Resuming: 10 lessons learned from the Celtics/Bulls game
After returning from the All-Star break, the Boston Celtics continued where they left off.
We’ve returned! The week off seemed to go forever! A little programming note for today: no clips have been added to the NBA’s interactive box score as of this writing. I’ve gone back and selected a few, mostly from the first portion, but today’s key points will mostly be found in the text.
#1 Lack of corrosion
Two weeks prior to the All-Star break, the Boston Celtics appeared prepared. Their play started to seem a touch sloppy, and they stopped rebounding quickly. It’s alright. The season is lengthy. Even elite athletes require breaks from time to time.
Of course, taking these kinds of breaks is never without concern. The Celtics were obviously in rhythm even though they weren’t playing at their best. When everything is going well, taking a seven-day break could be the worst thing that could happen. But the Celtics looked sharp right from the start of the game. Rather, they appeared rested.
They played with a definite emphasis on offense, played well on defense, and controlled the court with purpose. By the end of the game, they were shooting 54.2% from the field and 48.9% from beyond the arc. When it comes to making shots and carrying out offensive plays, there’s not much to be upset about.
#2 Bully-ball player Jaylen Brown.
This season, Jaylen Brown has excelled when using his strength and athleticism. His shot distribution is as follows: 32% of his shots are made at the basket, 38% in the mid-range, and 30% from three points out. This season, the offense will put more of an emphasis on making use of his strength, pull-up shooting, and athleticism.
A big factor in Brown’s success this season has been his readiness to embrace the more rugged side of his game and rely on his interior scoring prowess. Sure, he’s improving in both his passing and defense-reading skills, but his primary scoring role has been bringing out the best in him.
When Brown is playing well for the Celtics, he can produce plays like the one shown above against Dosunmu. Naturally, you are more likely to encounter instances such to these when he is on the edge;
He is an All-Star because of his adaptable scoring style, which also makes him a crucial component of Boston’s championship team. Even so, I’m liking Jaylen’s aggressive style, especially inside.
#3 Initially examining Tillman
I anticipated seeing Xavier Tillman for ten to twelve minutes before the game. He recently had an injury. It makes reasonable to be under a minute restriction. But considering Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond’s physicality, I thought this would be the perfect stage for Tillman to demonstrate the various dimensions he offers in the center of the court.
However, Joe Mazzulla had different ideas. Tillman spent a total of two minutes and thirty-three seconds on the floor. In the upcoming weeks, I’m sure we’ll see more of him, for longer periods of time. I see the concept of gradually introducing him into the rotation as well, particularly if you’re taking care of the knee pain he’s been experiencing.
Nevertheless, he received his first bucket in green and appeared to be every bit the adaptable and solid player the Celtics had anticipated when they acquired him prior to the trade deadline.
It was a fantastic sequence that resulted in the bucket above. Sam Hauser’s screen moves in the direction of the low block, seals his man, receives the ball, and then moves toward the paint, turning to face the player and showcasing some impressive footwork. Tests for Tillman will be more rigorous while he’s wearing a Celtics jersey. I’m simply glad he entered the court, showed off a few of his skills, and was able to play the entire game without getting hurt.
He has plenty of time in the upcoming days, weeks, and months to establish himself as a reliable rotation player.
#4 Introducing Springer to us
For the Celtics, Jaden Springer played a brief stint on the court. Similar like Tillman, he was playing for the first time following a minor injury. Springer.
Though I do believe he’s more of a development player, we will probably see more of him next season than we do this one, and we will probably see him in a larger role between now and the playoffs.
Sadly, Springer’s debut came to an end without a basket as he failed to make the game’s lone shot attempt, a perimeter jumper, oddly enough.
#5 Geek out over it: A novel approach
The Celtics have never used this offensive strategy before, in my opinion. Naturally, I felt compelled to mention it in today’s takeaways.