Azad Rosay joins CelticsWeblog all the best way from France. Regardless of protecting the group six hours away in a unique language, Azad is an avid fan and an analytics and Xs and Os professional. Try his first piece on the Jays’ driving in the Finals.
What bought you into basketball and the Celtics?
My relationship with basketball and the Celtics has been natural since I used to be 13 years previous and has continued to develop since then. I performed each Wednesday again in center college within the French Alps. It was a straightforward solution to get away from my small village and revel in a enjoyable sport with my closest associates. I performed often till the tip of highschool, after which my focus shifted, and I didn’t play once more till I moved to Amsterdam at 23 years previous. Now that I’m again dwelling within the Alps, I nonetheless attempt to play often. One factor I’ve understood about basketball: it has created and strengthened friendships all through my life, and I’m grateful for that.
As for who bought me into the Celtics, I believe it was my father, in a manner. He loves video video games and often comes residence infrequently with random video games he finds for affordable. At some point, he got here again with NBA Reside 2008. I nonetheless don’t know why he selected that sport, but it surely modified every thing. In 2008, the perfect group was… the Celtics. So, to discover ways to play the sport, I picked the Celtics… and a decade later, right here I’m, introducing myself as a author for CelticsBlog. I’m grateful for that, too.
So to reply the query, “What bought me into basketball and the Celtics?” I’d say it was love, luck, household, and associates.
What are your strengths and/or favourite matters as a author?
That’s a troublesome query. I’d say that one in every of my strengths is my skill to know and use statistics and information to raised grasp what the human eye can’t see. Then again, I watch a variety of basketball, so my eyes also can seize what won’t be mirrored in monitoring information. As soon as I discover this steadiness between what I see and the numbers, I need to share it with individuals who may be .
I genuinely get excited once I share an evaluation as a result of I need it to be challenged by the true world. As soon as an article I write is on the market, being challenged and commented on, I get to discover ways to enhance for the subsequent one. Since I began creating content material on the NBA in France, I’ve been lucky sufficient to speak with NBA gamers, coaches, and writers. This has additionally helped me turn out to be a greater author and analyst.
As for my favourite matters, I like specializing in statistical and tactical evaluation. I get pleasure from attempting to know what a group is trying to attain and the way they’re attempting to create a bonus. I’m additionally studying about participant scouting — attempting to seize the core values, talents, and limitations of a participant by watching movies and analyzing information.
To sum up, I get pleasure from writing about what’s taking place on the courtroom and do my greatest to make it fascinating for the individuals who learn my work.
What’s your daring prediction for the approaching season?
“Luke Kornet will shoot 3-pointers once more” seems like each an correct and daring prediction for 2024. The reasoning behind this prediction is easy: it’s wanted, and it’s attainable.
Why is it wanted? As a result of the Celtics will probably be enjoying with out Kristaps Porziņģis at first of the season. We don’t know precisely when he will probably be again, so Joe Mazzulla and his workers might want to modify accordingly. When Porziņģis is on the courtroom, the Celtics have higher shot high quality as a result of spacing he offers. The Celtics’ skill to get to the rim was considerably higher with the Latvian on the ground (Rim Frequency elevated by 4.7% when KP was on the courtroom).
Final yr, Kornet was requested to convey a variety of power to the offensive glass (+7.5% OREB% when he was on the ground). Throughout a post-game interview with Celtics Recordsdata, he talked about that specializing in offensive rebounds was one of many causes he stopped shooting 3-pointers. Maybe there’s a steadiness to be discovered right here, the place Luke Kornet can area the ground whereas nonetheless being aggressive on the offensive glass.
As for his capturing capabilities, I’m assured he may nonetheless hit threes with league-average effectivity. An excellent indicator of capturing skill is FT% — and Luke hits 81% of his free throws. On prime of that, his first two seasons confirmed that in the best atmosphere, he may shoot and make threes.
So, stroll with me down this street, and let’s hope we witness Luke Kornet hit a few 3-pointers per sport, adopted by one in every of his iconic celebrations.
