As we know, not all wins are created equal.
Sometimes you win shorthanded.
Sometimes you win ugly.
And just like we saw last night, sometimes you could win ugly while also being shorthanded.
Win on the road?
Don’t lose two games in a row?
I mean, he’s the coaching mastermind right?
Eh, not really.
In the first meeting?
145 points, 95 FGA, 47 3PA and 26 AST
Last night?
But as they say, a win is a win is a win.
So far this season, that’s exactly what we’ve seen.
Last night, Porzingis had to do the backpacking and it wasn’t an issue at all.
When Porzingis is on the floor, all you have is lose/lose options as a defense.
If you don’t overcommit to the Jays, chances are they are going to burn you.
His 1.40 ppp per Post Up is legitimately insane.
Did we see Tatum force things offensively on an off night?
Did we see Jaylen try and be THE GUY even when his shot wasn’t great either?
They kept things simple.
Or the year before.
Or the year before that.
THIS is why the Porzingis trade moves the needle.
There was no Tatum/Jaylen iso.
There was no settling for 3PA.
Based on what I’ve seen, KP is either scoring or he’s getting to the line.
That’s a new weapon this offense has never had before.
Which is why outside of the Jays, KP is easily their most important piece.
It’s why he’s the true needle mover of all the moves Brad made this summer.
When Derrick is aggressive, it opens everything up.
It’s not just his three point shooter either (which has been incredible).
You know when Derrick’s confidence is back because he’s attacking the paint with force.
Coming with Jrue out, that was huge.
If that happened, the Celts were cooked.
When things come off good ball movement, I want the Celts shooting with confidence every single time.
When they stray from who they are, they get into trouble.
If that player is KP on a pick and pop, shoot it.
If that player is DWhite coming off a screen into a pullup 3?
If that’s Pritchard or Hauser C&S?
If that’s against poor offenses so be it.
How the Celts have defended the 3pt line.
They were at the bottom of the league basically since December 1st, but over this run?
1st in opponent 3P% and 1st in opponent 3PM.
That’s what everyone wants right?
The Bad
- As we know, just because the Celts won doesn’t mean there weren’t issues.
For example, Starter Sam Hauser cannot shoot for shit.
I don’t understand it, I just know it to be true.
A brutal 3-12 (3-12) to bring his season averages as a starter to 32/27%.
45/42% as a reservem 32/27% as a starter.
We’re at the point now where there is simply no denying what is happening out of the half.
It’s as if this team completely forgets how to play basketball.
This gross ass shit
So far this season, the Celts own the 22nd ranked 3rd quarter offense.
Their 45.6% from the floor is 26th.
Their 36% from deep is 24th.
5 TOs and 8 FGM?
Another instance where a 17 point lead is blown?
It’d be one thing if this was a once-in-a-while occurrence.
The Celts went with the opposite approach which I can’t say I loved.
Again, I’m just looking at habits here.
Tatum stepping to the line and missing one himself too.
The best players need to be able to step to the stripe and knock down 4th quarter FTs.
He’s got to be under 75% on the season on those things.
In fact, it’s one of those rare times we’ve seen him have back to back stinkers.
He was kind of sleep walking if we’re being honest.
It’s fair to say we’re currently living through a Tatum shooting slump.
Even outside of his shooting, the effort and energy just didn’t seem there either.
Celts on the B2B, maybe Porzingis sits tonight and the Mavs are home and rested ready to roll.
