Celtics

[TommyD420]

The 3 point shot existed then, and nobody in the league was better at shooting it than Bird.

 

[3 Point Stan]

The 3 point shot existed then, and nobody in the league was better at shooting it than Bird.

Of course it existed, that's not the point I was making at all. There were a fraction of 3PA's in Bird's era compared to today.

 

[patriotspride]

98.5 said during ZO and beatle show that Robert Williams could be back. As early as game 3. That's humungous.

 

[TommyD420]

98.5 said during ZO and beatle show that Robert Williams could be back. As early as game 3. That's humungous.

Yeah, he just had the meniscus tear where you cut off the ripped part with scissors, so it's just a pain management issue.

That said, I don't see a need to bring him back yet. If they win game 3, you may as well just sit him out until the next series.

 

[Roberto71]

Yeah, he just had the meniscus tear where you cut off the ripped part with scissors, so it's just a pain management issue.

That said, I don't see a need to bring him back yet. If they win game 3, you may as well just sit him out until the next series.

Totally agree. Get past Brooklyn and then let him loose. Would be huge.

 

[patriotspride]

Yeah, he just had the meniscus tear where you cut off the ripped part with scissors, so it's just a pain management issue.

That said, I don't see a need to bring him back yet. If they win game 3, you may as well just sit him out until the next series.

i would bring him back in game 4 if he's ready. Even if they are up 3 to 0. He needs a playoff game under his belt before the next series. To shake off the rust.

 

[Phil Elliott]

I tend to trust what the medical people decide. They have access to everything that's relevant. It always makes me laugh when non- medical observers with no knowledge of the details of a condition question the expertise and judgement of those directly involved. Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard!!!

 

[BostonTim]

i would bring him back in game 4 if he's ready. Even if they are up 3 to 0. He needs a playoff game under his belt before the next series. To shake off the rust.

Not a lot of minutes, maybe.

 

[patriotspride]

Not a lot of minutes, maybe.

According to what I watched on NBC sports Boston. The plan is limited minutes for game three. And no restrictions for game four.

 

[Hawg73]

I've been out of the Celtics' loop for a while, because every time I tuned in they would blow a lead and lose the game. A jinx thing. I used
to have season tickets back in the day, but I don't love watching the NBA and watching the Celts in recent years just didn't seem worth
it to me. Too many threes for my tastes.

So, I flipped game 2 on at the start of the 4th Q and they went crazy from that point on and it was just a great comeback. Easily the
best game I've seen in a while. They look like a team now and everybody plays a role.

There is a lot to like about this team. They play really tough team D, have 3 bigs that can play, two stars, a tough guy (Smart) and Pritchard
really looked good with timely shooting and some really sharp ball movement. Of course, it's all about Jaylen and Jason and they do
seem to be jelling better. Tatum makes his share of boneheaded plays, but there are times when he just dominates and looks
unstoppable.

Yeah, I'm going to have to watch this team.

 

[Muse]

I've been out of the Celtics' loop for a while, because every time I tuned in they would blow a lead and lose the game. A jinx thing. I used
to have season tickets back in the day, but I don't love watching the NBA and watching the Celts in recent years just didn't seem worth
it to me. Too many threes for my tastes.

So, I flipped game 2 on at the start of the 4th Q and they went crazy from that point on and it was just a great comeback. Easily the
best game I've seen in a while. They look like a team now and everybody plays a role.

There is a lot to like about this team. They play really tough team D, have 3 bigs that can play, two stars, a tough guy (Smart) and Pritchard
really looked good with timely shooting and some really sharp ball movement. Of course, it's all about Jaylen and Jason and they do
seem to be jelling better. Tatum makes his share of boneheaded plays, but there are times when he just dominates and looks
unstoppable.

Yeah, I'm going to have to watch this team.

I get it, I was thinking along those lines also. But they have been fun to watch lately, even have my son watching and he was excited to see the back and forth and etc. Already got the game tonight recorded just in case I fall asleep.

 

[jayShomp]

Yeah, he just had the meniscus tear where you cut off the ripped part with scissors, so it's just a pain management issue.

That said, I don't see a need to bring him back yet. If they win game 3, you may as well just sit him out until the next series.

