Category: Audio/Video

Why are the Boston Celtics so bad at scoring on a zone defense?

Is the fault with the players, the coaching staff, or a mixture of the two?

Why are the Boston Celtics so bad at scoring on a zone defense?

The Miami Heat’s effective use of zone defense led to their victory over the Celtics in the 2023 NBA playoffs despite Boston being far and away the more talented team on paper. But games are not played on paper, and in the real world, the Celtics struggled to attack the zone and lacked urgency in their offensive plays.

The Heat’s defensive rotations and pressure caused problems for the Celtics. Boston’s inside ball screens and player positioning were ineffective against the Heat’s defense. The Celtics failed to exploit weaknesses in the zone and lacked a cohesive offensive strategy. The coaching staff was unable to adjust and find successful ways to attack the zone throughout the series.

Is the fault with the players, the coaching staff or a mix of the two?

The folks behind the B-Ball Breakdown YouTube channel did their best to answer that question in a recent video.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear their conclusions!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Who are the Boston Celtics who are most likely to be traded?

The Boston Celtics may consider trading certain players to create some breathing room for the team under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement.

The Boston Celtics may consider trading certain players to create some breathing room for the team under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement that was designed to be especially onerous for pricier rosters like Boston’s in recent seasons.

Forward Grant Williams and guard Payton Pritchard are potential candidates to be moved, especially given the front office clearly values Grant Williams more than Joe Mazzulla does. Veteran guard Marcus Smart is a crucial player and the heart of the team in many people’s eyes, but perhaps even he might not be a lock to be with the team in the fall. 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon could be traded as well depending on the direction taken by the team’s management and ownership.

The hosts of the Athletic “NBA Show” podcast convened on a recent episode to discuss what they think might happen to the team’s roster before next season.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they think the Celtics ought to do in light of the new CBA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce on the path to true contention for the Boston Celtics

Amidst plent of opinions, these two offer up a pair of them on how to hang another banner in Boston that should carry more weight than most.

The Boston Celtics’ exit against the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals was disappointing due to their lack of energy and adjustments in key games of the series despite the stakes being as high as they were.

Beating a team four straight times is very difficult at any stage of the postseason and even more so three rounds into the playoffs, and the Celtics didn’t come prepared with a strong mentality.

The storied club needs to evaluate its weaknesses more thoroughly and improve itself to have a better shot at hanging another banner in Boston.

How the Celtics ought to accomplish all of the above has been a theme of considerable debate almost from the moment the final buzzer sounded for Game 7 of the conference final.

Boston Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce sat down on a recent episode of the “Ticket and the Truth” podcast to talk it over.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear they conclusions these two Celtics giants came to.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What should the Boston Celtics do with Jaylen Brown? Eddie House dismisses trade machine ideas

House disagrees with trading Brown for uncertain draft picks and believes coaching can help maximize his effectiveness.

There have been a surprising number of fans and analysts advocating for trading star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown for all sorts of packages after a rough 2023 Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat, but former Celtics and current broadcaster Eddie House is not among them.

In a recent appearance on the NBC Sports Boston “Early Edition” show, House dismisses trade ideas for Brown and emphasizes his value to the Celtics. He suggested the Georgia native should not be constantly singled out for criticism and trade talks because fellow star wing Jayson Tatum also had ups and downs last season. House disagrees with trading Brown for uncertain draft picks and believes coaching can help maximize his effectiveness by designing plays that suit his strengths.

To hear his reasoning for yourself, be sure to take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Gary Washburn’s Boston Celtics blame pie

Where should we apportion blame for the Boston Celtics’ early exit from the 2023 NBA playoffs?

Where should we apportion blame for the Boston Celtics‘ early exit from the 2023 NBA playoffs?

On the latest episode of the CLNS Media “A List” podcast, the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn dished some Boston blame pie of his own after the Celtics’ Eastern Conference finals exit against the Miami Heat.

“He’s got to step his game up,” Washburn said about star forward Jaylen Brown. “He’s got to get to that next level. The ball handling can’t be your primary weakness anymore. Like, it just can’t happen.”

The Globe reporter also had words for President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens.

“I blame Brad for again having a bunch of guys on the roster who … just don’t play and can’t play in the playoffs. That was the problem last year.

“I’m going to blame (head coach Joe) Mazzulla for a lack of adjustments, (and) that stubbornness. I feel like … the stubborn act is old, OK? You’re getting lapped.”

