The Celtics rolled to the most effective level per possession offensive seasons in NBA historical past this yr. Jayson Tatum averaged 30 factors per sport for the primary time in group historical past. Jaylen Brown took steps. Their depth surpassed any rival group within the league, successful quite a few video games with out a number of starters and pushing more healthy groups in others. They gained 57 video games, clinched the No. 2 seed and would possibly chart probably the most favorable path to a title within the league.
What’s to not love?
As Boston begins its push for Banner 18 this spring, possibly it’s the gorgeous consequence that ended final postseason after this group appeared to emerge as one of the best within the NBA. Possibly it’s the drought persisting since 2008. It’s extra possible the slip-ups late within the yr, losses to Washington, Houston, Utah and others that price them the No. 1 seed that left an uneasy feeling behind all of the proof that this group deserves unwavering confidence in its potential to win all of it. Right here’s what I be ok with and what considerations me getting into this yr’s playoffs.
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1. Jaylen Brown is rolling
Brown completed with a season worthy of All-NBA standing. He hit 47.1% of his mid-range photographs and broke opposing rim protectors with a 70.8% effectivity on the rim powered by his practically unmatched transition sport. Joe Mazzulla shifted Brown from the purpose of assault to a finisher position away from the strain Jayson Tatum receives and groups haven’t been capable of remedy it. A reduce on his proper hand slowed his momentum getting into the playoffs and he favored his left at apply on Thursday and Friday. It’s one thing to look at as he prepares for Recreation 1.
2. Malcolm Brogdon’s shot-making
Brogdon hit 44.4% of his threes this season, many on pull-ups that served as a launch valve for the offense when it grew stagnant. He addressed ending considerations that lingered via the halfway level of the season, ending 54.7% inside 5 toes. Extra minutes ought to enhance the variety of three he’s capable of get off, whereas Brogdon and Brown’s mid-range talents permit for a change of tempo late in video games. He drives 11.3 occasions per sport. Brogdon is the participant this group missed throughout final yr’s playoff run, and it wouldn’t shock anybody if he turns up his depth like Al Horford typically does getting into April and Might.
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3. Derrick White discovering his position
White’s turnaround from an ice-cold playoff run the place he’s admitted discomfort from the transfer to Boston mid-season impacted his play. He defended at an All-Defensive stage this yr, giving the Celtics a counter to the East’s dynamic guards like Trae Younger, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Jrue Vacation. Offensively, he turned the screener Robert Williams III couldn’t be attributable to accidents, shot 38% from three, aggressively drove and completed off the catch when groups blitzed Jayson Tatum. He turned the ball over only one.2 occasions per sport. White feels just like the barometer for the group’s success. When he’s balling, they hardly ever lose.
4. Massive man play and well being
Robert Williams III enters the playoffs wholesome, one thing final yr’s Celtics couldn’t boast, and grew extra concerned into the ultimate week of the playoffs. Boston needs one of the best 20-25 minutes he can present and people shorter spurts off the bench may show extra impactful and the important thing to maintaining the group’s ceiling-raiser obtainable for the whole thing of the playoffs. It’s troublesome to think about the Celtics not successful a championship if Williams III stays wholesome. Al Horford can’t go unmentioned in permitting the Celtics to play Williams III off the bench. He had a stunning season, committing to a ground spacing position that gave Tatum and Brown the room to attain inside that they had every night time, Horford ending with a 44.6% mark from three. He nonetheless guards the pick-and-roll, switches onto the perimeter and contests photographs like he by no means left. It’ll be intriguing to look at the Celtics scheme him extra aggressively after dropping him for a lot of the common season.
5. Explosive offensive upside
The three-point quantity, turnover administration and their potential to rebound and win free throw battles offers the Celtics a mathematical edge that places most groups at an obstacle displaying up. Mazzulla’s cautious consideration to the analytics, potential to implement and convey them to the group, and Boston’s unmatched taking pictures personnel permits this group to chase 120-130 factors on many nights. That contrasts in opposition to the Celtics’ offense that fell off a cliff final yr into the playoffs, scoring 110.3 factors per 100 possessions in comparison with this group’s 117.3 that solely trailed the Kings. They run, transfer off the ball, depend on an array of ball-handlers and at their finest produce a number of efforts to generate nice photographs. In addition they completed 13-19 once they shoot beneath the league common from three (36%), successful two video games in opposition to the Raptors whereas they shot poorly to finish the yr, an indication they might not merely dwell or die by the three.
