One thing you should never, ever do is apologize for wins.
What you also should never do is try and make a win actually be a loss.
By definition, a win is actually the exact opposite of a loss.
What you witnessed was a dogshit win, and there’s a difference.
Their goal is simple.
Be as healthy as possible
2.
Win as many games as possible to secure the highest possible seed
That’s it.
What matters is finishing with at least 1 more point than your opponent.
I should not be having heart palpitations because this team cannot get separation over an 8 win team.
And sure maybe that’s just a “me problem” but also not really.
The Celtics have been playing trash basketball for weeks now.
It’s OK to say that, we’re all watching it!
So that leaves you in a weird place, right?
Stop playing like dickheads.
Stop missing every shot you take.
Stop playing with zero resistance defensively.
Stop turning the ball over.
Stop letting teams feel confident,especiallyon your home floor.
Alright, I think you get the idea.
Let’s dive in.
I’m probably averaging around 5 times a quarter.
Not too many complaints when it comes to Tatum’s performance.
You’ll see he finished with just 1 AST, but that again doesn’t tell the full story.
Look at the production over these last 4 games!
Just 13 AST on a team-leading 34 potential assists.
I never really understood that because this isn’t exactly the first year of this system.
So what did he do?
He shot the ball.
This is sort of the entire point.
Sometimes, Tatum has to take over with his shooting like in this game.
Other times, his impact comes via drawing defenders and creating for others.
Both lead to winning!
Again, we do not apologize for winning.
- I don’t really know what to make of KP yet.
It’s probably a combination of both.
He needs the reps.
I think we’d all be surprised how much better his shooting looks with that throw in of run.
What used to be forced shots in traffic are now turning into beautiful dimes for a dunk.
We’re watching a big time leap from Jaylen, which is fantastic.
Anytime you do that, it’s a win.
I also love back to back games of just 23 minutes for Al.
He finished 3-4 from deep last night, and every single one was massive.
This all coming with Hauser playing just 9 minutes too.
Just not good enough on either end.
Offensively, a tough 4-14 (1-9).
Derrick is something insane like 0 for his last 10 from deep.
Defensively, we’re not exactly seeing the perimeter resistance that I would deem good enough.
Game after game we’re seeing an opposing guard go off, especially from the perimeter.
Call it coasting, call it luck, call it whatever you want.
I’m going to call it not good enough.
When they aren’t, you get a stretch of play like we’re currently experiencing.
Would you say that’s what we’re getting right now?
We’re also seeing bizarre mental errors.
Is it all just due to his shooting slump that’s starting to impact everything else?
I’ve always felt like Derrick is a decent barometer for this team.
When he’s in a rut, everyone feels like they’re in a rut.
When he’s normal, I feel like everyone else is normal.
- Every single game we’re seeing the Celts play is coming with their opponent outshooting them from 3.
That, is a problem.
Last night, it was 17-13.
Teams putting up 50% from deep in a half as the worst shooting team in the NBA.
Then on the other side, the Celts can’t make an open look to save their lives.
It makes no goddamn sense.
Whenever this happens, you always hear the Celts are just not guarding.
In reality, we’re in some sort of voodoo situation where even the contested 3PA are going in.
I watched a 26% 3PT shooting in Dejounte Murray make at least 3 contested 3PA in this win.
It’s all very annoying.
The numbers, are as bad as you think.
Over their last 7 games, opponents are shooting 38.8% vs BOS.
If you narrow things down to their last 4, you’re looking at 28th/27th in those categories.
The Celts are getting Mazzulla Ball’d every night, which is both ironic and very annoying.
It’s the clearest example of how you know this team is in a rut.
All I am asking for is for this team to be normal.
Just don’t be a complete disaster on either end and none of this is a problem.
How is it so hard for them to do that right now?
- Look, he was awesome, but come on.
Jayson Tatum cannot brick 2 FTs with 13 seconds left up 3 points.
That, should be the game ending FTs.
Between those misses and the Derrick 5 second call, I don’t even know what to say.
At worst, you go 1 for 2 and make it a 4 point game.
That’s the BARE MINIMUM in that situation.
To miss them both?
But as I said, a win is a win is a win.
At the end of the day, winning is what matters.
But would it kill this team to stop playing the worst basketball in the history of the sport?
Maybe play a full 48 minutes on both ends of the floor?
You know, play championship caliber basketball?
We know they can do it, we’ve seen it.
I sure would like to see it again.
