Skip to main content

Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum carrying offensive load for Celtics

Image
By
The Boston Celtics are 20% into the season with a 9-8 record - not what most of us expected. The defense is top-rated in the NBA, but it is the offense that falters. In the last six games, Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum have been carrying the offensive load.


In the last six games, Kyrie has averaged 32.5 MPG, 25.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 7.2 APG and an amazing 2.8 SPG - all while shooting 53% from the field, 33% on treys and only turning the ball over twice per game. If he keeps that production going, he will be rising in the Kia MVP rankings. Do yourself a favor, and take five seconds or so to watch Kyrie in action.


Sophomore Tatum has been doing just fine on the offensive end for the Celtics during the 6-game stretch. He averaged 31.5 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 1.5 SPG. He is hitting 49% of his field goals and 45% of his 3-pointers during that same period. We are getting used to his drive-and-jams seen below.


For the same 6-game stretch, Jaylen Brown averaged 9.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG and only 1.2 APG on 34% from the field and 24% on threes. Gordon Hayward averaged 9.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 4.7 APG on poor shooting (37 FG%, 19% on treys), but his rebounds and assists were notable

Al Horford fared a bit better with 10.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 2.8 APG. He shot well on field goals (52%) but poorly on threes (29%). Think about this. Three Celtics starters average 29.0 points/game over the last six games. One starter on the Hornets, Kemba Walker, is averaging more than that (29.6 PPG - tops in the NBA) for the season thus far.

That is a sputtering offense that needs attention. Be assured that Brad Stevens will figure it out, and if by some chance that doesn't happen, expect Danny Ainge to step in with more significant moves.

Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC, @CelticsSentinel and Facebook

Photo via Matt Stone/Boston Herald


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Elm Street Nightmare

By
 A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.)  Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube   Elm Street  surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He  resided on Elm Street  in Townsend, Massachusetts  2.) He  kidnapped a woman  at gunpoint on  Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was  tried, convicted   and sentenced for the murders at  Superior Court , corner of  Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the t...
23 comments
Read more

A sorrowful farewell to Kitty's Restaurant (North Reading, MA) as a family tradition

By
  Time to say "Goodbye" to Kitty's Restaurant - my   family's destination and tradition for six generations and more than 80 years. My memories of Kitty's go back to the early-1950's . I would accompany my dad and grandfather on fishing trips to the Ipswich River in North Reading, Massachusetts - followed by a visit to the restaurant on Main Street. In later years, my wife, Linda, and I would eat there with our two kids, Marc and Lisa - and years later - with our two grand daughters - and still later - with our great grandson, Carson. Author and family at Kitty's approx. 10 years ago Kitty's never disappointed. The drinks were big and well-made . The food was terrific - as were the portions. The service was exceptional and we became well-acquainted with the waiters and waitresses. It all worked so very well for many decades. My grand daughter, Courtney , was particularly fond of the restaurant. She was born with cystic fibrosis , and during her fr...
15 comments
Read more

Wemby versus Kareem as rookies

By
 We already know that the Spurs Victor Wembanyama is going to be an NBA phenomenon, but will he surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by the end of his career. It is highly likely.  I did a "per-36-minutes" comparison between the two stars, mainly because Kareem logged 43.1 MPG in his rookie campaign - while Wemby has been held to only 29.4 MPG. Kareem: 24.1 PPG - 12.1 RPG - 3.4 APG - .518 FG - .653 FT Wemby:  25.9 PPG - 12.9 RPG - 4.5 APG - .463 FG - .796 FT No blocks, steals or 3-pointers were looked at since they were not tracked in Jabbar's first year in the NBA. It should also be noted that Kareem was 22 years old at the time, while Victor started at age 20. Two factors favoring Wembanyama ultimately surpassing Jabbar on any "Best-of-All-Time" charts are his point guard skills , shared by so many European players.  and the fact he is being mentored by Gregg Popovich. His potential seems astounding. But the question remains. Can he garner six Titles and six MVP ...
1 comment
Read more