A Historic Edition For the Boston Celtics - 2022-23

A look back at the 2007-08 Celtics team reveals a team with great balance on both sides of the ball.  They won because they played with a high degree of consistency.  Consider the winning streaks that they had during the season (8, 9, 10 and finished the regular season with an 11-1 run)  They produced an amazing 66-16 record.  They went 35-6 at home and 31-10 on the road.  That team ranked 3rd in PPG and 2nd in Opponents PPG.

The NBA game has changed significantly since our last title.  Most obvious change is how the 3 point shot has impacted the offense and the way you play defense.  That 07-08 team was a damn good 3 point shooting club (38.1)  That team took 19.1 3PA per game which is low by today's standards.

That team had 3 future HOF players leading the way to our 17th title.

How does the current edition of the Boston Celtics stack up to that team and other Celtics teams.
During the 07-08 regular season the 'Big Three' of Pierce, Garnett and Allen) averaged 55.8 PPG.

Our current dynamic duo has exceeded that offensive production.  For the year they are averaging 57.7 ppg.

The 07-08 team had only 4 guys that averaged double digits in scoring as Rondo was our 4th top scorer.

The 07-08 edition was a dominant team as evidenced by their league leading 10.2 differential.  14 years ago is not ancient history yet trying to draw comparisons between the 07-08 team or any other Celtics championship team is difficult.  Yet those comparisons remain points of reference for us as we try to wrap our minds around what we are seeing from the team today.

That 2007-08 championship team averaged 100.5 PPG while holding opponents to only 90.3 PPG.

The explosive impact of the 3 point shot both in terms of volume and accuracy is the defining element of today's NBA.    That may help to explain the current Celtics scoring totals per game but I would be remiss not to establish the fact that scoring 121.9  PPG is NOT a historical precedent for the Celtics but it is close.

Consider the 1959-60 team 124.5 PPG
Consider the 1961-62 team 121.1 PPG
Consider the 1960-61 team 119.7 PPG
Consider the 1966-67 team 119.3 PPG

Those teams did not score a lot of points because they shot the ball at a high level and/or had the 3 pointer as a weapon.  To the contrary.  Those teams shot in the low 40's.  The Celtics did not crack the 45% level until the 1971-72 season. The primary reason why those were very high scoring teams is because of the number of FGA.   The pace that they played with was up in the 120-130.  That pace was not solely due to fast break basketball but also related to rebounding and the fact that teams at that time did not shoot at today's level of efficiency.  The Celtics ball movement was a distinguishing factor.  The NBA did not track offensive rebounding until the 73-74 season.  Yet it is easy to imagine that rebounding  played a part in getting more shots up.  Consider that in the record breaking 1959-60 season the Celtics averaged 80 rebounds per game.  Again, low shooting percentages yields more rebounds.

We are 20% through the season and we know how things can change like the weather.  Good health may be all that is needed to produce a record setting year capped off with banner #18.

I expect to see our defensive rating improve without diminishing our high powered offensive production.

“The way you play defense”

I’m assuming you’re including the rule changes that has had a huge effect on the defensive end that correlates to the offensive explosion on the other end.

Ktron wrote:“The way you play defense”

I’m assuming you’re including the rule changes that has had a huge effect on the defensive end that correlates to the offensive explosion on the other end.

ktron yes rule changes but also more emphasis on closing out on the perimeter.  The do not touch rules restrict defenses but at the same time allowing zones makes it more challenging for offenses.

All those things are impactful but I was more focused on the impact of 3 point shooting and how in the past, teams were less concerned with that.  

The Celtics are establishing a high bar.  You will have problems beating them unless you can also shoot the 3 ball at a high level and do so with volume.  

The Heat who average 35.4 3PA per game put up 40 in Wednesday's game and killed it at 45%.  The Celtics launched 45 3 pointers and hit 48.9%.  Those are crazy numbers.

As long as the Celtics continue to space the floor and move the rock they will present a problem for everybody.  The Celtics even at 121.9 PPG can be better on offense and much better getting defensive stops.  I do not think they have hit their ceiling.