I’m just going to let it be known right now, this is not a sober blog.
I mean what else do you expect after what we’ve been watching these last 10 games?
I’m going to say something that some may find controversial, but it’s the truth.
We just witnessed the greatest 10 game winning streak in Celtics franchise history.
Pick a year, it doesn’t matter.
Hold on, I need a refill
OK, let’s proceed.
It may mean nothing, it may mean everything, I’ll allow you to form your own conclusion.
All I’m about to do is just present you with the facts.
The 1986 Celts and the 2008 Celts.
But it goes deeper.
A sign of what’s to come?
I fucking hope so.
At the very least, it is kinda spooky.
The record part is one thing, but the winning streak at the exact same time?
And I’m not talking about a little 4 game streak either.
These are all at least 8 games, with the last two both being at least 10 games.
Won the title
1971 Bucks?
Won the title
1996 Bulls?
Won the title
2017 Warriors?
Won the title
1972 Bucks?
Didn’t win the title
1997 Bulls?
Won the title
2016 Warriors?
You know how I always say perspective is important?
The perspective here is we are currently watching one of the most dominant teams in NBA history.
I’m not sure how else to really say it.
But at the same time, this has to be it.
It just has to be.
He responded like he so often does.
With two way dominance.
When we talk about MVP, everyone like to talk about impact.
Well, last time I checked this means both ends of the floor.
In all of Tatum’s matchups last night, he allowed 8 total points.
He allowed 30 points on 11-15 (73.3%) shooting.
Jaylen/Jrue did most of the work, combining for 18 points on 7-9 shooting.
As much as Mavs fans want to try and deny it, defense matters.
Because it impacts winning, and winning is supposed to be the most important thing.
Oh right, there’s also this to consider as well
Luka is without a doubt a generational player.
Suggesting otherwise is stupid.
But there are levels to this when you want to talk about making a winning impact.
Tatum is good because he is elite on BOTH ends of the floor.
The same cannot be said for Luka.
The Mavs struggle when he struggles because he’s an easy 2 points whenever someone goes at him.
That stuff should matter.
you could always tell when Tatum is in one of his zones when that side step 3 drops.
The way he is playing is exactly how I envision Jaylen at his best.
As it’s possible for you to imagine, no Mav had success in that department.
I also love that once Jaylen got into the restricted area, he went up strong.
There were no soft layups there or a player who was maybe shying away form contact.
Those were powerful finishes.
Too big, too strong, too quick.
The idea is to be as scheme-proof as you possibly can.
Take away the three?
OK, no problem, the team can adapt to elite post play or elite P&R.
Need a huge bucket late in games?
Have more than one way to get it.
What stands out about the 2023-24 version of Mazzulla Ball is that is exactly what they’ve become.
How successful has it been?
I haven’t even mentioned Derrick’s floater or Jrue’s ability to get into the paint yet either.
But if you come too far out, they drive past you.
It’s a lose/lose.
So as you could see, this is about as scheme-proof as the Celtics HAVE EVER been.
That’s the final step.
- Case in point?
Kristaps Porzingis
Why are the Celts so scheme-proof?
Porzingis has ended all of that.
You just needed that final solve, which is exactly what KP is.
- I don’t even know what to say anymore when it comes to Jrue Holiday’s corner shooting.
It’s beyond absurd.
Those numbers aren’t real, yet are very real.
With Jrue, his corner shot is his touch meter.
With Derrick it’s his floater.
Once we saw both drop early, you knew it was going to be an efficient night for both.
Al Horford with 2 days rest morphs into a 25 year old.
Once the Mavs cut the lead to 81-79, this game could have gone one of two ways.
From that 81-79 score, the next thing you knew it was 119-99.
There was no collapse.
There was no choking in the moment.
There was yet another display of resiliency.
The Celts didn’t just push back, they ended the game.
So often we ask ourselves if this group is different, well, maybe this was out answer.
Tell me I’m wrong
That’s Al.
Mostly, stop being so goddamn lazy with them.
The first was from Derrick
the other from Tatum
Can’t have that shit.
Throwing entry passes without turning the ball over is going to be VERY important in 2 months.
Whether that’s to Tatum in the post or KP.
Those are just asking for trouble.
You have got to figure out a way to have clean defensive possessions.
The Celts are a team that leads the NBA in defensive rebounding.
They are also 25th in the NBA in opponent OREB.
- Maybe it’s just me, but I’m over the Kyrie stuff.
I haven’t thought about that dude in years.
If people want to boo, go nuts.
I’m mostly apathetic towards it all at this point.
It’ll always be fucked how he tanked the 2019 playoffs, we all know that.
I just don’t really give a shit about it anymore.
- I honestly can’t remember the last time I liked an end of quarter Celtics possession.
It hasn’t mattered who was initiating the offense whether it was Jaylen, Derrick, or Tatum.
They’ve all been bad.
Just look at the games against NYK/PHI/DAL since the break and how you felt going into halftime.
A lack of execution suddenly made a game that shouldn’t be close a whole lot closer.
The Ugly
- Nope.
Not after 10 in a row.
Now, as good as we all feel, we know what comes next.
You want to show us things are different?
Well here’s your chance.
The Warriors are on a roll, Steph is still Steph, and there are demons there for sure.
If the Celts play like they have been, they should have no problems.
But as we know, beating Steph Curry is much easier in theory than in reality.
