Here’s how the Celtics can use their agility to their advantage
As all basketball fans probably know, we are now in the midst of the small-ball revolution.
Even though the Celtics ranked 28th in three-point percentage during the regular season, this small-ball revolution benefits the Boston Celtics in many ways. The Celtics have a lot of talented guards who not only can stretch the floor but also can play exceptional defense. Because of this, the Celtics can actually play three guards at once.
During various times throughout the past season, Brad Stevens experimented with different lineups. The combination of Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas proved to be an effective lineup. When played together, this lineup of three guards outscored their opponents by an average of 3.4 points per 100 possessions.
Although Marcus Smart had the lowest three-point percentage in the league last year, when these three guards played in the same lineup the Celtics shot a very efficient 48.7 percent from beyond the arc. With a three-guard lineup, the Celtics can really look to push the pace offensively.
From a defensive perspective, this three-guard lineup does not need height to be effective. Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart are two of the top perimeter defenders in the league. Last year they combined to average three steals per game. Bradley is known for being a pestering defender who is capable of shutting down some of the best guards in the league, and was named to the All-Defensive 1st team last year as a result.
Marcus Smart is known more for his physicality on defense. He is built on a sturdy frame, and while he is only 6’4”, his 220 pound build allows him to guard much taller players. Smart sacrifices his body for the team – he drew a team high 10 charges last year during the regular season. It should be fun to see if the Bradley and Smart back court combination will stifle opposing offenses.
In addition to playing Smart, Bradley and Thomas as a lineup, the Celtics can look to the play of improving combo guard Terry Rozier. He saw decent minutes in the playoffs, and put up decent numbers. He has shown both the ability to shoot the long ball and to defend larger perimeter players, while also being a very talented defensive rebounder.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?
Rozier has put up impressive numbers so far, during the Utah Summer League where he averaged 19 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, and as a 6’2” combo-guard he ranked 5th in rebounding. These are very impressive numbers. While he lacks the size of a traditional combo-guard, his effort on both ends on the court show that he is capable of playing at a high-level.
With this flurry of guards, the Celtics can interchange different guards for different scenarios. If the Celtics want tight perimeter defense they could look to a lineup composed of Rozier, Bradley and Smart. If the they want three-point shooting they could look to a lineup of Thomas, Bradley and R.J. Hunter. If they want a slashing lineup they could use a lineup of: Thomas, Rozier and Smart. The combinations are simply endless with three guard lineups.
Next: Al Horford is a Step, Not the Answer
Brad Stevens will again look to be creative when experimenting with different lineups. Look for him to test out a combination of three guards and look for this three-guard lineup to be effective from both ends of the floor.