He's been out for 3 weeks and needs to knock that rust off and get back in game shape. The sooner he can come back the better IMO, but(!) only if there's no added risk to him physically. I don't want to see him ruined like what happened to Isaiah Thomas(completely different injury), his career is just starting.

 

[jayShomp]

I tend to trust what the medical people decide.

In this case it's a common injury and I'm sure it's fine but a lot of players don't trust them, that's why they get 2nd or 3rd opinions outside of the team doctors depending on the injury. I'm not sure Isaiah Thomas would have kept playing if he know it could completely derail his career and cost him tens of millions of dollars. Actually he probably would have that little scrappy SOB. I'm sure there are plenty of examples of players trusting team doctors and making their injury worse but I'm too lazy right now to research it.

 

[Phil Elliott]

In this case it's a common injury and I'm sure it's fine but a lot of players don't trust them, that's why they get 2nd or 3rd opinions outside of the team doctors depending on the injury. I'm not sure Isaiah Thomas would have kept playing if he know it could completely derail his career and cost him tens of millions of dollars. Actually he probably would have that little scrappy SOB. I'm sure there are plenty of examples of players trusting team doctors and making their injury worse but I'm too lazy right now to research it.

And I'm guessing there are plenty more examples of great doctors and other medical staff correctly diagnosing, treating and advising athletes than those that don't.

 

[jayShomp]

And I'm guessing there are plenty more examples of great doctors and other medical staff correctly diagnosing, treating and advising athletes than those that don't.

Oh my I certainly hope so! So what's a good rate for team doctors being right, 70-80%? I don't think all team doctor's always have the players best interest in mind and you will never convince me otherwise, I just don't. There's just too much money involved and honestly I think it's a little naive to think otherwise. I mean really, did you already forget about concussions in the NFL??? How many players had to kill themselves before the NFL even started "investigating"? My anger isn't directed at you, this topic just gets me heated for some reason.

The National Football League Players Association on Thursday announced results of a health and safety survey revealing that 78 percent of players polled don't trust team medical staffs. A mere 43 percent of respondents rate team training staffs as "good," according to the union study.

NFLPA: 78 percent of players don't trust team doctors

The NFLPA announced results of a health and safety survey revealing that 78 percent of polled players don't trust the medical personnel employed by their teams.

www.nfl.com

I realize that is 9 years old but I'd be very surprised if that number has moved much.

 

[TommyD420]

He's been out for 3 weeks and needs to knock that rust off and get back in game shape. The sooner he can come back the better IMO, but(!) only if there's no added risk to him physically. I don't want to see him ruined like what happened to Isaiah Thomas(completely different injury), his career is just starting.

He's totally in-line with the expected return time for his injury. That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that this particular injury, if he was able to get another week off, it will only help him.

If he comes back Game 4 and they sweep, he's going to sit the week anyway, and there won't be much rust knocking-off playing limited minutes in one game.

Also, I don't think there will be all that much rust, it's only been a couple of weeks. You want to see rust, wait until we see Ben Simmons in Game 4.

 

[Phil Elliott]

Oh my I certainly hope so! So what's a good rate for team doctors being right, 70-80%? I don't think all team doctor's always have the players best interest in mind and you will never convince me otherwise, I just don't. There's just too much money involved and honestly I think it's a little naive to think otherwise. I mean really, did you already forget about concussions in the NFL??? How many players had to kill themselves before the NFL even started "investigating"? My anger isn't directed at you, this topic just gets me heated for some reason.

The National Football League Players Association on Thursday announced results of a health and safety survey revealing that 78 percent of players polled don't trust team medical staffs. A mere 43 percent of respondents rate team training staffs as "good," according to the union study.

NFLPA: 78 percent of players don't trust team doctors

The NFLPA announced results of a health and safety survey revealing that 78 percent of polled players don't trust the medical personnel employed by their teams.

www.nfl.com

I realize that is 9 years old but I'd be very surprised if that number has moved much.

Your position reminds me of that which is advanced by people who think that improving air travel would require putting the Wright brothers in charge of the Federal Aviation Administration. We can agree to disagree. Bye.

