Tag Archives: Marcus Smart

Smart Move?

Leave a reply
 Marcus Smart has been nothing short of being the electric spark that gets Boston fans excited nightly. The stats that don’t show up are what makes him extremely valuable in today’s NBA, which has earned him the respect he deserves. From hustle plays to his especially stifling defense, Smart might not be “flashy”, but he could be the right signing for the right price. Given his RFA status this off-season, he went on to say: “To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-$14 Million. Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up .. You don’t find guys like that.” Hmm. Maybe. Defense is pretty awful in the NBA, and it is tough to put a price on great D. But let’s take a deeper look to see how valuable Marcus is, and what would be the ‘smart’ decision that deals with his upcoming contract situation.

Dollar Dollar Bills, Y’all 

$12-$14 million doesn’t seem like a lot in professional sports, but to us mud bloods that’s a whole bunch of change. Unfortunately, as things stand, Boston will have three players (Irving, Horford, Hayward) with cap hits over $20 million next season. This leaves doubt that the Celtics would be able to afford Marcus. It’s tough to argue that the C’s are in need of a guard with Irving coming back and the emergence of Rozier. Plus, their newly reported interest in a big-man this coming draft is taking shape. His thumb is also an issue, and we all know Danny doesn’t like injured PGs.

No, Smart also doesn’t scream “floor general”, and his shot selection makes Boston yell “Why?!” at their TVs. Yet, when the game is on the line, he always seems to be in the center of the action. His passion and aggression are probably the pinnacles of his game. That’s pretty rare to find in any player, and in late-game situations his confidence on both ends consistently keeps the momentum in favor of Boston. You can’t beat a guy who gives you all that, but at $12-$14 million? In comparison to his current $4.5 million per year, Smart actually does deserve to make a bit more. Take a look at this list below. He certainly out plays most of these guys, solely on his energy and game changing defense. 10.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.5 RPG to go along with 1.3 SPG isn’t bad for 30 minutes, either.

A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned

Previously, I highlighted some trade scenarios that could land the Celtics a prime-time big man. Being said, the move now might be to use Smart’s value as a bargaining chip to get the big man they desire instead of trading a core player. The Dallas Mavericks come to mind, as they are in search or a stable SG themselves. Mo Bamba, the lengthy beast from Texas, has been mentioned leading up to the draft as a potential Celtics’ wish-list target. It’s being forecast though that he falls to either Memphis or Dallas at #4/#5 respectively. Projected to land between #3-#7, the 7′, 225lb, 8′ wingspan stud could be gone before you know it.

It’s no secret the C’s need a big with Horford on his last legs. Theis is a good backup, and Baynes is just okay. A sign-and-trade would have to be the go-to in order to use Smart as bait, otherwise he leaves the C’s getting nothing in return. Still, Boston would only be able to offer a $6 million tender to stay. They may also match any offer that’s made by another team, but unlikely. It would financially burden Boston and that’s something Danny Ainge seldom does. Still, he could take the qualifying offer from the C’s and play one more for Gang Green, become an unrestricted free agent in 2019 when all teams will have more money to throw around. Now would be the time to use his value before Boston ends up empty-handed.

‘Cobra’ Commander

Packaging Smart and a pick or two could be enough for the Dallas Mavericks. Pair him with emerging rookie Dennis Smith Jr., sharp-shooter Wesley Mathews, rim-attacker Harrison Barnes, and a young big in Nerlens Noel. It would give Smart the opportunity to lead the charge and command ball handling aside from DSJ. Earning the nickname “Cobra”, Marcus is always ready to strike. There potential for an increase in minuets should he go to Dallas, and it would allow him to excel in that run and gun offense and be more apart of the action. That 10.2 PPG could get as high as 15-16 in the right place.

Setting up Boston with the #5 pick, it gives hope that Bagley, Ayton, Donic or Johnson is taken before Bamba comes off the board. Dallas will have money to play with, so adding a vet PG/SG like Smart could give Dallas the edge they need to get back to the Western Conference elite. I can’t show what a trade would look like via ESPN trade machine, but trust me, it would work financially.

 

 

Boston receives:

#5 pick – 2018 NBA draft

Dallas receives:

Marcus Smart

2019 1st round pick – Sacramento

2019 1st round pick – Memphis

Not only does this help Boston with a big-man, but it’s a lovely move for Dallas and their future.  The Sacramento pick could be top-5 next year depending how poorly they do, which would be great for Dallas. Boston adds a young center to their already crazy talented core, and Dallas gets their enforcer with Smart with high hopes for high picks in the future. It’s a tough call, but Danny is a tough guy, and Mark Cuban just might be crazy enough to pull the trigger.

