Ten takeaways from the Celtics second win vs. the Nuggets

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 the world over and demonstrated as soon as once more that he can. On and off the courtroom, Jaylen Brown was the most important attraction throughout these two exhibition video games in opposition to 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 might be devastating, and the Denver protection had points stopping him. I wrote about his unbelievable potential 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 trying ahead to seeing once more is the transition protection when Nikola Jokic is on the courtroom. Final 12 months, the Celtics had considered one of, if not one of the best, transition defenses within the league. However at this time in opposition to the Nuggets, the transition protection seemed shaky. Jokic and Murray have been in a position to decide 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 strategy on the offensive glass, which might 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 12 months on sturdy transition protection.

4. Defensive playmaking

Final season, Boston had among the finest defenses with out forcing a variety of turnovers. Nonetheless, with their defensive anchor Porzingis out, their strategy will change. We’ll see extra switch-all aggressive protection as an alternative of merely crowding the paint and corners.

The additions of Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer are nice examples of Brad Stevens addressing crew wants. Each are defensive playmakers who can spark transition alternatives. The Celtics lacked that final 12 months, 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 carry completely different expertise to the desk they usually every confirmed what they might supply, significantly with their passing potential within the quick 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 browse the sport rapidly creates nice alternatives for the Celtics. Tillman was already identified for this, however Kornet and Queta additionally displayed stable passing on Sunday.

6. Sam Hauser’s deal with

For the primary time in current reminiscence, we noticed Sam Hauser dribbling by means of defenses. We have 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 potential to assault closeouts off the dribble, he might turn out to be the proper rotation participant with and behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Nonetheless, I didn’t count on him to begin dribbling to generate pull-ups. I used to be anticipating a number of dribbles and a cross after attacking a closeout, however Hauser confirmed off some actual deal with enhancements. I don’t count on him to do that typically in common NBA video games, however 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’d 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 at all times find yourself on Saric?”

The reply is easy: they focused him. By way of screens and motion, the Nuggets gave Saric nice post-up place in opposition to the smaller guard, forcing Pritchard to foul. After only a few minutes, Pritchard was already as much as three fouls.

This can be fascinating to comply with 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 take advantage of 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. In case you evaluate the shot charts between the starters and the bench, you’ll see the mid-range disappearing. It made me consider the most recent Oliver Fox article about how Boston’s abuse of the three-point shot ruined NBA 2K.

9. Baylor Scheierman’s strategy is sweet, regardless of missed pictures

Baylor Scheierman, the Celtics’ 2024 first-round decide, missed eight of his 9 makes an attempt. Nonetheless, his offensive sport was nonetheless a pleasing shock. He strikes effectively each on and off the ball, isn’t afraid to shoot, and his passes have 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 seems pure. I can simply see him getting stable minutes within the upcoming preseason video games.