That makes sense right?
Those things are all true.
I say that because I certainly was, and I watch every dribble.
But it’s a great example of why I keep stressing that perspective is important.
Are things exactly the same as 2024?
That’s life baby.
I dunno, call me crazy, but that seems pretty good!
Some very frustrating losses for sure, an unacceptable home record no doubt, but big picture?
This team is every bit of a monster as we’ve seen over the last 2.5 years.
What I imagine most want to see is this team get back to being recognizable.
That’s what I would say is the biggest difference from last year to this year.
What we witnessed last year was a Basketball Machine.
This year, the Celts are more like a McDonald’s soft serve machine.
When it works, it’s the GOAT.
But before we look too far ahead, we first must dive into what we saw last night.
For some, that spans 3+ decades.
You know who is not included in that?
In fact, I would argue he has been the most consistent player on the roster this entire year.
As long as he’s on the court, he delivers.
Now that he’s back and healthy, and I mean is this not the very definition of consistent?
Through his first 9 games he was only shooting around 33% from deep.
Since Game 10 of his season?
He’s played in 13 more games and is shooting 46.4% from three on 5.3 3PA a night.
Look at where he’s taking those shots from!
He’sclosest3PM was from 27ft in this game.
The value that brings and what it means for opposing defenses is why he’s the cheat code.
There is no good option for you.
If you bring your center out that far, the Jays are going to feast at the rim.
White is going to attack the paint for floaters.
Is he saying he has to play with some force?
Maybe some “oomph” or some substance?
Only he knows and frankly, I don’t give a shit.
However he feels he needs to play, if this is the result then I agree with him.
- I’m not sure who needed to see this Jaylen Brown performance more.
Himself, or the fanbase.
That requires them to not only be aggressive, but efficient.
For comparison, he had 20 all of last season (70 games).
To me, that misses the point.
That is the transition that we are seeing with Jaylen this year.
The passing leap is not only real, it’s a legitimate weapon now.
I’ll take that every day of the week.
- Much like Jaylen, I’m not sure who needed to see Derrick White’s performance more.
He makes the back breaking 3s.
What stood out in this win was more than just White getting back to making open 3s.
Once they all took a breath, the blowout was back on.
Nothing crazy, just playing to the standard that they’ve established for themselves.
Being normal and not throwing up 23% from 3 while missing every wide open look you take.
I truly feel that the only real problem the Celts have had these 2 months is their shotmaking.
A guy like White making the most of his opportunities is a big factor in that.
- By now it could not be more obvious.
When the Celts play Mazzulla Ball, they win.
When they don’t, they often lose.
What does this mean?
That means your assist numbers and potential assist numbers are high.
It means locking in defensively and holding an opponent to around 25 points a quarter.
I honestly don’t know why so many people still push back against this.
We are now 200+ games plus a title into the Mazzulla Ball Experience.
Regular season, playoffs, Finals, it doesn’t matter.
The offense has been dogshit.
Who could have possibly seen that coming?
I consider these teams doubling Tatum like this a blessing.
Not in terms of him needing the reps, I know Tatum can beat a double.
Why I consider it a blessing is because every other Celtic needs the reps of being in this position.
Where nowtheyhave the pressure to convert offensively.
For me, that’s a non-negotiable.
The NBA is a copycat league.
Sorry if that upsets some, and this is not to say Tatum being aggressive isn’t important.
Tatum will find ways to get his, that should never be a concern.
Trusting your teammates is the key to winning a title, and it’s what makes this team special.
- Jaden Springer currently has my brain in a pretzel.
This is not something I thought I would be feeling 10 days ago, but now?
I don’t know what it is yet, but I’m intrigued.
Especially as Jrue ages.
If the 3pt shot is actually somewhat real?
That most definitely changes things even more.
The point is, Springer continues to make the most of his opportunities.
Whenever he’s on the floor, he finds a way to make a play.
He too couldn’t shoot or dribble when he was young but that on ball defense was something else.
- Really strong non-Tatum minutes in that 2nd quarter to go from +3 to +14 while he sat.
This team has too much talent on it to simply be nothing but Jayson Tatum merchants.
- Finally, a no screwing around bang out of performance.
We see it all the time.
A lead as large as 24, only 2 lead changes and 0 ties.
A complete 48 minute performance like you read about.
The Bad
- I don’t think it can get any clearer that Jayson Tatum needs a rest day.
Buy him a game at home before a big road trip, but he played anyway.
He’s 6th in total minutes and hasn’t sat in over a month.
Guys aren’t boxing out and aren’t quick to the ball.
Finishing possession cleanly needs to get back to being the norm.
Derrick came around eventually, but needed help.
I expected a better showing to be honest.
Maybe the fact that the Celts allowed CHI to float around and that killed any hopes of Walsh minutes?
Maybe Jrue’s 3-9 (0-4) and now a potential wrist injury?
That wasn’t great.
Let’s hope last night was a step in that direction.
