That shit was an absolute ass kicking after about the first 7 minutes.
The question then became, OK, how do they respond?
This is a team that has not lost consecutive games 11/6-8, which is pretty fucking impressive.
As we’ve learned, the juice isn’t really worth the squeeze.
Let him develop the Rockets and fight like hell for the Play In.
That’s all fine and good, but we’re fine over here.
At the end of the day, it’s a players league.
In terms of the actual basketball we saw?
Boy was that great for my mental health.
That was the team that we’ve been watching all season.
Coming off the bubble ECF, Jaylen was awesome that season.
In 2022-23, Jaylen Brown came back again and was even better.
A season so good, it earned him a well deserved $300M.
It would not have been crazy if someone called this the best season of his career.
That was his goal and his standard.
Guess who’s backing that up?
In the entire NBA, Jaylen currently ranks 19th in defensive win shares (1.7).
We’re seeing Jaylen back up what he talked about before the season.
That shit happens to every player at some point.
What matters is the consistency in which we’re seeing this leap.
It’s not three or four times a month.
It’s 95% of the time.
Not an awful start efficiency wise, but certainly not to the level Jaylen usually plays it.
It was the one thing that made his start feel “off”.
In his last 24 games, Jaylen is putting up 24.5 while shooting 52/38%.
In the last 15 games, 25.8 on 54/46%.
In the last 10 games, 25.7 on 56/50%.
In the last 5 games, 29.6 on 60/54%.
You see where I’m going with this?
I’m talking about back breaking threes that aren’t remotely close to even gracing the rim.
Since we crossed over into January, that number is 55.6% with 4.2 3PM on 7.5 3PA.
That punch in of production with that punch in of volume is legitimately insane.
Now here we are with them never missing.
All my life all I heard about was the old time Celtics this and the old time Celtics that.
Nobody would ever touch the 1986 team, etc.
As most true Celtics olds, he didn’t appreciate it all that much.
We’ll see how it ends up, but for right now?
19-0 at home is something serious.
Pick an era, any era you want, they’ve never done it.
Our 7'3 gift from the Basketball Gods.
However I thought this partnership was going to go, it’s been a billion times better.
He’s too good a shooter to be as poor as he has been to start the season.
Last night was the rule.
By now you should know why, just go look at NBA history.
It matters, and the Celts are pacing great so far.
Take as much time as you need, this is important.
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Amen.
Now we wait and see.
Pritchard is another guy who may have started the season slow, but has completely turned his season around.
His extension looks like great value and he’s been able to carve out a consistent and important role.
Sorry fellas, that shit doesn’t work anymore.
Where are all those in game adjustments from Ime?
Did it feel like he was able to adjust on either end of the floor?
Sorta felt like Joe cooked him if we’re being honest.
- Al Horford was a +30 in his 20 minutes.
What can’t that man do.
The Bad
- Can’t say I loved how this team looked defensively to start this game.
Over the last 6-7 games we’ve seen the Celts be way too easy to score on.
That happens because you aren’t getting stops.
- I remain so confused every time I see Holiday smoke a bunny.
My brain just can’t comprehend it.
He’s so good at virtually everything else offensively, but finishing at the rim.
That’s down from 72.5% last year and 67.8% the year before.
Those seem to always drop.
But a layup at the rim?
I have no idea if that shit’s going to drop.
It’s so bizarre and very much reminds me of what we lived through with Malcolm Brogdon.
So good with virtually everything else offensively, yet can’t finish at the rim.
- As well as Jaylen played, we did see a few of his problem areas come up again.
Nothing major, but examples of the quick lapses in mental focus that often get him into trouble.
Jaylen missing 4, Tatum missing 2, what are we doing.
The Ugly
- But what I will complain about is the Jayson Tatum ejection.
For whatever reason, players are allowed to foul Jayson Tatum.
Refs feel empowered to act this way and it’s ruining the sport.
So on one hand, the ejection was bullshit and that ref should be publicly shamed.
On the other hand, I appreciate Tatum getting the rest.
Play like we saw last night, and there should be nothing to worry about.
