What I have enjoyed the most this preseason is watching the Celtics fast breaks. For the first time, Rondo has multiple options on the break instead of getting the ball up court quickly and then having to dribble around while he waits for the rest of the team to get in place. The play above has Paul Pierce running ahead and getting the hoop. More than likely, he won't be the first one up the court every time, especially as the season progresses, but this team is going to have a lot of young athletic players who will be running the court with Rondo every time the Celtics get the ball.
The Celtics have so many players this year who want to run and who will run. Courtney Lee, Jason Terry, Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox, Darko, Avery, Bass, even Pierce and KG will be running because they won't have to play as many minutes this season. And I haven't even mentioned the Brazilian Blur yet. It's going to be a lot of fun once the chemistry gels and the team gets going.
Every year, every coach talks about wanting to get out and run more. They want to run because fast breaks produce easy offense. But then, with the need to play core players big minutes or for lack of effort, teams inevitably don't follow through with their desire to get out and run. I have a feeling that this team is going to run all year. And another key to having a running team is having a player who can rebound and outlet the ball well. The Celtics not only have speed this season they also have some size and players who can rebound. Jared Sullinger has an uncanny knack of being able to snag rebounds. Darko, Bass, Green, and of course, KG all have the ability to rebound and are good passers to outlet the ball to the players who are streaking up the court.
In the last four preseason games, the Celtics have been showing that the fast break is going to be a big part of their offense. Against the Knicks they had 12 fast break points. Against the Sixers they had 14 fast break points. In their last two games against the Nets they had 16 and 17 fast break points. That is exciting. And I expect them to have as many or more fast break points in every game this season. This is going to be a fun team to watch.
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