How Celtics’ role players are reinforcing Joe Mazzulla’s spacing system
2 years ago

How Celtics’ role players are reinforcing Joe Mazzulla’s spacing system

New York Times  

Joe Mazzulla’s core values have been taking shape over the first month-plus of the season, with the topic of spacing coming up on a nightly basis. It’s a sign Williams is turning into an actual wing, because the scheme is betting he can get deep into the defense and still make rim reads. He draws hard at the rim, even though he’s going right toward Griffin, just to sell the rotating Siakam on the shot. Hauser holding it down on his own Early in the season, there was a sense that Boston’s defense had taken a step back and was lagging behind the offensive revolution taking place across the court. But with solid technique, good balance and just enough power to handle most players, Hauser looks like he’s going from a two-way player on the payroll to a two-way athlete on the floor.

Defense Going Smart Williams Ingram Hauser Boston Rim Hard Mazzulla Siakam Role Players Celtics Role Players Celtics Role  celtics  role  players  spacing  going  defense  system  smart  williams  reinforcing  hauser  season  mazzullas  hard  joe  rim

History of this topic

What we learned from the Celtics’ preseason: Has Jayson Tatum fixed his jumper?
2 months, 1 week ago

What we learned from the Celtics’ preseason: Has Jayson Tatum fixed his jumper?

New York Times  

The Boston Celtics will raise their championship banner during an opening-night ceremony in less than a week. Tatum drilled at least three 3-pointers only five times over Boston’s 19 playoff games last season while handling a full diet of playing time. Throughout the preseason, Boston handily won Pritchard’s and Hauser’s playing time. The Celtics could take things slowly with Horford …

As the Celtics re-sign free agents, Knicks and Sixers are posing a serious challenge
5 months, 3 weeks ago

As the Celtics re-sign free agents, Knicks and Sixers are posing a serious challenge

New York Times  

As the Celtics work to hold their championship squad together, the league is shifting around them. “I think a lot of these teams, the Knicks included, stockpiled a bunch of picks that they had worked hard to get for a long time, and then each of these teams decides when they’re going to cash those in, right?” GM Brad Stevens …

Inside the Celtics’ championship march to Banner 18: ‘We made all the sacrifices’
6 months ago

Inside the Celtics’ championship march to Banner 18: ‘We made all the sacrifices’

New York Times  

BOSTON — At shootaround before Game 3 of the second round, Jaylen Brown shrugged off a question about the Boston Celtics’ playoff struggles at home. “All year long, we’ve been hearing about the Celtics of the past,” Brown said. He told The Athletic his coach taught the Celtics how to “see the game at the next level.” “He’ll stop things …

Celtics have followed ‘craziness’ of Joe Mazzulla’s coaching style straight to the NBA Finals
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Celtics have followed ‘craziness’ of Joe Mazzulla’s coaching style straight to the NBA Finals

Associated Press  

BOSTON — When Celtics guard Derrick White stood in the corner behind the 3-point line late in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals as teammate Jaylen Brown drove into the lane, drew defenders and flipped a pass toward him, White felt prepared for the moment. “Things that you can’t take for granted,” said Mazzulla, who at age 35, is …

Jaylen Brown, All-NBA? Maybe not, but Celtics lucky he’s better than ever
7 months ago

Jaylen Brown, All-NBA? Maybe not, but Celtics lucky he’s better than ever

New York Times  

BOSTON — The additional accolades for rounding out his game this season haven’t come. “I don’t know what they missed, but Jaylen Brown is one of the 15 best players in this game,” White said. “So honestly, I don’t have the time to give a f—.” GO DEEPER Buckley: Celtics, Jaylen Brown locked in on 'most important thing' — winning …

Jayson Tatum’s 33 points help Celtics down short-handed Cavaliers 109-102 to take 3-1 lead in semis
7 months, 1 week ago

Jayson Tatum’s 33 points help Celtics down short-handed Cavaliers 109-102 to take 3-1 lead in semis

Associated Press  

CLEVELAND — Even when it’s supposed to be somewhat easy, the Boston Celtics have a weird way of making things hard. Jayson Tatum scored 33 points with LeBron James watching from a courtside seat and the Celtics beat the severely short-handed Cavaliers 109-102 in Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Now, it’s …

Joe Mazzulla pulls Celtics’ starters in second half vs. Bucks: ‘Best for everybody’
11 months, 1 week ago

Joe Mazzulla pulls Celtics’ starters in second half vs. Bucks: ‘Best for everybody’

New York Times  

MILWAUKEE — The usual Boston Celtics starters occupied the last five seats on the bench as the second half began Thursday night. “I just thought it was in the best interest of our team,” Mazzulla said after Boston’s 135-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. “It was good to see people that I’d seen for a long time walking through these …

