Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics’ inclination to let the three-pointers fly at a record-setting pace have caused some chagrin over the years. There are plenty of traditionalists who hate seeing the team pass up shots around the basket in favor of kicking it out to shooters. And sure, there are probably some times when it would be nice to get layups and looks around the rim, but overall, the Celtics offense has been outstanding.
Last season, Boston was second in the NBA with 1.21 points per possession in the regular season. But looking even deeper, that number actually jumps to 1.35 on possessions when a three was attempted.
Missed 3s are still creating Boston’s best offense
That doesn’t mean a three went in, as it included possessions where a missed three was rebounded by the offense, leading to another basket - whether a three or not. But that’s all part of the equation and the way that the Celtics have built their offense.
They’ve leaned into threes, but also offensive rebounding and creating extra possessions. All of those things working together have created an elite offense, and one that’s at its best when the team is letting it rip from outside the arc. I’m sorry to the haters, but the numbers don’t lie.
What’s crazy is that the stat shows that, if anything, other teams should be trying to replicate what the Celtics are doing. Boston was actually only fourth in the league in points per possession on trips where a three was attempted, trailing the Hornets, Rockets, and Nuggets.
Charlotte and Denver shot a high percentage, but didn’t get up as many attempts as the Celtics, and Houston was a juggernaut on the offensive glass. Still, the numbers are clear: when teams attempt a three, their offense performs better, even if the shots don’t go in.
Why Mazzulla’s Math Mindset Isn’t Changing Any Time Soon
So, perhaps some of the detractors should be less critical of Mazzulla and his team’s shot diet. It’s very clearly a strategy that works and leads to offense that’s more efficient than even the best in the league. Looking at these stats, it’s actually fair to say that Boston should try to shoot even more threes, and with the changes they’ve made this offseason, it sure seems like Brad Stevens and the front office agree.
Paul George is an excellent three-point shooter, and Mitchell Robinson is an elite offensive rebounder. Payton Pritchard and other players who will see a bump in usage are also guys who will get shots up from distance. The Celtics’ three-point barrage is only going to be amplified this season, so if that doesn’t interest you, you may want to avoid watching the team play this season.
But if you just want to see elite offense and winning basketball, then I have a feeling you’re going to like what you see, even if it means shooting more threes than we’ve ever seen before. Whether the shots go in or not, it’s going to lead to a lot of points. And that’s just math.
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