Celtics PreSeason TakeAways Thus Far

The Celtics are THE BEST team in the NBA. After watching ALL 30 NBA teams I have come to the conclusion The Boston Celtics are the most complete team in the entire league, with one of the best up and coming offensive minded coach. Last season I questioned Joe Mazzulla, at times, mainly for his timeout strategy and overall defensive philosophy. This season (and it’s EARLY) I have already seen vast improvements in almost all areas of both Mazzulla’s coaching and the team itself.

First off, Joe Mazzulla has started to install 2 different types of matchup like Zone defenses. During the New York game we saw a 3/4 court 2-2-1 type press (designed to slow or speed opponent up into short clock situations). He also went to a matchup zone in the half court during the 2nd half forcing lots of different isolations and miscommunications on offense because of our constant switching. Defense was our Identity with Ime and we lost some of that with Mazzulla. We have some of the best individual defenders in the NBA with 1st team All-Defensive Jrue Holiday and Another All-Defensive player in Derrick White. Add what some would call an elite rim protector (7’3 and can SHOOT) to the mix on top of Tatum and Brown, essentially you have an All-Defensive starting lineup. Scary if they can develop the same elite principles they established under Udoka. So as always now defense wins championships and Coach Mazzulla is buying into that statement early.

Now the offensive side of the ball has been very enjoyable to watch as-well. Fresh off a contract extension Payton Pritchard has been killing! Leading the team in scoring yet again tonight scoring 17. He has also gone for 26 and 21 in the opener and in New York. (Pritch has led the team in scoring every game). The offense looks crisp running a lot more quick action and less isolation. That will be KEY come playoff time as teams will have to actually “guard” instead of guarding space in isolation basketball. Now we obviously have not seen much from the stars yet, but that is for sure to increase as season nears.

Overall, The Boston Celtics top to bottom look like one of the best teams in the NBA. I am really liking how Brad Stevens has assembled this team. We are in WIN now mode and it is now or NEVER for #18. *If this team wins a championship they could arguably go down as one of the best teams assembled. Only time will tell, but for now we can only hope for maximum production from the entire team, organization and FANS. #BleedGreen