Valley of the Sun

Marcus absolutely wants to remain a Celtic. There’s potential for a ring, yearly battles deep into the playoffs, and a young core ready to take over the NBA. It would be SMART for him to stay put. Sure, he wont make as much money or be the starter, but coming off the bench for a ready-to-be-champion team would be silly to think about going elsewhere. Perhaps inevitable, Brown and Tatum aren’t leaving in a package anything less for a Hall of Famer, but he and Rozier are the most available trade pieces should Smart re-sign with Boston.

Phoenix would be a tremendous landing spot for the PG/SG if not traded, as Jackson, Booker, and Chriss already have something brewing. Plus, they have the #1 pick in the draft, which is looking like center DeAndre Ayton. The Copper State is nice, plus it beats New England winters. They could give him the money and situation he wants, too; something Boston can’t. But, the Celtics CAN hand over a pretty good promise of a championship and beyond, plus a key bench role to keep the juices flowing around 100 Legends Way. It’s really all up to Marcus and how he wants to navigate his future and how much love he has for the city.

“Everybody is Replaceable”

The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of defense, and so are the Dallas Mavericks. Adding a spark like Smart would be a big step in the right direction. However, Marcus breathes Boston air, and this past Thursday, Ainge spoke about the situation:

“I think that everybody is replaceable. If there was ever a situation with a team where guys would know that, it would be this team that just went through what we went through this year. We’re all replaceable, and we’ll be able to move on and move forward without any players. Nobody is irreplaceable, but Marcus certainly is a player that has been big for us over the last few years.”

Knowing how the C’s rock and roll, Smart might’ve seen his last days in the green and white. An elite defender and spark plug for any lineup, no question. However, with speculation over acquiring a coveted big man, it could be what brings Boston to cut ties. Smart would be an excellent asset to dangle as Rozier could be the backup Kyrie needs. The bench also gets a little smoother with Hayward back, burying Smart on an already lengthy bench. Ainge would be wise to utilize him to a acquire a pick that might land that down low juggernaut, if he can.
I guess well see. All this is speculation at this point. Could he re-sign for $6 million and play one last year for Boston at 24 years old? Will he be used as trade bait for a draft pick or otherwise? Is $12-$14 million a year too much for spotty shooting and questionable ball handling? One thing’s for sure, the Celtics never seem to be short of theatrics.Image result for marcus smart celebrate
Please be sure to follow me on twitter @JaxBrown725

Marcus Smart’s Impending Free Agency

Leave a reply

Immediately following Boston’s Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Marcus Smart was asked about his future with the team.

With the Celtics’ season over, the team will shift their focus to free agency. Boston has six upcoming free agents, including Aaron Baynes, Greg Monroe, and Shane Larkin. None of these names are bigger or more controversial than Marcus Smart.

Marcus Smart and his looming free agency has been a topic heavily debated all season long. It is no secret that Marcus wants to get paid like a big time player.

“To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-14 million,” Smart told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”

Smart has a point. In his first four years as a pro he has made a name for himself around the league as a bulldog. His propensity to play 110 miles an hour for 48 minutes drives the energy level of his teammates up and gets in his opponents’ heads. When Smart is in the game fans know it. He is usually found on the ground under two or three players scraping for the ball, out-sprinting the fastest guy on the court for a loose ball, or finding a way to rip down a big offensive rebound.

Off the Stat Sheet

Marcus has a knack for making “game-winning plays” while elevating the effort level and skill of his teammates. Many of his teammates have called Smart the “heart and soul” of the team. Danny Ainge even told Smart that they plan on keeping him.

Why not just pay Smart the $14 million per year?

While the things he does that don’t show up on the stat sheet help the team tremendously, he has major issues shooting and turns the ball over far too frequently. He is a career 36% shooter and an abysmal 29% from three. He also gets off 4.2 three point attempts per game. Among every player in NBA history to have connected on under 30% of three pointers, only 13 of them have shot a higher volume than Smart.

Turnovers have plagued Smart his whole career. He averaged 2.4 per game this season, and 1.8 for his career in 28.7 minutes per game. He ranked 355th in the league in turnovers per game and per 48 minutes (3.8). As great as his non-statistical attributes are, he simply isn’t a $14 million player on the stat sheet.

Money

Boston will extend a qualifying offer to Marcus Smart for $6.1 million dollars. Smart can either sign the offer or see what other offers he can get. Undoubtedly he will wait it out. If the other offers inflate too much, Boston won’t be able to match and Smart will be gone. He can either sign the qualifying offer, take the highest offer on the market, or sign a long term extension with the team well below his self-perceived value.

