We often wonder what opposing teams, their beat reporters and bloggers are saying about the Celtics. Here’s a look at some enemy chatter from Atlanta.
Coming into the series, the feeling here was that the Celtics could hang close so long as they revved the tempo and made shots and defended like crazy. That formula — on Saturday, they made shots late if not early — nearly stole Game 1. Now it feels as if that might have been a one-off.
The Celtics shoot a slew of 3-pointers — they were 11th in attempts over the regular season — because they’re small. They’re also bad shooters. They ranked 28th among the league’s 30 teams in 3-point percentage. In this series, they’re 16 for 63, which is 25.4 percent, which is awful. Crowder has missed nine of his 11 treys, which makes you think he should stop shooting. But what’s the alternative?
Add it up — no low-post game, their best 3-point shooter (Bradley) gone for the series, their depth depleted to its nub — and there’s not much the Celtics can do except defend and hope the Hawks miss. The Hawks missed 50 of 82 shots Tuesday and won by 17 points. Figure Game 3 will be tougher, given that it’s in Boston, but even a parquet floor mightn’t be enough to close this sudden manpower gap. And if the Hawks win Game 3, there probably won’t be a Game 5.
Props to the Hawks media for keeping things in perspective. There’s not much chest thumping or self-fellating in Atlanta. Just rational analysis.
If the Celtics were up 2-0, I’m not sure Boston media and bloggers would be doing the same.
I’m not going to lie, last night’s loss took a chunk out of my soul. I can only hope the shots start falling when the Cs return to the Garden.
