Celtic Frontline The Problem

As we Celtic fans review Bostons games up to this point, can we agree that the frontline is the cause of the majority of Celtic problems? From lack of rebounding to lack of player movement to lack of ball movement to lack of weakside help to an inordinate number of turnovers - isn't our frontline of Pierce, Perkins, Garnett, and Wallace (regardless of the reasons) the Celtics' biggest disappointment? Add to that Williams and Davis play and it is hard to be feel confident in improved play.

I know, backup point guard is also a problem, but Ainge sure hasn't tried very hard to fill it. There have been plenty of opportunities to move someone in there. Ainge seems to be satisfied with the play of Rondo and Ray Allen. Ray is playing more minutes than anyone would have projected!

The frontline is another story. I feel at least 2 of them will be gone next season. The Celtics must get younger and more athletic. They MUST run more. Especially after the free agent dust settles, and most East teams come out of this improved.

Were I general manager, only Garnett would remain. The lateral effectiveness of our frontline has become a defensive liability. Not one of our frontline goes to the basket with consistent authority, except Pierce (and he has definately lost at least one step). Rebounding (or lack of it) has become almost an embarrassment. Only Garnett is an effective passer. There is not enough quickness to get to loose balls. In the 2nd half, movement stops, and I mostly blame the frontline.

I foresee quite a roster turnover next season. If not the Celtics may have to scramble to make playoffs!

SD give them a chance to get healthy,if by 10 games after the all star break and its proven they can't get healthy,then we'll all be dumbfounded and really worried.....the good news is didn't see KG limping at all in his brief all star appearence and he actually had a nice turnaround right in Duncans face.I've been as frustrated as anybody,but there is still hope.

Since we posted here last, the Celtics have aquired Nate Robinson for back-up point guard and #2 back-up. I am fine with that, but disappointed with no change on frontline. Our frontline have VERY LITTLE lateral movement - the weakside help is almost non-existent, especially with Wallace in the game.

Today against the Nuggets, the frontline is HORRIBLE again. Ainge is probably going to go with this unit, and let them hang themselves the rest of the season. It will make his off-season decisions much easier. The fans will be a whole lot more receptive to changes after the Celtics 2010 failure.


The Nuggets have scored 37 points against the Celtics the 1st quarter today. Absolutely no defensive pressure. Any team with quick, offensive pressure embarrasses the Celtic frontline. I suggest against these teams the Celtics play ZONE and box out. It couldn't be worse than watching all these scores in the paint, and so little defensive rebounding.

Paul Pierce looks absolutely slower every game I see him play. His rebounding is becoming very little and his scoring, assists, and turnovers are a problem.

Ray Allen keeps playing this way, and we had better trade Pierce, not Allen. Ray has looked GREAT since the allstar break.

Again, the bench is outplaying the stodgy starter frontline.

sdcelt

you still watching? Little different now and it's the front line's d that brought us back

Still watching Jeb, frontline still not playing well. Very little defensive help. We drive and get our shots blocked; they drive and get baskets or foul shots. Denver has 13+ offensive rebounds.

101 points with over 5 minutes left for Denver, and you are telling me frontline is playing well? The frontline is not moving on defense. Period. They are too old; too slow; not athletic enough against athletic teams.

Nothing has changed, and won't. I have suggested getting an athletic frontline player with length, evidently Ainge is going to wait for off season. He will catch a lot less flack from fans who can't see the forest for the trees!

wow. uhh ok.

When someone says Ainge is going to go with this group and let them hang themselves, I find that either ridiculous, or insulting to the point of disgust. If that were the case, why would he even have the nerve to adopt that philosophy with the ticket prices they charge the fans. If Ainge wasn't spending every waking moment trying to improve this club, he should be skinned alive-No Joke! I don't mind losing to the Nuggets, they know Karl has cancer, and if it winds up being terminal, they want to send him to heaven with an NBA title!-Pierce was terrible today-No lift at all!-MD.

wow. uh. ok.

how drunk am I? this thread does not make sense.

swede

Frontline looked pretty stiff to me last 4 games...specialy the last 3.