 

[AnOldTroll]

rub a little dirt on it.

it's all up to the person going thru the experience.

in high school I wrestled with a cracked rib. I know it is not the same but still, I would leave it up to the individual.

PS. I have no idea what his injury is. I just started watching again 2 games ago.

 

[John Locke]

The Athletic is a singular and quality site of wonderful writers of great depth.

Absolutely worth the price of admission. It's a breath of fresh air.

Let's go get em tonight men!!!!

Ime Udoka has Celtics showing adaptability mixed with some 'Cobra Kai' attitude

Strike first, strike hard, no mercy could be a new mantra for the playoff Celtics.

links.e1.theathletic.com

Ime Udoka has Celtics showing their adaptability mixed with a little ‘Cobra Kai’ attitude

By Jay King

Apr 22, 2022

Ime Udoka showed no mercy during Game 2.

Though Udoka probably didn’t ask any of the Celtics players to sweep an opponent’s leg, Cobra Kai style, he did hammer away at the Nets’ shortcomings in his own way. As Grant Williams said of Boston’s fourth-quarter style, “We kept running the same thing over and over.”

It worked. With the Celtics facing a five-point deficit early in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, Udoka dialed up likely the most significant in-game adjustment of his young coaching career, given the circumstances. Partly to change Boston’s spacing, he called on a lineup full of his team’s best shooters: Payton Pritchard, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams and Al Horford. The group had only played six minutes together during the regular season. It did not include either Marcus Smart or Derrick White. Still, Udoka felt comfortable turning to the unit with a playoff game on the line. He had a vision.

Over the next several minutes, the Celtics ran some variation of the same look on almost every possession. They stationed Horford and Williams in the two corners, knowing the Nets would not want to leave either of them alone. The placement of the two Boston big men dragged their defenders, usually Kevin Durant and either Andre Drummond or Nicolas Claxton, out of the paint. By taking the Nets’ two longest players away from the action, the Celtics also took advantage of Brooklyn’s lack of defensive depth. The Nets simply don’t have much perimeter size or length. Udoka’s decision left his own team’s three best shooters — Tatum, Brown and Pritchard — essentially playing three-on-three against small defenders in space.

The strategy set up Boston’s best offensive stretch of the game, a string of five straight scores that flipped a five-point deficit into a 99-94 lead. The Celtics didn’t just target mismatches with stagnant isolations. They did it with smart, team basketball involving several players.

“We want to make them guard more than just one action,” Udoka said. “Swing the ball side-to-side. Their defense started to dissipate with more passes and playing against closeouts.”

The Celtics’ floor-spacing tricks paid dividends immediately. On the first possession out of a timeout, Boston’s three guards screened for one another repeatedly until they were able to put the Nets in a bad spot.

The Nets want to keep Durant on Tatum but eventually get caught up in all of Boston’s screening action. Once Tatum breaks free on the roll, the Nets are forced to collapse on him. Instead of forcing a layup attempt in traffic, he calmly takes advantage of all the pressure on him by spotting Brown at the 3-point arc. When the Nets are less than sharp in their rotations, Brown hops into an open look.

Two plays later, the Celtics found a different option:

Once the Nets switch Kyrie Irving onto Tatum, the Celtics find the matchup in the post. Instead of just going at Irving one-on-one, Tatum uses the mismatch to set up an opportunity for one of his teammates. The Nets, worried about Tatum, shade over enough to leave Pritchard open. Though he doesn’t have enough space to release a catch-and-shoot jumper, he can take advantage of Seth Curry’s closeout.

Pritchard actually had a rough start to the fourth quarter. He bricked a long 3-point attempt, then committed a turnover while forcing a pass to Brown. The Celtics went scoreless over the first two minutes of the period and fell behind by seven points. Even after that, Udoka stuck with Pritchard, showing significant belief in the second-year pro. He knew the threat of Pritchard, a 41.2 percent career 3-point shooter, would change the way Brooklyn needed to defend.

“Payton had a hot hand, had it going,” Udoka said. “But they guard him differently. The spacing, him being able to handle and be a shot maker as well as setting screens, that worked well for us, we went with it.”