As much as the team want’s to keep him, they also have a ton of money locked up in future contracts. Al Horford is making $28.9 million next season with a player option he will almost assuredly opt out of. The team’s highest paid player in Gordon Hayward will make $31 million next year. Kyrie Irving is going to get $20 million. Terry Rozier will be a free agent in a few years looking for a big payday. Looking even further ahead, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will both be getting huge contracts once their rookie deals expire.

With such a loaded roster Boston just doesn’t have the cap space to pay Smart what he wants, no matter how much they desire to retain him. At the end of the day, the decision will rest sorely on his shoulders. Though he has stated that his heart is with Boston, his wallet may ultimately draw him to another team willing to pay a premium for a player with his unique skill set.

If this season does ultimately mark the end of Marcus Smart’s tenure with Boston, he sure left the fans with plenty of fond memories and plays that they will never forget. To his core he has embodied what it means to be a Celtic, and the fans will always love and appreciate everything he gave to the organization.

 

Will the Celtics Make a Move Before the Trade Deadline?

Leave a reply

The NBA trade deadline is quickly approaching. Teams have until 3 p.m. ET on Thursday to make any player transactions, before locking their rosters in for the remainder of the season. For some teams, like the Warriors and Rockets, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Meanwhile, less fortunate teams, like the Cavaliers, are scrambling to save their season by attempting to bring in fresh faces. Adversely, few teams, like the Clippers and Grizzlies, are planning ahead by moving pieces for future assets. They know their season is dead, and instead of trying to acquire All-Star talent, they are the ones dealing it.

Where are the Celtics in all of this uproar? Sitting at the top spot in the Eastern Conference, the C’s are virtually carefree. Well, for the most part. Thus far, they’ve had what it takes to assert dominance over some of the league’s best squads. The talent of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and more, have rocketed the Celtics to a commanding record. That being said, there are a few loose ends that could be addressed this week before the trade deadline.

Offensive Rebounding

The Celtics have done a much better job with crashing the board, compared to recent years. From two seasons ago to last season, Boston’s offensive rebounding ranking dropped from fourth to twenty-second. GM Danny Ainge attempted to address this problem by bringing in center Aaron Baynes from Detroit, to add center depth. After Gordon Hayward’s injury on opening night, Brad Stevens moved Al Horford to the four, and moved Baynes off the bench into the five slot.

Baynes’s job is to crash the boards, while the other four guys do their thing on offense. However, his abysmal rebounding numbers have only hurt the team. Baynes averages 1.4 offensive boards a game, and 3.8 on defense. Those shouldn’t be starting center numbers. With the lack of rebounding on offense, Boston has only advanced to the twenty-first spot in the league rankings this season.

Enter Greg Monroe. After playing twenty games with the Phoenix Suns, his contract was bought out. About a day later, he found himself signing a contract with the Celtics. In his seven season career, Monroe averages 2.9 offensive rebounds a game, and 5.8 defensively. Monroe isn’t washed up, he just needs a team where he can be under the rim on both ends of the court. He will fit nicely in the role Brad Stevens sets up for him.

Will signing Greg Monroe cause some competition with Baynes for minutes? Yes. Will Aaron Baynes be subject to trade sometime before the deadline? Probably not, but he could be a valuable asset in a multi-man trade.

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images.

Secondary/Bench Scorer

Kyrie Irving is Boston’s true primary scorer. He wanted his own team to lead, and the Celtics have embraced that in every fashion. But after Kyrie, who is the Celtics’ second best shooting option? Jaylen Brown has been in a sophomore slump, and Jayson Tatum is still learning the ropes of the NBA. Gordon Hayward was supposed to be Kyrie’s running mate for scoring options, but without him there is a little confusion as to who’s in that role now. Brad Steven has done a masterful job of getting production out of every player.

However, some nights have resulted in losses because Kyrie wasn’t able to get a hot hand. That should not be the case. Someone needs to step up. There have been flashes of brilliance from different players on different nights. One night the bench could be hot, and other nights they could be quiet on offense. Terry Rozier is the latest to get hot in the past few games.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Boston to add some depth at guard to have more consistent scorers. Rumors have linked the Celtics to the Grizzlies’ Tyreke Evans, and the Clippers’ Lou Williams. Williams, a valuable sixth man, hasn’t really found a role for the Clippers, who are trying to clean house. Both teams want to make moves before the trade deadline.

According to the Boston Globe, the C’s have recently become less interested in Williams as a trade option. This leaves the opportunity to trade for Tyreke Evans up in the air. The Grizzlies have made it clear that Evans will be traded, after last week when the front office decided to take him out of games until the deadline. Evans has averaged a career high 19.5 points in Memphis, and 31.1 minutes per game. He can make a difference on Boston’s bench, and can be inserted into the starting lineup more often than not.

