Back on track: Malcolm Brogdon and Boston Celtics bench vital to sustained success
Although everything runs through Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics’ rebounding win over the Wizards demonstrated how valuable the bench can be in the consistent success of this team — one led by Boston’s newest addition, Malcolm Brogdon, who netted a season-high 23 points on 6-12 shooting. The Celtics’ bench controlled the Wizards’ resurgence during the usual Boston lull and Brogdon single-handedly scored nine straight points in the third quarter, completely turning what was a 12-point game on its head. Along with Brogdon’s offensive takeover, Sam Hauser, and Grant “Batman” Williams each made two triples of their own off the bench.
Compared to a lot of the other bench players that Boston has currently or has during this era, Brogdon has no fear of taking over a game. His creativity with the ball in his hands, and his ability to find his own shot, or attract attention and hit players like Hauser on the catch make the jobs of Boston’s main core a whole lot easier.
After two physical drives into the paint, the former Indiana guard used Luke Kornet’s ball screen to pull up for a jump shot. His offensive arsenal along with either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown on the floor with other three bench players simply overwhelmed Washington all night long.
Following the win over Washington at home, Marcus Smart reflected on what a player like Brogdon adds to this Boston Celtics team, stating:
"“Stability. You know, you’ve got a guy who’s been doing this, who knows how to play the game. Coming in and taking that role and that leadership role in the second unit to really get them going…We’ve got some young guys experience-wise in that second unit, so to have somebody like Malcolm to come in the way he does, it makes it a little easier for them, they feel comfortable, and that’s key.”"
Malcolm Brogdon’s Boston Celtics usage
Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla played Malcolm Brogdon in a lineup of Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and Grant Williams with Jayson Tatum in the second quarter, and Jaylen Brown in the third quarter. His physicality with the ball in his hands allowed him to get to the free-throw line 8 times, knocking down every one of his free throws on Sunday night. He is third on the team in free-throws taken per game, and the team leader in free throw percentage, shooting over 94% so far from the charity stripe.
For the third straight game, Boston allowed the opposing team back into the game, and right when Washington began to gain even more momentum, Brogdon took it upon himself to settle down the Celtics. His presence alone gives Hauser, Kornet, and Williams even more space on the perimeter to knock down shots when given the opportunity. Williams looks even more at home on the floor compared to last season. Hauser drilled three triples in the Wizards’ win, and a lot of that has to do with Brogdon’s aggressiveness to use his body and find space that was not there before.
Everyone knows that Brown and Tatum are crucial to how far this team is going to go this season, but what makes this club special compared to others around the league is its all-around playmaker off the bench paired with two versatile shooting wings. If Hauser can gain confidence from behind the arc, and Kornet can find his place as the backup big man, this team is in a much better position to recover from an off-night from the Boston Celtics star duo. The former Virginia Cavalier was talked about as the perfect acquisition in the offseason for this team, and in a relatively easy win at home, he demonstrated why.
Currently, Boston is leading the league in free throw percentage, and a lot of that has to do with Brogdon’s motor with the second unit. He seems to know the strengths and weaknesses of the players around him through just six regular season games. Every championship team has that player that provides that spark off the bench and for the 2022/23 Boston Celtics, Malcolm Brogdon is theirs.