We are finally here! We have reached the All Star break with a record of 38-16, good for third in the Eastern Conference. How this team got to this point is a credit to Brad Stevens and his ability to get the most out of this team, which is supposed to be in major need of an upgrade at the center position as well as veteran bench help. Let’s examine what we have seen thus far:
INJURY BUG OR LOAD MANAGEMENT
Maybe it’s just me but I cringe every time I see the injury report prior to a Celtics game. It just seems that for the most supreme athletes in the world the same 12 players cannot seem to be healthy at the SAME TIME! Is this team that fragile or has Stevens figured out a way to work this new system to his advantage? Jaylen Brown is having a breakout season but it looks like he cannot walk from his car to the practice facility without getting hurt. Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Robert Williams III, and Enes Kanter have missed significant time this season. Will we ever see just how good this team can be with everyone healthy? Maybe these guys need to drink more milk!
CALLING ALL VETERANS, CALLING ALL VETERANS!
At the beginning of the season I made the statement that this team was very young and at some point this team would benefit with some veteran player donning the green and white to mentor and help during the dog days of this season. I was very satisfied with Danny Ainge not trading away assets at the trade deadline; that being said there are some players with heavy playoff experience that would be an asset(Tristan Thompson comes to mind but apparently he’s satisfied in Cleveland and has no desire to join a contending team this season). While Ainge is a smart man he cannot be content to go into the playoffs with Grant Williams, Brad Wanamaker, Vincent Poirier, Carsen Edwards, Romeo Langford, and Semi Ojeleye on the bench. Hopefully, someone can be added to this team that will move the needle in the right direction.
CELTICS DIG DEEP, PULL OUT 141-133 WIN OVER THE CLIPS IN DOUBLE OVERTIME!
Every sport in every season has a signature win that each can point to as a turning point in their season. Last night’s dynamic victory over the Los Angeles Clippers can be that type of a win for the Celtics. Without Jaylen Brown on one side and losing Paul George on the other side someone needed to step up and put this team on his back. Last night that man was Jayson Tatum! Tatum, who has clearly become the Celtics “go to” player, scored 39 points on 14-23 shooting including 5-10 from beyond the arc. Every time the Clippers came charging Tatum had an answer. His mentality to finish games is growing by the game and he is quickly showing that the moment is not too big for him. He is becoming a handful at all three levels of the game(his stroke from 3 is lethal now-I’m sure the scouting report is now saying do not give him ANY air space or he will burn you). Marcus Smart more than picked up the slack of Brown being out by scoring 31 point on 10-20 shooting. He took way too many threes last night(5-14)for my liking but he makes winning plays every game and this team takes its lead from Marcus Smart. His intensity was on display in this game and it was needed as the Celtics head into the break on a high note! Great win gentlemen!
Parquet Press 