The only question for Boston is if the asking price is right for them. Boston has announced that they are willing to trade Marcus Smart for a first round pick before the trade deadline. Danny Ainge has been quiet lately, but as the deadline comes down to the final hour the Celtics might pull the trigger. There are reports that the Celtics might just mull over the buyout pool after the trade deadline anyway.

Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images.

Three Team Trade

I’m not a NBA GM, nor will I probably ever be. If the Celtics want to move Smart and acquire someone like Tyreke Evans, they certainly have options. The Nuggets are reportedly interested in Marcus Smart, so a three team trade might be in place. Boston could exchange Smart to Denver for a first round pick and flip it to Memphis for Tyreke Evans. It seems unlikely, but it doesn’t seem too unrealistic. Regardless of what happens the Celtics will still be a deep playoff contender.

 

Featured image courtesy of clutchpoints.com

Boston Celtics: The New Favorites?

Leave a reply

From Ashes to New

The Boston Celtics have overcome adversity with great defense and rebounding. Is this enough for them to be called title contenders?

Just five minutes into the season, All-Star Gordon Hayward went down with a potential season ending injury. The Boston Celtics fought hard against the Cavs in their first game but lost by three. Then they lost the subsequent game to the Milwaukee Bucks. It looked like it was going to be a long season, then something sparked. The team didn’t lose another game after that until November 20th.

As the Celtics went on a sixteen game win streak, their notable weaknesses from last season withered away. Rebounding and defense. As last season limped to an end, centers Al Horford and Amir Johnson were struggling to grab more than six boards a game. It feels like Hayward’s injury forced the team to mesh together quickly. There are only four players from last year’s squad in addition to all these new guys that have helped the Celtics grow stronger. They are playing younger and quicker basketball.

Before the season started, the Celtics were tied for the third best chance to make an appearance in the Finals along with the San Antonio Spurs at 12/1. Since then they have fluctuated, but the odds have gone towards their favor at 10/1. You can follow along with the Celtics odds, as well as betting on the team here.

The Competition

Per usual the Western Conference appears stacked this season. The Golden State Warriors have some competition with the Houston Rockets and potentially the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs might be able to make their usual run as long as the injury bug leaves them alone in the second half of the season. The Eastern Conference looks like a dog fight for second place. For the first time in almost a decade LeBron James’s team is closer to ninth place than first. The Cavs are currently third in the East but are riding six games behind first place. They are also ranked almost last in defense efficiency at twenty-eighth. No team has made the playoffs with a ranking as poor as that.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Eastern Conference is shaping up to be as expected. Teams like Toronto, Washington, and Milwaukee are all within contention of making playoffs. Adversely basement dwellers like New York, Chicago, and Brooklyn are not surprising anyone.

With the All-Star break and trade deadline quickly approaching the Celtics have room to improve. With the disabled player exception under Danny Ainge’s belt this team has options. They could trade for a player or sit comfortably until the buyout deadline. No matter what moves are or aren’t made, this team is a favorite to win the 2018 NBA Finals.

Rozier and Smart: Sparking the Celtics Bench

Leave a reply

The Celtics beat the Timberwolves 91-84, which was a season low in scoring for the Wolves. According to EVERY sports media outlet, the Cs have now beaten seven of the top teams in the NBA, holding them all under 100 points.  It’s also important to point out that they’ve won their last five games, with heavy contributions from Rozier and Smart off of the bench.

Rozier: Finding Comfort in His Role

I know when I used to watch Rozier with the ball, I would get nervous. Why you ask? Because he dribbles too much! But as of late, I don’t mind his dribbling because his shots are falling. In the last six games, he’s averaged 15.3 points and hit 17 threes. He’s been able to do this in an average of 23 minutes off of the bench. Impressive huh? Well, I sure think so, especially when you consider is performance against Cleveland: 20 points and 4-6 from three. After that clutch steal and basket in Indiana, I knew it was just a matter of time.

Smart: Consistent Confidence

Although Smart is only averaging 11.5 points in the last six games, as we go further back we can see his production on offense. I wrote an article back in December about him finding his confidence on the offensive side of the ball. I’d say he’s been pretty reliable since his turnaround, only having six games under 10 points since late November. And of course, if he can’t give you his best on offense, he’s always going to do his job on defense. Don’t believe me? Go watch the final seconds of that Rockets game where he drew two offensive fouls off of Harden — back to back! Though, something else I have noticed is Smart’s unwavering confidence. He’s not afraid to continue taking shots even if the first few don’t fall because he knows eventually, he’ll get hot.

