The Celtics will look to finish their road trip on a high note this weekend as they battle through some ups (Kristaps Porzingis) and downs from a recent 10-10 stretch. Let’s answer some questions about what to make of the stretch with the trade deadline just two weeks away. If you have questions about the Celtics or NBA, email brobb@masslive.com or tweet @briantrobb
Brian, watching this team, I’ve had a sense of déjà vu. A team that is inconsistent between games and even between quarters. A team that plays down to opponents. A team that is better on the road than at home. A team that makes inexplicable late game mental errors. Then it occurred to me who this team reminds me of: the ‘22-’23 Celtics.
Given this, both teams have to have been dealing with a Finals hangover. The question, how does this team make sure their season ends better than the ‘22-’23 team’s season did? Bad habits built up during the season are hard to break. –Sean, Seattle, WA
That’s a fair comparison Sean at this point. The talent is unquestionably better on this roster with Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday being notable upgrades on Robert Williams and Marcus Smart. With that said, the patterns are similar from a win-loss standpoint. That group came out red-hot from 3-point range and cruised to a 21-5 record before floundering with a 5-7 stretch. They fought back with a couple longer winning streaks in January but never quite looked as good as they did in those first two months all year long, setting the stage for an underwhelming exit in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Heat.
This group should be far better than that one on paper and they have the benefit of championship experience and confidence now after last season. Still, it’s a bit concerning that they didn’t come close to play .500 basketball for 20 games even during that 2022-23 season and we’re seeing that now for over a month even as this group is getting healthy.
Offensively, there are bigger troubling signs emerging now (starting backcourt, 3-point shooting team wide) and the defense collectively has taken a step back. The talent and continuity is there so it’s on Mazzulla now to adapt a bit with this group and get them back to being the best version of themselves. They definitely regressed a lot it felt like during the 2022-23 season as that year continued and Mazzulla needs to stop that trend this year, which will be tough since the sense of urgency from the players is at a far different level compared to last year.
Hey Brobb,
Why do you think there are still back to backs? Numerically there’s no need. Why hasn’t the players association negotiated this away? What’s the benefit to anyone? — Peter
PS-I’m going all in on calling Adam Silver Adam Gold, he is clearly trying to maximize $$$$ everywhere. Among other things the ties with gambling in pregame shows is disgusting!!
It’s all about the money. Taking away back-to-backs either means taking away games or pushing the NBA calendar into July (which no one wants to do). If the NBA is reducing games, that’s reducing the bottom line for the owners and/or the players and no one is willing to take that hit to their paychecks. The NBA has taken some decent steps in recent years to reduce the worst stretches of the schedule (fewer back-to-backs overall and almost no more five games in seven nights) but it’s hard to see the league getting rid of back-to-backs entirely. It unfortunately waters down the product at times as teams wisely place an emphasize a player health but it’s a reality of the 82-game schedule.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for taking my question. Apologies if you’ve already covered this in your reporting. I’ve been wondering about the effects of the long playoff run followed by the summer Olympics on Jrue, Derrick and Jayson. There are some nights where Jrue seems a step slow on defense and Derrick loses his legs on long jumpers. (Don’t we all, lol?) Tatum less so, but he’s younger. In the end, it’s up to the coach to manage workload and minutes. So my question is: What does Mazzulla think of this and has he or will lessen their minutes in the weeks and months before the playoffs? thanks, Dan
The numbers are quite alarming for the starting backcourt duo, particularly coming off a dismal Lakers performance. Derrick White has fallen into the worst offensive slump of his Celtics tenure, sooting under 42 percent from the field in seven of his last eight games. He’s a 37 percent shooting overall in the month of January. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday is suddenly a very ordinary 3-point shooter (34.9 percent) and his usage remains as small as ever. The Celtics need more from these guys, particularly when they play with the second unit as Boston’s offense overall (20th in last 10 games) is showing some real cracks.
I do think reducing the minutes or game load for both guys is something that should happen coming off their marathon 2023-24 campaign. Holiday is at 30.4 minutes per game but his play honestly doesn’t justify that volume for a 34-year-old. The Celtics are better off playing more Payton Pritchard or turning down the bench (or a trade) for another guard/wing to provide some more energy. Jaden Springer probably has earned the chance at an extended look after his performances in Los Angeles. It’s on Mazzulla now to give it to him, otherwise, Brad Stevens should find someone that Mazzulla will trust to play. Wearing out White and Holiday (along with the Celtics All-Stars) isn’t helping the cause right now amid the team’s uneven play.
Do you see the Celtics moving any player before trading deadline or signing someone. —Valarian
I do expect the Celtics to make multiple deals at the trade deadline, albeit probably minor ones. One of those could also simply be signing a 15th guy, although that will probably come closer to March or April barring to maximize luxury tax savings.
The bigger question for the next two weeks is what Jaden Springer’s future is. He’s the only player on the bench that is a candidate to be moved who also makes more than the minimum ($4 million). Can he show enough in the next two weeks to have the justify keeping him (and absorb the hefty luxury tax penalties that come with him)? Or does the team salary dump him somewhere and bring in another player making a veteran’s minimum who might be a better fit for Mazzulla’s offense?
The good news for the Celtics is Springer’s strong play this week may intrigue a team to take him without the needing to add a draft pick sweetener (second-round pick) in any trade. Beyond trading another minimum guy (Xavier Tillman may be worth watching given the lack of his role lately), there shouldn’t be a ton of movement. The Celtics aren’t going to be break up their starting five despite their inconsistency and without that, there’s no real salary to move for a notable deal.
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