Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
One of the biggest keys for Sullinger and Olynyk in establishing themselves as a sustainable frontcourt tandem is learning to work together at both ends of the floor. That’s a task in progress, though it’s fair to say the offensive side is well ahead of the defensive end.
It’s hard to fault the two undersized bigs for struggling to contain Gasol and Randolph, who are tough matchups for the league’s top frontcourts…
Boston’s guards continue to be indifferent in detouring opposing ball handlers from getting to where they want to go, and that’s creating cracks in the Boston defense that a team like Memphis is going to exploit.
Again, we go back to effort. Playing inspired defense is a choice, and Boston seems ambivalent about the cause at the moment. Boston is now allowing 107.9 points per 100 possessions, the fifth-worst mark in the league.
I’ll preface this commentary by saying I didn’t watch a second of last night’s game, but it seems clear the Celtics bigs are getting a pass for the turnstile defensive effort in Memphis. It’s justified because the talent and experience gap between Marc Gasol/Zach Randolph and Kelly Olynyk/Jared Sullinger is immense.
But what the hell is wrong with the backcourt? Yes, the Celtics are minus one-third of the Cerberus because of Marcus Smart’s ankle injury.
But the fully healthy Rajon Rondo was an offensive and defensive no-show last night. Maybe some of that Memphis flu made it’s way into Rondo’s system.
While I don’t have stats to back up this claim, my eyes tell me that Avery Bradley’s defensive effectiveness is down significantly. Is he too focused on his offense? Is there some complacency brought on by the comfort of a 4 year, $32 million contract?
I’m baffled by this team’s effectiveness on offensive and incompetence on defense. Bottom 5 in the key defensive categories? I wasn’t expecting to see teams suffocated like we saw in 2008 Celtics but this is ridiculous. With a sustained effort, the Celtics should be at least middle of the pack on defense.
Related: CSNNE – Grizzlies frontcourt overwhelms Celtics | C’s bigs can learn from Gasol, Randolph | Herald – No match for Memphis | Globe – Celtics can’t keep up with Grizzlies | WEEI – Terrible night for Rondo, Celtics
On Page 2, Courtney Lee is in a better place.
“I spoke with a couple of those guys (Thursday),” he said. “You know, Avery (Bradley) and Jeff (Green), those guys are my dudes.”
But in many ways, Lee is happy they’re ex-teammates. It’s nothing personal, but he was brought to Boston to be part of a veteran team. He had some struggles in 2012-13, and in that offseason, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded away, signaling the beginning of a rebuilding phase into which Lee didn’t really fit.
“It was a little different, because when you first sign there it’s one team there and you have one goal, and that’s to compete for a championship and try to make a run,” Lee said. “That didn’t happen. And the next year it’s all broken up and things change quickly. But it’s the NBA. Trades, injuries — all that stuff occurs, so you’ve just got to deal with it.”
Do you remember the Courtney Lee era (2012-13, 2013-14) in Boston?
Despite averaging nearly 8 points on 37% 3 FG, Lee was a big disappointment in that first season. He slipped into the infamous Doc Rivers dog house during the playoff series with Miami.
Oh well, good luck Courtney.
And finally, LeBron James quit on his team last night.
LeBron James lost the battle for an offensive rebound and stewed in frustration while everyone else ran downcourt, leaving his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates to defend 4-on-5 at the other end while the game was still in the balance in the fourth quarter.
The Cavaliers went the final 9 minutes without scoring a field goal in Friday night’s 91-78 loss to the Washington Wizards, a third consecutive loss and one that puts James under .500 more than 10 games into a season for the first time in six years.
Looking for reasons? Start with lack of hustle, lack of teamwork. James was slow to get back more than once in that fourth quarter, something he conceded is “never a good example” for a team leader. Asked about his team’s body language, he said flatly: “It’s not good.”
“It’s something we’ve got to work on. We understand that. It starts with me, for sure. It’s something I’ll always work on, too,” James said. “It trickles down to everyone else.”
Oh 2009 LeBron James, how I’ve missed you.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Bass adjusting to coming off bench
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