Rozier and Smart Creating Depth

Rozier and Smart’s sparking of this Celtics bench has rubbed off on everyone. Theis, Larkin, and Baynes when he comes off the bench, have each had a couple of productive nights. Irving is also starting to take somewhat of a backseat in scoring, as we saw in the game against Cleveland. Him doing so is allowing for the development of all the younger guys on the team, bench and starters. This is the type of consistency we’ve called for this season. Let’s see if they can keep it going!

The Celtics have a game at Brooklyn, then they’ll be getting ready for their London match up against the 76ers. After the Brooklyn game, we won’t see our guys on the hardwood until the 11th. But don’t fret Boston fans— this means some more rest for the Celtics, which they so rightfully deserve.

32-10 and leading the East. Go Celtics!

 

Kyrie Irving

Boston Celtics’ Ups and Downs – Week 8

Leave a reply

Winning weeks have become commonplace for the Celtics now. Boston rounded out a 4-1 home stand with convincing wins over Milwaukee and Dallas. A loss in San Antonio on national TV ended a nice four-game win streak, but the Celtics bounced back to beat Detroit on Sunday afternoon. There are lots to love about the Celtics right now, so let’s take a look at some Ups and Downs from Week 8 action.

The Ups

Masked Kyrie Continues to Roll

Kyrie may have been happy to finally get rid of the mask against Detroit on Sunday, but he certainly can’t be happier with the roll he has been on since wearing it. Kyrie has upped his efficiency and been on a scoring tear since donning the mask on Nov. 14. The trend continued this past week. Kyrie averaged 26.7 points in four games last week, and, with the exception of a tough match-up against Avery Bradley on Sunday, shot over 54 percent from the field in each game. Although a game-tying three rimmed out against the Spurs, Kyrie has been dynamic on the offensive end and has done everything the Celtics need of him.

Al Horford, Celtics’ Renaissance Man

A common complaint from Celtics fans about Horford is that he doesn’t always have the biggest impact on the offensive end. He can be a reluctant scorer and defer to others more often than he should. But what Horford does better than anyone on the Celtics is find balance in his game. If the team needs him to score the ball, he will, like when he dropped 27 on the Bucks in October. If everyone else is in a groove offensively, Horford has no problem sharing the ball and dishing out a career-high 11 assists.

Plenty of people will say that Kyrie unlocked Horford. In reality, Horford’s complete game unlocks and enhances the play of all of those around him. His playmaking ability frees up Kyrie to score at will. His defense, along with Aron Baynes, allows perimeter players to gamble with assurance that they have help in the paint. Horford’s game is a quiet one and can go overlooked, but take him off this team and you will quickly realize his value.

Jayson Tatum Continues to Impress

Jayson Tatum

Ask any basketball media member, NBA expert, or casual fan, and 99 percent of them will say they never expected this level of play from Tatum. If it weren’t for Ben Simmons, Tatum would be the favorite for Rookie of the Year. Tatum has had many jaw dropping stats this season. He’s leading the NBA in three-point percentage (52.3 percent) and has scored in double digits for 16 straight games. As if being a major contributor on the team with the league’s best record at 19-years old wasn’t enough, Tatum is showing he’s more than capable of performing under pressure.

Tatum has become one of the most effective fourth quarter players on the Celtics. He’s averaging 4.1 points per game in the fourth quarter, his most in any quarter. While some fans may not be impressed, considering Isaiah Thomas averaged double digits in the fourth last season, Tatum’s shooting splits will surely drive the point home. He’s shooting 66.7 percent from the field, 71.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 91 percent from the free throw line. Tatum hasn’t been relied upon to score in volumes late in games, but it probably wouldn’t hurt to give him a few more chances.

The Downs

Avery Bradley, Known Kyrie Stopper

Avery Bradley

Celtics fans are familiar with Bradley’s ability to harass Kyrie. In the past Boston loved it, but now not so much. This is more of a long-term concern, but nonetheless something to keep an eye out for. In two games against Bradley and the Pistons, Kyrie averaged just 17 points on 36 percent shooting. If the Celtics find themselves with a playoff match-up against Detroit, Bradley’s defense could become a factor. Will it be enough to turn the tides in Detroit’s favor? Most likely not. But it could make things a lot more difficult than they have to be.

Possible Shooting Slump?

The Celtics were riding a hot streak on offense coming into last week’s play. In four games against Indiana, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Phoenix, Boston shot at least 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. They continued that trend against Milwaukee to start the week, then dropped off in the final three games. Such a small sample size could be nothing to worry about, but it’s worth monitoring. The Celtics had been making their way up the league ranks in team offense over the past few weeks. Consistency in that regard will be important in keeping them atop the Eastern Conference.

