Poll

Do you feel the Celtics have the best defense in the NBA today?

Yes
No

Author Topic: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?  (Read 2431 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« on: November 05, 2017, 09:47:30 PM »

Offline vjcsmoke

  • Ray Allen
  • ***
  • Posts: 3173
  • Tommy Points: 182
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:



Who was predicting these defensive advanced stats before the season started?
« Last Edit: November 05, 2017, 09:57:08 PM by vjcsmoke »

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2017, 09:56:58 PM »

Offline Tr1boy

  • Paul Pierce
  • ***************************
  • Posts: 27260
  • Tommy Points: 867
#1 period

Bring on the GSW

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2017, 10:10:11 PM »

Offline Erik

  • Don Chaney
  • *
  • Posts: 1649
  • Tommy Points: 235
  • The voice of reason
What makes our Celtics so great at defense this year??

The largest change is that we aren't playing 4v5 due to IT anymore.

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2017, 10:14:20 PM »

Offline tazzmaniac

  • Don Nelson
  • ********
  • Posts: 8113
  • Tommy Points: 549
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. 

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2017, 10:19:44 PM »

Offline vjcsmoke

  • Ray Allen
  • ***
  • Posts: 3173
  • Tommy Points: 182
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?

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2017, 10:20:55 PM »

Offline DarkAzcura

  • Jaylen Brown
  • Posts: 644
  • Tommy Points: 100
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.
« Last Edit: November 05, 2017, 10:29:07 PM by DarkAzcura »

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2017, 10:34:31 PM »

Offline nickagneta

  • James Naismith
  • *********************************
  • Posts: 48120
  • Tommy Points: 8794
  • President of Jaylen Brown Fan Club
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.

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2017, 01:45:51 AM »

Offline Erik

  • Don Chaney
  • *
  • Posts: 1649
  • Tommy Points: 235
  • The voice of reason
Double post
« Last Edit: November 06, 2017, 02:14:34 AM by Erik »

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2017, 01:48:26 AM »

Offline Erik

  • Don Chaney
  • *
  • Posts: 1649
  • Tommy Points: 235
  • The voice of reason
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.

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2017, 03:10:44 AM »

Offline RockinRyA

  • Rajon Rondo
  • *****
  • Posts: 5572
  • Tommy Points: 699
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.

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2017, 04:30:10 AM »

Offline playdream

  • Don Chaney
  • *
  • Posts: 1665
  • Tommy Points: 88
after 5 years THIS roster is custom made by Ainge for Stevens, we are going to witness what he can really do

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2017, 05:07:25 PM »

Offline The Oracle

  • Bill Walton
  • *
  • Posts: 1197
  • Tommy Points: 597
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. 

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2017, 05:24:21 PM »

Offline mctyson

  • Rajon Rondo
  • *****
  • Posts: 5087
  • Tommy Points: 372
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.

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #13 on: November 06, 2017, 05:48:43 PM »

Offline keevsnick

  • Rajon Rondo
  • *****
  • Posts: 5515
  • Tommy Points: 549
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.

Re: Celtics #1 defense in the NBA?
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2017, 06:03:42 PM »

Offline The Oracle

  • Bill Walton
  • *
  • Posts: 1197
  • Tommy Points: 597
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%.