey jerseys ...

Awful.  Just awful.
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