Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Reactions

Last night the Boston Celtics throttled the Brooklyn Nets in their first United States pre-season game of the 2015-16 NBA Season. You might be wondering how you can throttle a team and only win by 4 points; this game is a textbook example. The final score may have been close, but there was never a single moment throughout the game when it felt like the Celtics could lose.

This feat was largely accomplished in the first five minutes of the game when the Celtics starting roster of Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson, Tyler Zeller, Evan Turner, and Isaiah Thomas came out of the gate like rabid dogs. This was IT’s first opportunity to start a game for the Boston Celtics and he did not disappoint. He contributed, as expected, 19 points in his 24 minutes of play on some very efficient 6-10 shooting (including 3-5 from behind the arc). He tacked on 9 assists with just 3 turnovers, which is a drastic improvement from his averages last year’s averages of 5.4 assists to 2.6 turnovers.

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In the absence of Marcus Smart, along with some other key players, Evan Turner was called upon to start his first game of the preseason as well. Many people, myself included, wondered whether Thomas and Turner would be able to co-exist harmoniously on the court. Turner needed a little time to dust off his play, but he eventually put up the most Evan Turner stat line ever of 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Considering two guys who are generally considered to need their ball in their hands to be effective were able to combine for 17 assists, it’s no wonder the Celtics are currently leading the league in assists per game with 28.3.

The real star of the game, even more than the always-impressive Isaiah Thomas, was the newcomer Amir Johnson. Johnson put up a ridiculously efficient 19 points on 8-13 shooting. It’s amazing to watch someone in a green jersey who can play with their back to the hoop for the first time since trading KG. Johnson, however, doesn’t muscle his defender out of the way but rather has a deadly accurate semi-hook shot as his primary tool in the paint. While historically and statistically Johnson isn’t a great defender, he contributed a pleasant two blocks and two steals, and limited Brook Lopez to just 3 points in the first half.

Oct 14, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Shane Larkin (0) defends against Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The only thing more beautiful than watching Johnson work in the paint was watching him work outside of the arc. Johnson established his three point game early on in the night, hitting two 3-pointers in the first quarter, and the floor was much more spacious for driving guards all night as a result. Isaiah Thomas hardly needs the spacing, as he can get to the rack with the best of ’em, but Johnson’s spacing was greatly welcomed by Jae Crowder. Crowder’s stats don’t jump off the page, but at least two of his four made field goals came on hard drives to the hoop; a relatively new element to Crowder’s game.

Speaking of driving to the hoop, Kelly Olynyk looks like a semi-new player out there. It seems like his stellar Team Canada performance and a summer of hitting the gym has done wonders for Olynyk’s confidence. Although his new ability didn’t entirely translate in this game, it is blatantly on it’s way. Olynyk looks bounds more confident in his shooting and in his driving to the hoop. Kelly even had a nice drive in to a pull-up mid-range jumper last night. His back-to-back three’s in the fourth quarter also kept the Nets out of the game while the rookie-squads took over for each team.

Olynyk was tied for a team high +11 +/- rating. Although this number doesn’t represent it, his defense still leaves quite a bit to be desired. The generally underwhelming Thaddeus Young had himself quite a night (19 points, 8 rebounds) and it all started when Kelly Olynyk came in about mid-way through the first quarter. Before the second quarter even began, Olynyk had gotten embarrassed multiple times times by Thad Young and racked up three personal fouls.

Jan 7, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) shoots over Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during second half at Barclays Center. The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 89-81. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Lucky for Olynyk, he had his used-to-be superior Jared Sullinger to take the spotlight off his poor play. Sullinger was absolutely dismal in the Brooklyn game, finishing with a -8 rating. He hit just one shot, missing his other seven, and ultimately contributed just three points, two rebounds, and one assist in 12 minutes. My patience is wearing extremely thin with Sullinger, as himself and his game continue to lack any consistency and commitment to it.

I could ramble on forever about last nights game, but the last player I really want to touch upon is RJ Hunter. In his first preseason game against an NBA team, he looked about as good as a late-first round rookie can look. He shot 3-7 from behind the arc, contributing to his 11 points, and he even tacked on 4 rebounds and 4 assists. His sharp-shooting and stat-stuffing style of play is exactly what the Celtics need and want. On top of that, Hunter looked like a pest on the defensive end of the court, and I have no problem saying that he looks like the most NBA-ready rookie on the Celtics roster.

Last night was a quality win by the Celtics. It’s most impressive when you take in to account the absence of Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, and David Lee, at least two of whom will start for the Celtics on just about every night. With the performances put in by the Celtics’ starting five last night, Brad Stevens will have a tough time deciding who should start and who should come off the bench. Fortunately for Brad, that is a pretty awesome problem to have over the course of a season comprised of 82 60-minute games.

Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Reactions

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