How fast things go in the NBA. Less than four years ago, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics played in the Eastern Conference Finals, without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, their two All-Stars, thus giving birth to the promise of a bright future for the franchise. Presented as favorites the following season, they disappointed everyone before reaching the last lap in the bubble again in 2020. But still no click. Again expected, the Boston troops came out in the first round after a sloppy exercise (barely 50% wins) last year.
It then became difficult to understand this team, and especially to evaluate it. But it had certainly lost ground, mainly compared to behemoths like Milwaukee, Brooklyn or Philadelphia. Even more after the sudden change of position of Brad Stevens, moved from the bench to the head of the organization chart, and the arrival of Ime Udoka, an inexperienced coach – but trained alongside Gregg Popovich for years. After a chaotic and frankly disappointing start to the season, no one was really expecting Boston.
The Celtics, the best team in 2022
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That’s exactly when the machine kicked in. In just two months, Massachusetts players have gone from stooges to potential favorites in the East. Yes, it’s going fast. But the evolution is real. And the sample is starting to really take shape. The Celtics have won 23 of their 31 games played in 2022. If they had kept up this pace from October, they would be well ahead of their Conference.
They also remain on 14 successes during their last 16 outings, with shocks won against the Nets of Kevin Durant, the Grizzlies of Ja Morant, a slap of 48 points inflicted on the Sixers or a resounding victory against the Heat by 30 point difference. Look no further, Boston is the team in form at the start of the year… and therefore at the end of the season.
Evan Fournier and Marcus Smart during New York Knicks – Boston Celtics in the NBA on January 6, 2022
Credit: Getty Images
It must be said that the leaders did a good job on the evening of the transfer deadline. By switching the ghost of Josh Richardson by Derrick White, while bringing Daniel Theis back by selling Dennis Schröder, the Celtics have brought depth to the workforce while strengthening and balancing it. It already made you want to be optimistic. The results on the ground support the idea that this team is no longer the same. For example, it has the best point differential in the entire league on 100 possessions (just ahead of the… Pelicans!) since the All-Star Weekend break with +11.7 points.
But above all, Boston has the most impermeable defense in the championship in 2022 with only 103.3 points, still on 100 possessions. All while relying on an attack also among the most effective in the League. These are the numerical performances of a formation likely to go far. Even at the end. Udoka is really finding his rotation and bringing his paw.
Jayson Tatum on the rise
But if the rise of the Celtics really had to be embodied by one man, it would obviously be Jayson Tatum. The All-Star winger is just phenomenal right now. His 54 pawns against Kevin Durant once again remind us of the man’s immense talent. A real superstar in this league, even if the native of Saint-Louis is more often exposed to criticism than a Ja Morant or a Luka Doncic. The same goes for Jaylen Brown.
A few months back, Marcus Smart publicly pointed out the selfish behavior of his two teammates. “All the teams know that we try to serve Jayson and Jaylen. All the teams are trying to stop them. I think everyone wants them to drop the ball. But they don’t want to pass. It’s something they’re going to have to learn. They are still developing. We are proud of their progress, but they will still have to go a step further by learning to create more only for themselves but also for others. It’s something we ask them to do.”
Jayson Tatum was huge against the Nets – 03/06/2022
Credit: Getty Images
Apparently the message got through. Tatum is trying in particular not to force situations but to exploit the flaws in the opposing defense. To the point of attracting this time the compliments of his comrade. “He reads the game well“, Smart now points out.”He lets him come to him. Its very important. He plays much smarter.” Talent does the rest. Tatum and Brown are only 24 and 25 years old but they have already gained experience by playing two Conference finals (even 3 for Brown). They are gradually maturing. Their athletic qualities, their skill and their technique make them formidable attackers when they agree to put themselves at the service of the collective.
Especially since the Celtics have many duty players around, from Smart to Al Horford via White, Theis or even Robert and Grant Williams. All the ingredients are there. So why not (re)start dreaming? The NBA is very open this season. Especially in the East. The resounding failure of the super teams in Los Angeles and Brooklyn and the injuries of each other open the door to a feat.
But if Jayson Tatum is the player who takes the Celtics to the top, he is also paradoxically the one who can limit them. The young man feels invested with a mission, that of asserting himself as the heir of Kobe Bryant. Often it is good. But he still happens too often to fall back into his ways at the end of tight matches. When it works – and it works quite often – it’s beautiful, it’s spectacular and it makes an impression.
But stopping the game, playing isolations and trying to do everything alone can quickly become a problem when the tension is at its maximum in the playoffs. Doing Kobe, by definition, is not given to everyone. And that says a lot about what the Black Mamba was capable of. To truly lead Boston to the throne, it will take a historic Tatum. In any case, it promises a very exciting campaign in the East.
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