you’ve got the option to’t call it a “must win”, because it’s January.
Must wins do not exist in January.
That makes sense right?
It does to my moron brain, so hopefully that’s translating here on the blog.
I also think it’s safe to say everyone needed a performance like that.
During this inconsistent stretch, a lot has been made about the Celts approach and their scheme.
No, the execution is the problem.
Last night was a great example.
Their scheme and approach were no different last night than any other time we’ve seen the Celts play.
Their execution on both ends was much better and back to their standard.
You saw the same drive and kicks against ORL as you did against TOR.
Only this time guys made their open looks as opposed to missing every shot they took.
You saw the same ball movement into open 3&S 3PA.
You saw the same exploitation of mismatches in the post.
You saw the same aggressiveness to the rim.
You don’t answer that with one win or one performance.
That, was a relief.
He is the cheat code.
He is what makes them virtually unbeatable.
When KP is KP, this team levels up as long as everyone else does their part.
Maybe some slight normal regression, but definitely still playable.
At the rim, he’s the same monster he’s always been.
Was I absolutely terrified when Wendell Carter Jr chased him down from behind on that fastbreak?
My life flashed before my eyes.
I was certain his season was over.
Thank fucking God they avoided disaster there.
In this win, you saw how important the versatility of KP is.
Early it was pounding it inside, destroying switches and scoring on smaller players.
Then he also mixed in some 26fters which look better and better each game.
- As I said, I respect accountability.
Those two set the tone, and they always will.
What we got, was something much more along the lines of their normal standard.
For starters, he actually defended like he gave a shit.
Compare his energy and effort level/aggressiveness last night to TOR and it’s night and day.
Frankly, I can’t believe that was even the same player.
In that quarter, Tatum played all 12 minutes and took 11 shots, making 7 of them.
When things got to the 4th, it was the same thing.
That’s not a scheme difference, that’s a player decision difference.
Tatum wasn’t “involved” more in the offense.
He “didn’t have the ball more”.
He just made more aggressive decisions.
That, is ultimately the solution.
Aggressive doesn’t always have to mean shooting either.
It just means playing with purpose.
Not taking yourself out of plays.
When Tatum does that, he’s unstoppable.
Given what we saw last night, Joe agreed.
I think it solves the following issues
1.
Has Tatum on the court to start a high leverage quarter.
It helps maximize when Jaylen is usually at his best.
Early in the 1st quarter and then in the 3rd quarter.
Those are perfect windows of a game to let Jaylen do his thing.
It gets us back to pairings that we know work.
To no surprise, guys felt comfortable and started making shots again.
So much is made about shot volume, a hierarchy and usage, and all this other stuff.
When really I don’t think those are issues at all.
What had to change was simply when all of those things were happening.
But what changed was the part of the game we experienced each.
That’s what matters more, not changing how they play.
Completely unacceptable level of basketball from anyone, let alone your second best player.
From an approach standpoint I think Jaylen also played exactly how the game called for.
Early, when other guys where getting it going, he moved the ball and created for others.
When the starters came back out, he got back to playing however the game needed.
- It’s crazy what things look like when the Celts don’t miss every shot they take.
They just shot 39% from the floor against the worst defense in the NBA the game prior.
So a 52/45% showing with 17 3PM was just what the doctor ordered.
Like I said, we ALL needed to see a performance like that.
Suddenly Derrick and Jrue were hitting their open 3s.
Al was making his corner C&S 3PA.
Tatu, was making his open C&Ss.
Zero 30 point quarters, only 48 second half points, only 18 4th quarter points.
See, they are capable!
Get stops, get wins.
It’ll be that way until the end of time.
- 20-22 from the FT line.
Tatum, Pritchard, White, Luke etc, all have been bricks lately.
You accept Jaylen’s struggles, and he went 9-9.
Hopefully that’s a sign of more to come.
- Turnovers were low (10), and I’d bet there were even fewer live ball turnovers.
The Bad
- Just because they won by 27 doesn’t mean it was perfect.
There were plenty of things that I’d describe as not so good.
For example, what would we say happened on this possession?
You could see Jaylen lose his shit screaming “No ice!!”
Not sure what Queta was thinking either, but these are the sloppy miscues that can bury you.
- Honest question, why are the Celtics the worst entry pass throwing team in the NBA?
I legitimately don’t understand how it’s possible.
It’s not just the guards who can’t seem to do it, even Tatum struggles!
We can’t throw entry passes to a 7'3 giant who is covered by a point guard?
We can’t feed Tatum an entry pass when he has someone posted up?
What is going on?
The Ugly
- Did anything truly qualify for this section?
Maybe Derrick still feeling kind of cold from deep (2-7)?
So really, just minor things and boy is that a nice change of pace.
The defense looked great, but it also played a team that cannot hit a 3.
Play to their standard, and things should be just fine.
