Then I saw DeRozan start 5-5 or some bullshit and it confirmed it for me.
His answer was something that I think we all have been asking for.
As expected, this game was another battle.
There may be some out there that are annoyed by this, but I’m the opposite.
I welcome the challenge.
I want the Celts to have to prove they can execute in high pressure situations.
I felt the same way after the SA win.
Win ugly, win by a blowout, I do not care in the slightest.
I find it to be a positive that when the Celts are challenged they find ways to positively respond.
They’re the best team in the NBA.
Last night’s win only further solidified what we already knew, so let’s talk about it.
I’m not talking about every once in a while or every other game.
I’m talking every single time.
You know who fits that mold?
You watch Rob play and the best way I can describe it is youfeelhis minutes through your television.
That’s why the Lob To Rob is the most unstoppable play in basketball.
It’s a simple play/pass, but it’s effective.
This is an element the Celts don’t really have when they go 5 out.
Bringing Rob into the starting lineup unlocks that play.
But we also saw Rob’s value by simply being the screener/roll threat.
At this moment, what do the Bulls do?
Vucevic can’t worry about Rob, because then Tatum has a wide open lane.
If both Vuc and Williams focus on Tatum, the pass to Rob is right there.
Vuc never really fully commits to Tatum, and he buries the wide open jumper in his eyeball.
That’s more Rob than it is Tatum.
His energy was contagious, and it just felt nice to see him with the normal starters again.
Just watch his minutes, that’s all that matters.
If he sees his first few shots (especially if they’re 3PA) go in, watch out.
He was efficient from the floor at 10-21 (4-11).
Again, when your best player buys in and plays like this, it’s contagious.
That’s the role of the best player.
Set the tone, watch everyone else follow.
I’ll tell you who that was.
That’s a player who is worth $16M a year.
That guy kinda stinks.
Last night’s Grant?
The one who was attacking closeouts like a guard and was making play after play off the dribble?
That’s an element of Grant’s game that simply did not exist last season.
Grant took 15 FGA last night which was the most he’s taken ALL SEASON.
When second unit guys like him and Brogdon come in the game, they have to be aggressive.
Play within the offense, but don’t be scared out there.
Impose your will and good things will happen.
That’s how I would describe Grant’s night.
He imposed his will.
By far the best 2nd unit player in this game, the Celts don’t win without it.
- Let me be perfectly clear about something if that’s alright with you.
I will die for Al Horford.
Al had been 1-4 from three in this game before that shot, but nobody cared.
They made the right basketball play and the Basketball Gods rewarded everyone.
He’s that important to what they do.
in this game which is always nice to see.
- In the losses to the Bulls, we saw a common theme.
The Celts won the rebounding battle 50-42.
They won the points in the paint battle 44-42.
They only turned the ball over 9 times.
Taking care of these “small” areas are the little things that can change a game.
- It’s getting a little ridiculous how often we’re seeing Derrick White block shots at the rim.
Didn’t make a 3PA which was a bummer, but White’s paint game is thriving right now.
His team high +21 wasn’t an accident.
- Late game execution will always be a concern for me.
I’ve been burned too many times in the past for it not to be.
The Bad
- Not the best Jaylen performance I’ve ever seen.
I can’t remember too many times we’ve seen him go 0-8 from three and 7-21 overall.
Add in some 4 TOs and offensively this was one of Jaylen’s worst outings of the year.
They finished 4-20 on “open” looks and 6-17 on “wide open” looks.
That’s a cool 10-37 on either open or wide open looks (28%).
That’s very bad.
Mazzulla Ball works, it generates great looks.
It’s just on the players to not fucking shoot below 30% on open shots.
- The entire world knows DeMar DeRozan is the best midrange jump shooter not named Kevin Durant.
He’s insane from that zone and has already burned the Celts multiple times with this shot.
So to see him come out and go 5-5 with 3 of them being middies was very annoying.
The worst part is the Celts even played great defense on some of them and it didn’t matter.
- Only 3 minutes for Payton Pritchard was also a bummer.
Given his season last year, I definitely feel for him though.
This is a landing space foul.
I mean look at where Vuc’s foot is!
Does Tatum have to get hurt in order for this to change?
I seriously do not understand it.
I don’t care that Zarba admitted he missed it.
How about you don’t miss it considering it happened right in front of your fucking face?
- Zach LaVine’s 4th quarter was some of the most terrifying shit I’ve ever seen.
It didn’t matter what the defense did, that man was as locked in as humanly possible.
He single handedly almost stole this game for the Bulls for crying out loud.
