The Celtics lost Game 1 of the ECF, but does that mean lineup changes are coming? Robert Williams was not happy after the Celtics Thursday film session, and it’s because he was not good on defense. Is the answer for Boston to simply try harder in Game 2? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss that, Joe Mazzulla clearly wanting to ditch the double-big lineup (but will he?), why Payton Pritchard over Grant Williams, and why Jayson Tatum didn’t get as much scoring opportunity as he should have late in the game.
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32 Comments
This guy doesn't know what he's talking about
before the G1, I've been thinking Celtics should start D-White over Rob. because Heat team aren't big lineup. I And he can guard Jimmy Butler.
Mazulla is soft thats the reason why Grant isn't getting minutes.
This guy pisses me off by the minute.
Think that 1st Qtr D was based on the coaching staff worrying about foul trouble–that it would be a major part of Miami's strategy. Makes sense, but as you noted, over-executed.
To answer the title, LMFAO… NO!!! this is the single thing that's been working for us this postseason and these are backed up by our numbers. among 2 man lineups, al + rob has our best net rating. Hard disagree. The following 5 adjustments imo are the ones we should make:
1. Play double big… ALL THE TIME. don't give jimmy butler someone to pick on without help on the backline. Clearly, he was hunting mistmatches last game prioritizing white, brogdon and pp. He was cautious over Al and was baited into long 2's while he didn't really look to attack jb, smart and JT if he could help it. These 4 should generally be on the floor when Jimmy is on the floor. He baited Rob with pump fakes and the results are mixed there but i think we can pre-switch or scram switch Rob out of there or live with a few possession when Rob gets switched. the issue is Mazzula primarily put white, brogdon or pp on butler and he torched them.
2. Aside from the 4 above, i also think butler won't have a mismatch vs. grant when he get switched on to him. Grant should absolutely be the 1st person off the bench in this series. This allows us to stick with double big when al or rob rest.
There shouldn't be a lineup where rob is the sole big on the floor. he's mediocre at PNR defense. He's best on the floor with another big handling PNR while he defends the backline/closes out on corner shooters. Enter Grant when Al rests. Al and Grant of course can easily play together and switch roles (PNR big and roamer/closer).
3. PP shouldn't play in this series. Why? matchups. 😀
Mazzula meme's aside, brogdon and white should be playing less minutes and generally be on the floor on the tail end of jimmy's shift or when jimmy rests. These 2 are too good to be buried on the bench like pp but will be hunted whenever jimmy's on the floor. I prefer for them to be on the floor when jimmy is tired and has been bumped around a bit already by jb, smart or al.
4. There's 144 minutes for the pg and wing spots. this should be solely distributed between smart, brogdon, white, jb and JT. Yes this means, the guard here won't be playing 30+ mins and that's fine given how brogdon/white are hunted and smart is injured. I'd be willing to live with JT at the 4 for a few possessions if certain guards are hot/end of quarter possessions. but the way Mazzula has been making this the regular is clearly not working.
5. there's 96 minutes at the 4 and 5. This should solely be distributed between al, rob and grant. I wouldn't mind JT at the 4 for a couple of mins in a quarter as stated above but these lineups with JB at the 4 with 3G and rob/al is atrocious numbers wise and is a mazzula fave. it's our worst lineup and he likes playing it. 🙁
I also wouldn't mind if we go 9 deep and play another less mobile big as long as jimmy isn't on the floor. I'd be fine with moose or blake when cody zeller's out there or if it's bam + lowry/vincent and jimmy's resting in case we want to steal more rest for the starting bigs.
Bonus: Someone tell rob to not bite on Jimmy's fakes. Be disciplined and trust his athleticism.
When the ball is not moving well. When only a couple of guys consistently touch the ball in every posession its hard no to be lazy on D. Especially when the only 2 guys that touch tha ball take forced/bad shots. Its hard to sprint back on D. Maybe the first time it happens youre good with it. But after a few more possesions and theres still no ball movement its really hard to get back on D.