How Celtics set the standard for NBA defensive innovation: Zones, ‘peel switching’ and high IQ
11 months, 1 week ago

How Celtics set the standard for NBA defensive innovation: Zones, ‘peel switching’ and high IQ

New York Times  

In the NBA now, it seems like everything is about high-powered offense and scoring. Based on the numbers, Boston’s defense ranks as the second best in the NBA, allowing 110.8 points per 100 possessions. Just ask Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who committed a critical turnover when he was trapped by Celtics defenders late in Boston’s overtime win over Minnesota …

Jayson Tatum’s post prowess, Jaylen Brown’s playmaking and more from Celtics’ road trip
1 year, 1 month ago

Jayson Tatum’s post prowess, Jaylen Brown’s playmaking and more from Celtics’ road trip

New York Times  

It was a Monday night on League Pass in Charlotte, the kind of game Jayson Tatum knows deserves a true performance. It clears Tatum’s sight line to the basket and means Roddy can’t get his hand in front of the release, giving Tatum all the comfort he needs to bury the shot. He currently ranks second in the league for …

NBA’s $300 million man, Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled Celtics
1 year, 2 months ago

NBA’s $300 million man, Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled Celtics

Associated Press  

BOSTON — Early in his NBA career, Jaylen Brown was largely viewed as a player who would be a component of the Boston Celtics’ long-term success, rather than a pillar of its foundation. Last season was defining for Brown, who garnered his second All-Star selection and second-team All-NBA nod while helping lead the Celtics within a game of back-to-back NBA …

Celtics adding Oshae Brissett, but bigger decisions loom for GM Brad Stevens
1 year, 5 months ago

Celtics adding Oshae Brissett, but bigger decisions loom for GM Brad Stevens

New York Times  

Follow live free-agency news and analysis from our entire NBA staff, and sign up for The Bounce to get basketball content delivered straight to your inbox. Boston’s depth chart entering Friday looked something Point guards: Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, Payton Pritchard Wings: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh Big men: Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, Robert Williams, Luke Kornet …

Inside Celtics’ roller-coaster season: Mazzulla’s learning curve, Wyc’s challenge and a wild ending
1 year, 6 months ago

Inside Celtics’ roller-coaster season: Mazzulla’s learning curve, Wyc’s challenge and a wild ending

New York Times  

When the Celtics fell into an 0-3 hole in the Eastern Conference finals, everyone was at a loss for words postgame. Moments after falling to the Warriors in the Finals last season, then-coach Ime Udoka delivered an inspirational message to the players: “This is just the start.” Three months later, Udoka’s suspension, which later turned into a dismissal, left the …

How Celtics’ adjustments brought them back from brink: Anatomy of a comeback
1 year, 6 months ago

How Celtics’ adjustments brought them back from brink: Anatomy of a comeback

New York Times  

MIAMI — The Boston Celtics are on the precipice of pulling off the impossible. Defending Miami’s stars Three games into this series, the biggest question about Boston’s scheme was why the Celtics were just leaving defenders completely on an island against Miami’s best player. After Game 3, The Athletic broke down how the Celtics’ low-energy defense was wasting coach Joe …

Celtics defense finally flips switch after Joe Mazzulla’s surprising timeout
1 year, 7 months ago

Celtics defense finally flips switch after Joe Mazzulla’s surprising timeout

New York Times  

MIAMI — Coming out of halftime, the Celtics needed something to change if they were going to save their season. “Just wanted to make sure we got a good shot on that, and I felt like the possessions before that didn’t go well defensively,” Mazzulla said. But we’ve got to continue to go and do whatever it takes to win …

NBA Playoffs: Boston breaks under Heat check; can Joe Mazzulla fix Celtics?
1 year, 7 months ago

NBA Playoffs: Boston breaks under Heat check; can Joe Mazzulla fix Celtics?

The Hindu  

Exasperated by the Miami Heat cruising to a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals, time is running out for Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla to repair what he confessed was a fractured locker room. “Yeah, it’s why I need to be better to figure out what this team needs to make sure they’re connected by the time we …

After Miami blowout pushes Celtics’ season to brink, everyone is taking blame
1 year, 7 months ago

After Miami blowout pushes Celtics’ season to brink, everyone is taking blame

New York Times  

MIAMI — Coming into Game 3, the Boston Celtics had a plan and a purpose. Mazzulla was asked, “I don’t want to say you lost this team, but is there a disconnect between you and the players at this point?” “Yeah, that’s where I have to be better,” Mazzulla answered. That’s my job.” Miami has pushed Boston to reevaluate its …

‘We’re not dead’: Why Celtics, who have battled back before, remain optimistic down 0-2
1 year, 7 months ago

