It's Hard To Not Be Thankful For The Best Basketball Team On The Planet

Jeff Haynes. Getty Images.

Out of everything there is to be thankful for this year, I'd be lying to you if I said that the brain of Brad Stevens wasn't near the top of my list. Sure there's family and health and all that other bullshit, but let's focus on what truly matters.

Brad Stevens has built arguably one of the greatest wagons in the history of wagons. 

Now about a quarter of the way through the NBA season, the Celts find themselves in a pretty familiar spot. A 16-3 record (which outpaces last year), a +10.6 point differential for the second straight season, and if they win tomorrow against the Cavs they'll have the best record in the NBA….for the second straight season. 

And make no mistake, none of this happens without the brain of Brad Stevens. 

Perhaps it's because I was molded by the darkest era in Celtics franchise history (The Rick Pitino Era) where I spent year after year praying the Celts would win at least 40 games (they never did), when I watch this team on a nightly basis now I have to keep reminding myself to not take this shit for granted. To be thankful. To understand that what we're watching is not normal and not something that every franchise is capable of doing. You get a basketball team like this maybe once in your entire life, and right now we are in one of the greatest runs in not just Celtics history, but NBA history.

Cherish it, enjoy it, and understand that these days won't last forever. 

In terms of the more immediately business, last night was the Celts final NBA Cup game and now we all just have to sit back and watch. If you're someone who has dreams of lifting the NBA Cup, it sounds like the Celts are going to need some help to do it

I dunno man, I'm not a math guy. I went to ASU for a reason and frankly Adam Silver can go to hell for making me do any sort of math to figure this shit out. I'll just wait for the dust to settle and if the Celts make it through, cool. If they don't? Whatever, they went 3-1 and to me, that's what matters. 

That's why part of me cares more about what we saw in this win over the Bulls for what it means in terms of the big picture of the season, and not really the NBA Cup. Sure it'd be nice to advance because why the hell not, but my excitement has much more to do with how the team looks than it does their chances of moving onto the knockout stage.

Allow me to explain.

The Good

- Now, there were a few candidates for this highly coveted top spot, but I've always believed in the idea that you don't need to overthink things. The best player on the floor last night was without a doubt, Jayson Tatum. The sun that all things orbit around, he was once again, fantastic

Listen, I live my life by a very important rule. If someone continues to do some shit we haven't seen since Larry Bird, you get the top spot. We're now at the point where every single time Tatum steps on the floor, we have the potential for tweets like this to exist

If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times and I will continue to say it.

We are watching a generational Celtic. 

The way things are trending, Jayson Tatum is well on his way to cracking the Top 3 all time. I know what a heavy statement that is, and I know how upset that is going to make any "old" reading this blog right now, but it's simply the truth. We are watching one of the greatest Celtics of all time, and the sooner you embrace that and enjoy the ride the better your life will be, trust me.

So far this season, we're seeing the most complete version of Tatum to date. Offensively, there are no holes in his game. That doesn't mean he'll always make the right offensive decision, but in terms of his skillset, there is nothing he cannot do offensively. On the defensive end, he's the most versatile two way wing in the NBA at the moment not named LeBron James. Sorry if this offends, but it's the truth. You do not get the type of defense and rebounding Tatum provides in addition to an efficient 30 ball every night. It's why he's #2 in most MVP rankings at the moment. 

In this win, you could tell right away Tatum was engaged because all you have to do is look at his rebounding totals. When he's aggressive and cleaning up on the defensive glass, you know he gives a shit. Looking at his season, it's very apparent when this happens

We're getting the consistency in terms of scoring, we're getting the consistency in terms of efficiency, and we're getting consistency in terms of his rebounding production. That's the leap Tatum had to make to solidify himself as a Top 3 guy, and that's what he's been in 2024-25. To debate that at this point just shows you're unable to accept reality. 

I'll always find it interesting (and mostly embarrassing) that people can see what Tatum does on a nightly basis and then still try to discredit his production because he plays on a "superteam". Hey dummies, they are a superteam BECAUSE of Jayson Tatum. When it's his time to produce, he does so at a best in the NBA level. Once defenses decide to focus all the attention on him, it's Tatum who routinely creates opportunities for others, who then make the most of their looks. So while you may see Derrick White and Jaylen Brown go crazy and think they are the real reason the Celts are so dominant, you'd be missing the entire point of this system.