Jaylen Brown’s Decision Making

With Horford, Marcus Smart, and Terry Rozier on the team, Brown’s lack of playmaking isn’t too much of a concern. What is a concern, thought, is Brown’s decision-making. Brown is always going to be one of the more athletic players on the floor. He can get to the rim at will, but sometimes that has become a problem. Whether trying to make a move 1-on-1, or trying to bully his way through multiple defenders, Brown has a tendency to force things. That leads to bad shots and turnovers. If he lets the game come to him he should be fine, but some development in that area would be nice.

Marcus Smart

Boston Celtics’ Ups and Downs – Week 7

Leave a reply

Just three games, all of which were in Boston, made a light week for the Celtics. A Monday night loss to Detroit, the second best team in the Eastern Conference, started the week on a sour note. The Celtics bounced back with two wins over the 76ers and Suns later in the week. Losses are starting to pop up more frequently for the C’s, but they are still beating the teams that they are supposed to beat. Let’s take a look at the Ups/Downs from Week 7 of Celtics basketball!

The Ups

Marcus Smart Is Finding His Form

Smart has been having a terrible shooting season. While his impact on the court has still been a net positive, the scoring numbers and empty shot attempts were a problem. But maybe things are starting to come around. A pep talk from Al Horford seemingly worked, and Smart has been a much better all around player since. In three games this past week, Smart averaged 13.6 points and seven assists on 52/53 percent shooting from the field and three-point line, respectively. The numbers won’t jump off the page, but this level of production is exactly what the Celtics need from Smart. Score when he can, take quality shots (he scored 41 points on just 25 shots), and run the offense for the second unit.

Aron Baynes

Aron Baynes Back in the Starting Lineup

The Celtics’ versatility is always going to be a plus. They have the ability to match-up with pretty much any lineup that an opponent throws at them. Moving Baynes back to the starting lineup had as much to do with who the Celtics were playing as anything else. Brad Stevens has not been shy about changing Baynes’ role to try to match him up with opposing bigs, but the numbers suggest Baynes should be starting regardless.

A starting unit with Baynes, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kyrie Irving has been their most used/best defensive lineup all season. A +11.5 net rating is the highest of any Celtics lineup with at least 30 minutes played, and their 90.4 defensive rating is near the top of the league for any lineup with more than 99 minutes played. Baynes anchors the defense and works the glass at an alarming rate. Boston plays better with Baynes in the starting lineup, and moving Marcus Morris to the bench for some extra scoring is an added bonus. #StartAronBaynes

Jaylen Brown Bounces Back

Jaylen Brown

Brown had one of the worst games of his career against Philadelphia. He had just four points on 1-6 shooting, and a team-high four turnovers. He played just 22 minutes and had a plus/minus of -9, the only Celtics’ player in the negative. A performance like that could shake a players confidence, but Brown turned things around against the Suns. A 17-point outing tied him for second on the team in points, and his shooting splits (4-8 from the field, 3-5 3PT, 6-8 FT) were unusually efficient. Brown is young (21 yrs), but the Celtics need him to perform beyond his years. A bounce back outing like this is an encouraging sign.

The Downs

The Defense Is Starting to Slip for the Celtics

Before you jump down my throat, the Celtics are still first in the league in defensive rating (98.9). But the team’s defense has been trending in the wrong direction since the 16-game winning streak ended. In five games after losing to Miami, the Celtics are ranked 16th in defensive rating at 108.2. The offense has been getting much better, but to be elite the Celtics still need to defend at a high level. They aren’t a good enough offensive team to let their defense slip, so the recent trend is troublesome.

https://twitter.com/HPbasketball/status/937059149950488576

Too Many Turnovers

The Celtics are normally pretty good at taking care of the ball. They average the seventh fewest turnovers per game (14.3). Against Detroit, turnovers were what cost Boston the game. Seventeen turnovers led to 25 points for the Pistons. The turnovers also allowed Detroit to take eight more shots than the Celtics. Clean up some of those turnovers and maybe Boston gets the win.

Free Throws, Again

Do I even need to say anything at this point? Boston shot just 57.1 percent from the free throw line against Detroit. THEY MISSED NINE FREE THROWS! That’s basically the difference in the game. Over the last three games the Celtics are shooting 71.9 percent from the free throw line. That ranks them 25th in the league. Boston can’t afford to leave a handful of points at the line each game. It says a lot when Andre Drummond can knock down more late-game free throws than your team can.

