Celtics Live By And Die By Outside Shot

by Jeff Clark on Feb 13, 2012 2:00 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

When was the last time we saw the Celtics drive the lane in a critical situation in the 4th quarter? When was the last time you saw them press the issue and either get a layup or a couple of foul shots in the clutch? Instead, it is always jumpers, for better or for worse.

Celtics have outside shot at redemption - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

The shots the Celtics take in those situations are Ray Allen 3-pointers off a screen, Paul Pierce step-back fades and Garnett jumpers off the pick-and-pop. Those are the shots they got – and those are the shots they missed over and over again – in Thursday’s OT loss. It essentially came down to one final shot where Pierce took a 20-foot, fallaway with a reasonably clear look at the basket that rimmed out. For many who have seen Pierce fire up similar shots at end of games dozens of times through the years – making some, and missing many more – that is a low-percentage shot. But those are the types of shots this team will continue to take at the end of close games. If you don’t think the Celtics can win at a high level that way, then you have to cozy up to the idea that you don’t think this team is capable of winning at a high level.

This is a systemic issue that isn't going to go away till the Big 3 go away. They are a perimeter oriented team. They can make it work, but there will be some nights when the shots don't fall and they simply look awful. There will be other nights when they look like world beaters. That's just how it is in Boston these days.

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You said it perfectly

that’s just how it’s gonna be with the big three. You know KG is becoming more and more jumper oriented. RayRay is RayRay. That’s all he is. He very seldom drives to the basket. Pierce is probably the only player who can drive to the basket on a consistent basis (if he decides to do so), but even Pierce has been taking lots of jumpers/fadeaways/3s and so on. That is just how it’s gonna be with the big three. Rondo really can’t create his own unless you are running up and down throughout the game. Our bench isn’t really better. Bass, Pietrus, Dooling are all jump shooting players.

It’s not like we have Dwight or Bynum who can really post up vs other big men.
Even Kobe has been taking more 3’s this season just simply because he’s aging and also because he takes about 50% of the shots for the Lakers.

All in all, this will be troublesome come playoff time esp. if we end up playing the Heat or the Bulls. You know what Rose can do. Same can be said about Bron n Wade. Pretty scary if you ask me. Well I’ll be grateful if we make that far.

"I’m going to probably fade to black,’’ he said. "To be honest, I’m not a showman guy. I’m going to fade to black. I don’t know what I will do. I’m an idealist. I have a high drive and I’m very determined. Fade to black, man, like evaporate.’’

by TheBigFive on Feb 13, 2012 3:40 AM EST reply actions

KG can still get position in the post and that turnaround is tough to block...

but yeah, he is not going to turn and go to the rim out of that position much like DH would do. Pierce can still drive to the rim, but he does look for the mid-range jumper which he knocks down well. Rondo is the only one who can really get to the rim, but yeah the rest of the team is perimeter oriented. Actually, the Bulls aside from Rose and Deng (some) driving become perimeter oriented since Boozer does not post much this year and is looking for the jumper. Their other big men (Asik, Gibson, Noah) are not good offensive post players in the sense of getting position and having moves or going to the rim from that position but they do crash the boards really well to get second change opportunities.

"Booze takes a lot of time and effort if you're going to do a good job with it."
― Raymond Carver, Where I'm Calling From: New and Selected Stories

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Feb 13, 2012 3:51 AM EST up reply actions

The Heat

Did beat the Celtics early this season, without Paul Pierce. Kevin Garnett getting destroyed by Bosh because he was not himself that time as well.

Can’t wait till April, right?

by SparzWizard on Feb 13, 2012 3:54 AM EST up reply actions

I’d like to see the C’s give the ball to Rondo and put him in position to attack the rim. More than that, I’d like to see him aggressively try to get the foul. I remember two seasons ago, we would have beaten the lowly clippers because the game was tied and Rondo easily got to the ft line with less than a second on the clock. Of course, he missed both free throws, Baron Davis hit the miracle shot, and we know what happened. But with him shooting a better percentage (10-13) tonight, maybe he’d be able to instill some confidence in his FT ability in crunch time, and we’d finally have something directed to the basket.

by paolost on Feb 13, 2012 3:57 AM EST reply actions

I think it's not as simple as that

They took very similar shots at the end of games when the won, mostly Ray and Pierce. Penetrating with Rondo is not the answer because of his foul shooting. Pierce was more of a threat to penetrate to the rim for a score or a foul or an assist than now in last second situations, but still usually shot from the perimeter or mid-range in most cases.

