Ten takeaways from the Celtics second win vs. the Nuggets

1. Jaylen Brown impressed Abu Dhabi as soon as once more.

Earlier than the primary sport, Jaylen Brown addressed the Abu Dhabi crowd in Arabic. He desires to be a basketball ambassador internationally and demonstrated as soon as once more that he can. On and off the court docket, Jaylen Brown was the most important attraction throughout these two exhibition video games in opposition to the Nuggets.

Jaylen Brown loves Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi loves Jaylen Brown. The Finals MVP confirmed them love and delivered highlights. He scored over Jamal Murray, threw down a tough transition dunk, and delivered some GREAT passes!

Jaylen is a spotlight machine, reminding the basketball world from the World Video games. The Celtics might be again in Boston quickly, however relaxation assured, Jaylen Brown might be again within the Center East once more.

2. JB’s cuts

Brown additionally confirmed a transparent intention to chop and transfer off-ball. He will be devastating, and the Denver protection had points stopping him. I wrote about his unbelievable potential as a finisher not too long ago and hope to see extra of those off-ball actions subsequent season.

3. Transition protection issues?

One factor I’m not wanting ahead to seeing once more is the transition protection when Nikola Jokic is on the court docket. Final yr, the Celtics had one among, if not the very best, transition defenses within the league. However at this time in opposition to the Nuggets, the transition protection regarded shaky. Jokic and Murray had been in a position to choose up the tempo after each misses and makes, punishing the Celtics’ heavy legs.

With out Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are leaning towards a extra aggressive method on the offensive glass, which may open up alternatives for opponents in transition. The Celtics are nonetheless determining their new stability with Porzingis sidelined and Horford resting. Nonetheless, they constructed their nice common season final yr on robust transition protection.

4. Defensive playmaking

Final season, Boston had probably the greatest defenses with out forcing a variety of turnovers. Nonetheless, with their defensive anchor Porzingis out, their method will change. We’ll see extra switch-all aggressive protection as a substitute of merely crowding the paint and corners.

The additions of Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer are nice examples of Brad Stevens addressing crew wants. Each are defensive playmakers who can spark transition alternatives. The Celtics lacked that final yr, however with Porzingis out and this new defensive playmaking in, we may see extra transition performs.

5. Inside passing

The Celtics have the chance to check quite a lot of facilities. Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta, and Luke Kornet all deliver completely different expertise to the desk they usually every confirmed what they might provide, significantly with their passing potential within the quick roll.

Because the Nuggets usually ship two defenders on the ball-handler after a pick-and-roll, it creates a 4-on-3 state of affairs. Having a screener who can cross and skim the sport rapidly creates nice alternatives for the Celtics. Tillman was already identified for this, however Kornet and Queta additionally displayed stable passing on Sunday.

6. Sam Hauser’s deal with

For the primary time in current reminiscence, we noticed Sam Hauser dribbling by means of defenses. We had been even handled to a few mid-range pull-ups. Sam Hauser has the power to be greater than only a nice shooter. If he can enhance his potential to assault closeouts off the dribble, he may change into the proper rotation participant with and behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Nonetheless, I didn’t anticipate him to begin dribbling to generate pull-ups. I used to be anticipating a couple of dribbles and a cross after attacking a closeout, however Hauser confirmed off some actual deal with enhancements. I don’t anticipate him to do that usually in common NBA video games, but it surely has undoubtedly piqued my curiosity. If Sam Hauser can carry the ball extra, cross off the dribble, discover pull-up alternatives and even drive, the sky’s the restrict for the Celtics.

Let’s not get forward of ourselves — it’s solely preseason. Nonetheless, it doesn’t really feel like a coincidence that we noticed Sam dribbling extra on this sport. We’d see flashes of this all through the season.

7. Pritchard being focused

Payton Pritchard was focused repeatedly by the Nuggets’ bench unit, particularly Dario Saric. At one level, NBC Sports activities Boston’s Brian Scalabrine requested, “Why does Pritchard at all times find yourself on Saric?”

The reply is easy: they focused him. Via screens and motion, the Nuggets gave Saric nice post-up place in opposition to the smaller guard, forcing Pritchard to foul. After just some minutes, Pritchard was already as much as three fouls.

This might be fascinating to observe all through the season. Which groups will goal Pritchard, and the way will Joe Mazzulla and the teaching employees adapt? Not all groups have the talent set to take advantage of Pritchard’s presence on the ground, however many do. Pritchard additionally confirmed he received’t again down from anybody, so will probably be fascinating to see how he responds with the bull’s eye on his again.

8. Starters vs. bench shot charts

Mazzulla Ball is at his finest with the bench and reserves. In case you evaluate the shot charts between the starters and the bench, you’ll see the mid-range disappearing. It made me consider the newest Oliver Fox article about how Boston’s abuse of the three-point shot ruined NBA 2K.

9. Baylor Scheierman’s method is nice, regardless of missed pictures

Baylor Scheierman, the Celtics’ 2024 first-round choose, missed eight of his 9 makes an attempt. Nonetheless, his offensive sport was nonetheless a pleasing shock. He strikes effectively each on and off the ball, isn’t afraid to shoot, and his passes had been fairly correct.

We noticed some good finds in transition, and he even ran a pick-and-roll, delivering a pleasant pocket cross. Joe Mazzulla desires shooters who can keep in entrance of their man and play intelligently. I nonetheless have doubts about his protection, however offensively, he seems to be pure. I can simply see him getting stable minutes within the upcoming preseason video games.

10. Lonnie Walker jogs my memory of Terry Rozier

I imply, take a look at this clip… don’t you see it, too? The #12 helps.