Mailbag: Catching up on the Celtics
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The Celtics are off to a hot start. Tatum looks like a man possessed. Outside of the two Cleveland over time losses this team has looked poised and ready for another championship run. Let’s dive into the questions and see where we are at with the team.
Rich M: Can Jayson Tatum win theMVP?
Tatum is averaging 31 pts, 7 rbs, and 4 asst so far this season. He’s shooting 49% from the field, 38% from 3, and 88% from the FT line. Some would say his 3 ball hasn’t even hit mid season form yet. The answer is yes. Tatum can win MVP and should be the front runner if he keeps up this pace. Jokic and Luka are the other candidates and I guess Embid after that 59 point performance where he failed to record a triple double. Here’s the difference though, Tatum could land himself on an all defense team this year AND he has the best team. The performance he gave against Ja Morant the other night keeping him 0 - 4 on shooting and 2 blocks after asking to guard him was, muah chefs kiss. I’d like to see Luka try that.
Luka is a walking 2nd round exit with more oles on defense than a Spanish conquistador. Jokic is at best an average defender and continues to allow his team to get knocked out early in the playoffs. As good as he is the league doesn’t let non wing players/ PG’s dictate the game like it used to. Embid is a dog who will fail. I hope he does win the MVP so when Tatum sends Doc and boys home crying again he can politely tell Joel to shove it up is massive non post scoring ass.
Rich M. - Joe Mazzula - Is he over his head?
Let start by saying right now the players are rallying behind Joe after the Ime fiasco. The team is winning and everything is sweet like candy. Mazzula has been respected in the organization for years and certainly has made an impact on the offensive side of the ball.
The Celtics have 119 Offensive rating. That’s the highest in league history. Currently the fake covid year Nets have the highest 117.3.
They are 1st in the NBA in points scored. 118.8. 1st in 3pt attempts and 4th in 3pt%.
From the jump you could see a difference in the way the team wanted to play. They are leaking guys out and running constantly. It’s so refreshing. However, it’s had its flaws. Last years number 1 defense has had to claw it’s way back up the ranking and currently still just sits at 17 in defensive rating and points allowed.
Finally, we need to know if he has any control over the players from a discipline stand point? Does he need to? Ime being reported to the Nets seemed to get some players panties in a bunch. Shockingly Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown were the out spoken ones with Horford as a voice of reason. That’s all to say if the preverbale shit were to hit the fan at some point with this team does Mazzula have the room enough to give the necessary heat to his players to keep it all in line? Can he possibly bench a Marcus Smart for Brogdon at the end of some game? Oh, the humanity!! Time will tell.
Rich M. - Can the survive the Timelord experience?
Wyc Grossbeck has given the go ahead to spend on this team. (Thank you Ime’s dick PR nightmare) They received a $3.2 mill exemption from Danillo. Can/ will Brad go find front court help. And should he? Do they need it?
Robert Williams is the apitame of availability is the best ability. He is a game changer when on the court. If the Celtics are playing this well with out him it’s scary to think how good they can be with him. But when will that be and for how long? I love Al Horford as much as the next guy who loves fundamentals and soft spoken giants, but he’s my age and I can barely make up a fligh of stairs with out complaining about a knee. He simply can’t be asked to carry the load down low. Grant Williams is belongs in his corner office and that’s where he shall stay, Blake Griffin is washed, and Luke Kornet.. Well, just keep jumping pal. (Kornet looks like someone cast him for his role as large oafey white guy in a feel good basketball movie). I think it’s time Brad goes and sures up the front court. Package some contracts together and make a splash or bring in one of these vet minimums reaching for a ring. Timelord is not to be trusted.
Rich M - How will the Off the court drama affect the team?
The Nets passed on Udoka. There are reports the team found out what he did and even that cesspool could steep that low. However, the real reason is probably because stacking the drama of the pound king of Boston on top of KD’s bitchyness, and oh ya Kyrie being a Nazi sympathizer just wasn’t a great look.
The original rumors did bring out the Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown comments we discussed and it has got me thinking about the cloud still hanging over the team. The players clearly want Ime back. What does that say about Mazzula? What does that say about the forever lacking maturity of these players? So, it’s cool for the head coach of an NBA team to just start sleeping around through the organizations subordinants and/or executive’s wives? Grow up. Ime let them down in a big way, but it seems he still has the players support. How does that manufest at the first sign of trouble? I’d like to see Wyc and Brad shove Ime and any rumors about him deep in a locker until the end of the season. No more talk about him coaching any where this season.
Rich M. How bad is it that Jaylen Brown still sticks up for Kyrie?
It’s bad. Again, grow up. Kyrie is a endless pit of loser. Jaylen Brown giving this jackass yet another pass is a horrible look. Both of them are VPs of the players association. They represent the players as a whole. Kyrie Irving represent the thoughts and opinions of the NBA players. Who apparently don’t think too highly of “The Jews”?
Rich M - What has been the Biggest surprise or Biggest x factor so far this season?
Was this just an excuse for some Sammy Down Town highlights? You got it, Dick!