The Celtics worked in harmony throughout their run. They were willing to shuffle through several screens to find a crack in the Brooklyn defense. With five 3-point shooters on the court, they were also able to use their collective shooting gravity to open up lanes:

Here, Brown benefits from all the floor spacers around him. Curry doesn’t want to stray too far from Tatum. Bruce Brown doesn’t want to shade over too far either. Durant eventually helps off Williams but doesn’t do so too aggressively, probably because he’s nervous about letting Williams shoot a wide-open jumper. The attention elsewhere leaves Irving on an island against Jaylen Brown — a situation the Celtics will take every time.

Udoka went away from his normal rotation to stick with the successful lineup. White, who averaged more than 27 minutes per game during the regular season, only received 13 in Game 2. Pritchard also cut into Smart’s playing time, especially during the fourth quarter. Though that won’t happen every game, the Celtics have prioritized spacing during parts of this series because of how much attention the Nets send to Tatum and Brown. Though Tatum handed out 10 assists in Game 2, Udoka thought the All-Star “missed some outlets” while “playing in a crowd, especially early” in the game. The Celtics want to give Tatum “more space to operate with,” as they did late in Game 2 with the additional shooting on the court.

“I think we found that later in the game,” Udoka said. “That was obviously their point of emphasis coming into (Game 2) was to be extremely physical with him and show him a crowd wherever he was at. Moreso than isolations on the nails in certain areas, we are going to have to get him out in space playing against a crowd. He can be a playmaker he has been later this year and get everyone involved, and it will open up for him late.”

Everything opened up for Boston after Udoka turned to the five-out look. While burning the Nets’ defense repeatedly, the Celtics were also able to get stops of their own — a key factor considering they were smaller than usual with Pritchard on the court. The game-changing lineup shot 5-for-8 from the field, including 2-for-5 from behind the arc, while outscoring Brooklyn 12-2.

“We’re gonna go with guys that are playing well with specific groups,” Udoka said. “And it’s not like we have a lack of confidence or problem with anyone in the game. Understand they’re gonna attack certain matchups, but as I said with Payton, he’s one of our toughest guys out there and what he does offensively for us spacing-wise is very noticeable.”

 

[Phil Elliott]

The Athletic is a singular and quality site of wonderful writers of great depth.

Absolutely worth the price of admission. It's a breath of fresh air.

Let's go get em tonight men!!!!

Ime Udoka has Celtics showing adaptability mixed with some 'Cobra Kai' attitude

Strike first, strike hard, no mercy could be a new mantra for the playoff Celtics.

links.e1.theathletic.com

Ime Udoka has Celtics showing their adaptability mixed with a little ‘Cobra Kai’ attitude

By Jay King

Apr 22, 2022

Ime Udoka showed no mercy during Game 2.

Though Udoka probably didn’t ask any of the Celtics players to sweep an opponent’s leg, Cobra Kai style, he did hammer away at the Nets’ shortcomings in his own way. As Grant Williams said of Boston’s fourth-quarter style, “We kept running the same thing over and over.”

It worked. With the Celtics facing a five-point deficit early in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, Udoka dialed up likely the most significant in-game adjustment of his young coaching career, given the circumstances. Partly to change Boston’s spacing, he called on a lineup full of his team’s best shooters: Payton Pritchard, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams and Al Horford. The group had only played six minutes together during the regular season. It did not include either Marcus Smart or Derrick White. Still, Udoka felt comfortable turning to the unit with a playoff game on the line. He had a vision.

Over the next several minutes, the Celtics ran some variation of the same look on almost every possession. They stationed Horford and Williams in the two corners, knowing the Nets would not want to leave either of them alone. The placement of the two Boston big men dragged their defenders, usually Kevin Durant and either Andre Drummond or Nicolas Claxton, out of the paint. By taking the Nets’ two longest players away from the action, the Celtics also took advantage of Brooklyn’s lack of defensive depth. The Nets simply don’t have much perimeter size or length. Udoka’s decision left his own team’s three best shooters — Tatum, Brown and Pritchard — essentially playing three-on-three against small defenders in space.

The strategy set up Boston’s best offensive stretch of the game, a string of five straight scores that flipped a five-point deficit into a 99-94 lead. The Celtics didn’t just target mismatches with stagnant isolations. They did it with smart, team basketball involving several players.

