The Celtics TRICKED the NBA…

The Celtics TRICKED the NBA…

The Boston Celtics tricked the NBA. This was not supposed to be a team that is winning games. Instead, they’re three games above 500 and the eight seed right now in the Eastern Conference, just a couple of games out of fourth and three games out of second. And if they continue to play at this high of a level, then Jason Tatum will be back probably around March. And then with how weak the East is, no telling how far they can go in the playoffs. But how are they doing it is the question. Well, the short answer is Jaylen Brown. The long answer is Joe Mazula is doing a heck of a job. But JB last night went off for 42 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 40 minutes and a big win over the Knicks, shooting six of 24 from the field and two of six from beyond the arc. And he got into a lot of straight isolations wherein he is one of the best players in the league. Right now, he is fifth in points per game from straight up ISO, shooting 48% from the field. The five best players in that category are, as you guess, some of the league’s elite. We’re talking MVP candidates, Luca Donuch, SGA, James Harden, the OG, and then even Anthony Edwards, the young guy. But Jaylen Brown has been in there with the very best of them. A lot of this is matchup hunting, like going after Jaylen Brunson, or right here when he’s going after Carl Anthony Towns and just knocks down the three or right here where he’s licking his chops because Mitchell Robinson is trying to sit down and guard him and he just cooks him from the mid-range. But speaking of that mid-range, he’s got the best midi in the league. Get off me, Brunson. Little step back bucket. He’s shooting 53% from the mid-range and it clears everybody else in the league by a mile, including this little floater here, which I guess you could say is a little bit of a mid-range shot, but the 15 to 19 footers as well. That’s where he excels. He’s also still, by the way, an elite slasher getting downhill, using screens. On the year, he’s averaging 29 points a game, six rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals, shooting 50% from the field. That is SGA levels of dominance, but nobody wants to give it to Jaylen Brown. This is an NBA first team type season right here. He’s also elite at reading screens and knowing when to get to spots. Like right here, Carl Towns is sagging way off. So, he’s just going to pull up and knock it down. That’s an easy read and he gets it done. Then right here, as soon as he’s coming off the screen, he’s going to attack Josh Hart’s high foot, quick spin, get downhill, use his strength, probably got fouled and got the bucket to go. But he also gets to his spots like there’s no tomorrow out here in transition posting up Kick early and then just getting the contact and finishing. He also averages 4.8 assists per game attracting literally the entire defense. Beautiful hesitation as well over Jaylen Brunson. Simon says jump and then he’s got all five of them staring at him. Kicks it to Josh Minina who knocks down the three ball. Now, Derek White has also been playing some very good basketball as of late. Against the Knicks last night, he had 22 points, five assists, two rebounds, and two stops in 35 minutes while shooting eight of 16 from the field. And he was four of 12 from beyond the ark. And he’s adapting to this new role that the Celtics offense has him in where he’s operating out of the pick and roll. He’s the primary initiator. Last year, his usage was 22% out of the pick and roll. This year it’s up to 32%. And that’s a huge key to that shooting slump that he’s been going through. He’s averaging 165 and four with three stocks per game, but he’s only shooting 37% from the field and 31% from three, which is a huge problem for Celtics fans because Derek Wright is supposed to be their best three-point shooter. Now, over the last 10 games, he has been shooting 38% from three, which has brought his percentage up from like 22 to what it is now at about 31. But still, he needs to get back to the old Derek White where he’s just knocking down threes, but it’s harder as the primary initiator coming off of pick and rolls. This is a good read. Brunson doesn’t show a hand, so he shows him a three. Over the last 3 years, he’s shot 39% from beyond the ark on nine attempts a game. So, I’m not really worried about Derek White. It’s just a matter of when, not really, if he gets back to his old ways. Now, he did have four turnovers last night, which leads me into my next point. The Celtics are the best team at taking care of the ball in the league. They average the fewest turnovers per game out of any team in the NBA. Payton Pritchard is a huge part of this. He’s also adapting to his new role where he is the primary