Go ahead, tell me that wasn’t the most Boston Celtics shit you’ve ever seen.
Be without your best player in Jayson Tatum and 6th man Al Horford?
OK, no problem.
And let’s be honest, this was a big win for the mental health of everyone.
Starting things out 0-2 would have been a bit of a disaster.
Things feel much better.
It’s a long ass season.
At the start of the trip, I think most rational people considered 2-2 or better a win.
As of today, that’s how we’re pacing.
At 21-6, the Boston Celtics still own the best record in the NBA.
They have the most wins in the league against teams .500 or better.
Healthy, not healthy, this team remains a wagon in every sense of the word.
Let’s talk about it.
The Good
- Now this was a hard choice.
You don’t overthink it.
We are starting with Jaylen Brown.
This doesn’t just mean a high point total, it means completely dominating the game in every aspect.
Think of what Tatum does on a pretty regular basis.
The scoring, the passing, the defense….he’s THE GUY.
Last night is what that player looks like.
On the road on a B2B against a good team?
Those are the games your star needs to lead by example.
The same would be true if Tatum played and Jaylen was out.
These are the nights where your stars earn their keep.
Well that looks pretty consistent to me.
The obvious jump isn’t just in the box score numbers, but also when you actually watch him.
That’s why he earned his deal.
Instead, he just played the right way, maximized his opportunities and played like a leader.
THAT to me is the biggest takeaway from Jaylen’s night and really his season overall.
I mean holy christ.
Those days are over.
Bald Derrick is a goddamn star.
It’s better across the board, so this shouldn’t exactly be a hot take.
Just use your eyes.
Watching him play you almost don’t even recognize the guy who first got to Boston back in 2021-22.
Remember too, this is who ESPN thinks wasn’t a top 100 player.
Even now that still makes me laugh uncontrollably.
What a bunch of morons.
We also can see why Derrick turned down whatever extension Brad tried to sign him too this offseason.
Why did he do that?
Because he’s getting the max.
Whatever the highest possible amount he’s eligible to get, you may as well double it.
I don’t care if this extension bankrupts Wyc.
Everything he brings on the court is exactly what this team has been missing, and not just offensively.
It’s why Brad made the trade.
You want offensive diversification?
It just doesn’t seem fair how fucking tall this dude is.
Then defensively, the way he impacts the rim is scary.
We had elite rim protection with Rob, but that was a little different.
Those were mostly loud, super athletic blocks, and someone who definitely bit on fakes/committed silly fouls.
Go ahead and take it, name the price.
I don’t need it.
He’s everything they’ve needed and then some.
- In the GS loss, there were some that could not stop crying about the 58 3PA.
There is nothing wrong with 58 3PA if they come off good process.
What those people couldn’t do is separate that from the result.
They see the poor shooting percentage and think this is not how the Celtics should play.
That it’s losing basketball.
Well….how about now?
Another 42 3PA last night and volume doesn’t seem to be an issue today.
Because they went in?
To me, that’s the wrong way to look at it.
The volume number is whatever, what matters is how those threes are generated.
Everything about it ruled.
Remember his first chunk of games where his TS% was in the low 50s?
That’s a big time number and higher than he averaged as a Buck.
There were no hero shots or low percentage looks trying to force his points.
Everything came within the flow of the game.
- When the Celts play like an avalanche, there’s really not much anyone can do.
All on a B2B after playing in an OT game the night before.
None of that makes any goddamn sense.
Just a reminder, Payton Pritchard is shooting 48.8% from three in the month of December.
In 2023, that’s maybe the most important thing a defense can do.
Even if you want think there’s mostly luck involved, I’d have to disagree.
Our sample size this month is too big to think this is just team after team having fluke shooting.
The Celts have to tighten things up in this department.
While I love his energy and his rebounding, Queta unfortunately cannot stop fouling.
I’ll be honest, I’m really stretching things here.
The Ugly
- Which is why for this section, I’ll go with KP’s ankle
Fucking Sabonis.
I imagine we all had the same reaction to this, which was being absolutely terrified.
I saw what I needed to see, so hey don’t push it.
If he’s not 10000000%, sit him.
So while last night’s response was greatly appreciated, there’s obviously still more work to be done.
Still have a Warriors mental block, but also is very clearly still the best team in the NBA.
Win Saturday against the hottest team in the league, and that sets you up nicely for Christmas.
Win that, and you return home 3-1 after a grueling West Coast trip.
Is that wishful thinking?
Maybe, but it’s definitely on the table.
