It’s usually mentioned that well being is among the largest X elements in a staff’s postseason run. It doesn’t matter how a lot expertise you will have in your roster; if they will’t keep wholesome, properly, it’s not gonna work out properly for you, Jack.
The Boston Celtics considerably spat within the face of that mindset final season. Kristaps Porzingis missed many of the Celtics’ postseason run. But, Joe Mazzulla’s steamroller continued to squash each soul that stood in entrance of it. Nineteen video games, and in 11 of them, the Celtics held opponents to beneath 100 factors.
But, as laborious as it’s to wrap your head round, Porzingis is a ceiling-raiser, not a key cog. That’s why Boston is 30-9 with out their star massive man within the rotation this season. If Porzingis is out, it sucks, but it surely received’t derail what you’re making an attempt to do.
Nonetheless, when he’s wholesome, Porzingis ties every part collectively. Proper now, Porzingis’ well being isn’t in query. It’s Jaylen Brown who has followers anxious over his potential influence within the post-season. And in contrast to Porzingis, Brown is a crucial cog in what the Celtics look to do on either side of the ground.
Brown’s rim-pressure, point-of-attack protection and secondary playmaking are all key elements within the recipe for championship success. So, with Brown affected by a bone bruise in his knee and his on-court manufacturing trying questionable at greatest, is it time to hit the panic button?
Properly, the choice on whether or not or to not be involved relies on whether or not Porzingis can step into and maintain a much bigger function throughout the offense. To ensure that that to be a hit, Porzingis will possible have to lean right into a extra frequent two-man sport with Jayson Tatum.
Based on PBPStats.com, Tatum has discovered Porzingis 60 occasions this season, creating 151 factors. Porzingis has returned the favor on 17 events, producing 41 factors. In reality, solely Derrick White (67) and Brown himself (65) have been the recipient of extra assists from Boston’s famous person.
However, if Brown is pressured to sit down out of some postseason video games for no matter cause, that Tatum/Porzingis connection goes to change into important. The issue is, are you able to belief that Porzingis’ physique can maintain as much as the extra utilization and defensive consideration? And might that two-man sport work properly sufficient to assist bridge the hole that’s left behind when Brown is out of the rotation?
The excellent news is that leaning right into a Tatum and Porzingis tandem isn’t going to vary how the Celtics strategy issues on the offensive finish. Each excel when engaged on the perimeter however are greater than succesful three-level scorers. Moreover, each can work as screens, cutters, poppers, and play finishers.
What I like is that we’ve already seen some examples of how a two-man sport between Tatum and Porzingis may work.
Each Tatum and Porzingis possess important scoring gravity. You possibly can see that after they’re working as a duo, defenses are pressured to react. The pin-in from Tatum creates the house for Porzingis to obtain the ball, Tatum’s pop opens the lane for Porzingis to drive, after which the boomerang passing creates a high-low entry that places the massive man in place to get the straightforward bucket.
We’ve seen it work in different methods, too. When Tatum operates because the screener for Porzingis, defenses face an inconceivable alternative. Change, and also you’ve received Tatum bullying a smaller defender. Present too laborious on Porzingis, and Tatum slips to the rim. Play drop protection, and Tatum is looking you on the transfer, trying to assault the mismatch whereas in movement.
The choices are infinite.
There’s a degree of consolation in figuring out that your two greatest gamers can rating throughout the board. It gives the staff with a large number of counters, relying on how opposing groups wish to defend them. After all, every part works higher with Brown on the ground.
With out Brown’s gravity and the specter of him exploding by the lanes, defenses will collapse extra willingly on Porzingis – or anybody else – within the paint. Brown’s gravity creates house that Vacation (usually the third possibility when somebody is out with damage), regardless of his constant capturing final season, merely can’t replicate. Defenses worry Brown’s athleticism, his potential to catch and drive or pull up with equal effectiveness. In addition they worry the moments the place the ‘grave digger’ places somebody on a spotlight reel – as a result of who buys posters anymore?
Aspect observe: Can we begin shopping for posters once more? Why aren’t they a factor lately?
And don’t even get me began on how Brown’s mid-range sport bends defenses to the breaking level. I imply, the place is the assistance supposed to return from? Severely?
The excellent news? Mazzulla has been getting ready for this all season. The Celtics have performed 18 video games with out Brown, going 13-5. They’ve survived stretches with out Porzingis. They’ve weathered video games the place Tatum shot poorly. This isn’t a staff that depends on a single formulation for achievement.
So, whereas Brown’s knee situation is regarding, it’s not time to panic – not but. The Celtics’ championship hopes don’t relaxation solely on Brown’s well being however on Tatum and Porzingis’s potential to raise their partnership to a different degree. If these two can keep their chemistry and enhance their two-man effectiveness, Mazzulla’s steamroller may simply carry on rolling.
And in a playoff ambiance the place changes are every part, having two versatile scorers who can punish any defensive protection is precisely the insurance coverage coverage you need. With Tatum and Porzingis main the cost, the Celtics’ end line nonetheless has “championship” written throughout it…Assuming everybody else can keep wholesome, after all…That’s the caveat.
CelticsBlog graciously allowed this text to be cross-posted from my rising “Celtics Chronicle” e-newsletter.