Defensive Warrior Marcus Smart Overcomes Offensive Struggles

Leave a reply

You ever yell at the TV when Marcus Smart had the ball in his hands? If you said no, you’re lying. How do I know? Simple: I watch every game, and I know for a fact that Smart’s performance early on was frustrating to watch. I mean, players go through slumps and that’s normal. Smart’s lack of offensive production had Celtics fans around the world worried.

Offensive Woes

The explosive production of the first unit wasn’t enough to make us disregard what was going on with Smart. After returning from an ankle injury, his offensive production was less than satisfactory. With the exception of a couple of games in which he scored 14 and 16 points, he shot poorly for the majority of November. The lowest points scored this season were against Golden State, where he went 0-7 with 1 point and 0-3 from three-point range. His struggles at the free throw line were also hard to miss, as he shot 56% from the line in October. He was able to improve it to 79% in November, but it still seemed as though he was missing those shots when they mattered the most.

Defensive Dominance

Smart’s defensive prowess should not go unnoticed. Although he only had 1 point in the game against Golden State, his plus/minus was an incredible +15. His aggressiveness on defense kept the Celtics in the game, allowing for a crucial 19-2 run late in the third quarter. Oh, and let’s not forget his willingness to sacrifice his body when necessary. This guy never hesitates when it comes to drawing the charge or going after a loose ball. Another great attribute of Smart’s is his defensive awareness. The fouls he is willing to give are ‘smart’ ones, as he refuses to give up that easy basket. Clutch defensive play in the fourth quarter has been his M.O. Who wouldn’t want a guy like this on their team?

Building His Confidence

The offensive reemergence of Marcus Smart began on November 25. The Celtics squared off against the Pacers, a very good offensive team that was coming in with a 5-game win streak. The Cs won the game 108-98 and Smart contributed 15 points, going 7-8 with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He then followed it up with a season-high 23 points in the loss against the Pistons, shooting 6-9 from three-point range. Working theory: Smart’s turn around came after his bench talk with Al Horford. It seems valid, considering the conversation occurred the game before his performance in Indiana. Hopefully Smart can get back to his college form, where he averaged 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists at Oklahoma State.

Smart still has some work to do, but he’ll get there. Celtics fans everywhere are rooting for you Marcus! Stay on the grind!

Al Horford

Boston Celtics’ Ups and Downs – Week 6

Leave a reply

Week six of the NBA season was a busy one for the Celtics. A four-game week saw another impressive come-from-behind win in Dallas, a gritty victory on the road in Indiana with a depleted roster, and the unfortunate end to one of the more improbable win streaks in the league. The Celtics have bounced back from the end of the streak with two straight wins, but they need to clean some things up if they want to start another winning streak. Let’s jump in and check out the Ups/Downs!

The Ups

Aggressive Al Is Not so Average

Al Horford’s shooting came back to earth after a scorching week. And with the drop in efficiency, his scoring numbers decreased as well. In three games against Dallas, Miami, and Orlando, Horford had just 15 points on 6-20 shooting. But, in typical Horford style, he stepped it up against Indiana when it was needed.

With Jaylen Brown (personal) and Marcus Morris (rest) inactive against the Pacers, Horford upped his aggression on the offensive end and gave the Celtics some much-needed points. He knocked down threes and roasted defenders with some Olajuwon-esque post moves to the tune of 21 points on 8-15 shooting, his most shots in a single game this season. Horford will undoubtedly give what the game needs from him, but a more aggressive Al is never a bad thing.

Kyrie Irving

A More Efficient, and Dangerous, Kyrie

Over the first 17 games, Kyrie shot over 50 percent from the field just four times. He shot at least 50 percent from the field in all four games this past week. Chalk it up to early season struggles or the weight of a franchise on your shoulders, but Kyrie has certainly turned his shooting numbers around. Kyrie messed around and shot 59.5 percent from the field this week, an even more impressive stat considering both the difficulty and volume of shots that he takes. A 47-piece in the overtime win against Dallas highlighted the week, but Kyrie getting more comfortable in the offense should have Celtics’ fans drooling.

Improved Play from Celtics’ Bench

The Celtics’ bench were atrocious coming into this week. Ranked near the bottom of the league in bench points, Boston was in need of a few sparks. Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart weren’t shooting well, but the Boston reserves turned it around. Rozier decided to never miss a shot again, scoring 40 points on 15-20 shooting over the past two games. Smart found a shooting rhythm against Indiana after being inserted into the starting lineup. Semi Ojeleye has been more aggressive on offense and Aron Baynes has proven to be a very capable bench scorer. Consistency is key, and with five straight games in Boston, hopefully the second unit can find their groove.

