Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
That’s why he (Isaiah Thomas) ranks among the league leaders in free throw attempts per game (8.8, 7th in the league) which is fueled by him being a high-volume driver.
Thomas averages 14.1 drives per game which is second only to Miami’s Goran Dragic (14.4) in that category. And then there’s a huge Mount Kilimanjaro-like drop-off before you find another Celtic ranked among the NBA’s top drivers.
Next up for Boston when it comes to penetration is Avery Bradley whose 3.6 drives per game ranks 96th in the league. Marcus Smart (3.1 drives) and Terry Rozier (2.5) are next on the drive chart, coming in at No. 110 and 135, respectively, in the NBA.
And when those guys drive, they’re often looking to dish to a teammate for an open jumper or relatively open 3-point attempt. So you have combination of guys who don’t drive the ball a lot and when they do, they’re more likely to pass than shoot the ball or draw contact for a foul.
Sherrod Blakely reminds us this morning why the Celtics rank 26th in the NBA in FT attempts per game (20.3). It’s not the result of a league conspiracy (and least not this season). It’s the system.
The Celtics are a drive-and-kick team. They get into the paint and then work the ball around the perimeter for an open shot. It’s simple and it’s working. The Cs are 9th in offensive efficiency and 2nd in assists per game.
But where this system bites them in the ass is the final minutes of a close game. They’re not capable of getting easy buckets when teams crank up the defense. And they don’t have that superstar who on any given possession can essentially say – I’m getting to the line.
One stat that continues to alarm me is three-point FGA. The Celts jack up 31.2 3 FGA per game, good for 5th in the league. They do make their fair share (36% which is 11th). But… there are many moments when this team gets 3-point happy (see 42 attempts vs Toronto). They spot up for bombs when a 17-footer would do. Maybe it’s a mentality that’s hard to turn off. Maybe I’m just an old cranky dude who will always see value in the mid-range game.
On Page 2, Marcus Smart’s shooting numbers remain ugly.
Though he has made strides in his intermediate game, the three staples of efficient scoring (layups, drawn free throws, and made 3-pointers) remain huge issues for the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder. Now in his third year, it’s fair to start wondering (or continue wondering, I guess) whether he will ever figure out ways to overcome those deficiencies — and whether his flaws will doom him forever to life as a deeply flawed scorer. Despite adding to his low-post repertoire and improving on his floaters, Smart is on pace for the worst true shooting percentage of his career, which is stunning because there wasn’t far for him to drop. He just hasn’t learned how to achieve separation at the rim or knock down shots at a reasonable rate.
Smart’s shooting 37% from the field and 29% from 3. Those averages are slightly better than last season but nothing to write home about.
As Jay King writes, Smart brings a lot to the table and the Celtics are better with him on the floor (those defensive numbers are ridiculous). But at some point, his lack of offensive efficiency needs to be addressed or accepted.
Eventually (and I realize he’s only 22), Marcus might need to change his mentality and become a Tony Allen type player. A defensive stopper who acknowledges his offensive limitations and plays accordingly.
In 5 of his 6 seasons in Boston, Allen shot better than 47%. 47%!!
The rest of the links
CSNNE – Rozier continues to limit mistakes | Mannix: No star player involved in trade talks, for now
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