I think what we are seeing with this team proves how valuable Smart is. That intensity level just hasn't been there. Also a bit of a reminder that the J's are young and still growing into being true superstars.
The defense was still not very good when Marcus was healthy. He obviously makes any team better defensively because he’s so good on that end, but I think Celtics fans overrate his value a bit. He won’t make any defense good by himself, not the way that KG did at least.
It really comes down to this team not having enough talent at the moment. Danny needs to upgrade this roster, and it would be a disaster if he waited until the offseason to do so.
Kemba was definitely hobbled in the playoffs last year. He was healthy enough to play, but it was clear during many of his drives that the burst wasn’t there (at least not every night).
It doesn’t sound like health is an issue for him right now - he’s just not performing.
Can Kemba push the ball? I would think he could but why isn't he? Reading all your posts does make me think Kemba could be the answer for points with the second unit. I think I would like to see more of PP with the J's and let Kemba be a force off the bench when PP comes back. One of the 3 Tatum, Brown or Kemba alwyas needs to be on the floor with the 2's so maybe Kemba is the best suited for that.
As for Thompson, he isn't great but he does enough of what you need at that position quietly to be more effective than it seems. Robert W is certainly looking like the future and hopefully by the playoffs he has established himself a little more but he is still a bit inconsistent. Game needs to slow down for him but I do love his passing and his offense has a pretty decent ceiling and a lot of room to grow.
I think with Romeo coming back and the trade EX, this team will look different as the yr goes on.
There is a 0% chance Kemba is coming off the bench. Maybe even lower.
Heart of the defense, sure, but I think this is overstating Marcus’ importance. He’s a good player and a great defender, but he needs to live in the 8-10 shots per game range. Marcus is actually a very good passer when he wants to be and a competent shooter, but he insists on taking 2-4 bad shots per game.
I don’t disagree with anything you say as far as him as a player goes, I just think he’s also the veteran leader of this young group of core players and his intensity is something that would be missed. Kind of like Perkins in that regard in that we may not entirely appreciate him until he’s not here. I think a lot of what he does gets lost in his occasional 3-14 shooting games. He’s got intangibles.I think it’s rare to find a hyper-competitor like him and would really only move him in a package for a star
Makes sense to me. I also think he’s one of those “strange” players in terms of skillsets that would make it tough to get fair value for him.
Also Marcus is the heartbeat of the team, you don’t deal him unless you’re getting a bonafide all star back.
I don’t get the people thinking he was a problem this game. 20 points and 7 dimes on 7 of 17 shooting, 2 of 5 from 3. Everybody outside Jaylen/Marcus/Kemba had bad games. Also while Thompson had a bad game I don’t think he washed. Teague yes.
Heart of the defense, sure, but I think this is overstating Marcus’ importance. He’s a good player and a great defender, but he needs to live in the 8-10 shots per game range. Marcus is actually a very good passer when he wants to be and a competent shooter, but he insists on taking 2-4 bad shots per game.
The thing I loved about this game: Jaylen said get out of my way and give me the ball. When they lost against the Knicks, you had Kemba and Marcus shooting like they did last night, yet Jaylen deferred and only scored 21. Tonight, he took over.
IT’S NOT A MISTAKE that this team is 0-3 since Kemba came back. He is a total liability on defense, he’s too small and lacks explosiveness and isn’t a great playmaker. So if he’s not shooting well, he’s just a minus. I like him a lot as a player and a teammate and a person, I just don’t love what he brings to this team. He shows up and is allowed to 1 for 8 from three and everyone starts blaming Danny for how bad the Tristan Thompson signing was because he can’t stop modern day Shaq. Give me a freaking break.
I think the Celtics would be better off giving some of Kemba and Smart’s minutes to Pritchard. (Not saying this would happen). Such a bulldog on defense, can play with or without the ball and complements Jayson and Jaylen far better than a point guard whose only real calling card is pick and roll and isolation scoring. Also, fwiw, he’s probably a better shooter than Kemba.
I think Kemba’s ultimate value would be as a 20 ppg 6th man. When the offense stagnants, have Kemba come in and mix things up. That would keep him fresh and prevent him from taking away more efficient touches from your stars.
Lol, the Kemba slander is getting absurd. They’re a better team when he’s out there, even with his defensive deficiencies.
I am so so tired of Theis’ incessant whining. Yes, he gets a tough whistle, but complaining about literally every call (including blatant ones) is not helping.
This team is playing like clowns this quarter. Get the ball to Jaylen and get out of the way.