Boston Celtics: Malcolm Brogdon talks ‘championship characteristic’
As the old saying goes, defense wins championships. It almost won the Boston Celtics their 18th in history this past June but the Golden State Warriors’ offense, powered by Steph Curry, was too much to overcome.
Over the offseason, Boston made moves to bolster their defense even further, adding two-way guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers in a deal that cost a 2023 first-rounder, Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, and salary filler.
Brogdon recently commented on that aspect of the team’s identity after revealing in the preseason that he specifically chose a trade to Boston over the Toronto Raptors because he thought the Cs were closer to a title.
Here were Brogdon’s comments to the media following the team’s win over the Miami Heat Friday night ahead of their third victory of the season Saturday night in a back-to-back over the Orlando Magic (h/t CLNS):
"“It’s very special. I haven’t played on a team like this where 1-5 everybody that’s on the floor takes pride in the defensive end. It’s a championship characteristic, for sure.”"
Analysts believe the Boston Celtics defense has been lackluster in 2022-23
Malcolm Brogdon joined a top notch defensive unit from a season ago, but thus far, the Boston Celtics rank in the bottom third of the league through the first five days of the NBA season.
Analysts have pointed out the lack of defense from the league’s top point-prevention unit from a season ago:
The #Celtics defense thru three games has been…concerning. Not having Rob Williams or, tonight, Al Horford matters. But they’ve got to get more connected.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) October 23, 2022
Celtics might want to play some defense at some point this season. Just a thought.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 22, 2022
A championship will only come if the C’s defense steps back up to Ime Udoka-coached levels. Luckily Joe Mazzulla has plenty of time to get his team in that mode over the next seven months.