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October 4, 2008
Celtics' Defense: A Game of Inches?
Do the Celtics have any weaknesses?
The team’s march to the Championship culminating in the Burning of Los Angeles and the thrashing defeat of arch nemesis Phil Jackson for their posthumous leader Red Auerbach was poetic justice. The statistical records of the carnage were profiled in my last article. That Celtic team will have a unique place in NBA history.
We witnessed what ‘being on a mission’ versus merely ‘plying your vocation’ looked like.
Ah, but wait just a moment. Even the strongest dams could spring leaks from tiny fractures. So it is with a 'close to unbeatable' team.
Where are Boston’s possible stress fractures?
A few less-than-impressive stats were discovered when sifting through the numbers.
To be sure, most of the problems the Celtics experienced were of their own making. They simply did not consistently do what they could have/should have done to win every game. But come on, let’s give them a break. Energy and focus do have limits even for teams led by ‘hyper adrenaline’ types like Kevin Garnett.
I’ve already mentioned that. But there are a few stats that suggest a less invincible team in a few ways. Are they potential leaks in the dam?
Areas in question:
Turnovers
When the Celtics kicked open the starting gate and jumped ahead of the pack, they were a bit sloppy with the ball. The team never completely shook a penchant for turnovers.
Their passing could be erratic. That can happen when new players come together. They were close to the league leaders (16 per) in turnovers early on and stayed near there. They finished at 7th worst with 14.4 per game. Getting double digit steals early in the season helped compensate for an offensive unit that was learning to play with each other.
Just taking care of the ball more reduces opportunities for the other team. In that respect, mistake proof offense is good defense. While they were great at causing turnovers, they would return the favor at the other end.
Paul Pierce led with 2.8 per game. But Paul’s turnovers per game is moving in the right direction. He’s gone down (3.5, 3.2, 2.8) in each of the last three seasons. His improvement was even noticeable as last season moved along. An excellent passer throughout his career, he would often uncork one or two ‘head scratchers’ per game. He actually eliminated that trait as the year went on.
Post Play – both ways
So, is there kryptonite in the Justice League of America’s post play?
Here’s a portion of another article I did that suggests so…
12 percent of Celtic inside shots (tied for fourth-worst) were blocked during the regular season. Only Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas had a higher percentage blocked. That is not good company. But I wouldn't break up the team because of it.
And this from the same article…
….the Celtics were the 18th-worst post defense (.602 percent allowed). I didn’t think the Celtics would 18th worst in anything defensively last season. Eye opening. But even this number is deceiving. The Celtics were the league’s No. 1 stingiest with inside shots allowed per game—29 percent tied with the Spurs. And they are allowed the 3rd least inside points in the league.
But the Celtics were also tied for 18th worst pct. (10%) of inside shots blocked.
So how do you reconcile those conflicting numbers?
Three things:
1) If they knew that was not a strength, and they probably did, they covered it up well by not allowing a high pct. of inside shots.
2) It is a matter of inches, I would say. Undersized Posey, Powe, Davis and even long, tall PJ Brown were not as capable as Perkins was in shot defense at the rim.
3) So, I would guess the problems occurred mostly when Perkins was out. Perkins was Kevin Garnett’s best friend and a defensive force in the middle all year long.
If the driving player got deep into the interior defense, life was a bit easier at the rim for them. The Celtics compensated for a lack of height by doing an excellent job of keeping or pushing the offensive players out.
The Celtics were tied for 2nd lowest amount (49%) of ‘assisted inside shots’. That suggests
excellence at defending the post pass. But once in deep, the Celtic defense was less effective.
I don’t have a break down by player or unit on the floor. But I suspect the numbers were worse with Kendrick Perkins off the floor.
Everyone knows that the Celtics' bench was height challenged at power forward or center. Even long, tall PJ Brown won't play D like Perkins. Powe and Davis are both excellent players, but in the NBA, there is no substitute for skilled height near the rim.
On the offensive end, the Celtics were a mortal 10th best in FG accuracy inside at .613% Is that Kryptonite I’m seeing? Hey, there’s no big news there.
According to NBA Live stats, KG does not camp inside, though he is a monster (66%) when he does. Perkins is accurate (.638%) but doesn’t shoot much, and Rondo shoots 54%, but it could be better. He gets blocked or misses at the rim a bit too much. Eddie House finishes poorly(.343%). Davis could improve at the rim for a big (54%). Ray is at 54%, Pierce is at 57%.
Add to that - defenses will sag off Celtic non shooters. That makes it more difficult in or near the middle for the guys who can score.
So, there are things for the Green Machine to work on.
The most important thing to remember is if the Celtics can generate a similar defensive effort this season as last, these numbers are just not that critical. Their defense will more than make up for any deficiencies they may have on the other end. Just like last season.
But it is good to look at both sides from time to time, isn’t it?
Posted by Tom on October 4, 2008 12:45 PM
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Comments
You stated: "If the driving player got deep into the interior defense, life was a bit easier at the rim for them. The Celtics compensated for a lack of height by doing an excellent job of keeping or pushing the offensive players out."
I believe Danny boy has already addressed this issue with the signing of Patrick O'Brien. i saw Real trianing Camp the other night they featured the celtics and the man can block shots.
So now the 2nd units defense has gotten that much better. Oh by the way we have a bench that we can and will develop. We have Pierce's replacement in Bill 'Sky' Walker. he is a beast! think Pierce with athleticism. If Giddens pans out 'he of the sweet stroke'; he will be Sugar Rays replacement. point guard and Center are taken care off. We just need a replacement for KG. Leon and Big Baby are nice backups but that is the only area we lack length. And I believve 'trader' Danny is probably working on that issue right now. i think Big Baby & Scal are gone to get the young veteran presence we need at the 4 spot.
Remember Detroit is in a similar situation at the 4 spot. They are starting Amir Johnson over Jason Maxiell. Why? Length.
Posted by: hoopzmaiden at October 6, 2008 6:51 PM
Well, that is some positive thinking there hoopzmaiden.
If it turns out that way, the team's in great shape.
While O'Bryant can indeed block shots, can he jump out and rotate back quickly defensively?
The Celtics' defense requires that of their centers. That question is unanswered as of this moment. That Danny has said that POB has looked good is encouraging.
Good point about Detroit. Both Amir and Kwame give them some length that they needed last season.
Amir has the edge right now because he is doing all the James Posey type stuff.
Danny has admitted he has had a number of conversations regarding players. We will have to see if something happens.
Thanks for the thoughts.
T
Posted by: Tom Halzack at October 6, 2008 9:15 PM