Look at what kind of shots other teams get in last second situations and it’s much the same. The tough way to lose like that is with a second chance rebound or broken play, where somebody puts one up in a completely instinctive way because they have no time to think about it and it goes. Last second end game winners are not usually going to determine whether you can win against high quality opponents, defense and rebounding do and good ball movement leading to good shots and assists and easy baskets off defense do.

by SteveZ from Edgemont on Feb 13, 2012 4:10 AM EST reply actions

Pierce was more of a threat to penetrate to the rim for a score or a foul or an assist than now in last second situations, but still usually shot from the perimeter or mid-range in most cases.

I agree, having the ball in Pierce’s hands at the end of the game with him trying to create with a pick or two set is how the C’s should close out games. He has good enough ball handling skills and can either drive, pull up and shoot or set someone up. The defense has to respect his jumper and can’t play off. It was a great adjustment by Doc after Rondo missed the jumper with the defense laying off. Not knocking Rondo here, I just think at the end of games, put it in Pierce’s hands to close things out.

"Booze takes a lot of time and effort if you're going to do a good job with it."
― Raymond Carver, Where I'm Calling From: New and Selected Stories

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Feb 13, 2012 4:16 AM EST up reply actions

*even though he does not drive as well, he can still do it and is a threat in those late game situations

"Booze takes a lot of time and effort if you're going to do a good job with it."
― Raymond Carver, Where I'm Calling From: New and Selected Stories

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Feb 13, 2012 4:23 AM EST up reply actions

Point noted.

Maybe it’s just me overreacting from almost all those Pierce-with-the-ball-in-his-hands last second shot attempts that never work. (aside from that one Miami game in 2010 playoffs)

I guess I’m basing my argument from the point that Rondo with his quickness may be able to go past his defender and attack better. (and might probably lead to an assist, even)

by paolost on Feb 13, 2012 12:22 PM EST up reply actions

Well, for this to be true, Doc would have to be pretty stupid

And I don’t think he is. The drive, and the seemingly defunct pick-and-roll will return to the Celtics late in games. One of these days.

by JR99 on Feb 13, 2012 4:34 AM EST reply actions

As long as they can win enough games to make the playoffs this way, they'll continue to do so.

They’re not getting younger, and more injuries usually occur to older players; usually freak accidents happen when players go into the low post, and the bodies get banged around. I can see them committing their bodies more during the playoffs, when the games are on the line.

Until then, I see no need for them to take unnecessary risks with their aging bodies. Send in a guy like Steamer to do some banging under the boards.

Lygafe.

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Lygafe

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by lygafe on Feb 13, 2012 5:48 AM EST reply actions

Ball in whose hands?

Good subject. I do think if Rondo can show steadiness in his FT shooting, then the ball is his. That leaves Pierce as another option on the dish off. The “give the ball to Pierce” option is not getting us enough shots, let alone baskets. He’s making turnovers and it may be a bad luck streak or it may be he’s a half beat slower. Rondo is the creator whose FT shooting you can’t trust. If he nalls his FTs then he should handle the ball.

by Wildblu1 on Feb 13, 2012 9:05 AM EST reply actions

+1 give the ball to Pierce should only be used occasionally

It can still work and PP is always a threat, but it’s just a lower % play. Paul is a little slower now and a little less explosive, that makes it easier to guard his drives and he doesn’t always have the room to operate. Like that play in the Laker game in the 4th quarter, he couldn’t see Ray because they were up on him. Of course there is the sag off Rondo issue but still need more movement, drawing up plays is one of doc’s biggest strengths.

by kg2128 on Feb 13, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

Pierce taking a jumper from the free throw line with an open look at the basket is a 'low percentage shot'?

I’m not saying I disagree with the article that the Celtic’s have been too jump-shot happy, and obviously Pierce missed that shot on Thursday.

But that is not a low percentage shot. I’ll bet he makes that well over 50% of the time and gets fouled a big chunk of the times when he does miss it.

The C’s HAVE been too shy about going at the rim this year. There is data to show it. Just a few minutes spent at a site like hoopdata.com will give you all the proof you need.

Pierce’s shot wasn’t in itself really a great example to use to support the article’s premise.

NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.

by mmmmm on Feb 13, 2012 10:30 AM EST reply actions