Get to know the newest member of the CelticsBlog team, Azad Rosay

Azad Rosay joins CelticsBlog all the best way from France. Regardless of overlaying the crew six hours away in a special language, Azad is an avid fan and an analytics and Xs and Os knowledgeable. Try his first piece on the Jays’ driving within the Finals.

What bought you into basketball and the Celtics?

My relationship with basketball and the Celtics has been natural since I used to be 13 years outdated and has continued to develop since then. I performed each Wednesday again in center faculty within the French Alps. It was a straightforward solution to get away from my small village and revel in a enjoyable sport with my closest pals. I performed usually till the tip of highschool, after which my focus shifted, and I didn’t play once more till I moved to Amsterdam at 23 years outdated. Now that I’m again residing within the Alps, I nonetheless attempt to play usually. One factor I’ve understood about basketball: it has created and strengthened friendships all through my life, and I’m grateful for that.

As for who bought me into the Celtics, I feel it was my father, in a manner. He loves video video games and often comes house every so often with random video games he finds for reasonable. Sooner or later, he got here again with NBA Reside 2008. I nonetheless do not know why he selected that recreation, however it modified all the things. In 2008, one of the best crew was… the Celtics. So, to discover ways to play the sport, I picked the Celtics… and a decade later, right here I’m, introducing myself as a author for CelticsBlog. I’m grateful for that, too.

So to reply the query, “What bought me into basketball and the Celtics?” I’d say it was love, luck, household, and pals.

What are your strengths and/or favourite subjects as a author?

That’s a tricky query. I’d say that considered one of my strengths is my potential to grasp and use statistics and information to raised grasp what the human eye can’t see. However, I watch plenty of basketball, so my eyes may also seize what may not be mirrored in monitoring information. As soon as I discover this steadiness between what I see and the numbers, I need to share it with individuals who may be .

I genuinely get excited after I share an evaluation as a result of I would like it to be challenged by the actual world. As soon as an article I write is on the market, being challenged and commented on, I get to discover ways to enhance for the following one. Since I began creating content material on the NBA in France, I’ve been lucky sufficient to speak with NBA gamers, coaches, and writers. This has additionally helped me change into a greater author and analyst.

As for my favourite subjects, I like specializing in statistical and tactical evaluation. I get pleasure from making an attempt to grasp what a crew is trying to realize and the way they’re making an attempt to create a bonus. I’m additionally studying about participant scouting — making an attempt to seize the core values, skills, and limitations of a participant by watching movies and analyzing information.

To sum up, I get pleasure from writing about what’s taking place on the court docket and do my greatest to make it attention-grabbing for the individuals who learn my work.

What’s your daring prediction for the approaching season?

“Luke Kornet will shoot 3-pointers once more” looks like each an correct and daring prediction for 2024. The reasoning behind this prediction is straightforward: it’s wanted, and it’s potential.

Why is it wanted? As a result of the Celtics might be enjoying with out Kristaps Porziņģis at the beginning of the season. We don’t know precisely when he might be again, so Joe Mazzulla and his employees might want to alter accordingly. When Porziņģis is on the court docket, the Celtics have higher shot high quality because of the spacing he gives. The Celtics’ potential to get to the rim was considerably higher with the Latvian on the ground (Rim Frequency elevated by 4.7% when KP was on the court docket).

Final yr, Kornet was requested to carry plenty of power to the offensive glass (+7.5% OREB% when he was on the ground). Throughout a post-game interview with Celtics Recordsdata, he talked about that specializing in offensive rebounds was one of many causes he stopped taking pictures 3-pointers. Maybe there’s a steadiness to be discovered right here, the place Luke Kornet can house the ground whereas nonetheless being aggressive on the offensive glass.

As for his taking pictures capabilities, I’m assured he may nonetheless hit threes with league-average effectivity. A fantastic indicator of taking pictures potential is FT% — and Luke hits 81% of his free throws. On high of that, his first two seasons confirmed that in the fitting atmosphere, he may shoot and make threes.

So, stroll with me down this street, and let’s hope we witness Luke Kornet hit a few 3-pointers per recreation, adopted by considered one of his iconic celebrations.