It has to look higher than this, extra typically than this.
It is going to be higher. Mathematically, it needs to 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 routinely be higher. However in Boston, we’re not on the lookout for computerized; this crew is meant to be greater than that.
I assumed we have been within the clear. The back-to-back losses to the Magic and 76ers appeared dangerous, however then the Celtics introduced the hammer down on Indiana with a thirty-seven-point bludgeoning. No Kristaps Porzingis, no Jrue Vacation and dealing with a totally wholesome Pacers crew? No drawback. 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 of calling the Nationwide Guard. There have been cute bursts of vitality and proof of the Celtics’ superior physicality to their scrawny Indiana adversaries, however nothing convincing. Nothing signature. Nothing that makes me assume Banner 19 is definitely within the playing cards.
What is that this crew attempting to do? Drunkenly stumble towards a mediocre 54-28 report and be four-point house 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 vitality.
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 Japanese Convention, as they have been for the primary two months of the season?
If I used to be pressured to take away my panic hat and reply all of these questions logically, I might say… most likely not, most likely sure, and nonetheless sure. All of this may 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 will probably’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 unsure what this crew is attempting to drag meandering round towards skinny two-guards that must 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 onerous to steadiness offense and protection in a five-man lineup when Pritchard must play half-hour to get us to 110 factors, however in the event you’re not going to get a cease for a complete half, there must be clawing and biting, not confused, inconsistent sliding.
Once you’re attempting to drag off a title protection, above-averageness culminating in a good three seed is just not going to fly. It’s a lot more durable than successful the primary one. It’s inconceivable to get that dire, life-or-death feeling that pushed everybody to their maximums a yr in the past again. However the Japanese Convention smells blood within the water and a crew that, with a couple of nagging accidents, has misplaced its world-destroying identification. They have to get that again, they usually should make it look nearly as good as it will probably presumably be. As a result of proper now, they aren’t scaring anybody.
