Boston Celtics Pass First Real Challenge of the Season

Coming into this season the Boston Celtics were difficult to gauge. They made the playoffs last year but were considered overachievers in an eastern conference that was going to be much improved. They added new players but no top tier talent. The Celtics were banking on youth on the court and youth behind the bench. Some still thought the Celtics could wind up in the lottery while others were predicting a 50+ win season.

The Celtics had a slow start. They struggled against any significant opponent and Stevens clearly did not have his rotation set. Tyler Zeller and David Lee were demoted to the bench and after Marcus Smart suffered an injury the Celtics were going into one of the toughest three game stretches of their season without having established their identity in the eastern conference.

Just when the Celtics were at risk of falling far under .500 they found their form, and established a true identity. The Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks by 13 points. They beat the Oklahoma City Thunder by 15 and they beat the Houston a Rockets by 16. Just when the Celtics were at risk of falling far behind in the eastern conference, they had one of the best three game stretches that any team has had this year.

Nov 15, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dives for a rebound in front of Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics have propelled themselves to having the fourth best scoring differential in the league and they tied the Raptors in the loss column after they cooled off. The Celtics won these games not because they got lucky and got extremely hot shooting the ball at the right time. The Celtics won these games by playing Celtics basketball and if anybody had any doubts about their defense before the three game stretch, they should have everyone’s attention after this stretch.

The Celtics knew that this three game stretch was going to be their biggest challenge of the season and was going to be their first true test. The Celtics still have to prove that they are a contending team in the east and if this first three game test was any indication, they are going to be an absolute terror to play all season long.

It’s not just that the Celtics are winning these games, but they are asserting their will against some of the most talented offensive players in the NBA. The Celtics faced the second best passing team in the Hawks and then they faced two of the elite offensive guards in the NBA in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. The results were more turnovers than assists for the Hawks and a combined 9-30 shooting for the former teammates.

The Celtics picked a good time to break out of their shooting slump but did nothing spectacular on the offensive end. Isaiah Thomas had his most efficient game against the Rockets and if he can continue to shoot the ball well then the offense will continue to improve. However, the Celtics still only shot 30% from three against the Rockets and the Hawks and 65% from the free throw line against the Thunder. The Celtics are leaving a lot to be desired on the offensive end but if they proved anything during this three game stretch, it’s that they are going to be winning games because of defense, not offense.

The Celtics held three top offense under 96 points and the Celtics are emerging as one of the most tormenting and frustrating teams to play against in the NBA. Lead by Jae Crowder, the Celtics are leading the league in generating turnovers by a large margin. Their 11.8 steals per game is almost two more than the second best Hawks. The Celtics are giving up the 5th fewest points per game in the league and they have worked their way up to the 12th best rebounding team.

Nov 15, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) moves to the basket against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics finally have a healthy back court and they are truly separating themselves from the elite defensive back courts in the NBA. The Celtics need to prove that they can be consistent, but there is no reason to doubt them after their last three game stretch.

The Celtics are becoming a team that gets in their opponent’s head. Westbrook was clearly frustrated after his loss because the Celtics do everything to make sure the game is as hard as possible on their opponents. It will take some of the best ball movement possible to get an open shot on the Celtics. They never allow their opponent to get easy baskets and with how they fight for the ball they are limiting their opponents opportunities while maximizing their own.

The Celtics are both the league leader in steals and are the third best offensive rebounding team. The Celtics are putting themselves in the best possible position by limiting their opponents opportunities and increasing their own. The Celtics no longer need to shoot that well to get a win. They are making sure that they will win games even when they are struggling to shoot the ball and the players are starting to embrace the role of hated villains in the east.

Teams won’t want to play the Celtics because they will fight and claw each and every play. It is a long and taxing season and the Celtics inflict pain and damage on each and every play. Then, when their opponents are worn out, the Celtics take advantage with a deep rotation and go on runs that are a result of their opponents mistakes and frustrations.

The players are realizing their true identity and they are calling out the rest of the league. Following the Rockets game the Celtics had a lot to say about the rest of the league. Isaiah Thomas said “Players in this league, they don’t want to be physical. They don’t want to have somebody under them for 48 minutes”. Jae Crowder said “guys want an easy, flowing game. But we play hard and a lot of guys don’t like it”. Marcus Smart summed it up perfectly by saying “we want teams to feel defeated”.

Brad Stevens has a full group of players that have embraced him wholeheartedly and they will never lose the fire and drive that has sparked this early season run. The Celtics put themselves on the map after this three game stretch but it is only the beginning.

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The Celtics have a long season ahead of them but if they can continue to play the way they have in the defensive end they will continue to win games. The Celtics were improved but still have not approached their offensive potential. Throw in that Stevens still has decisions to make regarding the rotation and the Celtics have a real opportunity to reclaim their division crown and as they continue to find their offensive and defensive form, they will have even higher goals.

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