That’s always fun.
You know what I’m talking about.
It also means RIP to games starting on time.
Essentially 3 straight weeks of games that will not be starting when we are told they will start.
That’s annoying as fuck.
At the moment, they are a certified wagon.
Best team in the league and it’s not even remotely close.
But a good stretch?
Oh I dunno, how about one of the greatest Celtics teams to perhaps ever exist??
This is not just a Knicks thing, this is an any team in the NBA thing.
Even with Randle and OG back, that is still an issue for the Knicks.
It’s why this matchup is now 4-0.
If you get too close, he’s by you and at the rim.
- Here’s what I mean.
You just watched Jaylen bully people, well guess what’s coming with the other hand?
It’s a pick your poison situation.
Which wing do you throw your “better” defender at?
This is what the entire foundation of this era of Celtics basketball is built around.
They are destroying teams.
What we care about is the fact that Tatum still controlled the game and made a winning impact.
I’ll take this Tatum performance every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Engaged defensively, he was efficient, he was unselfish, and he played 43 minutes.
- The matchup issues between these two teams certainly doesn’t stop at the wing position.
So what did we see last night?
22/4/4 on 7-11 (3-4) shooting in his 31 minutes.
It’s a cheat code, I don’t really know how else to say it.
The #1 thing that has made the 2023-24 Celtics different is their diversified offense.
While effective, there was a high level of variance in that approach.
Being able to do that in a playoff seriesIS A MUST.
Nobody who has watched this team should disagree with that.
Take last night for example.
The Celts destroyed the Knicks in terms of points in the paint early.
Everything was at the rim and they were finishing at a high rate.
Being able to recognize a mismatch and execute against it is important in a playoff series.
This is where the other half of the Celts offensive approach argument comes in.
For the Celts to be at their best, they need to take 3s.
A roster built with this many shooters needs to shoot.
It’s no surprise that this game exploded the second the Celts remembered that 3P volume is important.
That is their knockout punch.
It’s prime Warriors Dynasty shit.
So the answer to the question of “what should the Celts offensive approach be” is pretty simple.
The answer is both.
When there are opportunities to exploit mismatches, by being aggressive or playing through the post.
The Celtics should (and do) do it.
It is not a one or the other situation which is what you so often here.
We know this because the Celtics are currently doing it, and THAT is what is different this year.
A ball hawk is the best way I would describe him.
It’s tremendous stuff.
I also love Tatum taking on the Brunson responsibility defensively.
- Al Horford remains perfect.
Not much else needs to be said there.
Another game with an opponent finishing with 15 OREB, which were good for 18 2nd chance points.
Now here’s the thing, I’m no dummy.
But that’s why this bothers me.
Instead, I still saw a whole bunch of standing and watching.
I saw a lack of boxing out lead to tap outs.
Giving good teams extra possessions is asking to be buried.
It has to be cleaned up.
He’s shown enough growth in that department to warrant those chances when he’s on the floor.
My issue is more what the team runs when they find themselves in that situation.
So not only did I not love the playcall, I didn’t love the timing either.
Either way, gross way to end the half.
- Horrific shooting to end this game, thank god the defense did their part.
I mean we don’t often see the Celts lose quarters by 14 points.
But then after missing their first 4 shots you start to get a little nervous.
I consider it a tribute to Celts teams of the past if we’re being honest.
This year’s group way of showing their respect to those who came before them.
Because this team responds.
I mean 2-13 (0-6) from the Jays is pretty brutal, thank God for Al Horford.
The Ugly
- Sorry, perks of 8 wins in a row.
We won’t be back until they lose again.
The wagon has continued to roll on and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Just get me to Tuesday night.