initiator out of pick and rolls. As you can see, his pick and roll usage going way up from 17% to 25%. And just his usage rate overall, he he’s the fifth or the third option this year instead of like the sixth. He put up 10 points, four boards, three assists last night versus the Knicks. Four of 13 shooting. So, he kind of struggled. Um, but if you’re looking for a game where he absolutely went nuts, look no further than their game against Cleveland from two nights ago where he went for 42 with three rebounds, three assists in 35 minutes and was dominant. Uh, I didn’t know Peyton Pritchard had that in. That’s a career performance from him. With that being said, if you made it this far in the video, hit that like button, hit that subscribe button, and leave me a comment. As you can see, 93% of the people that watch the videos are not subscribed. If that’s you, let’s go ahead and fix that. And then let’s talk about Anthony Simons, who has been a dog for the Celtics all year long. He’s putting up 12 points uh versus the Knicks the other night, three assists, a rebound in 23 minutes, and shot five of nine from the field, one of four from beyond the arc. But the question to me regarding Anthony Simons, is Brad Stevens just stashing this guy or purposely taking away his minutes to try and get him on a cheaper contract? because of course he is expiring. He’s playing 24 minutes a game, but he’s averaging 14 with 2.6 rebounds, two assists, and he’s shooting 45% from the field and 40% from three on six attempts a night. The 26-year-old really should be getting 29 to 30 minutes a game, especially on this Celtics team where they’re not supposed to be competing, although now they are out of nowhere. And that’s just kind of surprising to me. Namias Kada has emerged as at least the long-term backup. That is what his role is after this year. He’s played his way into a new contract. He’s averaging about 10 points per game with 8 and a half rebounds, 1.3 assist, and 1.5 steals, shooting 66% from the field. Now, a lot of these are dunks off the pick and roll, but he’s also playing very good defense. He and Walsh here combining for the block on Carl Anthony Towns who goes flying into the first row. Per 36, he’s averaging 15 and 13 with two blocks. It’s a big- time year for Nemias Kada as it is for a bunch of guys on this Celtics team. Jordan Walsh finally coming into his own. The second round pick from a few years ago. And it’s not just Walsh. Josh Minard, Hugh Gonzalez, the rookie, and even Baylor Shyman have all had big-time performances this year for the Celtics. Look at Walsh right here. And this is a big play all around from Walsh. First, he’s the short roll. Makes the right read, finds May not. That’s perfect. Then he’s going to fight on the offensive glass. finds he’s got a mismatch and gets the putback layup to go. He was active all night long on that glass and he’s just a winning type of player. He’s averaging five and a half points, four and a half rebounds, 1.1 assist, and a steal in 20 minutes a game, shooting 51% from the field and 37% from three on one and a half attempts per game. Not bad whatsoever. Now, as for Josh Minard, he’s another guy here. I’m I’ve been a May not advocate all year long ever since they signed him and he’s shooting 50% from the field and 43% from three on 2.3 attempts in route to averaging like 8 and five. It’s been a good year for Mina, right? That’s going to get you another contract probably as a guy that can continue to grow and develop. Sam Hower speaking of new contracts or it’s not really new anymore but he’s on the big time contract. He’s still knocking down threes for Boston. Hu Gonzalez little shot fake get to the rim here. Finish with the right hand. you love to see the development out of the young guy. And right now with the Celtics sitting 12-9 and eight in the East, like I said, three games out of second, then you watch out because Tatum is going to be back before long. He’s going to join a team that has the fourth best offensive rating in the league. They’re allowing the third fewest points per night. Now, their defensive rating is not where it was. Um, but with Tatum back by March, they’re currently playing at the 30th fastest pace. Yeah, dead last. Maybe that pace increases, maybe that defense gets better, and maybe this team makes a run with their best player back. With that being said, that’s going to be it for today’s video. Thanks so much for watching. Make sure to like button, leave me a comment down below, and hit that subscribe button. And with all that being said, thanks so much for watching today’s video.

This video looks at the Boston Celtics and how they tricked the nba and by winning a bunch of unexpected games behind Jaylen Brown
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