Three leaf clover: Jayson the giantslayer, signs of a great defense, and sad excitement

Week…4? I feel. Thanks for becoming a member of me for one more version, and this would be the final time I open by saying the week quantity. There’s zero probability I’ve received it proper this time, and it’s not even been a month. On to the enjoyable stuff (and one unhappy stuff).

Stat of the Week: 88.9%

Mitchell Robinson is an excellent shot blocker, perhaps even nice. Isaiah Hartenstein is a big man that may shield the rim fairly properly. Jayson Tatum didn’t care. He shot 88.9% within the restricted space on Opening Evening, cashing in on 8 of his 9 makes an attempt.

Permit me to take you into the world of the uncoordinated nerd for a second. You’re at a marriage, the dance ground is totally rocking. The DJ simply placed on Get Low by Lil’ John and the Eastside Boyz, a track even you’re feeling able to dancing to. Your buddy brings over a beer and says, “come onnnnn, Spoons, let’s get on the market!” You resent his enthusiasm as you end the newly acquired beer. You go on the market, you do one of the best you may, and you understand that you simply look ridiculous. However it’s okay, since you tried.

Mitchell Robinson, welcome to the dance ground. Get Low simply began.

If that is the Jayson Tatum the Celtics get all season, these MVP conversations would possibly begin spreading FROM THE WINDOWWWWWW TO THE WALLLLLL.

Xs and Oohhhhhhhhs: indicators of greatness from the protection

The Celtics protection was extra inconsistent in opposition to the Knicks than the variety of O’s and H’s I put within the title of this part each week. However that’s okay. Once you change the foundational piece of the protection for the final decade and Grant Williams (who was stable), issues are going to be totally different. It doesn’t essentially imply they’ll be worse, however it’s going to take time.

Right here’s an instance. There’s so much to love about this possession, and so much that tells me these guys aren’t 100% comfy.

It’s nice assist from Tatum on IQ’s preliminary drive and he permits Jrue to recuperate. Then, for some purpose, Jrue helps on the Barrett drive that Hause-trap is throughout. It’s a swing to IQ, which ought to have been hassle, however Jrue is so good he teleports again in entrance of Quickley. Hartenstein (guarded by Luke Kornet) meanders over to display for IQ, and that’s when the error happens. It appears to be like like Luke is anticipating Jrue to ICE (successfully forcing Quickley baseline on this occasion), however Jrue as an alternative tries to recover from the display. This leaves Luke too deep, forces the awkward assist from Hauser and the Knicks are taking pictures 2. Encouraging indicators, however removed from perfection.

Or on this play, the place Tatum simply doesn’t learn how a lot of a maniac Jrue is and is a bit late getting over to Quickley. Unfamiliarity be thy title.

It’s nothing regarding or important, it’s simply the truth of a group enjoying its first recreation collectively. The ceiling is there, and because the season rolls on, I anticipate them to get nearer and nearer each recreation. The final three minutes of the sport had been an absolute showcase of what this protection can seem like. Guards and wings flying all over the place and the literal Prudential Constructing standing in entrance of the rim for those who may even get there. Simply lovely.

Non-basketball Stuff of the Week: the unhappy pleasure of a brand new NBA season

It is a vital change in tone, so for those who’re merely on the lookout for lighthearted basketball takes, be happy to skip. I’ve simply been occupied with it so much and felt the necessity to write about it. It’s decidedly cheaper than remedy.

On November 2, 2021, I acquired a type of unforgettable, life altering cellphone calls that you simply spend the remainder of your life making an attempt to neglect. I bear in mind precisely the place I used to be, atop my staircase carrying a hurriedly packed suitcase. My solely thought: get within the automotive and get to Massachusetts as fast as potential. After which my cellphone rang once more.

It was the second name from my mother that day. I now not needed to hurry house; it was too late. My dad had handed away.

Generally I neglect about that second, viscerally reminded solely randomly, or on Father’s Day or his birthday, which shamefully and satirically feels nearly extra essential to me now. However because the calendar makes its unrelenting march nearer and nearer to November 2nd, the empty feeling of loss begins to clean over me. It’s not crippling, however it’s persistent.

He handed two years in the past. For all intents and functions, I’m over it, not less than as a lot as you may ever recover from one thing like that. However I nonetheless can’t assist that little feeling of guilt, that little nugget of disgrace that hits me. Gearing up for what needs to be an extended season of pleasure, actually appreciating basketball for what it’s, enjoyable, I get what’s turning into a well-known tickle in my intestine: November 2nd is simply across the nook. The excessive of a brand new season chased by the lack of a father. Who am I to indulge in pleasure whereas that reminder hangs over me? Shouldn’t I solely be unhappy?

The irritating half is that he completely wouldn’t need me to really feel that manner. He’d need me to get pleasure from every part in life, together with basketball, to absolutely the fullest. With out reservations. Rationally, I do know this. Sadly, people aren’t notably rational. However that doesn’t imply we will’t attempt.

If I’m on the lookout for a optimistic, it’s that loss has a peculiar manner of constructing us respect what we’ve got. To savor that first cup of espresso, a superbly cooked pizza, or the primary Jayson Tatum drive of the season. I’ll stroll into each Celtics season now with the specter of his demise’s anniversary hanging over it — the right reminder that life is brief. You solely get so many moments and so many seasons to get pleasure from. I’ll be delighting on this one, and each one after. Perhaps it’s backwards, however to me, it looks like a positive option to honor his reminiscence.