C’s worry about selves
With Bucks up next, it’s time to refocus
It was nearly two hours before last night’s game against Brooklyn, the outcome of which was of no matter to the Celtics.
Oh, they did set out a game plan against the Nets, one that would not be executed by most all of what constitutes their regulars nowadays. But the deeper scouting dives were being taken into Milwaukee, Miami and Washington — the possible firstround opponents.
“They’ve already started all that stuff,” said Brad Stevens of his assistants, “obviously already looking at all the potential matchups. Different guys have different assignments. So we’ll see who we play. You’ll all know when we know, so then we’ll start preparing for one specifically.”
But even as the Celtics waited and wondered, before they knew they would get to visit Milwaukee the weekend after this, there was the greater realization that it didn’t really matter. “It’s more about us,” said Terry Rozier, who’ll be filling the figuratively large sneakers of Kyrie Irving. “We’ve got to get on the right path and play great basketball again before we start worrying about other things and other teams.
“Out of the three teams it can be, it’s going to be tough matching up with each one. We have to come out and play with a great mindset to win against all three of them. It’s paying attention to details and taking care of business.
“But at this point, it’s just like, all right, let’s see who it is.”
With a lineup stitched together because so many others — Irving, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Daniel Theis — had to get stitches, the more immediate concern for Stevens is making sure his own house is in order. He has to find a way to get some consistency and groove from the inexperienced but capable people he has left.
“Well, it should always be about that for every team,” he said. “But, you know, we have 11 guys, so at the end of the day, we’re not going to change a ton. We just have to do what we do well.”
In one sense, there is no pressure on the Celtics, because they are not expected to last very long in this postseason. On the other hand, that same thought was being spoken aloud in the minutes after Hayward sat on the floor with his left foot turned toward port in the season opener.
But, in truth, these Celts
under the gun. They still have an All-Star in Al Horford, a rookie in name only in Jayson Tatum, a sophomore ticketed for big things in Jaylen Brown, and a third-year understudy in Rozier who will be a valued, albeit restricted, free agent in the summer of 2019. And veterans Marcus Morris and Greg Monroe can certainly play and post big numbers, so, indeed, this is more than just some plucky collection of kids playing with house money.
The Celtics are not Loyola of Chicago. If they wash out early, it will be an embarrassment.
“Ultimately, I think anybody’s approach in the entire league is about working on getting better and playing the right way you want to play as a team and not shooting yourself in the foot,” said Brown. “I think that’s our key focus, to not hurt ourselves.
“I think we’re our biggest opponent, so I think if we come out and play the right way, we can compete against anybody.
“We have to continue to get better as a unit, especially with all the injuries and different guys stepping up. And I think we have taken strides in certain moments, but we’ve got a young group and the more strides we can take the better.”
On Tuesday in Washington, also known as the last time they put their playoff rotation to the test, the Celts came up woefully short in the second half.
“And then there’s the human nature element of where you stand,” said Stevens. “That’s why it was disappointing (Tuesday) night. I thought we could have battled human nature a little bit better. But we didn’t, and we’ll use that as an opportunity to grow and get ready for this weekend.”
They have to grow, and fast.
“Yeah, we definitely do,” said Rozier. “We showed a lot of good things in the first half in Washington, but then we just kind of went away from the things that were helping us. You can’t do that in the playoffs. But we’ll be fine, man. We know we’ve got to understand how important this is, what kind of opportunity we have right in front of us and take care of business.
“It’s the playoffs. Everybody wants to play well. Everybody wants to be the hardest-playing team. It’s going to be a great test.”
For no one more than Rozier.
“I’ve got some serious responsibility,” he said. “I’ve got to lead a great team, and that’s the kind of responsibility I’m willing to take on. It’s a great opportunity for me, and I’m ready for it.”
Stevens believes all his players are.
“I don’t have any doubts on any of them,” he said. “They’ll play great.”
There are too many variables and unknowns to believe the coach was speaking with absolute conviction. But, as with the identity of the first-round opponent, it really doesn’t matter anyway.
Let the real games begin.