“We want to make them guard more than just one action,” Udoka said. “Swing the ball side-to-side. Their defense started to dissipate with more passes and playing against closeouts.”

The Celtics’ floor-spacing tricks paid dividends immediately. On the first possession out of a timeout, Boston’s three guards screened for one another repeatedly until they were able to put the Nets in a bad spot.

The Nets want to keep Durant on Tatum but eventually get caught up in all of Boston’s screening action. Once Tatum breaks free on the roll, the Nets are forced to collapse on him. Instead of forcing a layup attempt in traffic, he calmly takes advantage of all the pressure on him by spotting Brown at the 3-point arc. When the Nets are less than sharp in their rotations, Brown hops into an open look.

Two plays later, the Celtics found a different option:

Once the Nets switch Kyrie Irving onto Tatum, the Celtics find the matchup in the post. Instead of just going at Irving one-on-one, Tatum uses the mismatch to set up an opportunity for one of his teammates. The Nets, worried about Tatum, shade over enough to leave Pritchard open. Though he doesn’t have enough space to release a catch-and-shoot jumper, he can take advantage of Seth Curry’s closeout.

Pritchard actually had a rough start to the fourth quarter. He bricked a long 3-point attempt, then committed a turnover while forcing a pass to Brown. The Celtics went scoreless over the first two minutes of the period and fell behind by seven points. Even after that, Udoka stuck with Pritchard, showing significant belief in the second-year pro. He knew the threat of Pritchard, a 41.2 percent career 3-point shooter, would change the way Brooklyn needed to defend.

“Payton had a hot hand, had it going,” Udoka said. “But they guard him differently. The spacing, him being able to handle and be a shot maker as well as setting screens, that worked well for us, we went with it.”

The Celtics worked in harmony throughout their run. They were willing to shuffle through several screens to find a crack in the Brooklyn defense. With five 3-point shooters on the court, they were also able to use their collective shooting gravity to open up lanes:

Here, Brown benefits from all the floor spacers around him. Curry doesn’t want to stray too far from Tatum. Bruce Brown doesn’t want to shade over too far either. Durant eventually helps off Williams but doesn’t do so too aggressively, probably because he’s nervous about letting Williams shoot a wide-open jumper. The attention elsewhere leaves Irving on an island against Jaylen Brown — a situation the Celtics will take every time.

Udoka went away from his normal rotation to stick with the successful lineup. White, who averaged more than 27 minutes per game during the regular season, only received 13 in Game 2. Pritchard also cut into Smart’s playing time, especially during the fourth quarter. Though that won’t happen every game, the Celtics have prioritized spacing during parts of this series because of how much attention the Nets send to Tatum and Brown. Though Tatum handed out 10 assists in Game 2, Udoka thought the All-Star “missed some outlets” while “playing in a crowd, especially early” in the game. The Celtics want to give Tatum “more space to operate with,” as they did late in Game 2 with the additional shooting on the court.

“I think we found that later in the game,” Udoka said. “That was obviously their point of emphasis coming into (Game 2) was to be extremely physical with him and show him a crowd wherever he was at. Moreso than isolations on the nails in certain areas, we are going to have to get him out in space playing against a crowd. He can be a playmaker he has been later this year and get everyone involved, and it will open up for him late.”

Everything opened up for Boston after Udoka turned to the five-out look. While burning the Nets’ defense repeatedly, the Celtics were also able to get stops of their own — a key factor considering they were smaller than usual with Pritchard on the court. The game-changing lineup shot 5-for-8 from the field, including 2-for-5 from behind the arc, while outscoring Brooklyn 12-2.

“We’re gonna go with guys that are playing well with specific groups,” Udoka said. “And it’s not like we have a lack of confidence or problem with anyone in the game. Understand they’re gonna attack certain matchups, but as I said with Payton, he’s one of our toughest guys out there and what he does offensively for us spacing-wise is very noticeable.”

Been a The Athletic subscriber for a couple of years. It's good and you can hunt around for subscription rates below the asking price. Jay King is a good writer/reporter and his Anything is Portable Celts podcast is good. His co-host Sam Packard blows hot and cold, but overall It's good.