But that’s the beauty of the champs.
When it comes to immediately righting the ship and getting back on track, few teams do it better.
So far this season, the Celts are 6-0 following a loss.
Not a single back to back loss stretch on their schedule through 28 games.
Last season, the Celts lost back to back games just 4 times in 100+ games.
Which is why a team performance like last night was the least surprising thing of all time.
Celts play like shit and lose?
It’s who they are, it’s in their DNA.
Nobody makes up for their mistakes better than the NBA Champion Boston Celtics.
Their average margin of victory after a loss this year is +20.3.
They don’t just punch back, they destroy you.
And here’s why stuff like this is important.
The Cavs aren’t going to slow down.
On the Celtics side, I want you to pick any player you want from 1946 to today.
Of all the legends and all time greats, pick anyone you want.
Only 6 other Celtics in their history have at least 3 First Team selections.
A few months later, Tatum would go on to win the NBA title by his age 26 season.
You know who also did that?
We are witnessing a generational Celtic, another franchise pillar that will define this era.
What makes Tatum’s performance so special is it’s bigger than just Celtics history.
There are a few ways to look at his night.
None of this shit you see with everyone else where 17 of the 43 are FTs.
Only ethical hoops are played in Boston.
Now, let’s again put perspective around what this is saying.
Have we seen Giannis do this?
I’m not seeing him.
Don’t think so.
Can’t find him.
I’ll be honest I would have thought he did it before but nope.
So like, put some respect on NBA Champion Jayson Tatum.
Why do I say that?
Because I watched it.
- I’d say on Thursday, no Celtic played worse than Jaylen Brown.
That’s the beauty of the NBA though, there’s always a next game.
You flush the no show and you focus on getting back to being a winning player.
Considering he was coming off a -19 disaster, I’d say that’s an improvement.
Defensively there weren’t nearly the same on ball mistakes of just not guarding anyone.
Because I know when you get a good Jaylen game withthatJayson Tatum, the Celtics do not lose.
I thought both players filled their roles perfectly.
We paid the sacrifice last season and proved we are worthy.
Having Porzingis on the floor changes everything.
Is it terrifying any time he does literally anything on the court?
Hell yeah it is.
There’s simply too much to worry about, and we haven’t even gotten to the guards yet!
Nothing else you do matters if you might’t get stops.
That’s what makes the wagon a wagon, not the shooting.
Celts held the Bulls to just 44 points on 35/31% splits while causing 6 TOs.
I think this is what people have to realize.
You always hear about how the Celts need to attack more (?)
and play in the paint more to “switch things up” when shots don’t fall.
But you see, it’s not really that simple.
What also has to happen isyou have to guard.
That is how you lose, as we saw on Thursday.
Last night was a perfect example of what I mean.
- When the Celts win the margins, that’s when you get the blowouts.
Add in 12-14 from the FT line and this was a MUCH cleaner performance across the board.
The Bad
- I fear Derrick may not be quite out of his slump just yet.
But you know what?
I don’t for a second want Derrick White to stop shooting.
The moment he gets a sliver of space, I need that to be shot with confidence.
The sample size and the Larry O’Brien confirm it.
I just need him to not miss every open look he takes.
There’s a balance there.
- As I mentioned above, I didn’t love the perimeter defense to start this game.
The formula is out.
People saw Mazzulla Ball and the success it has.
Especially a team like the Bulls who have been a high volume 3PA team all year.
At this point, there are 3 main reasons for a Celts loss
1.
Poor outside shooting
2.
Poor late game rebounding
3.
With this version, you need at least 2 of those 3.
On Thursday, it was #1 and #2, that was a loss.
Last night, they really only got #3, which resulted in a win.
The Ugly
- I’ll be honest, there isn’t a ton to even put here.
So I guess really my biggest takeaway from last night is how annoyed I am about Thursday.
God that’s annoying.
Play like they did last night, and things should be just fine.