‘We’re not dead’: Why Celtics, who have battled back before, remain optimistic down 0-2

New York Times  

BOSTON — As Jayson Tatum sat at his locker with his head in his hand, his son Deuce came running over yelling, “Daddy! Tatum still hasn’t hit a shot in the fourth quarter in this series and the Celtics now trail the Heat 2-0 heading back to Miami. “There were times throughout the game where we weren’t the more disciplined …

The key to the Celtics’ offensive turnaround? Teamwork, trust and a lot of ‘randomness’
1 year, 7 months ago

The key to the Celtics’ offensive turnaround? Teamwork, trust and a lot of ‘randomness’

New York Times  

With the fate of the Boston Celtics’ season beginning to teeter, Jayson Tatum calmly caught the ball and scanned the court. Mazzulla believes Tatum’s and Brown’s willingness to study the game set the stage for the team’s new offensive style this season, where, Mazzulla says, “it’s more reads, it’s more ownership, it’s more empowerment, it’s more freedom to make decisions …

Celtics survive late rally from Hawks
1 year, 8 months ago

Celtics survive late rally from Hawks

China Daily  

Jaylen Brown gets fired up during the Boston Celtics' 112-99 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Jaylen Brown had 29 points and 12 rebounds and the Celtics capitalized on a woeful shooting performance by the Atlanta Hawks to hold on for 112-99 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round matchup on Saturday. The No 2-seeded Celtics led …

Celtics turn back clock to last season, sizing up and clamping down in throttling Raptors
1 year, 8 months ago

Celtics turn back clock to last season, sizing up and clamping down in throttling Raptors

New York Times  

BOSTON — The hysteria would come later. Horford and Williams carved the Celtics’ identity last season. Even after the Raptors cut Boston’s lead in half early in the third quarter, the Celtics still held an 18-point advantage. Still, with a big lead later in the second half, they were able to hold several celebrations during what must have been the …

Malcolm predicts All-NBA for Jaylen Brown, Celtics' future hangs in balance
1 year, 8 months ago

Malcolm predicts All-NBA for Jaylen Brown, Celtics' future hangs in balance

Hindustan Times  

The Boston Celtics may have found their key player in Jaylen Brown, and Malcolm Brogdon is convinced of it. Brown's impressive run of form has led to suggestions that he could make one of the All-NBA teams, which would be significant for both the Celtics and Brown himself. Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball against the San Antonio …

Grant Williams’ DNP a surprise in otherwise impressive Celtics win
1 year, 9 months ago

Grant Williams’ DNP a surprise in otherwise impressive Celtics win

New York Times  

BOSTON — The sequence started with the Celtics recognizing a mismatch. The Celtics starters were all available during the first two games after the All-Star break, but Jaylen Brown missed Monday night’s loss to New York for personal reasons, breaking up the lineup again. “That’s where they were killing us at, second-chance points is where they were getting most of …

With starters injured, have Celtics’ bench players proven their playoff value?
1 year, 10 months ago

With starters injured, have Celtics’ bench players proven their playoff value?

New York Times  

Tuesday will serve as a temperature check for the top of the East, where the Celtics and Bucks have jostled for an unobstructed view on their shared tier atop the conference. This first play shows how Hauser has the ability to stay in front of some players, but then can’t explode enough off the ground when it’s time to defend …

Joe Mazzulla likes math – and the Celtics are using it to their advantage so far
2 years, 1 month ago

Joe Mazzulla likes math – and the Celtics are using it to their advantage so far

New York Times  

BOSTON — Joe Mazzulla respects the numbers. “We’re fourth in shot-selection defense and we’re last in midrange points per shot and we’re first in midrange frequency. We just have to execute consistently.” — Boston Celtics October 31, 2022 “Joe’s been putting a lot of emphasis on our defense, on the defensive end,” said Malcolm Brogdon. Sunday’s game against the Wizards …

Celtics continue run without a losing streak as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum take control
2 years, 6 months ago

Celtics continue run without a losing streak as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum take control

New York Times  

Hosting their first NBA Finals game in the Garden in over a decade, the Boston Celtics entered Game 3 without consecutive losses throughout their entire wild postseason run. That’s what I talked about earlier, responding,” Tatum said after a 116-100 Celtics win to take a 2-1 series lead. “So I think just watching film and seeing where open spaces were …

How do Celtics adjust to Draymond Green, Otto Porter’s smothering defense?
2 years, 6 months ago

How do Celtics adjust to Draymond Green, Otto Porter’s smothering defense?

New York Times  

Follow our live coverage of Warriors vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 6. “We talked about it going into the series, that they really pack the paint like several other teams we’ve seen, but doing it a different way — without rim protection, more rotations from their players.” Golden State’s big thing is having great hands in passing lanes to get …

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