This Horse won’t die, so I’ll keep beating it
I hate beating this dead horse, but I listened to The Simple Minds Sports Show episode from last week and their guest set me off. I called the Celtics dumb, front running, pussies after they blew a 19 point lead to the Cavs in a loss and then almost did it again a week later to a Giannis-less Bucks team. Well, this Green Teamer Ben Hayes apparently took offense to this completely accurate commentary. Do you know how I know it was accurate? Because Mr. Hayes didn’t argue any relevant point.
Joe Mazzula can’t coach
Tatum sucks in clutch and late
Check. Check.
Hears the deal. Until Jayson Tatum realizes he doesn't have it in his bag to score a game winner from 45 feet away from the basket or Joe Mazzulla has the balls to tell Jason Tatum he doesn't have the bag to score a game winner 45 feet in the basket, this team is going to make it increasingly harder on themselves to win a championship.
If I hear one more person tell me that the 30 point lost to the Hawks doesn't matter because it's the regular season or because they're 11 games up on the Bucks or because they're not perfect or whatever other bullshit you wanna spill out your stupid mouth, I'm going to shit my pants. It's not about the 30 point loss. Although blowing a 30 point lead aint great either. It certainly has something to do with what the real point is. Which is their inability to learn or grow in late close out game situations.
Still, Mazzulla stuck by his end-of-game play call. “Give JT the ball and have him make a play for us,” Mazzulla said after the game. “He got a shot off. Got a good look, but it didn’t go.” SOURCE
For you, nerds, the statistics for the Celtics in these situations absolutely blow. They are 4-8 in 1 point games with 1 minute left. That’s 23rd in the league. There fatal flaw is in these micro situations. The inability to execute in final possessions. So save me the up 5 with 5 minutes left stats. Even that isn’t what we’re talking about here. Which is why it’s so frustration to watch them fall back into this same shitty habit over and over.
They play 2 1/2 quarters of gorgeous Basketball. With ball movement and assists and high percentage shots then they take the foot off the gas allowing momentum for the other team. Then the fourth quarter hits and it's the Jayson Tatum show with a slow pace isolation ball from one baseline to the next as the lead crumbles and butt holes tighten on the Celtics bench. Joe Mazzulla swallows every time out he can find, puts a scowl on his face, then walks into the post game compressor and says “that's exactly how we drew that loss up. Love my guys. Love my guys in that spot.”
“I know I missed a couple [game-winners] this year,” Tatum said. “So I was like, ‘Damn, I gotta be due for one.’ I hit a bunch of them in my career so far. That’s part of it. Make-or-miss league. I enjoy being in those situations.”
It's bullshit. It's a loser mentality. And the guy that needs to figure out the fuck out is Jayson "Dukie" Tatum. You're not that guy right now. Could you be? Sure. But you're not that guy this year. You've had enough chances to prove it, and you failed. So adjust, and do it quickly because the playoffs are around the corner. You'll have a series maybe two because the team is that good to get your shit together. Come the conference finals and the NBA finals if you're lucky enough to get there, they have to put Tatum Time back in the box. Play 48 minutes straight. I can't believe I'm saying this but, play 48 minutes of Mizzulla ball. Because right now Mizzulla ball is a better option than Tatum time.