To not take the 2023-24 Boston Celtics for granted.
What we are watching isn’t normal, and it certainly doesn’t come around all that often.
Given that it’s currently 2024, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
But sometimes you oughta see things visually to truly appreciate them.
At least that’s how my brain has always worked.
Remember that incredible 2022 Celts run over the second half of the season?
You know the stretch where they basically never lost?
Well friends, what if I were to tell you we are currently in the middleof an even betterstretch?
See for yourself
Look at all those goddamn green Ws!
A 25-4 stretch since February 1st is a 70.6 win pace.
For the last 2 months, the Celts have been winning at a .862 clip.
Do people understand how insane that is?
They’ve been playing teams who are fighting for their playoff lives, and none of it has mattered.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t appreciate and acknowledge what we’re seeing up until this point.
Real games, fake end of season preseason games, it’s all led to the same thing.
And you want to know the crazy part?
This team can still play even better.
But what happens when they go up a level in the playoffs like every team in the NBA does?
What the hell does that look like if this is what it looks like now?
I’m giddy even thinking about it.
But before we look ahead, we first must talk about what we got last night.
The Good
- New blog rule.
Just like this team’s success this season, that fact should not be overlooked or taken for granted.
If this is the Jaylen the Celts get for 2 more months, it changes everything.
- You know who else has quietly been rounding into form?
In the 4 game since those ATL losses, KP has double-digit rebounds in 4 of them.
He’s averaging 19.6/10.0/3.2/1.6/3.2 on 60/47% splits with 1.6 3PM a night.
In other words, he’s been dominant.
The result is whatever, no shit the Celts blew this game open.
30-3 against teams under .500 on the season.
Payton Pritchard feels ready.
He could have regressed after signing his deal, and if anything it’s been the exact opposite.
- Any concerns about Jrue’s shoulder injury should be dead by now.
He had that one 1-11 game, but outside of that?
Holiday has filled his role to perfection.
His big test will come when it’s time to see his playoff TS%, but so far?
I’d say Holiday has exceeded expectations and then some.
- Al Horford forever.
You know the drill.
- Derrick White…..playmaker?
Huge late game 3s?
The Celts have to pay it.
- 52 total bench points where pretty much nobody could miss.
Pritchard led the bench with 4 misses…..and he was 9-13.
Outside of that, the rest of the 2nd unit combined to finish 14-23 (60.8%).
yo join me in thanking the dogshit Blazers defense!
On one hand, I’m happy for the guy.
Sometimes, you have to let guys go and they flourish in their new spot.
Where were all those drives and finishes at the rim as a Celtic?
Then you also add in the 9 AST?
I get being motivated against the team that traded you, but in my opinion Banton should be appreciative.
Had he not been the one traded, he’d just be sitting on the Celts bench not playing.
Now he’s getting real NBA minutes, so it’s a win for everyone.
I suppose it is now our destiny to add him to the random Celtics Killer list though.
- Easily one of the most embarrassing rebounding performances we’ve seen all year.
Being smart is more important than anything else.
That is an absurd amount of OREB that frankly should never happen while KP/Al/Kornet are all active.
This is something they absolutely CANNOT let snowball and still be a problem in 2 weeks.
This team wins 5 in a row and we get to skip this section.
That’s normal…..said no one ever.
So now we have to turn he page and pretend like Tuesday’s game against the Bucks means anything.
There hasn’t been a game against MIL that has mattered in months, and tomorrow is no different.
12 more days, that’s it.
