At the start of 2022, it was not easy to ignite for the Boston Celtics. For his first experience as a head coach in the NBA, Ime Udoka had some problems getting the best out of his workforce and getting the executives to play like in the best hours of Brad Stevens. In just over two months, things have changed and so has everyone’s idea of Boston.
The Celtics have just beaten Brooklyn and consolidated their place in the top 5 in the East. But beyond this interesting classification, always likely to improve given the small gap with the rest, the dynamics and the strike force of this team are frightening. Udoka’s men have won 16 of their last 19 matches and we are starting to seriously want to imagine a bloody playoff campaign on their part.
Better, we want to ignite and imagine them coming out of the East as winners…
Raison n°1 : Jayson Tatum
Like his team, we were still wondering where to place the cursor with Jayson Tatum two months ago. His talent was never in doubt, but his sharing of tasks in attack with Jaylen Brown and the uncertainty of his ability to sometimes take over in hand to hand with other big league forwards still left you wondering. Tatum is putting everyone in agreement, with a second half of the season at a high level, even beyond the statistics.
The former Dukie has just collided with Ja Morant and Kevin Durant. Each time, he was more relevant and skilful than his opponent (37 points against Memphis, 54 against Memphis) to lead Boston to victory. The visual impression is formal. We now see in each match a leader and a two-way player who no longer hesitates to let go of the ball when he considers that a partner is better placed, or to take control of operations at the finish if the situation so requires. required.
Over the last three games, Tatum has 41 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, playing perfect scores that hint at the final version of the Tatum product. Whether it’s because he gained confidence by starting the All-Star Game or because the spats at the start of the season led to something constructive, the #0 of the C’s does not force anything and seems to navigate the matches with ease. It is also this ability to dictate the pace of matches, especially those with high stakes, which makes the difference between a star, which Jayson Tatum already is, and a superstar, which he is becoming.
In the playoffs, he will have to be Boston’s go to guy, rediscovering the combo of composure and recklessness that left lasting memories during his rookie season.
54 POINTS for @jaytatum0 lifts @celtics! pic.twitter.com/u6TH4OdZri
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2022
CQFR: Fabulous Jokic and Tatum, Middleton rises in rank
Reason #2: an iron defense
For years, defense has been the DNA of the game and the success of the Celtics version of Brad Stevens. Towards the end of his mission as head coach, we began to see that Boston was no longer so sovereign in the matter. There was reason to think, given their start to the season, that the C’s under Idoka would not necessarily be more focused on the thing. Missed.
Boston is No. 1 in all advanced stats that have anything to do with defense so far this year. Only Dallas, another good surprise at the moment, takes fewer points on average per game. No one has a better defensive rating than Boston, which is also the team against which the opponents shoot the least well by far. The collective efforts made are deafening and the defensive impact is no longer limited to Marcus Smart who runs, presses and tears away for three.
The freer positioning of Robert “Time Lord” Williams III, the resurrection d’Al Horfordwho we thought was burnt out not so long ago but who has once again become an elite general in defense, but also the arrival of the intelligent Derrick White coming from San Antonio, are other important factors. When you think that Boston had first of all recovered Horford to be able to get rid of Kemba Walker’s contract, the investment / profit ratio is more than satisfactory.
The Celtics have no dead weight in defense and can switch at all costs. We know that to go far in the post-season, it is better to be very solid on this side and no one is more so than the Celtics in the NBA at the moment.
Reason 3: the tall ball option and a satisfactory bench
Ime Udoka has several options to vary the pleasures in the playoffs depending on what the opponent will offer. Right now, no team too “small” can go the distance when Boston throws its big five in a meeting, with Smart, Tatum, Robert Williams, Grant Williams and Al Horford.
The Nets took it head on on Sunday, and others bit the dust when that five, used in Brown’s absence or when he needs a breather, is in action. Robert Williams is the only non-shooter in this line-up, but he makes up for it with his grueling mobility and great passing sense.
As far as the bench is concerned, Boston no longer finds itself forced to play too long minutes with players who lack bearings and serenity, as was the case not so long ago with the Aaron Nesmith and another Romeo Langford.
Reason 4: the fans have become hot again
The Boston crowd is historically one of the hottest in the entire NBA. In recent years, by the locals’ own admission, the atmosphere has been a little less electric at TD Garden, partly due to a little redundant play and a little disappointing results. The players recognize it: the fans are hot and influence the course of the matches again, whether by pushing their players in their highlights or by jeering the opponents – hello Kyrie.
The crowd has reclaimed its team and can once again identify with the fighting spirit and the defense put forward, while displaying the pride of being able to count a Jayson Tatum in its ranks. In the playoffs, a warm room can make the difference and not everyone is necessarily psychologically equipped to withstand such pressure.
Reason #5: Competition Isn’t Terrifying
If in the West Phoenix has a clear margin on its pursuers, even without Chris Paul, the East is very open this season. Even if we can be impressed by the work of Erik Spoelstra in Miami, the firepower of the Sixers with Embiid and Harden, the return to the forefront of the Bulls, or be convinced that the Bucks are favorites because they know the way , all of the Celtics’ opponents have fairly apparent flaws or uncertainties that will need to be ironed out before heading into the postseason.
Miami has had a hard time being able to count on all its executives at the same time, Philadelphia has yet to put its new duo through its paces and has clearly lost defensive impact, Chicago risks having major problems with match-up if an inside (like Embiid or Antetokounmpo) or a dominant scoring outside shows up and Milwaukee has yet to fully regain the hallowed fire of last season.
Nikola Jokic is already the best player in the history of the Nuggets