Last Second Celtic Shots/Plays

by Jeremyh33 on Feb 10, 2012 11:51 AM EST

Promoted FanPost

Doc Rivers is a terrific coach--one of the best in the league. I'm glad that he's on "our" side and not "theirs." Having said this--there is a recurrent problem that has manifested for years on this team--one that is unique to the Celtics--and one that seems to be the norm when taking a last shot.

Let's look at the frequent folly first:

1) Teams wait far too long to take the expected final shot. In tonight's Celtics-Lakers game Boston had 2 chances--one in regulation and one in overtime--to win the game. Both times they ran a play with Pierce having the ball in his hands (the first time, as Steve Kerr pointed out in the replay, KG's back pick had freed up Ray Allen and Pierce missed him). On both plays--and this is certainly not exclusive to the Celtics--he held the ball WAY too long. By doing so--the pressure to "go" is pushed with dwindling time. There isn't a chance for any put back/tip off a miss. The downside to "going earlier" might be allowing the opponent a chance to match your score--but, given the mentioned advantages, I'd take my chances. Further, if a team is under the fouls to give limit, the expected "given foul" with the time winding down results in taking the ball out-of-bounds with even less time on the clock (I was surprised LA didn't do this tonight in overtime WITH the foul to give).. I'd love to see "my" team "go" earlier--they never do and I don't know why.

Now, the issue with Coach Rivers and the Celtics:

2) We know what's coming. Tonight it seemed in regulation that the Celtics were trying to run a play for Allen--but, we've seen this story before--the ball is in Perice's hands in a 1-on-1 situation allowing him to make the play. Paul Pierce is a great player and a great scorer and maybe as such as earned the right to have the ball in his hands. But, again--we've seen this before--the hesitation dribble, pull back/fade away that glances off the rim. It's so isolated and often involves the other 4 guys on the floor watching the play and then crashing the boards but, of course, "going" so late doesn't leave time for a tip/put back anyway.. Why don't the Celtics really RUN something? I imagine that the Lakers huddle before both final plays said something like "Pierce is going to have the ball. He's going to hold it too long. Force him to pull up--don't let him in the lane."

I didn't even need to watch the two final possessions tonight--the one in regulation and the one in overtime. I've seen this story before and frustratingly it always seems to end in a similar way.

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

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+1000

Did not have to see the game to know exactly what you are saying. I also envision Rondo standing at the wing holding his shorts, and his man sagging off of him because he knows he won’t shoot. Have posted this before. We HAVE a play that ALWAYS gets a good open look but NEVER run it as a last shot option. it is when RA or PP gets the ball in the corner, and KG or Bass screen. PP/RA dribble to the middle, and KG/Bass roll to the baseline. We either get a lay-up or an uncontested 12 footer from kG/bass. Either way, its a good look. Check out film of past games and you will see that this play ALWAYS results in a good look (unless guards throw a bad pass, of course). Coaches are paid to break down film and look at success % of plays or Isolations. I would bet $ that the play I mentioned is 2 to 1 more successfuln getting quality shots / makes than the tired old ISO play that we have seen so many times before.

by P stoff on Feb 10, 2012 12:06 PM EST reply actions

Late game struggles are hard to explain

Great post on a topic many of us have discussed often over the past few years.

It is amazing to me that the Celtics fail so often in crunch time despite having one of the NBA’s top head coaches in designing plays and a team on the floor that includes Rondo and 3 Hall of Famers. And it’s not only the last possession of games as their struggles extend to the last few minutes of games quite often.

Against LA the Celtics managed only one basket over the last 3 minutes of regulation. They scored only 2 baskets in the five minute overtime. That kind of paltry production simply isn’t good enough.

It’s often painful to watch how often the Celtics struggle late in games especially on offense. Even out of timeouts it often appears that they have one set play to run and if that first option breaks down the team is clueless of what to do next. Watching Rondo or Pierce stand around as the shot clock winds down does not set up well for converting important scoring chances.

The Celtics late game struggles along with their propensity for blowing double digit leads is strange considering their multiple veteran leaders with immense late game experience. Quite often teams struggle in those situations because they don’t enough veterans with experience in closing out games and holding onto leads. That has often been talked about with Oklahoma City for example when they have struggled late in games during the playoffs.

This Celtic team has veteran leadership and experience in abundance yet their late game struggles persist which is puzzling to say the least…

From Doc Rivers 1/6/12 --- "Listen, we’re a 4-4 basketball team. That’s what we are," said Rivers. "You are what your record is; Don’t make no mistake about that. I mean, one of the guys said, ‘Hey, that’s alright, we’re better than that.’ And I said, ‘No we’re not. You’re what your record says you are. And you always have the ability to do something about that.

by warnerjohn on Feb 10, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Three reasons

1. Most teams move the ball and attack with the dribble (or post)— creating chances for FTs, open jumpers off of help defense, and offensive rebounds. We have only Pierce who can and will drive in late game situations (and no post options). 2. Becaus of problem 1, we rely on set plays that relegate Rondo as useless, allows defenders to take away the lane, and unless perfect execution, we get a "plan B’ of throwing up a forced shot. 3. Virtually no second shot chances= 1 and done too many times. Add those up and it puts pressure on our Defense (which is pretty good) to stop more than can be expected- and ultimatley explains that we need near offensive perfection in set plays to beat GOOD teams regularly. I love our guys talents, but today’s NBA teams need to have more than 1 or 2 guys who can attack the lane.

by P stoff on Feb 10, 2012 1:34 PM EST reply actions

Look past the laundry...

The Lakers handle Rondo flawlessly…they don’t cover him. He dishes on 85% of the offensive plays. The defense “collapses” and it becomes 5 on 4. This is of ZERO help in the last minute shot department along with the rest of the game.

Watch a Clippers game. Chris Paul DEMANDS coverage. Rose demands coverage. Any guard with a shot OPENS UP the defense as they extend to defend his shot.

They take Rondo OUT OF THE GAME in the playoffs at the end because he can’t shoot and can’t hit foul shots.

Please someone take a rational view of the team. As the three ages the last 5 minutes of the game becomes a disaster. They are gassed. They lose the ability to shoot. Any opposing coach with a GOOD team plays this factor and will win it 7 out of 10 times.

Blow it up? No, no, no, just understand that the Bulls, the Heat the Thunder and the Clippers are going to beat you 5 out of 7 every time.

by tstorey1 on Feb 10, 2012 3:59 PM EST reply actions