The Downs

Slow Starts Are Starting to Catch up to the Celtics

Miami Heat

To be fair, the Celtics have been abnormally good at coming back from early, or late, deficits. They did it against the Mavericks and Pacers this week alone. But how long can that last? Their winning streak ended against Miami when they couldn’t dig themselves out of a tough start, and you have to imagine that they won’t be able to keep up their heroics all season. The comebacks are entertaining, but I have thought Brad Stevens would much rather just play well for the whole game instead.

The Celtics Need to Shoot Better (Duh)

Despite having the best record in the league to date, the Celtics are ranked 27th in field goal percentage. The Celtics aren’t the Golden State Warriors. They can’t sleepwalk through half of a game and then just flip the switch and score a million points. Their comebacks have been because of their defense. If the defense starts to slip, these comebacks will be fewer and farther between. This team will be scary when their shots start to fall, they just need to get their first.

Free Throws, Free Throws, Free Throws

I’m going to keep harping on this, mainly because this is my weekly column AND I WILL WRITE ABOUT WHATEVER I WANT TO WRITE ABOUT, DAD! Wait, sorry that got away from me a little bit there. Regardless, it fills me with rage to watch the Celtics miss free throws. They have moved up to 14th in the league in free throw percentage, but they are still leaving too many points at the charity stripe.

Kyrie Irving

Celtics’ Offense Catches Fire in Blowout Win over Orlando

Leave a reply

Despite the recently ended 16-game winning streak, the Celtics have not been a good offensive team. Their defense is the talk of the town, while their offense has been just good enough to get by. But last night, the Celtics fixed some of the problems that had been ailing them over the past few games. Boston got off to a fast start, got back to moving the ball, and were able to get open shots that actually dropped. It also didn’t hurt that they played the Magic, a team they have dominated at home in recent times.

Celtics Explode out of the Gates

Toward the end of the winning streak, the Celtics were getting off to horrible offensive starts. They had to dig themselves out of giant deficits, mainly because they weren’t playing efficient offense and weren’t knocking down shots. Back on the TD Garden floor against Orlando, the Celtics had no trouble getting the offense going. The C’s shot 68.2 percent from the field in the first quarter and hit 7-of-12 threes. The shooting barely cooled off in the second quarter and the Celtics hung 73 points on Orlando, a season-high for any half. The game was over at halftime, and this time it was because of a high powered offense, not a stifling defense.

Al Horford

Brad Stevens has always preached ball movement on the offensive end. The Celtics have always been near the top of the league in assists and passes per game. In the past, Boston needed that ball movement to be put the ball in the hoop. Even then, their lack of top-tier talent lead to some ugly offensive basketball. With offensive experts like Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics can sometimes get away with less ball movement and just rely on the isolation games of such advanced scorers. But that doesn’t lead to an efficient offense. We got a glimpse against Orlando of what the Celtics can be when they move the ball and get back to the style of play in which a Brad Stevens’ coached team excels.

Al Horford, a Key to the Offense

Stevens may have found something in the way they played in the first quarter against the Magic. The offense ran through Al Horford to start the game, and that generated open looks and ball movement. Horford had seven (SEVEN!!!) assists in the first quarter and really got everyone in a groove early on. Horford finished with just five points, but his 10 assists were a team-high by a mile. Horford is a smart, capable passer. He makes the correct reads more often than not and finds the scorer. It may behoove Stevens to make more of an effort to allow the offense to run through Horford early in games to increase ball movement and avoid offensive droughts.

Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier Leads an Energized Celtics Bench

As the old NBA idiom goes, role players and rookies always play better at home. Tatum has proved that he plays well anywhere, but the Celtics bench had been a problem on the recent road trip. The Celtics’ bench ranks 22nd in scoring (29.7pts/game) on some pretty horrendous shooting. They got just 22.3 points per game over the last three away games. Boston needs production from their bench, and Rozier stepped up against Orlando. A career-high 23 points on 8-11 shooting led the Celtics bench. You can’t expect 20+ points off the bench from players like Rozier and Marcus Smart, but they will need to be able to bridge the gap and give the starters a break without giving away leads or losing ground.

Jaylen Brown Is Playing like a Man Possessed

The night after losing his best friend, Jaylen Brown had a career night against the Golden State Warriors. Since that game, Brown has been the second best player on the Celtics and has taken his offensive game to another level. Since the passing of his friend, Brown is averaging 19.6 points on 53 percent shooting from the field and 52 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The shooting numbers aren’t sustainable, but Brown is playing with a different level of focus and a high level of confidence. This Celtics team needs a confident Jaylen Brown, and they have been getting it.

Eastern Conference Winner betting odds at William Hill

For the latest odds on the NBA and more.