That exists because Jayson Tatum exists. 

- When I talk about being thankful for the brain of Brad Stevens, it's not always about the moves he makes. While important, sometimes it's about the moves he doesn't. When Payton Pritchard not so quietly made it known he'd prefer a new team, Brad didn't take the bait. He remained patient. The result? 

Don't get it twisted, the Celtics won this game last night because of Payton Pritchard. What he did in that 4th quarter was partially the stuff of legends, but also partially exactly what Payton Pritchard does. Dagger 3PM after dagger 3PM to the tune of 19 points in the 4th quarter, we shouldn't be surprised by this type of shit and yet when you're watching it you can't really believe what you're seeing is real.

It's not just the bombs from 35ft that don't even consider touching the rim, it's also how much more developed Pritchard is when it comes to attacking the basket. Out of all his makes last night, I really think my favorite one was what he did against Vucevic

Everything about this possession was big time. The time and score made execution at this stage of the game crucial, and that singular drive was a great example of all the ways Pritchard has improved this season. Look at the patience he operates with coming off that screen. Once he notices Neemy isn't quite there for the roll, he quickly shifts gears and becomes aggressive at attacking Vucevic. Early in his career, Pritchard goes right into that layup and definitely gets blocked. Now? Look at what he does right before he goes up. He uses his strength to create juuuuuuust enough space around Vucevic so he can't block the shot.

That might seem like something small and basic, but for Pritchard, it's a huge reason why his rim production is about 100000 times better. Not only do you have to worry about him launching from 35ft, but now you also have to worry about his finishing ability at the rim, even over your center. 

I seriously don't think it's a stretch to say that Payton Pritchard is an NBA starter caliber player. He doesn't start on this team, but he sure as shit could start on the majority of NBA teams right now. 6MOY is all but locked up at this point, and because of how hard this dude works, you're crazy if you don't think things are going to get even better. What a player.

- If you for some reason needed ANOTHER reason to believe in Mazzulla Ball, this game was a perfect example. 

I'll give the Bulls credit, they did their best Mazzulla Ball impression (20 3PM, 51 3PA), but there's nothing like the original. In a game like this, given how the Bulls were shooting you could not trade 2s for 3s. All that crying that the Celts don't operate enough inside the arc, well if they did that shit last night this game is a loss. 

What you got was what happens when the Celts win around the margins (won the TO, rebounding and FGA battles), they moved the ball and they had in my opinion an ideal shot profile. When you have 4 different players make at least 4 3PM but then also a handful of players that can get to the rim with ease, there is no defensive solve for you. That's Mazzulla Ball.

Death by 3s or death by plays at the rim. You choose.

- So, if this is what Kristaps Porzingis looks with "rust" or while "not quite being in game shape yet" uhhhhhh, holy shit

Another guy who you watch and can't fully understand how this is a real person, it's legitimately insane how much Porzingis changes on both ends of the floor simply by being on the court. On the offensive end, it's a pick your poison type of situation. You have to guard him 35ft out because that shit's going up without hesitation if you don't. If you decide to switch, that's fine because Joe will just run the "give it to the tall dude" play and shit like this happens

where it's an automatic two points. He's the very definition of a cheat code.

On the defensive end, we're finally back to the life where opposing players don't even consider looking at the rim when he's on the floor. That was probably the biggest issue defensively while he was out, guys just attacked the rim with no fear. Now? KP has pretty much eliminated that by himself. That's what makes his impact so important, it's not just the blocks, but it's the fact that players are worried about him so they don't even try to score at the rim. THAT is true rim protection in my opinion, not too different from what we see with Gobert.

- In what was not exactly his best overall performance, it will always be awesome to watch Jaylen kill a guy at the rim

His list of posters has to be among the best in the league, and what I love about Jaylen whenever he has a play like this is he always finishes it with power. None of this throw the ball in type of dunk/poster that isn't really a poster. Jaylen is going to go through you with force which I find both erotic and highly entertaining.

- He may have only played 24 minutes before exiting with a sore foot, but this was another fantastic all around performance from Derrick White

16/6/4 on 6-10 (4-8) in his minutes, I'm of the belief that nobody on the roster is better at making 3s that come off grenades/bad passes than Bald Derrick. With his quick release and ability to set his feet quickly, he's become such a weapon as a safety valve shooter. When in doubt, just find Derrick and let him pull the trigger. 

