It’s not as if the Celts don’t have the talent to survive this rare occurrence.
That’s what makes them special.
At 18-4, I’d say they know how to thrive regardless of who is on the floor.
But last night was something a little different.
Not only did they win it, they won itby double digits.
Just think about that for a second.
For the Pistons, it was their best shooting performance of the year…..and it didn’t matter.
Do you understand how insane that is?
I am begging you, do not take this team and what we are watching for granted.
This isn’t normal.
This shouldn’t happen.
That has to be so deflating.
The Pistons played great!
Unfortunately for them, none of it mattered
With that said, let us begin.
What else can we really even say?
the fact that there has been ZERO rust from him after coming back from injury makes no goddamn sense.
His 3 ball isn’t even locked in yet and it hasn’t mattered one bit.
If you don’t guard him from 30 ft, he’s shooting and probably making it.
The Celts are clear title contenders and favorites without KP, that much they’ve shown us.
You’re not beating this team 4 times out of 7 with a healthy KP on the floor.
Sorry if that offends, it’s just the reality of the situation.
It’s why he’s the cheat code.
Without a doubt, this was Jaylen’s best passing performance of the season.
Not just because of the assist total, but because of his approach in how he delivered them.
He essentially filled the Jayson Tatum role perfectly in that regard.
That’s what has made Tatum so lethal.
That meant playing smart, and it meant playing efficient.
Jaylen gave you exactly what you needed from your franchise guy on a night Tatum was in street clothes.
The same way Tatum always gives you what you need on nights Brown is out.
Another 134 ORTG when Jaylen/KP are on and Tatum is off, with MUCH better defense.
Now with KP back and the defense tightening up in those minutes, it certainly makes things easier.
What about his play doesn’t look sustainable to you?
Oh, a career 40% shooter from 3 is shooting 40%?
Oh, a guy is able to make layups?
For whatever reason opposing players think you could attack Pritchard.
Yeah, he’s short.
That’s what Payton Pritchard does.
We all saw the progression that Derrick White made, especially playing under Joe.
Is it crazy to think that maybe we’re seeing something similar here with Pritchard?
This is what happens when roles are clearly defined.
- Make no mistake, without Mazzulla Ball, the Celts lose this game.
For those who always find themselves crying about the 3P volume, welcome to 2024.
You have to do it, especially when your opponent is making 20+ 3PM themselves.
The point isn’t about the total number, but how they are generated.
- Boy is it nice to see Sam Hauser get back to looking like Sam Hauser again.
Here’s the encouraging news.
If you look at his last 6 games, that number is 47.1% on 5.7 3PA.
Much like Pritchard, we also shouldn’t overlook Hauser on the defensive end either.
Sure being one of the best shooters on earth helps.
but being able to guard your yard consistently is what solidifies your spot in Joe’s rotation.
What a guy, what a player
Let that be a lesson to all the kids out there.
Just because you might’t make a shot to store your life does not mean you might’t impact winning.
Find other ways to help your team knowing that eventually shots are going to fall.
If anything, that was a peek into the DNA of this team.
That’s the DNA of a champion.
Bless Luke Kornet
A rested Al Horford is one of life’s greatest gifts.
He’s not playing on Saturday, so I;m going to need him to empty the tank.
Allowing 120 points at home against the 23rd ranked offense in the NBA isn’t exactly “good”.
- At this point, Jordan Walsh is mostly a cardio player.
They happen to everyone.
But at some point he has to do something tangible with the minutes he gets.
Thankfully, everyone else was there to pick up the slack, but that was very strange to watch.
I can’t remember a time Derrick was that cold with everything he threw up, but whatever!
I don’t know how else to say it.
The Celts will get the OREB, don’t even worry about that.
I’d say the same thing for Walsh as well.
But hey, 18-4 is 18-4.
