When I started this thread, we didn't have Amen. Alpi and Amen play really well together. As Amen said, Alpi is his twin. Chemistry!
Tatum hits a 3-pointer at 3:55 left in 3rd Q. Ime gets mad at Sengun, calls a timeout and subs him out with HOUSTON up by 3 (77-74). Boston immediately makes its 22-8 run and is up by 11 (85-96). Ime realises (NOT) his mistake and subs Sengun in. Houston goes 29-16 the rest of the way and wins 114-112.
Celtics game plan was to try and contain Alpi, Jalen, Fred. Instead of trying to force the issue and trying to play hero ball and scoring themselves, Alpi, Jalen, Fred made the unselfish plays and smart passes to Amen and Dillon, and these two delivered the scoring. Alpi 9 assists Fred 7 assists Jalen 6 assists
If Alpi is great, it unlocks everyone else because there will be less attention on them. Likewise for Jalen, Amen, Jabari, whomever! That’s why we root for everyone, because great players will make everyone great! I loved how happy they all were for Amen, there are no bad apples here, no CWoods or KPJs who can only be happy if they’re the “head honcho” This is such an easy and fun team to root for
Facts, and it turns out that everyone on our roster is super likable. No goofballs like Giannis or Wemby.
They probably share the team for a while but Amen's improvement rate even dwarf that of Alperen. I think he can get to All NBA level pretty soon....but if he keeps that up of course. You (mostly other folks) expected Jalen to explode in his 2nd or 3rd year lol but I take Amen all the same.
This is a deep cut of the facts. Amen is going to force teams to be more honest on JG/Alperen, and they are going to explode next.
I’m with you on Amen’s talent and ceiling… but why did the Celtics set their gameplan around defending Fred/JG/Alperen? Why does Alperen get doubled the most, draw the 5th most fouls in the NBA, and lead the team in overall plus/minus? Chopped liver?
Alphie be pissing me off sometimes...sloppy scared play in clutch situations. Prime example... had the ball with Jrue in the post for 2 possessions. Doesn't score or even attempt to score to set something up. Come on dude. He does compliment Thompson in the most perfect way though.
Did he not drop a pass down to Amen for a dunk? Remember that Jrue is probably the best defender in basketball. Not an easy ask. Celtics committed a lot of energy into stopping Alperen tonight, as Jaylen Brown said in the post game presser.
If you watched the game you woulda notice he was completely gassed when he got the ball. The amount of energy he has to exert on defense. I thought IME shoulda called a timeout to give them a break. Not to mention Jrue holiday is one of the 10 best defenders in the nba. Alpi needs to develop his midrange so he doesn't have to exert so much energy to score
You took the words right out of my mouth. Why didn't he face him up? He has that in his bags of tricks. But I guess the answer is, he was gassed.
