Top 5: Takeaways from Celtics Opener
“This team, sheesh.” - Dr. Big Mac
Couldn’t have said it better myself. What a way to kick off your defense of the NBA title. When the Celtics make their 3’s they are simply unbeatable. That’s a fairly easy statement to make when you’re launching 60 of them. Mazzula Ball lives. It’s bigger and better than ever.
There were a lot of takeaways from game 1. Let’s dive in.
1. Jayson Tatum’s shot
All that talk about Tatum working on his release was no bull. I haven’t seen Tatum shot that ball that pure in honestly a couple of seasons. Maybe even since his rookie season? People forget Jayson Tatum lead the NBA in 3pt% his rookie season for a majority of the year. The work he put in looks to have paid off. It’s a noticable difference at the top of his shot. Before it was a longer load up to the release, now he’s already at the release point as he’s in the air. The ball was barely touching the net last night from everywhere on the court. The eight 3’s stand out, but he had a couple mid range fades that were just as silky. He started the night with an emotional speech addressing the Boston fans ending with a definitive, “Let’s do it again” as the Garden erupted. He then filled up the stat sheet with ease. If Tatum shot like this in the playoffs he would have all the hardware and Celtics would have won every series in three.
2. Joe Mazzula is certifiable
It’s become a bit cliche to call Coach Mazzula a psycho, but this guy is a bonafide lunatic. Most of the evidence came in the post game pressers. He kissed the parque and wanted it to taste like blood. When asked about receiving his championship ring, he responded with it was too big and he would never wear it. The week prior he shoved the media in a locker proclaiming none of them are invited to his funeral in 40 years, so he doesn’t give a shit what they say about him. But, he totally does. Please see the back and forth with Gary Washburn all season last year as proof.
In Game Mazzula never dared crack a smile. Not as his team went up 30 against the “best starting 5 in the NBA” and for sure not when the back ups missed 13 straight 3’s to fail at breaking the all time NBA record for 3’s made in a game at 30. The old me who referred to this team as “front running pussies” would use those 13 missed 3’s as an example of inherent loser that this team arguably portrayed in the years past. But, they won. Scoreboard.
I also won’t jump to that conclusion this year, because I think this wack job with a whistle is the perfect kind of crazy for a team like this in the position they are in. Mazzula has not left a single crack open for latitude in the post Championship hangover season. It’s back to business. Prove it again. Night in and night out. Last year means nothing. Now is all that matters, and as of now you haven’t won shit. It’s Belichickean.
3. Jaylen Brown
We can’t sleep on JB. Brown did not have the eye popping performance as his running mate, but the attitude Jaylen Brown is emanating should have you sweating in your nethers. He looks mean and focused. In game 1 of an 82 game season he locked up Jalen Brunson, and MVP candidate himself, for an 8 second violation. Then proclaimed to his teammates with a rye smile, “I told you I was going to get one”.
There is a lot being made of Tatum and Brown’s motivation this year for their individual Olympic slights. Although I think a lot of that is overblown and never lasts through an 82 game sheet, it’s evident Brown has the ass right now. He has said as much and confirmed Tatum was pissed about the Olympic benchings in the interview he did with Steven A. Smith. It looks like Brown and Tatum have completely settled into their roles as leaders, champions, and league heels and I fucking love it.
4. The Knicks will be a challenge
The story last night is all Celtics. It was a display of excellence that left the Knicks starting Forward, Josh Hart, asking the league to drug test his opponent. However, the Knicks got buckets. Like all Tom Tibideau teams you think defense first, but with the addition of KAT and to a lesser extent Bridges this team is legit. It’s not like the Celtics were out there locking up. New York shot 55% from the field and most of the game it was closer to 60%. I’m just saying they improved their talent and under Tibs the defense will have no choice but improve from what we saw Tuesday night. Plus, they won’t be playing that Celtics team every game.
5. For one night, I didn’t piss rage
September 8th was the last time I enjoyed watching a Boston sporting event. The rage kicked in September 19th and has only increased since. It’s a genuine health concern. The only positive from the Patriots digging themselves into the hellscape they are in is the boost in economy from the 1,000’s of sad beers getting bought and drained.
But, here come the beautiful, beautiful Celtics. Jump shots as smooth as your mothers ass, no look passes, ball movement, crowd noise, MVP chants, Banners, rings, crazy fucking Joe scowling. It’s enough to make a boy cry. Or at least say thank you. Thank you sweet, green leprechaun, shamrock eating Bill Russell honoring, parquet kissing, scully cap wearing, ginger goatee sporting, Larry Bird admiring sweet sweet baby Jesus, Boston Celtics.
Don’t blow it you front running pussies.
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