By my calculations, you’re out of fingers and have probably moved onto your toes.
The Celts can play even better.
The primary guard off the bench did not make a single one of his 8 FGA.
It didn’t matter.
How rare is what we’re watching?
Generations of Celtics teams were never able to do it.
But nothing will ever be cooler than watching this team blow out an opponent by showing no mercy.
That’s what last night was, so let’s talk about it.
He wasn’t going to accept his role!
The supermax was a disaster!
Blah blah blah, we heard it all after his brutal opener.
But hey, maybe you’re more of a visual learner like me.
His 27 first half points with 7 3PM were legitimately the best first half numbers of his career.
It was essentially a perfect Jaylen performance no matter where you looked.
It was everything you want to see from one of your franchise guys.
You know, the MVP candidate Jayson Tatum.
This guy
If you thought Jaylen was getting whatever he wanted, well how do you think Tatum did?
Just a little 14-21 (4-9) shooting and a +27 in his 27 minutes.
The biggest difference to my eyes is the work Tatum is doing out of the post.
To start this season, Tatum currently has a 15.8% (!!!!!!)
Post Up Frequency and is averaging 1.17 ppp on 55.6% shooting.
For reference, Tatum had just a 5.1% frequency last year.
Sam Cassell, you have worked miracles on us all.
Now just think of what adding this element means for Tatum if his three point shooting is also back.
So, just think about this.
If Tatum chooses to take you into the post, that’s a bucket.
What exactly is a defender supposed to do with this?
All I can think of is pray.
- Quick check on Year 2 Mazzulla Ball
Yup, still rules.
Last night was a perfect example of Mazzulla Ball at its highest potency.
- Every time I watch Kristaps Prozingis play I repeatedly say the same thing to myself.
I cannot believe this is a real person/player/human.
He’s a cheat code
Brad Stevens you evil fucking genius.
It looked like when you’re at a basketball camp and the counselor is playing all his little kids.
He’s just too big.
Just listen to how happy this man is.
He can barely believe this is his life right now.
Welcome to basketball heaven Kristaps, it’s been a pleasure to have you.
Just two quiet assasins who make life hell for opposing guards on both ends.
Talk about a wire to wire ass kicking.
Stevens gives you toughness and energy, Svi gives you shooting and shot creation at good size.
If the snipers aren’t making shots, something is going to have to change.
The Bad
- How bad could things have been in a game the Celts once led by 37?
Admittedly, there’s not a ton to choose from for this section.
Maybe the second quarter defense if you had to twist my arm.
- This isn’t really on the top 6 guys, but 17 TOs is once again too many.
A 21-13 foul difference felt a little odd, but that’s nothing new.
Especially coming off the Heat game.
It was almost as if the officials made a call out of spite or something.
The bench has fucking sucked.
Mind you, I mean everyone outside of Al.
For the rest of the season when I say the bench, just know I don’t mean Al.
While Sam Hauser’s defense has been OK, he’s not out there to lock people down.
He’s there to get buckets.
After a 3-10 (2-9) performance, Hauser is now shooting 25/20% on the season.
Payton Pritchard entered the season with huge expectations.
Not just because of his extension, but because of the opportunity that opened up with Brogdon gone.
He’s responded by having a horrific start to the season.
He too is out there to get buckets, and Pritchard has started the year with 15/10% splits.
He’s essentially done nothing with his minutes but turn it over.
So much so that Brad had to go out and trade for Brogdon.
That’s a very big issue for the regular season.
The fact that we even had to remotely sweat this game is inexcusable.
When they weren’t missing, they were turning it over which also wasn’t great.
Of those 17 TOs, 10 of them came from the bench.
Banton was a -17 in 9 minutes!
How is that even possible?
We’re starting to form a trend as opposed to random one off bad performances.
But hey, it’s hard to get too upset about a game like this.
The Celts looked incredible.
3-0 is 3-0 and the vibes could not be higher.
Some will say it’s early and to calm down, and I get that.
I would just reply by saying yes, it is early.
