TurnoversOffensive rebounds
Offensive possessions
Intangibles
Over the last 3 games Boston has committed a total of 51 TO compared to their opponents who have committed a total of 44. That is a 7 TO differential in favor of Boston’s opponent.
In the last 3 games combined, the Boston Celtics have pulled down a total of 22 offensive rebounds. In those same 3 games their opponents have pulled down a combined 48 offensive rebounds. That is a differential of 26 offensive rebounds in favor of Boston’s opponents. That is 26 second chance opportunities.
Translation: Boston has not controlled the defensive glass as well as they have been doing all season.
(Boston has the 4th highest defensive rebound rate* in the entire NBA).
Boston’s opponents in the last 3 games have taken a total of 241 shots. That is an average of 80.3 shots per game. The Celtics have on average allowed 77.1 shots per game.
The Celtics in those 3 games have taken a total of 206 shots per game. That is an average of 68.6 shots per game. That is a differential of 11.7 shots per game in favor of their opponent - a 0 to 36 potential point advantage for their opponent.
The Boston Celtics can not lose sight of the little things. If you take fewer shots than most (Celtics rank dead last in the league in shots per game), then you (1) need to make the most of those shots, (2) control the pace and force your opponent to take fewer shots compared to what they’re used to or, (3) force your opponent into a poor shooting percentage, (4) box out and control the defensive glass, (5) don’t make so many mistakes by turning the ball over where you actually keep your opponent in the game even though you’re forcing them to shoot at a poor percentage. Your opponent can overcome a poor shooting percentage if they’re able to create second chance points by grabbing offensive rebounds.
In other words you have to box out and make sure to not miss your defensive assignments and rotations. It means you have to rotate the ball efficiently and decisively in order to create the highest percentage shot.
Boston’s opponents in the last 3 games have taken a total of 241 shots. That is an average of 80.3 shots per game. The Celtics have on average allowed 77.1 shots per game.
The Celtics in those 3 games have taken a total of 206 shots per game. That is an average of 68.6 shots per game. That is a differential of 11.7 shots per game in favor of their opponent - a 0 to 36 potential point advantage for their opponent.
The Boston Celtics can not lose sight of the little things. If you take fewer shots than most (Celtics rank dead last in the league in shots per game), then you (1) need to make the most of those shots, (2) control the pace and force your opponent to take fewer shots compared to what they’re used to or, (3) force your opponent into a poor shooting percentage, (4) box out and control the defensive glass, (5) don’t make so many mistakes by turning the ball over where you actually keep your opponent in the game even though you’re forcing them to shoot at a poor percentage. Your opponent can overcome a poor shooting percentage if they’re able to create second chance points by grabbing offensive rebounds.
In other words you have to box out and make sure to not miss your defensive assignments and rotations. It means you have to rotate the ball efficiently and decisively in order to create the highest percentage shot.
The Celtics in my opinion have been taking way too many jump shots. At times I feel they have passed well, but are creating too many jump shots with their passing. They instead need to move the ball, but also cut and move efficiently without the ball. One without the other simply breeds inconsistency; which is what I’ve seen from the Celtics the past few games. Boston needs to get more inside shots to counter balance the shots they take from the outside the paint. If you get more shots inside off cuts and dishes, then you will inevitably create more space for yourself when you do take those shots outside the paint. To not do this means to neutralize the effectiveness of all the weapons the Celtics possess.
Lastly and most importantly, the Celtics intensity has fallen off a notch and needs to be jacked up again. I have seen great intensity from certain individuals in the past couple games. But I have not seen great intensity from the team as one single unit out on the court. The Boston Celtics need to get back to being an intensely focused team in sync with one another. If they do that, I suspect many of the statistical gaps I have mentioned above will return to their normal levels.
Bottom line is there is nothing to worry about here. Not yet. We’re 30-5. The Celtics have fallen out of groove a bit. They need to make some adjustments, refocus, and get back on track. Every team is forced to do this throughout an 82 game season.
For the absence of some other intangibles I’ve noticed the past couple games; I’ll leave that to Perkins, Doc, and Ray Allen. These quotes were taken from Steve Bulpet’s article in the Boston Herald today.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1066384
From Kendrick Perkins:
“I just think we need to all go back to what our roles are and stick to them… You know what I mean? I think guys have been getting outside their body in what they do. We’ve all got to realize what got us playing time and what made us successful as a team… We’ve all got to know that we’re going through Paul (Pierce), Ray (Allen) and KG (Kevin Garnett). If we get shots off of them, that’s fine. But as far as us trying to create shots on our own, I’ve just seen too much of that. I just think we’ve got to clean it up.”
“We beat ourselves in that game…That’s what that was. I think people just have to look at themselves in the mirror and see how we need to get better, and the rest will take care of itself…But we’re 30-5 right now, so there ain’t no reason for anybody to hang their heads.”
Lastly and most importantly, the Celtics intensity has fallen off a notch and needs to be jacked up again. I have seen great intensity from certain individuals in the past couple games. But I have not seen great intensity from the team as one single unit out on the court. The Boston Celtics need to get back to being an intensely focused team in sync with one another. If they do that, I suspect many of the statistical gaps I have mentioned above will return to their normal levels.
Bottom line is there is nothing to worry about here. Not yet. We’re 30-5. The Celtics have fallen out of groove a bit. They need to make some adjustments, refocus, and get back on track. Every team is forced to do this throughout an 82 game season.
For the absence of some other intangibles I’ve noticed the past couple games; I’ll leave that to Perkins, Doc, and Ray Allen. These quotes were taken from Steve Bulpet’s article in the Boston Herald today.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1066384
From Kendrick Perkins:
“I just think we need to all go back to what our roles are and stick to them… You know what I mean? I think guys have been getting outside their body in what they do. We’ve all got to realize what got us playing time and what made us successful as a team… We’ve all got to know that we’re going through Paul (Pierce), Ray (Allen) and KG (Kevin Garnett). If we get shots off of them, that’s fine. But as far as us trying to create shots on our own, I’ve just seen too much of that. I just think we’ve got to clean it up.”
“We beat ourselves in that game…That’s what that was. I think people just have to look at themselves in the mirror and see how we need to get better, and the rest will take care of itself…But we’re 30-5 right now, so there ain’t no reason for anybody to hang their heads.”
From Steve Bulpett:
“Hidden amid defensive and rebounding issues is the fact that the Celts have averaged just 84.8 points in their last four games, well below their season average of 98.7.”
From Ray Allen:
“It’s one thing for us to play defense, but you’ve got to carry the offense with you,” “And we haven’t been scoring points, so we’ve got to get our flow back. I don’t know what it is, but it’s something that we have to pick up. All of us.”
From Ray Allen on losing:
“It can balance you out,” he said. “As much as you don’t like to do it, losing does balance you out and it forces you to every small little detail. When you win, sometimes you let small things slip.”
From Doc Rivers:
Steve Bulpett wrote: “According to coach Doc Rivers, the concepts Perkins is preaching are not new to the lesson plan…”
“That’s something we always talk about,” the coach said. “As long as we stay with who we are, we’re good. That’s what I talk about every day. That’s staying who we are as a team and as individuals who are part of a team.”
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