Is it the problem though?

KG is looking a lot better the last couple of games and perkins is usually perkins.

Pierce will step up when he is healthy and I for some reason have plenty of trust in Sheed.

But yeah I guess Rondo is delivering NOW, I just aint that worried about the frontline for the playoffs (if they are healthy)

swede i meant stiff as in tough!

Oh sorry, I thought you meant stiff as in uhhh I dunno. Some kind of english word (as in limey) meaning like that they SUCK

i thought kg and perk were amazing on d out west. I am so happy to see kg rounding into form. I must admit I had lost hope in him...

I thought sheed turned in some good defensive work out west too. And Glen...hell the whole fornt line. PP was great on d.

The Nuggets' starting frontline ourebounded Celtics' frontline 24 to 12; outoffensive rebounded the Celtics starters 8 to 3; outscored the Celtics starters 51 to 34; out free throwed the Celtics starters 19 to 6.

Is this really something to hang our hat on? Never used to be. This type of performance will not get it done. It has probably been quite some time since the Nuggets' frontline so obviously outplayed the Celtics. In their last game, Washington beat the Nuggets.

OK?

sdcelt

the nuggs beat the cavs in cleveland. They beat the lakers twice handily. They are a serious threat to go to the finals. Did you watch the other three games of a very impressive road swing?

Your gloom and doom is unjustified this time. Period. The Celtics showed epic heart today coming back and never quitting.

sdceltfan wrote:The Nuggets' starting frontline ourebounded Celtics' frontline 24 to 12; outoffensive rebounded the Celtics starters 8 to 3; outscored the Celtics starters 51 to 34; out free throwed the Celtics starters 19 to 6.

Is this really something to hang our hat on? Never used to be. This type of performance will not get it done. It has probably been quite some time since the Nuggets' frontline so obviously outplayed the Celtics. In their last game, Washington beat the Nuggets.

OK?

Two games ago, the Nuggets beat the Cavs. Three games ago, they lost to the Spurs. Before that, they won vs. the Mavs. The Nuggets play Golden State next and then Detroit after them.

The Nuggets will probably lose to GS and beat the Pistons...

What was the question?

Out here in South Dakota its called reality, Jeb. At least my analysis of the Celtics is consistent. Your analysis is up and down and all around, depending on what opponent or game is played.

yup sd your consistent.

And I grew up in east TN pal so your aw shucks south dakota crap dont really do much for me.

Please be cool, guys.

Thanks,

Sam

copy that

It is obvious there is a problem and the tale of the tape shows that we are next to last in overall rebounding and last in offensive RBing. It something management will address in July certainly not now, the team as it sands is written into stone for this year. Perhaps the team will be repositioned next year regardless of a Title in June. Why?

By signing Rondo to a 5 year deal, Ainge has to know that he is a run and gun player and he has to rebuild the team to complement his speed. July and August should be fun to watch.

112288

Pierce is banged up and still played great D on Melo,KG is making strides,but may never rebound like the KG of his heyday.We're playing better,3-1 on this trip is alot better than many thought we would do.The biggest factor in this game was perimeter D as JR Smith went off for 14 points in 4th quarter finishing with 6 3's made.....THAT was the difference in this game

You cant get down by 20 to a quality team and expect to win.

The Celtics made a gallant effort to get back in the game, but by that point they had spent all their energy with the come back...and when JR Smith got hot, it was over.

I see glimmers of positives - KG looks a lot better. Ray Allen is on a mission since the trade deadline came and went. Davis and Daniels have been playing hard and hustling. TA is playing very very strong defense, and playing aggressive while he is out there.

If Robinson can add a spark, and Pierce continues to get healthier - this team is going to be right back in the thick of it.

Against the Knicks, the Celtics' frontline was outscored 78 to 60.

The Celtics dished out 30+ assists for the 2nd time without Pierce in lineup. 34 assists tonite. Evident that Pierce presence on the floor slows player and ball movement.

Evident, too, that Pierce' defense was missed.

Just a couple of interesting trends that continue to develop!!