If you remember, that wasn’t always the case.
That year the normal intended starting 5 played just 10 games together and 111 minutes.
They just couldn’t catch a health break.
That changed last night while north of the border.
With Jayson Tatum getting his much deserved rest day, things were already going to be a challenge.
Throughout a regular season, you’re looking for certain tests.
How does a team stack up against the best?
Can they win on the road?
Are they mentally tough?
Do they love and trust?
For my money, we just witnessed the two most mentally tough wins of the Celts season.
That’s a championship contending level win.
No excuses, no “woe is me all our players are hurt” bullshit.
How rare is that?
But what we also know is that there are times where mentally they don’t always respond.
Players step up and take advantage of their newfound opportunity.
The vets lead by example.
The coach sets his players up for success.
It takes a collective effort.
With that said, let’s begin.
He would be a franchise’s #1 option in a heartbeat.
Instead, he embraces his role as a Celtic.
He’s the opposite of a headache.
Think of how rare that is with a player of his skillset.
There are no ego battles.
There is no “well what about mine” bullshit when it comes to how Jaylen impacts a game.
That alone is so valuable for a team trying to contend.
And yet, there are some that still fail to realize that.
They care more about a few turnovers here and there or maybe some mental mistakes.
Yes, Jaylen is human, which is tough to accept I know.
From a production standpoint, a mentality standpoint, and a leadership standpoint, Jaylen checks every box.
- Here’s a fun fact for you.
Did you know the Celts are 13-5 when Grant Williams scores more than 10 points in a game?
Going a little deeper, they are 4-1 this year when he scores more than 15.
Especially in a game they desperately needed it.
He’s too valuable to let leave for nothing.
And yet, that was Al Horford
That line isn’t anything all that crazy.
When it came time to lock in defensively in the final quarter, Al was there.
I need Al Horford in my life forever, it’s that simple.
- There’s a lot of talk about how the Celts need to trade for another center.
In a game where Rob got dinged up, I can understand that concern.
Most people who think that would be willing to give up Payton Pritchard for make that happen.
My question is…why the fuck would you do that?
If you want to talk about mental toughness on this team, it starts and ends with Payton Pritchard.
This game is the exact reason why you should not be looking to move Payton Pritchard.
He has that dawg mentality that every roster needs
He’s a proven playoff performer.
His shooting is a legit weapon.
Find a way to get some big man depth with your buyout money or some shit.
I want guys on this roster who are not going to be afraid of the moment.
There is a lot of value in that.
- For this team to succeed at a high level, it starts on the defensive end.
They allowed just 17 points against the Warriros and another 19 last night in the fourth.
That’s just good ol' fashioned heart right there.
That’s not making excuses and instead finding ways to execute.
That’s mental toughness.
The transition has been so seamless it’s as if he’s been a Celtic for 10 years.
Over this 9 game winning streak we’re seeing Brogdon put up
18.7/4.7/3.2 on 51/54% with 3.0 3PM.
He did everything again last night while also finishing 50/60% from the floor.
Early you could tell he wanted to be overly-unselfish, like most new guys do.
This is the Brogdon I think Brad knew he was getting and man has he been on a tear.
- 14 of 15 from the FT line.
Nice to see the Celts get back to being normal after missing 8 FTA against the Warriors.
This is why that shit was so annoying.
You really only have a chance if they’re going to be flirting with like 30%.
If they go 16-35 (45.7%) like they did last night?
A 3pt game with 3:50 left, the Celts answered.
A tie game with 2 minutes left, the Celts answered.
Dig in and get stops?
That’s tied with BKN for the fewest losses in the NBA.
As a team they finished with 15 TOs which led to 18 Raptors points.
That’s…very bad.
You’re in all these close games because you are literally giving away points.
You know they’re going to be physical and force you to speed up your process.
It did not feel like the Celts were ready for that.
Everyone needs to take WAY more time than they think they need, especially Rob.
Give Smart until the All Star break too for all I care, Payton is ready.
The only thing that can stop this team is health, so be smart.
First came Payton’s pass
Huge mistake by everyone involved here.
Things are chaotic, panic is starting to set in, just call a timeout.
Payton, the other players, Joe, someone.
They had 2 TOs in that situation and just let that shit play out.
Huge prayer it did not come back to bite them.
Then there was Grant’s push in the final 3 seconds.
Man does that feel good.
You don’t want to go up against Bam with no Al or Rob in my opinion.
