Despite being shorthanded, it was as relaxing and stress free a Celtics experience as one could possibly have.
That was about as business-like execution as we’ve seen all year.
Instead, they looked like a machine.
That doesn’t mean they are perfect or can’t ever lose, this is basketball.
Nobody is certainly throwing a parade because the Celts blew out the Blazers.
But to me, that’s not really what this is about.
But it also doesn’t hurt if you stack Ws along the way.
Those are pretty fun.
I’m not just talking about a scoring heater either, we’ve seen those before.
That video above is what that looked like.
just look at the TO column.
Is Jaylen taking a lot of shots right now?
But if someone can’t stop you, why make it easy on them?
That’s the beauty of having both!
I’m not really sure how people still don’t realize this.
It’s a luxury to have 1 elite offensive player, having 2 is almost cheating.
It’s what makes the Celtics hard to guard.
If you don’t put all your focus on Tatum, he’s going to crush you.
I think that’s maybe the part I love the most.
Everything is pure, regardless of the zone.
From the top of the arc in a C&S?
Again, all for the low low price of $1.9M.
That’s been one things they’ve missed when it comes to the different scoring profiles of their players.
The thing is, it’s not.
We already did that in 2022.
This is it, this is the pinnacle
I could fucking cry.
When the Celts are at their best, the ball is moving.
That’s always been the case.
Why does this matter?
Well just think of what tends to get the Celtics in trouble in the playoffs.
Well, this is the opposite of that and there’s no surprise the team looks so much better.
- The standard for Jayson Tatum is insanely high, as it should be.
That’s just how it works at that level.
If it is, I think anyone would gladly take that.
Those are Tatum stinkers.
The DEN loss was a Tatum stinker.
Last night, the guy just missed a fuck ton at the rim (more on this later).
That’s really it.
Is his MVP case cooked?
But also, who cares?
Forget that and continue to play team basketball, something he’s done since October.
- The Celts have now gone 2 full games without allowing a 30 point quarter.
That feels pretty hard to do in 2024, especially when one of those games came against Kevin Durant.
That guy can have a 30 point quarter all by himself.
Shooting can come and go.
Sometimes you’re going to miss all your wide open 3PA.
But you know what should never waiver?
I’ve said it for years, if you don’t defend, you die.
Part of that elite defense comes from taking care of the basketball and limiting fastbreak points/points off TOs.
Celts won the fastbreak battle 23-6 in case you were wondering.
When you are elite on both ends, the sky is the limit.
Did you know he’s 21st in the NBA in blocks per game?
Not just among guards, but all players.
That is fucking insane.
If you go by block totals, Derrick’s 76 on the season is tied for 14th.
Again, he’s a point guard.
He’s the ultimate connector, not to mention he never misses a game.
You knew he’d be jazzed up playing in his hometown and he certainly did not disappoint.
That seems to be a trend on this team.
That’s a pretty big drop from their season average of 81%.
Didn’t love the 9 OREB / 15 2nd chance points either.
Is Tillman hurt?
Especially in a game that KP sat?
In his last 5 games, that number falls to 57.4%.
In his last 3 games, that number falls to 54.5%.
Yet lately, I have no confidence in his shots around the rim, which is an issue.
There are plays where he should dunk, that he doesn’t.
Easy mismatches leading to wide open layups, and those rim out.
Enough of the smoking bunnies bullshit to where he’s leaving 6-8 points on the board every game.
Those are points that are going to matter in a playoff game.
Maybe it’s his legs and that’s why he needs a rest day, who knows.
I wouldn’t even say it’s his old habit of shying away from contact either.
We’re at the point where he’s smoking uncontested layups.
It’s the only thing I can think of that makes any sense during this stretch.
Finish this game strong and end the West Coast trip on a positive note.
Be smart, play smart, and things should take care of themselves.
