Here’s one way to contextualize how the Boston Celtics have dominated the ball. Not only are they the most efficient team in his NBA history, but just before his 25th game against the Raptors on Monday night, their offensive his rating dropped to 8.39 per 100 possessions. It was the point. Moreover league averageSince 2000, only the 2003-04 Mavericks have been more productive than their direct rivals.
Coached by innovative Don Nelson, Dirk Nowitzki, 25, and Steve Nash, 29, led the Mavs. However, anomalous attacks weren’t enough. Otherwise Dallas was forgotten that season. Mavs Lost His First Round, Poorly Defended And Defended No One allowed a higher effective field goal percentage than what they turned in.
I don’t think the Celtics have that problem. The story of their season so far is a historic attack. The juicy subplot, however, is how balanced they are still.After spending his first month of the season with below-average fielding percentages, the Celtics are now 9th placeBut leaving room to improve defensively is scarier than a three-second barrage of rain every night.they are the fifth Last 15 games or morefirst time for top 10 violationsWhen quality in transition.
By rediscovering the same indomitable identity they had when they led 2-1 in the 21-5 final last June, Juggernaut You may have unrivaled supremacy.Please try to hear sandsAfter the team’s most impressive defensive performance of the season, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzura said, “The defense is slowly coming back. in Brooklyn last Sunday“And our staff are doing a great job of running it.”
These Celtics didn’t need good defense to win. But last season things were a little different. After he started the 2021-22 season 25-25, they treated every defensive possession he had as if the buckets were going to lose quickly. Them The Celtics were doomed to die as they turned their offensive set into a territory battle for personal space. Nothing was transferred without conflict.
Boston had a great offense in the regular season, but the stop was oxygen. Versatility, length, instincts, experience, and physical prowess all in defense is how they set themselves apart from the herd. It was also an exhausting way to exist – especially if you’re someone like Marcus Smart, whose body collapses when his brain exerts as much energy as it needs for all his possessions. Now, the ability to immediately answer a surrendered basket with an open 3 makes it easier to embrace a less hostile mentality. Integrating new players and getting a feel for a rookie head coach is also a real adjustment that takes time.
Their biggest concern during the offseason was attack. That’s what their coaches and players stuck with. How can we prevent the same finals collapse (and conference finals collapse) from happening again? It’s a good time to remember. One of his reasons is Robert Williams III, a resilient shot-blocking prodigy who is on the verge of returning from knee surgery. He hasn’t played a single second this season. It’s not a trivial absence. last season84 points per half-court play with him. This seasonthey are 20th in half-court defense.
Had it not been for a torn meniscus in March, Williams probably would have been Defensive Player of the Year. Life is harder when he’s not patrolling paint. last year, Opponent completed only 35.6% of short midrange shotsThat number easily led the league.now 46% this is the 4th worst.
Also, compared to last season, Boston has given their opponents about 2 more More layups per 100 possessionsWilliams is someone who creates hesitation, if at all. Opposing ball handlers are no longer hesitant. Nothing like this happens when he’s there.
And then there are his replacements: Luke Cornette, Noah Bonley and Blake Griffin. was terrible in either of the latter twoKornet is solid (especially As for his unconventional closeout technique) However … not rob williams.
The Time Lords’ influence is undeniable, but they’re not as savior as the man who granted them permanent access to the NBA’s penthouse. His presence imbues an aura of invincibility in what should be an elite group. Even in his absence, this roster still has plenty of above-average flexible and sturdy individual defenders within a system that should result in a top 5 rating (What they have when Jason Tatum is on the floor).
Tatum, Smart, Grant Williams, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and almost their entire rotation could all be shortlisted for the All-Defensive Team. (With so many strong links, Sam Hauser is regularly attacked on the island. He has more I’m defending a lot of quarantines. spectrum per secondUntil their most influential defender returns, there are some indications that this team will come closer to a result that is much closer to the Celtics’ result last season than it is now.
Quantified Opponent Shoot Quality in Boston (a metric that weights the average shooter’s probability of making a shot by adjusting it by 3) The 2021-22 season was a league-best 50.75%50.68 this season, which just trails the Bucks and is a major reason why Mazura in general likes what he sees. When I asked him recently if there was any difference in Boston’s mentality compared to last season, Mazura littered with a detailed list of basic and advanced stats, explaining the trajectory his group is on. I gave an optimistic answer about He did a better job of keeping his hands active and producing turnovers (but in that department) They still rank near the bottom).
“There is no difference between here and last year,” he said. “Except for the absence of Rob.” The Celtics have pretty much replicated their opponents’ shot frequency posted last season to force shots they want.they are good at remove rims and corner 3s while indulging the midrange jumper’s heavier diet than any defenseIf they keep it up, a simple calculation will push them to a higher tier.
And their calling card remains their calling card. “As you know, our plans remain pretty much the same,” Mazura said. They switch between on-ball and off-ball screens slightly more often than they did last season. (Only the Nets do it more often. Celtics allow only 21.7 assists per 100 possessionssecond only to Milwaukee.
“Execution of the game plan. Defensive discipline. Trend details. Active hands,” Mazura said. “Our players… I thought they were always playing hard.”
Seeing all that the Celtics have done, calling them the sleeping giants sounds silly. However, their offense has been so insanely efficient that their steady progress over the course of the season may ultimately be the main reason they are considered the all-time powerhouse.
It is their defense that cannot be overlooked. It’s their defense that keeps them in every game and completely disrupts opposing strategies. It’s their defense that can take them wherever they want to go…a cement foundation. And after all, nothing scares all other contenders more than a return to the level the Celtics found on that side of the ball late last season. You may need to tighten up.
