It has to look higher than this, extra usually than this.
It will likely be higher. Mathematically, it must be. The Boston Celtics have misplaced 4 of their final six video games, however they shoot sufficient threes, have sufficient expertise and play in a weak sufficient convention so that it’s going to mechanically be higher. However in Boston, we’re not on the lookout for computerized; this group is meant to be greater than that.
I believed we have been within the clear. The back-to-back losses to the Magic and 76ers seemed unhealthy, however then the Celtics introduced the hammer down on Indiana with a thirty-seven-point bludgeoning. No Kristaps Porzingis, no Jrue Vacation and going through a totally wholesome Pacers group? No downside. Signature win.
However Sunday noticed a return to ugly type, replete with wildly inaccurate three-point taking pictures from iso-ball possessions and such nonexistent protection that I thought-about calling the Nationwide Guard. There have been cute bursts of power and proof of the Celtics’ superior physicality to their scrawny Indiana adversaries, however nothing convincing. Nothing signature. Nothing that makes me suppose Banner 19 is definitely within the playing cards.
What is that this group making an attempt to do? Drunkenly stumble towards a mediocre 54-28 document and be four-point residence underdogs to the Cleveland Cavaliers within the second spherical? The Celtics’ inconsistency reeks of a post-championship meals coma, and having run out of early-season adrenaline, they’re now falling to worse groups that need it extra. That’s inexcusable.
After 4 days off, Boston simply performed six video games in ten days, and their lethargy was palpable. Their two wins — post-embarrassment obliterations of the Bulls and Pacers — felt like market corrections, whereas the losses mirrored their precise power.
Derrick White is in an actual hunch, it doesn’t matter what the field scores say; Jayson Tatum is unassertive and complaining; Payton Pritchard has been unable to summon his mojo when the Celtics want it most. And past his efforts, Boston’s bench is formally nonexistent.
These losses beg uncomfortable questions. Is the river lastly coming for Al Horford, who was 1-10 from three on Sunday? Can the Celtics plausibly make a deep playoff run lacking one, not to mention two, of their starters? Are they nonetheless the prohibitive favorites within the Jap Convention, as they have been for the primary two months of the season?
If I used to be compelled to take away my panic hat and reply all of these questions logically, I’d say… most likely not, most likely sure, and nonetheless sure. All of it will get higher, as a result of that’s merely what occurs when super-talented groups hit tough patches — simply ask the Milwaukee Bucks. However it may’t simply be higher. It has to look higher.
And that trying higher has to start out on protection, as a result of I’m undecided what this group is making an attempt to drag meandering round in opposition to skinny two-guards that needs to be getting bodied all the best way to Waltham. T.J. McConnell ought to by no means have a clear layup. Bennedict Mathurin mustn’t want one hesitation to get a clear layup. It’s arduous to stability offense and protection in a five-man lineup when Pritchard must play half-hour to get us to 110 factors, however should you’re not going to get a cease for a complete half, there needs to be clawing and biting, not confused, inconsistent sliding.
If you’re making an attempt to drag off a title protection, above-averageness culminating in a good three seed isn’t going to fly. It’s a lot more durable than profitable the primary one. It’s unimaginable to get that dire, life-or-death feeling that pushed everybody to their maximums a 12 months in the past again. However the Jap Convention smells blood within the water and a group that, with just a few nagging accidents, has misplaced its world-destroying id. They need to get that again, and so they should make it look pretty much as good as it may probably be. As a result of proper now, they aren’t scaring anybody.