After all, there are some considerations.
6. Grant Williams’ play
Grant Williams, a staple of final yr’s playoff rotation and the distinction within the Celtics’ Recreation 7 win over the Bucks, misplaced favor late within the season, garnering DNP-CDs for the primary time since 2021 and drawing restricted minutes in different spots. He performed six minutes within the season finale and air-balled a driving floater at one level and sat dissatisfied with a no-call at one level whereas the Hawks drove in transition. A big Atlanta entrance courtroom instantly presents a matchup problem for him as he tries to regain his footing into the postseason. His competitors, Blake Griffin, Mike Muscala and Sam Hauser, aren’t sure to section him out and the Celtics have methods they’ll rely much less on Williams in the event that they battle, however Williams’ defensive versatility feels essential given attainable opponents later within the playoffs. He can’t get misplaced like he typically did late within the common season — ending 41.8% FG and 34.2% from three for the reason that All-Star break.
7. Missing forcefulness on protection
Search for and the Celtics completed No. 2 defensively. Horford lastly admitted what seemed obvious for a lot of the common season: Boston enters the playoffs with loads to enhance on at that finish.
“Despite the fact that the numbers say we completed second (in protection), I truly do imagine there’s loads of room for enchancment for our group,” he stated. “I imagine that we’ll try this. It’s a problem for us, however we undoubtedly need to be higher.”
The 2 numbers that signify their regression from final yr’s historic unit have been defending isolations, the place the Celtics ranked twenty third (0.97 PPP) in comparison with first final yr. In addition they pressured 12.7 turnovers per sport (twenty sixth), down from 13.8 final yr. These accounted for the visible distinction in comparison with the defensive disruptiveness that drove Boston final yr. Williams III’s return ought to bridge a few of that hole, however particular person efforts want to enhance.
8. Some lingering Joe Mazzulla questions
Mazzulla proved many doubts about him unsuitable via the common season. The three-point quantity strategy labored, he amended his timeout utilization and tailored to rotational wants, accidents and a gradual defensive begin to make this one of the best two-way group within the league. The playoffs may show totally different although. His even-keeled strategy, a minimum of publicly, allowed the Celtics to shake off dangerous losses through the common season. It’ll turn into tougher to level out the great issues Boston did in key playoff losses. Brad Stevens stated nitpicking the brand new head coach turned a simple sticking level through the yr, although, and he’s proper. The gamers will dictate the season’s consequence.
9. Sluggish Jayson Tatum begins
Tatum shot 46.2% from the sector, 32.4% from three and tried 5.7 photographs per sport in first quarters, numbers that want enchancment into the postseason. Whereas Jaylen Brown set the tone on many nights to start video games, Tatum typically began gradual and set an power tone the group struggled to flee in a few of their dangerous losses. 538’s RAPTOR thought-about Tatum’s minutes a slight damaging on the defensive finish this yr — how a lot of that stemmed from common season apathy and the way a lot from many nights the place he struggled past the arc? This group will largely go how Tatum goes this postseason, and gradual begins, together with nights the place he shot stunningly few occasions in fourth quarters just like the loss at Utah have to dwindle into the playoffs.
10. The guard rotation
Mazzulla addressed Marcus Good, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon’s roles by balancing their minutes late within the season, largely handing the good thing about the doubt to the longest-tenured Celtic with 31 minutes per sport after the All-Star break. White and Brogdon had higher seasons than Good, who handled accidents all yr, however stated he’s getting into the postseason nearer to 100% than he’s felt in years. All three solely shared the ground for 25 minutes this yr and solely two can play in crunch time. Whereas Good expressed a willingness to sit down if essential, nevertheless it’s on Mazzulla to make these troublesome selections now.
