Celtics' defense leaving opponents feeling defeated

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4720998/celtics-defense-leaving-opponents-feeling-defeated

Chris Forsberg, ESPN Staff Writer

The Boston Celtics are turning over opponents at an alarmingly high rate early in the 2015-16 season, but what's more impressive is the way they're doing it. There are times when Boston's tenacious perimeter defenders are straight up ripping the ball out of opponents' hands this season.

Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones found that out the hard way on Monday night. Midway through the third quarter of what was then a one-possession game, Jones came down with an offensive rebound, but Celtics guard Marcus Smart was nearby and didn't seem keen on giving the Rockets a second chance. Smart went over to the baseline and essentially tore the ball from Jones' hands. At the other end of the floor, Isaiah Thomas fed a cutting Jae Crowder for a Michael Jordan-esque up-and-under layup that drew a foul and helped Boston score 28 of the final 36 points of the quarter as Boston ran away for a 111-95 triumph at the Toyota Center.

Celtics defenders aren't just making things tough for opponents, they are grinding them down.

"We can feel [opposing teams are defeated], and that’s what we’re trying to do," Smart told reporters after Monday's win. "Once we get on a roll like that in the defensive end, we lock down. We want teams to feel defeated. We want to keep our foot on the gas pedal and keep going."

The Celtics generated 16 steals on Monday night, and Houston turned the ball over 22 times, leading to 39 points. Boston couldn't have looked more ragged in the first half, but it cranked up the defensive intensity in the final three minutes -- including a sequence in which its bigs helped create three consecutive turnovers -- and erased a 15-point deficit to tie the game heading into halftime.

The Rockets, who coach Kevin McHale has blasted for their lack of defensive effort, didn't take long to mentally check out. Boston turned much of the late third and early fourth quarters into a highlight reel. The energy was so obvious that the Celtics' entire bench stood for the final three minutes of the third quarter. And when Avery Bradley splashed the second of back-to-back 3-pointers, Boston's bench lost its collective mind in celebration, with R.J. Hunter bouncing around in delirium while Jared Sullinger crouched to the floor and wiggled like a surfer riding a wave.

But it is Boston's defense that has people taking notice of a team that has now won five of its past six games, with each of those wins coming against potential playoff squads in Washington, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Houston.

The Celtics' defensive efficiency rating dropped to 94.1 after Monday's win, tying them for the third-best mark in the league with the defending-champion Golden State Warriors. (Only the Spurs and Heat are better.) What's more, Boston opponents own a turnover rate of 19.4 percent, far and away the top rate in a league where the average is closer to 15 percent. (Utah is second best, but 1.4 percent behind.)

"[Boston defenders] are in the right spots, they are very aggressive, they have great hands and they are playing really hard. If you do that, you have a chance to make things happen on that end of the floor," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "But it’s gotta be our DNA. If it’s not our DNA, we’re in trouble."

Defense has been Stevens' focus since he arrived here in 2013. He has challenged the Celtics every season to be a top-10 defense, and they have an awfully good chance of achieving that goal if they play like they did the past two nights, during which they limited stars Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Smart's final line on Monday epitomizes the team's effort. Boston's second-year point guard missed 10 of the 11 shots he put up and finished with more turnovers (five) than points (four). And yet he was plus-30 in plus/minus because of the way his defense sparked the Celtics. Smart finished with five steals, six assists and nine rebounds over 30 minutes.

There was a minor dustup on the baseline during the third quarter that resulted in three technical fouls, and Boston took umbrage with the way Jones stepped over a prone Amir Johnson on the floor. It only further fueled Boston.

"We’re a very aggressive team and we’re not backing down from anybody," said Smart, who also got under the skin of Westbrook on Sunday in Oklahoma City. "There’s going to be some chippiness and some altercations."

Boston took out its anger on the defensive end.

"Coach Stevens didn’t want [the Rockets] scoring 35 points in the second half," Smart said. "He gave us that challenge.

"We try to pride ourselves on the defensive end, because we know our offense is going to come."

The Rockets posted only 13 third-quarter points, and if not for a late fourth-quarter burst, Boston might have achieved Stevens' goal. (Houston scored 40 in the second half.)

The Celtics still got a 16-point win. Each of Boston's past five wins have been by double figures, including against Washington (20), Milwaukee (16), Atlanta (13) and Oklahoma City (15).

Is Boston truly a contender in the East? If they play like they have so far, they're going to give themselves a chance on a nightly basis.

Celtics defenders aren't just making things tough for opponents, they are grinding them down.

"We can feel [opposing teams are defeated], and that’s what we’re trying to do," Smart told reporters after Monday's win. "Once we get on a roll like that in the defensive end, we lock down. We want teams to feel defeated. We want to keep our foot on the gas pedal and keep going."


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and THAT is why Marcus Smart in only his second year in the NBA, is the heart and soul of this team now!


If I am Ainge I woudl not consider trading him for ANYONE in the NBA except maybe Curry and Butler. I have seen enough of how SMART elevates the other players defense around HIM and his drive/desire.

Frustration and defeat manifest themselves in different ways. Some get feisty and want to start fights. Others, like the Houston Rockets, hang their heads and walk back to the bench like whipped dogs.

The Rockets scored 40 points in the 2nd half last night, and 6 of those points, enough to put them under that 35 point goal, were scored in the last 1:20 seconds by Brewer and Jones, a starter and a super sub, against a lineup of Smart, Kelly, Zeller, Rozier and Jerebko and the game was WELL in hand. Brewer's 2 points came with just :07 left in the game. In other words, we almost held a team that is averaging over 100ppg, 25 points/quarter, to 17 points/quarter until the last 1:20.

We are sucking the soul out of other teams. As a fan, there is no greater joy. LOL.

For what it's worth, GSW did the same to teams last year. Not so much with their defense, which was also quite good, but with their offense. Teams just knew that if Curry or Thompson started to feel any kind of shooting rhythm their lead, no matter how big it was, was not safe. What Curry and Thompson did to opposing teams' defenses last year we are doing to opposing teams' offenses now. In this new NBA where defending against the 3pt bombs well is key, our defense is the bomb.


bob


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I love Smarts tenacity and physicality, but its not just Smart, AB was equally huge, dominant on defense last night on Ty Lawson and Sully and Amir are a great tandem in the paint, much much better than I ever thought....me I'm shocked we can defend like this.

I agree thats is is a total team effort on the defenseive end and Stevens deserves the credit as HC for sure.

AB, Smart and Crowder all are playing right now like all NBA defensive first teamers. Amir has alwasy been a solid Defensive player as well as a pro. Kelly , Sullly, Zeller, Jerebko & Turner have all played better than they have in the past and that is a tribute to Stevens, IMO. If you don't work in defense, you won't play on this team it appears. Even Thomas and Lee are at least putting in the effort out there.


But some players let their play and energy elevate other players around them. I see Smarts effort and defensive ability's  are doing that on the floor now.

His total bulldog, never give up attitude reminds me a bit of Dennis Rodman in his early years...when he could just about SHUT DOWN any player in the NBA when called on.

another GM couldn't get Smart from me now, unless he paid a KIngs ransom. I find it amazing how fast Smart has become what he is.