1. Jaylen Brown impressed Abu Dhabi as soon as once more.
Earlier than the primary sport, Jaylen Brown addressed the Abu Dhabi crowd in Arabic. He desires to be a basketball ambassador internationally and demonstrated as soon as once more that he can. On and off the court docket, Jaylen Brown was the largest attraction throughout these two exhibition video games towards the Nuggets.
Jaylen Brown loves Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi loves Jaylen Brown. The Finals MVP confirmed them love and delivered highlights. He scored over Jamal Murray, threw down a tough transition dunk, and delivered some GREAT passes!
Jaylen is a spotlight machine, reminding the basketball world from the International Video games. The Celtics can be again in Boston quickly, however relaxation assured, Jaylen Brown can be again within the Center East once more.
2. JB’s cuts
Brown additionally confirmed a transparent intention to chop and transfer off-ball. He may be devastating, and the Denver protection had points stopping him. I wrote about his unbelievable capability as a finisher lately and hope to see extra of those off-ball actions subsequent season.
3. Transition protection issues?
One factor I’m not wanting ahead to seeing once more is the transition protection when Nikola Jokic is on the court docket. Final yr, the Celtics had considered one of, if not the perfect, transition defenses within the league. However at this time towards the Nuggets, the transition protection appeared shaky. Jokic and Murray had been capable of choose up the tempo after each misses and makes, punishing the Celtics’ heavy legs.
With out Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are leaning towards a extra aggressive method on the offensive glass, which may open up alternatives for opponents in transition. The Celtics are nonetheless determining their new stability with Porzingis sidelined and Horford resting. Nonetheless, they constructed their nice common season final yr on sturdy transition protection.
4. Defensive playmaking
Final season, Boston had the most effective defenses with out forcing a whole lot of turnovers. Nonetheless, with their defensive anchor Porzingis out, their method will change. We’ll see extra switch-all aggressive protection as a substitute of merely crowding the paint and corners.
The additions of Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer are nice examples of Brad Stevens addressing staff wants. Each are defensive playmakers who can spark transition alternatives. The Celtics lacked that final yr, however with Porzingis out and this new defensive playmaking in, we might see extra transition performs.
5. Inside passing
The Celtics have the chance to check a wide range of facilities. Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta, and Luke Kornet all convey completely different abilities to the desk they usually every confirmed what they might supply, significantly with their passing capability within the brief roll.
Because the Nuggets typically ship two defenders on the ball-handler after a pick-and-roll, it creates a 4-on-3 state of affairs. Having a screener who can cross and skim the sport rapidly creates nice alternatives for the Celtics. Tillman was already recognized for this, however Kornet and Queta additionally displayed strong passing on Sunday.
6. Sam Hauser’s deal with
For the primary time in current reminiscence, we noticed Sam Hauser dribbling by way of defenses. We had been even handled to a few mid-range pull-ups. Sam Hauser has the flexibility to be greater than only a nice shooter. If he can enhance his capability to assault closeouts off the dribble, he might change into the proper rotation participant with and behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Nonetheless, I didn’t anticipate him to begin dribbling to generate pull-ups. I used to be anticipating a couple of dribbles and a cross after attacking a closeout, however Hauser confirmed off some actual deal with enhancements. I don’t anticipate him to do that typically in common NBA video games, nevertheless it has undoubtedly piqued my curiosity. If Sam Hauser can carry the ball extra, cross off the dribble, discover pull-up alternatives and even drive, the sky’s the restrict for the Celtics.
Let’s not get forward of ourselves — it’s solely preseason. Nonetheless, it doesn’t really feel like a coincidence that we noticed Sam dribbling extra on this sport. We would see flashes of this all through the season.
7. Pritchard being focused
Payton Pritchard was focused repeatedly by the Nuggets’ bench unit, particularly Dario Saric. At one level, NBC Sports activities Boston’s Brian Scalabrine requested, “Why does Pritchard all the time find yourself on Saric?”
The reply is easy: they focused him. By means of screens and motion, the Nuggets gave Saric nice post-up place towards the smaller guard, forcing Pritchard to foul. After just some minutes, Pritchard was already as much as three fouls.
This can be fascinating to observe all through the season. Which groups will goal Pritchard, and the way will Joe Mazzulla and the teaching employees adapt? Not all groups have the ability set to use Pritchard’s presence on the ground, however many do. Pritchard additionally confirmed he gained’t again down from anybody, so will probably be fascinating to see how he responds with the bull’s eye on his again.
8. Starters vs. bench shot charts
Mazzulla Ball is at his finest with the bench and reserves. For those who evaluate the shot charts between the starters and the bench, you’ll see the mid-range disappearing. It made me consider the newest Oliver Fox article about how Boston’s abuse of the three-point shot ruined NBA 2K.
9. Baylor Scheierman’s method is nice, regardless of missed pictures
Baylor Scheierman, the Celtics’ 2024 first-round choose, missed eight of his 9 makes an attempt. Nonetheless, his offensive sport was nonetheless a nice shock. He strikes effectively each on and off the ball, isn’t afraid to shoot, and his passes had been fairly correct.
We noticed some good finds in transition, and he even ran a pick-and-roll, delivering a pleasant pocket cross. Joe Mazzulla desires shooters who can keep in entrance of their man and play intelligently. I nonetheless have doubts about his protection, however offensively, he appears to be like pure. I can simply see him getting strong minutes within the upcoming preseason video games.
10. Lonnie Walker jogs my memory of Terry Rozier
I imply, have a look at this clip… don’t you see it, too? The #12 helps.