Take a look at the clip embedded above for all of the slices of Washburn’s blame pie.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Bobby Marks’ 2023 offseason primer for the Boston Celtics

To get Marks’ view on what might be in the works for the Celtics this offseason and beyond, check out this video.

The Boston Celtics have tough decisions to make after losing to the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA playoffs despite coming back from a 3-0 series deficit in the 2023 East finals. The team has several questions to address in the offseason, including the future of head coach Joe Mazzulla and potential changes to the roster.

Key players Jaylen Brown and Grant Williams have contract decisions to make, and the Celtics must navigate financial restrictions while trying to build a competitive team. Brown is eligible for a supermax contract, and the team needs to decide whether to offer it or to try and negotiate a lower deal.

Financial restrictions and new collective bargaining agreement rules will affect the team’s ability to add complementary pieces to the roster, all of which were recently topics of discussion in a clip produced by ESPN NBA salary cap expert Bobby Marks.

To get Marks’ view on what might be in the works for the Celtics this offseason and beyond, check out this clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Sam Cassell as a Boston Celtics assistant coach? Paul Pierce wants to see it happen

“You can’t keep bringing in new voices,” suggested Pierce.

You can officially add Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce to the ranks of those who do not want the Celtics to fire Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla.

“You can’t keep bringing in new voices,” suggested Pierce on a recent episode of the Showtime Basketball “Ticket and the Truth” podcast (h/t MassLive’s Brian Robb).

“I’m going to add to what I’ve got right now — I’ve got to add to it,” he continued. “It’s already good! I’ve got to add to it. It’s already there. So, I’m bringing Mazzulla back, but maybe I’m bringing in a veteran coach, like Sam Cassell.

“Some influence on the bench, respect, a champion, (has) been a coach, (and) understands what it takes,” added The Truth.

Cassell, for his part, has been a hot name in recent head coaching searches himself, but he could be on the way out in Philadelphia in the aftermath of the Doc Rivers era ending.

Adding him and, perhaps, former Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas to Mazzulla’s bench before they are snapped up by other organizations ought to be a top priority for Boston this offseason.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Now is not the time to split up Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst makes his case that the Jays should stay together.

While there has been no shortage of people suggesting the Boston Celtics need to make big changes to their team, including moving at least one of star wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, there are plenty of advocates for a less intense response to Boston’s postseason shortcomings.

Among them is ESPN senior writer Brian Windhorst, who recently shared thoughts to this effect on the network’s “Get Up!” show. Breaking up Tatum and Brown is not a good idea due to their potential and trade market value, per Windorst, and the Celtics should focus on improving their coaching staff and surrounding the duo with complementary players.

In his mind, the Celtics have a talented roster and should not be in a rush to make drastic changes.

To hear the finer points of his arguments supporting these perspectives, check out the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown hit their ceiling with the Boston Celtics?

The Celtics may need to add complementary pieces to maximize the duo’s potential.

Have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown hit their ceiling with the Boston Celtics?

The Celtics may need to add complementary pieces to maximize the duo’s potential. Combining savvy signings and internal development from players such as Robert Williams III would benefit the team considerably as Boston tries to navigate the new collective bargaining agreement’s pressure on its roster.

With the new CBA, the financial implications of paying two players such a significant amount of the cap via two likely supermax contracts should be considered as well. Especially given a mistake could prove especially costly under the league’s new cap regime.

Ex-NBAer and host of the “Old Man and the Three” podcast JJ Redick recently appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” to talk about the potential for the Jays in the future.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear his opinion on how Boston ought to be building around them moving forward.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What the Boston Celtics need to to do get over the title hump

The addition of more capable bench players and veteran assistants may help, but the burden lies on Tatum and Brown to elevate their games.

The Boston Celtics need to make changes to improve their chances of winning a title in the NBA’s 2023-24 season. One key factor is the improvement of head coach Joe Mazulla, who did well managing the team but has room for growth and desperately needs a better bench staff behind him with so many departing assistants the last two offseasons and more departures pending this year.

The improved performance of their best players, particularly Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, is crucial to future success as well. They must improve their decision-making, patience and ability to adapt against strong opposing defenses who know their weaknesses. The team’s salary commitments to Tatum and Brown will make it challenging to maintain a strong supporting cast, so their individual development becomes even more important.

The addition of more capable bench players and veteran assistants may help, but the burden lies on Tatum and Brown to elevate their games.

The folks at the Athletic “NBA Show” recently gave their opinions on all of the above; check out the clip to hear their thoughts on what it will take for the Celtics to rule the roost in 2024.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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