We’re not winning the title. Even if we scrap by the heat, Nuggets/lakers would wash us the way we’ve played since gm 5 vs Atlanta
Grant can guard Bam this series. If we lose this series with Grant continuing to get DNP-CD I'll be very mad at Joe
we don't have a coach- during the game
The double big look fits many scenarios, but not the Heat. Against Philly, it worked to perfection with the 76ers playing a big alongside non-shooters like Tucker. But that isn't the Heat–they are loaded with spacers around one serviceable big. Rob can't play free safety off of Love or Martin.
i always love the Game 1 bravado from opposing teams. Heat fans are like Jayson Tatum, they show up late after the hard work is already done then disappear when they lose.
Let's just say it at some point this lack luster play is gonna cost the Celtics a series. I'll say it again you can't Win a Championship playing like this.
The Joe Mazzulla scapegoating is amusing.
AGAIN— 2 All-NBA All-Stars, 6MOY, 2x Hustle Player of the Year/last year’s DPOY, All-Defense 2nd Team guard on the bench…
“This roster needs Greg Popovich to beat Atlanta/Sixers/Heat”
this game was within 4 in the 4th. coaching didnt cause Jayson Tatum to travel (!!!) two possessions in a row.
coaching didnt stop Tatum from taking a FGA in the 4th, TATUM did that by playing scared & throwing away possessions.
people actually think Mazzulla timeouts are the one & only reason this team loses games. it’s sad how dumb this fanbase has become.
This is just not the year…
I though this team got rid of its demons in the 4th quarter of game 6 but I was a fool to expect some kind of a positive development from this team. There is no reason to hype up this team with no proper identity, no competent head coach and reaccuring mental lapses in crucial games. This team was just in a game 7 and now they have another must win game in game 2. They just never learn, and be it the heat or if they somehow make it to the finals, the lakers or nuggets, their mental lapses will cost them just like last year. 4 lost home games in the playoffs already just doesn’t cut it.
No, BOSTON NEEDS TO DITCH JOE MAZULLA, Wyc Grousbeck & Brad Stevens… I’m convinced that Danny left because he couldn’t stand around and watch this this franchise as it’s imploding from the front office…!!!!!💯☘️
Cs are so much more talented than the heat .. heat just have better coaching and play with more heart .. I’ve been campaigning for them to sign a vet that’ll lay into them when they do stuff like this … how Haslem does Miami .. or how pj tucker did embiid .. someone like that
hi john can you please stop saying the phrase "oh my God". Bcoz it is offensive to some. thank you
Miami is in Bostons head it’s lookin like a gentlemen sweep
Free Grant
Sam grant and muscala should have all been playing these whole playoffs
This was 48 min of nonsense. You offered no solutions on how to beat Miami and what’s causing so many problems for supposed “better teams”. No adjustments offered, obviously no attention paid to previous series that Miami has won. Only talking points offered are; we need to play harder, we are better, we are more talented, Miami can’t keep doing this (no respect for your opponent by the way) , don’t you want this championship, why do we always give the other team a chance , we are the best (on paper). Miami will continue to win because they are not being taking seriously by anyone, which is shocking because they keep beating everyone and other teams are completely clueless as to why.
If Al is gonna keep passing wide open/open 3’s that he took until game 5 in Philly then the double big is useless
marcus is right he will continue chucking 3's because no one coaches marcus or tells him what to do because nthe media has my back cause I hustle
Double big is not the problem.
Just freakin win guys. Please? 🙏🏻
I think you are missing the important part of that Marcus Smart quote which is, "we don't care what the coach says."
Smart and Mazzulla have to go in the off season no matter how this ends up.
Wooow you say heat fans are homers . Your roll players are exactly the same as the heat role players. Celtics win a lot of the six man or defensive players because it is Boston. Basketball is simple you may have 5 great players but there is only one ball. The series is decided bam and jimmy vs brown and Tatum . And I agree in paper Boston should win. But the accolades to role players makes you a homer
They played well in double big lineup
Defense and Turnovers. Simple.
We got this guys. We might have ugly woman and horrible weather, but our C's are amazing and they will rise like the sphincter from the ashes.
GO C'z
WHOS WITH ME?!!
I’d be starting white and rob, let Al come off the bench this series, and if Pritchard is getting plying time grant needs to be playing he’s too versatile and too good of a shooter to get dnp, he must have done something really dumb or fucked up to be in mazzula dog house
I did a meet and greet with rob. Hes super laid back. He wears his emotions on his sleeve but thatd his southern hospitality. Hes a dog tho. My man is gonna have a game tonight