The Boston Celtics have a 3-1 record thus far in the 2022–23 season, but they are not entirely happy with their start.
Their 24th-ranked defense hasn’t exceeded expectations, but their third-ranked offense has kept them afloat. The improvement of that floor area was thus their main priority during practice on Wednesday morning.
Interim head coach Joe Mazzulla remarked, “Defense is something you have to commit to every day, every game.” “You have inconsistency when you have times of laxness. Therefore, the foundations are everything. We are all aware of what must be done. And I believe our team members did a terrific job today concentrating on that.
They covered a variety of elements, such as body posture, pick-up spots, and communication—all straightforward yet essential game mechanics.
Malcolm Brogdon touched on picking up points and how he and his teammates may do it.
The seasoned guard stated, “You can’t let the ball-handler come down the floor and truly be starting their attack at the three or inside the 3.” “You can’t be backing up and allowing room or space. Picking up the ball early and being one or two steps above the 3-point line are the only ways to score pick-up points.
Having had trouble rebounding, the C’s also hope to pick the ball up off the glass better. Regarding rebounding percentage, they are now ranked 23, which Brogdon attributes partly to Rob Williams’ absence and their efforts.
He explained, “That’s simply being intentional – intentionality and effort – realizing that’s a deficiency for us. “We must band together; in a way, it also affects our defense. We’ll be in a better position to rebound the ball if we’re in a better defensive place and keeping the ball out of the paint. Therefore, defensive play must take priority for us; the rebounding will follow.
It an odd start for last season’s top-ranked defense, which kept opponents under that mark in 23 out of its 24 postseason games; in three of its first four games, Boston has given up at least 117 points.
Fortunately, the offense was effective enough to secure victories in the first three contests, but Monday night’s 120-102 setback in Chicago left the squad feeling bad after it surrendered a 19-point lead in the first half.
Regarding Monday’s performance, Brogdon said, “We were simply a step slow.” “We weren’t as physical as we had been in the previous three games, but there was also some slippage in the Orlando game. It was just a game where we were more skilled and were able to win” (126-120). However, there was a slippage in Chicago, so we need to get back to being physically active, especially around switches, and just overcommunicating like we once did.
Brogdon recalls how well-connected the defense used to be from his time playing for the Indiana Pacers last season when he frequently faced the C’s. He remembers how everyone covered the holes, assisting and making it difficult for the opposition’s players to get through.
Since those traits are the cornerstone of the team’s identity, Brogdon does not doubt they can return to that place after catching glimpses of them in the first two games against Philadelphia and Miami.
Looking ahead to Friday night’s home game against Cleveland, he said, “We’ll go back to it.” “We are what we are,”