I say it all the time when it comes to both life, and this basketball team.
Everyone knows the Celtics December was one of the worst months of basketball in the entire Joe Mazzulla Era.
For some teams, an 8-6 month is a success.
It’s downright offensive.
The Celts ended 2024 with a 2-3 stretch, and the picture didn’t look all that great.
But here’s the beauty of perspective.
It all depends on how you look at things.
Yes, it’s true the Celts have had a bit of a rough go of late.
But it’s also true that they’ve technically won 3 of their last 4.
They have one of the best rim protectors on earth on the back line.
Their 3P shooting has gone way up this season both in terms of volume and efficiency.
It’s a great test between two teams who seem to have a knack for playing close games.
That Jayson Tatum fella, not bad!
For now, let’s relive what was arguably one of the best overall wins of the young season.
It was a measuring stick game, plain and simple.
You know how that goes.
Mind you, Tatum took only 2 FTA in this game.
You know, what a superstar should do.
When it came time to abuse Rudy Gobert in space, Tatum actively hunted that man.
He’s a world class defender, but even he has issues in space like any other 7fter.
He ranks in the 94th percentile in iso offense, averaging 1.16 PPP on 46% shooting.
Most importantly, Tatum also took care of the basketball (2 TOs).
Given how much he had the ball, Tatum’s ball security was fantastic.
The of course, there was also this
Hell yes.
It’s very bizarre.
This is what people need to accept when it comes to Jayson Tatum.
He is a TWO WAY superstar.
He guards all 5 positions at an elite level while also giving you unstoppable offense.
It was also nice to see Derrick get over his ball security issues.
- The impact Jrue Holiday has made since returning from injury is impossible to ignore.
On both ends of the floor, he’s been about as perfect as you could want.
What I really liked about his night was that nothing was forced.
His scoring was important, but he did it within his role and based on what the game needed.
At times, it was his 3PM which felt massive in the moment.
Other times it was creating for others all while playing All NBA caliber defense.
That’s encouraging because that’s an approach a lot of teams think can be the solve.
They took 92 FGA to MIN’s 74.
Over his last 3, he’s up to 50% from deep with 4.0 3PM.
His release is too quick and his confidence is too high.
Neemy’s OREB is a legit weapon, and good on Joe for pressing that button.
There are still mistakes, there are still blown coverages and slow decision making at times.
But for a 3rd or 4th center?
- Celts are now 13-1 when they make at least 20 3PM but yeah, they should take less.
I’m not sure what the hell is going on, but this magnet bullshit has to stop.
I get it, NBA players can make wide open shots, well then explain Al Horford?
Julius Randle is going 5-7?
Nowhere close to good enough.
- This might have been the worst fastbreak we’ve seen this season.
A 3 on 1 like that cannot end in a possession with 0 points.
You’re a 6'10 monster, that needs to be a two handed finish.
Almost any other time in NBA history, this punch in of defensive execution is a loss.
That should be the takeaway if we’re being honest.
What the hell is this?
If you want to know the real problem with the NBA’s product?
A 16-11 foul difference, you see the FTA difference above, all I’m asking for is consistency.
If you’re going to let one team be physical, let both teams be physical.
The whistles have NOT been consistent, and that’s annoying as hell.
It’s not as if BOS only shot 3s and MIN didn’t.
39 of their 74 FGA were 3PA!
They took the same amount of FGA in the paint (27)!
I’m to believe the Celts were simply never getting fouled while the Wolves were?
By a team that never fouls?
OK, sure thing Adam Silver you bozo.
- Stop fucking around at the FT line though.
Enough of that already.
I’m all for taking 3PA in any situation, as long as they are generated the right way.
That, is not what the final 2 minutes was.
A lot of standing around, a lot of dribbling, a lot of low percentage looks.
If the goal was to start this road trip of right, well then mission accomplished.
