Could a little adversity be a good thing for the Celtics?

No person enjoys shedding, particularly not the defending NBA champions. Boston is firmly in the midst of a tough stretch — highlighted by losses in 3 out of 4 — nevertheless it’s potential this is perhaps a superb factor.

The common season is a protracted street that brings you again to the playoffs, or to a spot within the NBA Draft Lottery. After profitable a title, it’s comprehensible that the staff’s vitality ranges aren’t at a continuing 10 for all 82 video games. Whenever you’ve completed the best achievement the NBA has to supply, discovering the additional gear for December basketball could not come as simply.

Name it boredom, or a scarcity of engagement. Both method, Boston might use a kick-start. There’s some irony to it, however these current loses might show helpful. Mazzulla has made it clear that he sees worth in adversity, and his gamers have echoed that sentiment.

This quote from Jaylen Brown got here after the Celtics crushed the Knicks on Opening Evening. These moments he spoke of although, they’ve arrived. Within the month of December, Boston is taking pictures 34% from 3 whereas their opponents are at 37%. These numbers are almost a whole 180 in comparison with the 19 video games prior.

It’s clear that as a unit they aren’t enjoying as much as their requirements, however they’ve ready themselves in addition to any staff to show that into motivation. Mazzulla was interviewed throughout his first yr as head coach, and shared a perception in regards to the mentality of elite groups.

“All nice groups, they determine why they’re nice, they keep there longer than different groups and once they’re not there, they get again to it fast.” Mazzulla mentioned. Boston has arrived at stage 3, and it’s time to get again to greatness.

With as a lot profitable because the Celtics have carried out, there isn’t all the time publicity to checks and hardships. Now that opponents have began strolling into the Backyard and outplaying them, one thing has to alter. Shot making is paramount, however they’ll give attention to issues inside their management like effort, defensive connectivity and communication.

There’s a tough schedule on the horizon, with the Celtics visiting the Wolves, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets to open up the brand new yr. Their report coming dwelling from that gauntlet will say rather a lot about how nicely they responded to adversity.

To get themselves again on monitor, it’s necessary to wrap up December on a excessive be aware. The Pacers have all the time been a tough matchup, so seeing them twice in three nights might be the right tune-up.

Most of us — with the gamers included — haven’t been thrilled by this stretch of basketball. That’s not from a spot of concern, however disappointment within the staff enjoying beneath their requirements for this lengthy. Mazzulla nonetheless, would possibly simply be having fun with it a little bit bit.

If the staff’s ideas are any indication, they’ll bust out of the stoop with a giant efficiency shortly. If that’s the case, this tough patch received’t be remembered as something greater than gas for an additional deep playoff run.