Pleasant Preseason Surprises

Defense
While the new pit-bull combo of Smart and Bradley got most of the early hype (and rightfully so), don’t sleep on the (rather unexpected) effort of Thornton and Turner on defense.  These previously laissez faire defenders are not yet plus stoppers but they have certainly overcome the defensively-absent label.  It was a development that most of us hoped for, but questioned whether it was a reasonable expectation--so far, so good.  Zeller has not been dominant but has certainly shown a feisty attitude about “his” paint.  After a hesitant and slow start, Tyler has improved his recognition and rotation on defense (and has shown flashes of a variety of offensive abilities).  He is not a big shot blocker but he changes a bunch of shots and/or attacker paths.  Team rotations have tightened up and unchallenged shots become scarce. 

3-pt Shooting

Zeller may be the only player on the team who is not a threat to launch a three-point shot.  So long as the shot selection is efficient the bombing attack threatens to pull opponents’ defenses out to loosen the spacing and allow slashers and post-up’s.  If the Celtics use crisp unselfish passing to leverage a  blend of this outside attack with opportunistic forays to the basket, they will keep defenses off balance and scrambling.

Cohesion

I have a hard time comprehending how so many changes (players and the system) could have been integrated so quickly.  Having a third of the roster new to the team, nearly a third sidelined, and a heavy dose of camp-invites filling out the practices can only have hindered putting a smooth product on the floor.  Yet the locker room seems beyond cordial (trending toward jovial and chummy), the coaching well received (whether from the staff or veterans), and the play cohesive and increasingly error-free.  Kudos all around.

Pace

It seems like almost every team talks about pushing the ball to generate offense before the opposing defense is set; and yet the preseason talk seldom results in in-season action.  This team, this year, has a different feel to it.  Outlet passes, and even inbound passes, are crisper and the ball often moves up-court with a sense of urgency.  Frequently there is a second pass advancing the ball.  Early offense, not just with numerical advantages but even 3-on-3 or 2-on-2 opportunities, is explored, even pressed, and the more open court has been lucrative.  Attacking when the defense is still back-peddling has significant advantages and this team is finally looking for ways to use that edge.  It isn’t automatic yet but it does seem to have made it beyond the experimental stage and is progressing toward the habit level.

Unfortunately this team has little time for baby steps.  The Murderer’s Row of a November schedule looms threateningly.  If their confidence and chemistry survive that overwhelming month, regardless of the record, I think this team will play better and better each week and month.  Get out of November with six, or maybe even just five, wins and the Celtics will be a tough out by mid-season, and a team that no one wants to face by spring.  Then again, November has so many contenders and so much travel that unless the Green hit the ground running they may drop a dozen games in that first month.  Then we might be talking about the team avoiding a real crash as losing threatens the squad chemistry and the individual’s confidence.  Hang on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. [Discuss on CG Forums!]