Welcome to three enjoyable issues (very a lot a working title), the place I seize three issues from the week of hoops that caught my eye. It’s additionally the place I shamelessly rip off Zach Lowe’s 10 Issues I Like and Don’t Like however do a a lot worse job of it with 30% of the trouble. However not like Zach, I’m free to learn so refunds won’t be accepted. Let’s leap in.
Photograph by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Photographs
Stat of the week: $3,567,817
Beginning issues off on an thrilling bang by discussing the nuances of the wage cap! This quantity is extraordinarily vital due to what it represents.
That quantity is how far over the daunting, despicable, deplorable second tax apron the Celtics are. Many phrases have been written, mentioned, and tweeted (X’d?) concerning the Celtics’ obvious dodging of the second tax apron after they let Grant Williams stroll out that door. We’ve all heard verbal castigations about Wyc & Co.’s incapacity or refusal to go deep into the posh tax. There are very actual the reason why a workforce and possession group wouldn’t need to go over that second apron. Not solely are the tax penalties extra extreme (and worsen because the years go by), but it surely additionally limits the instruments within the GM’s toolbox for enhancing the roster. Wave goodbye to the MLE, taking up cash in a commerce (like we simply did with Jrue and KP), and buy-out guys.
However you understand what, who cares? We acquired Jrue Vacation and he’s completely value going over the second apron for — a championship piece added to championship degree expertise. He’s the proper match and substitute for Marcus Good. Wyc usually mentioned he would spend deep into the tax if it was for a title contender. Followers and analysts alike had been skeptical, however Wyc lastly put his cash the place his mouth is.
Photograph by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Photographs
X’s and ooooooh’s: Jrue’s pick-and-roll sport
Possibly essentially the most thrilling a part of Vacation’s sport is how versatile he’s on each ends (though I’m equally as excited that we received’t should face him anymore). Aside from foul drawing, he’s above common at nearly every part on the offensive finish. Importantly, Jrue is a decide and roll operator that the Celtics haven’t actually had since Kemba. Tatum is an efficient pick-and-roll ball handler, as is White and to a lesser extent Jaylen, however Jrue is only a extra pure lead guard. He assaults in nearly each method doable along with his plus playmaking and scoring. In contrast to the guard he was traded for, he frequently hits the rolling huge on the best way to the rim.
He understands spacing on the pick-and-pop, dragging assist distant from the popping huge opening up a clear look.
And, whereas he doesn’t rating at elite ranges of effectivity, he can accomplish that in nearly each method you’ll be able to think about apart from dunking from the three-point line. Tough step-back towards a late trailing guard? Verify.
Freezing the dropping huge with a slight hesitation and ending over size? CHECKKKKK.
Easy pull-up three within the face of a giant after a swap? Oh, you higher imagine that’s a examine.
Simple pull-up middy towards a deep drop? Someone toss me a examine.
Now run all of these again and as an alternative of Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, Wes Matthews, and that Greek bum, he’s working them with Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. Terrifying stuff for everybody however Celtics followers. Can the season begin already?
Non-basketball stuff of the week: Media Day vibes
I do know Media Day is basically the excessive tide of excellent vibes, however one thing feels just a bit totally different this season. The mixture of Jaylen’s and Jayson’s mature, optimistic, and pushed quotes coupled with Jordan Walsh skipping round like Goldilocks, makes me factor there’s a particular air about this workforce — a quiet, decided confidence of a bunch of gamers that know the troublesome activity at hand, all of whom are trying ahead to the problem.
who seems to be essentially the most excited of all of them? Brad Stevens. I imply have a look at this smile whereas he’s chatting with Jrue Vacation (and sure, this complete part is simply an excuse to embed this gif and video).
ENHANCE!
Completely pleasant. Brad has finished very nicely, and no person is aware of that higher than him. Onwards to Banner 18, and I’ll see you subsequent week (hopefully).
