Ten takeaways from the Celtics second win vs. the Nuggets

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1. Jaylen Brown impressed Abu Dhabi as soon as once more.

Earlier than the primary recreation, Jaylen Brown addressed the Abu Dhabi crowd in Arabic. He needs to be a basketball ambassador the world over and demonstrated as soon as once more that he can. On and off the court docket, Jaylen Brown was the largest attraction throughout these two exhibition video games towards the Nuggets.

Jaylen Brown loves Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi loves Jaylen Brown. The Finals MVP confirmed them love and delivered highlights. He scored over Jamal Murray, threw down a tough transition dunk, and delivered some GREAT passes!

Jaylen is a spotlight machine, reminding the basketball world from the World Video games. The Celtics will probably be again in Boston quickly, however relaxation assured, Jaylen Brown will probably be again within the Center East once more.

2. JB’s cuts

Brown additionally confirmed a transparent intention to chop and transfer off-ball. He could be devastating, and the Denver protection had points stopping him. I wrote about his incredible ability as a finisher just lately and hope to see extra of those off-ball actions subsequent season.

3. Transition protection issues?

One factor I’m not wanting ahead to seeing once more is the transition protection when Nikola Jokic is on the court docket. Final 12 months, the Celtics had one in every of, if not the most effective, transition defenses within the league. However at this time towards the Nuggets, the transition protection appeared shaky. Jokic and Murray have been in a position to choose up the tempo after each misses and makes, punishing the Celtics’ heavy legs.

With out Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are leaning towards a extra aggressive method on the offensive glass, which may open up alternatives for opponents in transition. The Celtics are nonetheless determining their new steadiness with Porzingis sidelined and Horford resting. Nonetheless, they constructed their nice common season final 12 months on sturdy transition protection.

4. Defensive playmaking

Final season, Boston had among the finest defenses with out forcing lots of turnovers. Nevertheless, with their defensive anchor Porzingis out, their method will change. We’ll see extra switch-all aggressive protection as a substitute of merely crowding the paint and corners.

The additions of Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer are nice examples of Brad Stevens addressing staff wants. Each are defensive playmakers who can spark transition alternatives. The Celtics lacked that final 12 months, however with Porzingis out and this new defensive playmaking in, we might see extra transition performs.

5. Inside passing

The Celtics have the chance to check a wide range of facilities. Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta, and Luke Kornet all carry completely different abilities to the desk and so they every confirmed what they might supply, notably with their passing capability within the quick roll.

For the reason that Nuggets typically ship two defenders on the ball-handler after a pick-and-roll, it creates a 4-on-3 scenario. Having a screener who can go and browse the sport rapidly creates nice alternatives for the Celtics. Tillman was already recognized for this, however Kornet and Queta additionally displayed stable passing on Sunday.

6. Sam Hauser’s deal with

For the primary time in current reminiscence, we noticed Sam Hauser dribbling by defenses. We have been even handled to a few mid-range pull-ups. Sam Hauser has the flexibility to be greater than only a nice shooter. If he can enhance his capability to assault closeouts off the dribble, he might turn out to be the right rotation participant with and behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Nevertheless, I didn’t count on him to start out dribbling to generate pull-ups. I used to be anticipating just a few dribbles and a go after attacking a closeout, however Hauser confirmed off some actual deal with enhancements. I don’t count on him to do that typically in common NBA video games, but it surely has positively piqued my curiosity. If Sam Hauser can carry the ball extra, go off the dribble, discover pull-up alternatives and even drive, the sky’s the restrict for the Celtics.

Let’s not get forward of ourselves — it’s solely preseason. Nonetheless, it doesn’t really feel like a coincidence that we noticed Sam dribbling extra on this recreation. We’d see flashes of this all through the season.

7. Pritchard being focused

Payton Pritchard was focused repeatedly by the Nuggets’ bench unit, particularly Dario Saric. At one level, NBC Sports activities Boston’s Brian Scalabrine requested, “Why does Pritchard at all times find yourself on Saric?”

The reply is straightforward: they focused him. Via screens and motion, the Nuggets gave Saric nice post-up place towards the smaller guard, forcing Pritchard to foul. After just some minutes, Pritchard was already as much as three fouls.

This will probably be attention-grabbing to comply with all through the season. Which groups will goal Pritchard, and the way will Joe Mazzulla and the teaching workers adapt? Not all groups have the ability set to take advantage of Pritchard’s presence on the ground, however many do. Pritchard additionally confirmed he gained’t again down from anybody, so it is going to be fascinating to see how he responds with the bull’s eye on his again.

8. Starters vs. bench shot charts

Mazzulla Ball is at his greatest with the bench and reserves. Should you examine the shot charts between the starters and the bench, you’ll see the mid-range disappearing. It made me consider the latest Oliver Fox article about how Boston’s abuse of the three-point shot ruined NBA 2K.

9. Baylor Scheierman’s method is sweet, regardless of missed pictures

Baylor Scheierman, the Celtics’ 2024 first-round choose, missed eight of his 9 makes an attempt. Nevertheless, his offensive recreation was nonetheless a nice shock. He strikes effectively each on and off the ball, isn’t afraid to shoot, and his passes have been fairly correct.

We noticed some good finds in transition, and he even ran a pick-and-roll, delivering a pleasant pocket go. Joe Mazzulla needs shooters who can keep in entrance of their man and play intelligently. I nonetheless have doubts about his protection, however offensively, he appears pure. I can simply see him getting stable minutes within the upcoming preseason video games.