As with most Celtics losses, there’s a good amount of mass hysteria around this one.
Why are people surprised that there are other really good teams in the NBA?
They are entirely two different beasts, and nothing that happens in the regular season matters come the Spring.
They deserve all the credit in the world for that, and that’s really it.
That’s something that only exists withtruecontenders.
As of now, I have 3 teams like that on my list
1.
Cleveland
That’s it.
As much as Cavs and Thunder fans might not want that pressure, that’s the reality.
This was another one of those performances where pre-NBA title, I’d be way more upset.
Now, I’m just mostly annoyed.
That’s worthy of being concerned about.
The entire roster missing every shot they took over the course of 24 minutes?
Sucks, but whatever.
Take it on the chin, credit the opponent for their execution on both ends and move on.
For example, the entire 1st half.
The Celts came out in this game and followed the playbook of how to contain OKC perfectly.
The way their offense was generated was also exactly what you should probably do against OKC.
Their gameplan and execution in the first half was great, even without making their 3s.
Defensively they held OKC to just 41/36% and nobody other than SGA really got going.
Or should I say, lack of production.
That’s sort of non-negotiable.
Over the last 4:36 all Tatum had was 1 TO and a technical FT.
But once that wasn’t happening, they needed to find ways to get Tatum FGAs.
- Speaking of Tatum creating for others, look at this shit.
15 potential assists….1 actual assist.
My god
That is legitimately insane and also why I’m not too upset.
Just one of those nights that happened to show up at the worst possible time.
If they don’t, a game like last night happens.
Instead, it was Jaylen for stretches in the first half and then primarily the guards in the second.
No trapping, no doubles and forcing someone else to beat you.
I’m not sure what the gameplan was against SGA, but it stunk in my opinion.
The best way to contain him isn’t with strength like Jrue, it’s with length like Tatum/Jaylen.
If OKC wanted to try and free him up with a high screen, who cares.
Get the ball out of his hands.
The Celts did none of that really, it and hurt them.
But to completely go away from what was working in the first half was an off choice.
Again, I put that on everyone.
The coaching staff, the players on the floor, all of them.
The dude is 7'3 and is a cheat code.
- Another game where it was pretty dump the physicality and the whistle impacted how the Celts played.
This is something that used to happen to the younger version of this team.
That should never happen.
For starters, you should know OKC is physical and be ready for that challenge.
Then, when things don’t go your way or you feel like you were wronged, big deal.
Play the right way.
That’s a drop in mental focus that championship teams do not have.
It’s what made the Celts champions in the first place.
They were able to put that stuff aside and not let it impact their play.
When they do, it gets them into trouble just like we saw in this game.
On 20/12% shooting?
I didn’t even think this was physically possible.
I feel pretty confident we won’t be getting a 20/12% half again in our lifetimes so whatever.
That of course, was the turnovers.
The one thing you couldn’t do against OKC is exactly what the Celts did in this 2nd half.
10 TOs for 17 points is the ballgame.
They lost the fastbreak points battle 13-0 in that half, all of which came off TOs.
It’s what they do.
The Celts were very much not ready for that ramp up and it showed.
OKC had 15 themselves, but they were almost all dead ball turnovers.
you’re able to live with those because it allows you to go back and set your defense.
A brutal 0-7, he didn’t secure a single rebound or assist either in that half.
Just look at those TO videos above.
What do you see?
Then, for some reason we see Jaylen drive into that help and turn the ball over.
Your 2nd best player cannot only play 24 minutes in a game like this.
It’s simply a matter of execution.
Guys you expect to make wide open looks couldn’t, and that was the difference.
Shots like this have nothing to do with OKCs defense
and that’s just a small sample.
It was every part of losing basketball that you cannot have in those moments.
- That 4th quarter?
What the fuck even is that?
7 TOs and only 3 FGM?
0-6 in the paint?
You deserve everything that happens to you when that stuff happens.
Especially against an elite team.
You take it on the chin and move on.
Because a date with Nikola Jokic awaits to end this trip.
At the very least, hey do not miss every shot you take up and down the roster.
I’m good with that never happening again.