Am I worried about this "sore foot"? Of course. But if he says he's good to go then all I can do is pray that he's telling the truth because I need this version of Derrick on the floor as much as possible.

- It was very funny that the only shot Sam Hauser made was this one

Would it surprise anyone if the Celts somehow advance to the knockout stage by their point differential being 3 points higher? That's the most obvious ending to this situation of all time. Shoutout Joe for being a psycho and understanding every point matters, shoutout Hauser for pulling a Larry Bird and nailing a 1 footed 3PA while falling into the bench, everything about that play was fantastic.

The Bad

- I'm not anti-new fancy full color courts, but the red is way too much for me. I think these really only work if it's a "cool" color an not a "hot" color. I'm not sure what you do for teams like the Bulls whose primary color is red, but that shit was too much for me and I'm someone who doesn't hate the idea! 

- While he did have that poster, I would not classify this as one of Jaylen's better nights. 21 points on 21 shots isn't what anyone would call "good", and while a heavy dose of those FGA came when Tatum was off the floor, to me it was more about his process.

Way too slow. There were too many possessions where we saw Jaylen hold the ball for like 7-8 seconds before making his move, and when that happens the entire team becomes easier to guard. Perhaps this was just one of those nights where he smoked a lot of bunnies out of posting up smaller players, because overall you're not going to see too many games with this type of paint production from Jaylen

but to me, things felt a little too forced for my liking.

I look at Jaylen's shot volume in a similar fashion that I do the team's overall 3PA volume. It's not so much about the final number, but more about the process in which those looks are generated. If there's good ball movement and it swings to Jaylen who is open from behind the arc, I want him shooting that ball every single time without hesitation.

But it's the possessions where nobody else really touches the ball and Jaylen forces looks that he gets himself into trouble, and in turn, is more of a negative than a positive. Part of that I think was some of the lineup choices and not having KP on the floor with Jaylen in the non-Tatum minutes, and I imagine that changes as the season goes on given how effective it was last season. 

- Let us all pray that those last few makes at the end of the game are what get Jrue to snap out of his shooting slump because man did it get rough there for a stretch (5-25, 2-16). You can always tell he's fighting a slump once he starts to miss the open layups (went 0-3 to start), and really his shot was the only downside of his night. I'll take 8 AST and 2 TOs with plus defense, but I also need him to hit the bunnies.

- The Celts defense is still nowhere close to being good enough in my opinion. Another 129 points allowed with a team shooting 51/39% with 20 3PM. That more often than not is going to get your ass beat. It just didn't feel like the Celts were playing with enough ball pressure, instead allowing the Bulls to pick them apart with easy passing lanes. This team is at their best when they are causing havoc and forcing offenses to make quick decisions under duress.

Last night, especially on the perimeter, it felt like everyone was a step or two back with their hands down, which allowed the Bulls to not have to play under any sort of stress. Once that happens, guys get open looks, they make them, and suddenly everyone feels confident. That's how you get fake as shit THT going 6-7 (4-4) and Torrey Craig going 4-6 (3-5). There was pretty much zero defensive pressure in this game, and that absolutely cannot happen against CLE tomorrow.

- The Sam Hauser slump doesn't seem to be over yet, so now almost 20 games into the season we're still waiting. I don't ever remember seeing him miss so many WIDE OPEN looks, and while you'd be silly to question a lifetime 40% shooter, at the same time he needs to make his open looks. The bench production depends on it, and it can't only be Payton Pritchard. 

Hauser is shooting just 34.5% on "open" 3PA so far this season which feels impossible.

The Ugly

- Nope, you know the rules. 7 in a row means we can continue to skip this section. That's the benefit of being a wagon.

Now that the NBA Cup is behind us for the moment, we can now turn the page to what truly matters and that's the rematch with CLE for the best record in the NBA. They've hit a bit of a rough patch these last few games and you know they'll be motivated to make up for what happened in Boston the last time these two teams met, and every time they play will be a measuring stick type of game. The Celts threw the first punch, and if they can go on the road and do it again, that has to psychologically break the Cavs a little bit. Knowing they're off to one of their best starts ever and still aren't able to beat the Celts is the type of mental warfare I'm looking for tomorrow night. Handle your shit, make a statement, and enjoy your place back at the top of the NBA food chain.