New Year’s resolutions for the Celtics

Don’t let the Celtics’ latest struggles distract you from the truth that 2024 was one of the gratifying years in franchise historical past.

After years of buildup, they lastly did the dang factor. Coming tantalizingly shut so many occasions made the final word triumph even sweeter.

Now, having mentioned that, they’re not enjoying persistently nice basketball in the meanwhile (put Tuesday apart). So, with that in thoughts, listed here are some New 12 months’s resolutions for the Celtics because the calendar flips to 2025.

This yr can finish with the identical bliss, however a number of issues want to alter for that to occur.

Play just like the underdog and with desperation.

The Celtics are favorites in almost each recreation they play. It’s human nature to sleep on inferior opponents, however nice groups have a knack for not succumbing to human nature.

Faux the Pelicans are the Nuggets. Faux the Wizards are the Cavaliers. When the Celtics have been nonetheless looking for that elusive title, it felt like that they had a collective sense of desperation. They should get that again.

Present extra versatility offensively.

I like 3-pointers greater than anybody else I do know. Heck, my Twitter bio says: “Fan of 3-pointers and one-liners.” It’s not that the Celtics ought to veer away from the 3-ball — it’s simply that they should add extra to their repertoire.

When groups know what’s coming, it’s a lot simpler to defend. Unpredictability is the hallmark to any elite offense. You must respect the three, the mid-range and the paint, as a result of all three are threats.

As statistician Dick Lipe notes, the Celtics are beginning to make strides in that space. They should preserve trending in that path, whereas persevering with to empty 3 after 3.

Be pests defensively.

What would Marcus Good say about this? How about Tommy Heinsohn or Invoice Russell (RIP to each)? Clearly, the league has modified, and offenses are higher than ever, however that isn’t an excuse to play lackluster protection.

The Celtics are lively defensively at occasions, however they battle mightily in others. Granted, Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis are crucial components of the equation, they usually’ve been out, however the total vitality must shift.

The Celtics are at their greatest after they’re in opponents’ faces, pressuring the ball and wreaking havoc. Then they flip that protection into offense, and the 3-pointers stream naturally.

In December alone, they allowed 115, 120, 127, 117, 118 and 123 factors. It’s protected to say that’s not the place it must be.

Play sooner.

This goes again to the final level: I preserve that the Celtics ought to play sooner than they do. They’re extra athletic, extra expert and extra versatile than simply about each different crew, so they need to use that to their benefit.

They’re at the moment twenty first in tempo, which I personally assume wants to alter. When you get straightforward layups, you discover a rhythm, and the remaining comes naturally. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and extra can all play quick, so there’s no cause to not do it.

Make a acutely aware effort to earn the No. 1 seed.

Firstly of the season, all of us naively assumed the Celtics would get the No. 1 seed with relative ease.

Then the Cavaliers determined to turn into unstoppable. Now, the Knicks are profitable and looking out very legit. If issues preserve trending the way in which they’re, the Celtics might find yourself sliding to No. 3 and having to face each groups because the decrease seed. A hypothetical path of the Bucks, Knicks, Cavaliers and Thunder because the street crew is much from a cakewalk.

Whereas I’d nonetheless like Boston’s odds in any of these sequence, life on the street doesn’t usually finish effectively for NBA groups. So, present slightly urgency. Attempt to get the No. 1 seed. If you find yourself with the two or 3-seed, so be it, however don’t relaxation guys late within the yr. Seeding issues within the NBA.

If the Celtics do these items, and return to their roots, they’ll be simply high-quality and have a good chance to repeat. If not, 2025 might not finish in one other parade.