As I watched the Celtics erase a 20-point deficit to outlast the Pacers 103-95 on Monday, I discovered myself consistently coming again to 1 central thought: Luka Garza units one heck of a display.
I usually gravitate towards guards and discover myself learning the tendencies of shooters somewhat than submit gamers, however there’s one thing about Garza’s recreation I can’t ignore.
The timing of his screens is solely impeccable. It’s nearly robotic in a means, the place he rotates his physique on the precise proper angle and second to set the ball-handler up for fulfillment. When you fear about Garza, the ball-handler has a gap; in case you double the ball, Garza can pop or roll and is a menace throughout. It’s rhythmic, under-appreciated and genuinely enjoyable to observe.
With that in thoughts, and within the vacation spirit, right here’s one particular reward every Celtics participant has that I actually respect.
I don’t assume anybody who watches the Celtics recurrently is stunned that Jaylen Brown has taken the subsequent step and is shining because the 1A possibility this season.
However I do assume most of us are barely stunned at simply how seamless the transition has been. It seems like Brown has been on this function for years, and he deserves a substantial amount of credit score for thriving because the undisputed alpha. A important cause why he’s dominating? His footwork.
Subsequent time you activate a recreation, watch the way in which Brown finishes within the lane. Whether or not it’s transition, off a drive or off a post-up (much less widespread), he pivots at a particularly excessive stage and retains defenders off steadiness. It’s a talent that separates the elite from the excellent within the NBA, and Brown is close to the highest of the listing.
Derrick White – shot blocking
Let’s not take Derrick White with no consideration, people. What he’s doing isn’t regular. Folks don’t simply common 1.3 blocks per recreation at 6 ft, 4 inches.
You may inform he genuinely loves guarding greater gamers and will get a kick out of sending their shot again. It’s sort of unusual that offensive gamers nonetheless don’t appear to anticipate it, nevertheless it’s in all probability as a result of he’s simply so darn good at it.
Payton Pritchard – physique management
This one is considerably much like Brown’s, nevertheless it’s barely totally different. Payton Pritchard is extremely expert at these little pictures from simply contained in the free-throw line the place he baits a defender, swirls round, then fades away over their outstretched arm.
Very similar to with White, it’s not regular for somebody his dimension to do what he does at that stage. Pritchard is a masterful dribbler with elite precision in his actions.
Anfernee Simons – microwave scoring
Anfernee Simons’ scoring skill is nearly as good as marketed. That man can put the ball within the peach basket. As soon as he makes one, his eyes get huge and there’s a great probability he’s going to make a pair extra in a row.
Simons is a type of gamers who genuinely believes he’s the most effective scorer on the ground. That confidence is contagious, and he’s an enormous cause why this Celtics staff has been capable of go on prolonged runs like groups prior to now.
Neemias Queta – offensive rebounding
Neemias Queta deserves a substantial amount of credit score for making concrete enhancements to his recreation. He’s a a lot better participant now than he was a 12 months or two in the past, and the Celtics’ coaches additionally deserves credit score for his or her work in making that occur.
Queta is nineteenth within the NBA with 3.1 offensive rebounds per recreation (simply behind future Corridor of Famer Luke Kornet), and it feels prefer it if you watch him compete. He retains performs alive and sometimes units up these well timed second-chance 3-pointers that shift the momentum of video games.
Jordan Walsh – on-ball protection
Jordan Walsh is arguably the most effective success story on the staff up to now this season. He’s made strides as a shooter, a playmaker and extra, however his largest reward stays his on-ball protection.
Walsh can really guard 1 via 5, has significantly lengthy arms and strikes his ft fairly properly for his dimension. He’s beginning to determine all of it out, and it’s very entertaining.
It may be simple to observe a shooter and hyper-focus on whether or not or not the ball goes within the hoop. Whereas it usually does for Sam Hauser, he’s consistently enhancing the offensive fluidity no matter his percentages.
Hauser passes and relocates at a particularly excessive stage. Having him within the nook or on the wing opens up driving lanes for Brown, White and Pritchard. They know that if the protection converges, Hauser will probably be within the precise proper spot and able to let it fly.
Folks like to say that effort is a talent, and nobody on the roster epitomizes that mindset greater than Josh Minott (OK, possibly it’s a tie with Hugo González). Minott runs round with the motor of a toddler (it’s a praise) and by no means stops transferring.
Luka Garza – you already know
It bears repeating. The person is a display machine!
Hugo González – fearlessness
A few of these plus-minus and web score stats are wild, however if you watch him play, it actually does really feel like he consistently contributes to successful. One of many important the explanation why is his fearlessness; González performs like a veteran, loves guarding the opposite staff’s greatest participant and isn’t afraid of a problem.
Baylor Scheierman – the fireman
Baylor Scheierman’s greatest reward is his skill to place out fires and provides the sport precisely what it wants. If the Celtics have to play sooner, he can do this; if they should sluggish it down, he can do this, too. His really feel for the sport is a defining attribute and units him aside. It truly is a becoming nickname.
