Green with envy
THE rest of the league must be green with envy with the way the Boston Celtics are winning easily and having fun doing so. The Celtics have won 14 of their last 16 games and sit atop the tougher Eastern Conference with a 18-5 record. What’s more notable is the historical way they’ve been doing it.
Currently, the Celtics are scoring at a historic rate with their offensive numbers ranked No. 1 in NBA history. They put up 121.5 points scored per 100 possessions, their true shooting percentage is 63.4 percent, and they are even shooting a historic best 85.3 percent from the free throw line as a team.
This has converted to a league best 122 point per game. The Celtics are also first in field goal percentage (49.8 percent) and three-point percentage (40.8 percent). They are also leading the league in point differential beating opponents by 8.6 points per game.
This is unprecedented given that the team is historically known as a defensive team. They led the league in defense last year. Expect the Celtics offensive numbers to dip a little as the season moves on as teams start to adjust and try to take away the threepoint shot from the Celtics.
The Celtics offense is fun to watch predicated on spacing, ball movement, screens and cutting. Oftentimes, all five players touch the ball, looking for the best open shot. And since all five players on the floor can usually make the three-ball, defenses are left staggering.
Resident superstar Jayson Tatum described Boston’s offense as randomness, built on trust and reads, rather than any calls from the sideline. Former coach Ime Udoka focused on this free-flowing basketball last season by trying to let his stars become natural playmakers. Interim coach Joe Mazzulla added more offball screening with better results.
And speaking of Tatum, the MVP candidate is scoring a career-bests in scoring (31.6 points per game), assists (4.5) and field goal percentage (48.8 percent). Together with running mate Jaylen Brown, who is also having a career year (26.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 3.5 apg), they form the league’s most potent duos.
The bench has also contributed.
With injuries to center Robert Williams and forward Danilo Gallinari, the Celtics’ new recruits have stepped up in a big way. Led by former Rookie of the Year Malcom Brogdon, the Celtics have solved one of their biggest weaknesses last season. Once defensive anchor Robert Williams comes back for the Celtics, their defense will start to lock down and they will become more deadly.
Recently, Brogdon said that “it’s a treat” to play for the Boston Celtics and added that this was the best team he has ever been in in terms of culture. “There’s a lot of good here, from the top down — the leadership down to the PTs, the players,” said Brogdon. “I remind the guys of that when times get tough because there’s always going to be times and days when there’s lulls, but for me and Blake (Griffin), we’ve been in situations where the team is not winning, and the team is really struggling, and there’s chaos. I try to encourage guys to be appreciative of what they have here.”
A quarter into the season, the Celtics look ready to claim the title they almost won and they are doing so with beautiful basketball.