Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
Celtics got a big win over the Bucks.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Aaron Gash/AP.)
So the Celtics defeated the Bucks on Friday. And we kind of wonder why we don’t see this Celtics team more often.
I thought it was a little weird that they suddenly became a .500 team but it’s honestly the little things on the roster that made them had this decline. Now the two main Js are great; Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have done their job. Kemba Walker has not had a great season although he’s picking it up a bit. Still, this is not the Kemba that the Celtics wanted and needed.
Marcus Smart has not been 100 percent this season and that might have been the biggest difference between this year’s team and the team in the last few years. Their defensive identity has been missing this season; they’re 24th in the league in defensive rating (that is points allowed per possession). A defensive anchor that they brought in, Tristan Thompson, has not been up to par (and there were rumors that the Celtics players don’t like him but these are RUMORS). And Jeff Teague, who was recently traded (then dumped), didn’t do so well with Boston.
And then the Celtics dealt Daniel Theis, who was actually doing well as their small ball center. I didn’t understand the deal at all as he was one of their key contributors (you remember his playoff run). But if you look at the rest of the roster, they have a bunch of young players that don’t seem ready for prime time. Payton Pritchard, their draft pick this season, has done pretty well off the bench. Robert Williams is going to get more PT with Theis out. Grant Williams, Semi Ojeleye, and Aaron Nesmith will get more opportunities as well but they’ll have to step it up to get deep into the postseason again.
So worse defense, veterans slowly leaving Boston, and veterans that they signed that didn’t work out. But they still have the two Js and Kemba can still get back to his all-star self. And that defense still has the potential to be great once Smart recovers to 100 percent health. BUT for now, maybe the Celtics just aren’t that good.
Bullet Passes
I’m writing these next day recaps on the afternoon nowadays and we just got the news that LaMarcus Aldridge is going to the Nets. They’re pretty much getting all these old all-stars. Man, and WE THOUGHT THEY WERE STACKED TO START THIS SEASON.
Speaking of which, James Harden went for 44-14-8 and even threw the former Detroit Piston a lob. Blake Griffin looked back at his old team for that.
John Collins was in the rumor mill for a long while. Then he goes for 38 points and 12 boards against Golden State. The Hawks have won 9 of 11 since Nate McMillan came in.
Lakers got a much-needed win as they snapped their 4-game skid. Also, Anthony Davis might be back sooner than later and LeBron James could also be back pretty soon as well.
Zion Williamson went for a career-best 39 points off 16 for 19 shooting. I’m actually surprised he’s “only” shooting .627 from the field. I feel like he shoots over 80 percent every game.
Thanks, Dame:
NBA Scoreboard
Mar. 26, 2021
Watch This Play
Giannis Antetokounmpo just got himself a Tacko.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
That is a really big dude to dunk on.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.