What we’ve learned about the Celtics at this point

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/10/bulpett_what_we_ve_learned_about_the_celtics_at_this_point



Bulpett: What we’ve learned about the Celtics at this point



Steve Bulpett Saturday, October 14, 2017




Credit: Matt West
Boston Celtics Al Horford, left, watches as Aron Baynes reacts after the first of many fouls on the night in a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on Monday, October 2, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt West




There was a lot to like in the Celtics’ undefeated preseason, but as my editor pointed out, pulling a fun fact from his holster, the 2008 Detroit Lions followed a 4-0 exhibition slate by going 0-16.

So while nothing that dramatic is expected with the Celts when the real games begin on Tuesday — before the real-er games begin in the middle of next April — it is nonetheless important to keep everything in perspective.

Here, then, are six takeaways from the last three weeks ... and one prediction: The Celtics will lose more than 16 games this season.


1. The guys are passing chemistry

We’ll leave aside how any of the Celts did in this class back in high school — though Jaylen Brown would look quite natural with a white lab coat and beaker. One of the preseason concerns was how this group would look when unfairly measured so early against last year’s crew. But right from the first period of the first preseason game against Charlotte, it looked as if the bigger problem might be over-passing. Everyone seemed so intent on being a good team guy and playing well with others that they were failing to take open shots. Hashtag: good team problems.

Away from the court, the C’s have taken to each other well. You never really know what’s up until bad things (i.e. losses) begin happening or people get left out of the rotation, but thus far we’ve seen people who are getting along while pushing each other on the court.


2. The C’s are carrying a concealed weapon

Gordon Hayward went from shiny new object to “the other All-Star the Celtics acquired” when Kyrie Irving arrived in late August. Even as Irving, Hayward and Al Horford sat out the last home preseason game, fans chanted “Kyrie, Kyrie,” which no doubt came as a disappointment to those with a certain view of Boston.

But while there’s no question Hayward played well in the exhibitions and will have a huge impact this season, his production may have been hindered and a bit hidden by the sloppy nature of preseason basketball.


3. There’ll be a rumble with the reserves

While the Twittersphere is hustling to come up with a nickname for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (if they win a championship here, it has to be Glory Jays, right? Right? OK, too soon), the aggressive uptick in tempo that Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier will be providing off the bench will have opponents calling them all sorts of unprintable things. And if Aron Baynes joins them off the pine, it will be even more reason for hockey fans to tune in.


4. Al Horford seems five years younger

Maybe it’s having a year of experience and, thus, greater comfort with his surroundings. Maybe it’s having a rotation that better fits his skill set. Maybe it’s just too damn early to draw such a conclusion. But Horford appears quicker in the Celts’ halfcourt offensive scheme, and while his fast break dunk on a Kyrie Irving feed in Philadelphia wasn’t the first of his Boston career, it looked stunningly natural and easy.


5. Daniel Theis can play

“Theis is legit,” is how Danny Ainge put it, pointing to his years of experience in Europe.

We’d already seen Guerschon Yabusele’s nice end-of-season run in Maine and Abdel Nader’s full year with the Red Claws, so we knew much of what they could do. But Theis has been a bit of a revelation to those getting their first glimpses in this preseason. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits and whether he gets into the main part of the rotation, but he’s clearly not your average rookie.


6. Look beyond the numbers with Tatum

The rookie has clearly got game, but whether one hits or misses shots in a two-week span in early October isn’t necessarily the measure of even his immediate future. The thing I liked most about Tatum is that, aside from the evident jitters with his shot in the first half of the preseason opener, he has competed more than he has played. That is, he’s been in the moment and instinctive trying to win the possession rather than losing a split-second of quickness by more mechanically seeking to execute in each situation.

That may seem a subtle and slight difference, but it’s part of the reason his teammates have high expectations for him in his first year.



bob
MY NOTE: I'd say that Bulpett has done a decent job of summing things up. Our first 8 look pretty darn good so far, Theis makes it a solid 9 and that 9 doesn't even include rookie Tatum. Gordon Hayward's pre-season performances have been muted, but he's a good player and he'll find his niche, Brad will make sure of that.


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