Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread

[keevsnick1]

The Celtics take and make a lot of threes, but they also do pretty well on the other side of the 3 point equation. They allow they 4th fewest 3 point shots a game with 35.8. They rank 11th in opponent 3 point percentage at 35.8%.

That 11th rank is interesting. Conventional wisdom says defensive three point percentage is more or less random. NBA teams can change how many threes they give up, but to some degree whether they go in or not is luck. But the Celtics have typically been an exception to the rule.

Here's the C's ranks other the last nine years:
16-17: 2nd
17-18: 1st
18-19: 6th
19-20: 2nd
20-21: 22nd
21-22: 1st
22-23: 4th
23-24: 4th
24-15: 11th

So this is sort of an "off" year defending the three for them.

[Tatumfor2]

Our next nine games to end the year -- DET, @WAS, CHI, @CHI, @ORL, PHI, IND, IND, TOR.
Our first four games to open the new year -- @MIN, @HOU, @OKC, @DEN.

10-3 would be a very good result. And would put us on pace for 64 wins.

Agreed, it would be a very good result. Although 10-3 could be the result of winning 9 in a row then losing 3 of 4 which even though it's still 10-3 this place will melt. At least Joe will be happy about the chaos.

13-0 or I burn this MF'er to the ground!

[ConstableGeneva]

The Celtics take and make a lot of threes, but they also do pretty well on the other side of the 3 point equation. They allow they 4th fewest 3 point shots a game with 35.8. They rank 11th in opponent 3 point percentage at 35.8%.

That 11th rank is interesting. Conventional wisdom says defensive three point percentage is more or less random. NBA teams can change how many threes they give up, but to some degree whether they go in or not is luck. But the Celtics have typically been an exception to the rule.

Here's the C's ranks other the last nine years:
16-17: 2nd
17-18: 1st
18-19: 6th
19-20: 2nd
20-21: 22nd
21-22: 1st
22-23: 4th
23-24: 4th
24-15: 11th

So this is sort of an "off" year defending the three for them.

Something's off or small sample size or just dumb luck. Glaring difference in opponent corner 3FG%. It does appear we still try to take away corner three attempts.

2022-23: 1st in opp %3PA; 5th in opp 3FG%
2023-24: 1st in opp %3PA; 1st in opp 3FG%
2024-25: 1st in opp %3PA; 20th in opp 3FG%

Another one is the amount of layup attempts they've been conceding.

2022-23: 14th in opp %FGA
2023-24: 17h in opp %FGA
2024-25: 29th in opp %FGA

Defensive FG% within 3 feet of the rim has also been worse this season compared to past two. Could get better as we see more games from KP.

[ConstableGeneva]

We often hear Mazzulla talk about how winning the margins is important for the Cs. So far, I think the effort and attention to detail are there for the most part. Limit fouling (1st). Check. Limit turnovers (2nd). Check. Take care of the defensive boards (4th). Check.

Our offensive rebounding is down compared to last season. We're really not a team that forces a lot of turnovers or get to the line a lot.



via @BuckAnalytics

[zoyathedestroya]

Cool thread re Cs offense.

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[ConstableGeneva]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/11/magazine/bostonians-of-the-year-boston-celtics/

Bostonians of the Year: The do good, feel good Boston Celtics
Their impact only starts with the championship they won. Here are 18 things we loved about the journey to Banner 18.

1. JT's Evolution
2. Jaylen Brown's Vision
3. Kristaps Porzingis, Happy Warrior
4. Horford's History
5. Family Affair
6. The Green Teamers
7. The $25 Million Promise
8. From Boos to MVP
9. The Legend of Mazzulla
10. The Art of "Mazzulla Ball"
11. The Holiday Power Couple
12. The Ready, Steady Reserves
13. The Gardeners
14. D-White's Smile
15. The Buckets Heard 'Round the World
16. Brad's Many Moves
17. The Lifers
18. Ownership's Last Hurrah

[Gant]

Zack Cox compares this season and last after 24 games.

Spoiler alert: There's very little difference. 19-5 record both years, with more threes and less Porzingis so far.


Celtics off to remarkably similar start in title defense with two key differences

Results

Last season’s Celtics had an average point differential of plus-8.8 through 24 games. They lost three games by five points or fewer (including two in overtime) and two by double digits: a 10-point defeat at Indiana in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals and a 17-point spanking in Orlando. Boston lost back-to-back games in early November and dropped two of three around Thanksgiving.

The Celtics’ five losses so far this season: by three to Indiana in OT, by six to Golden State, by one to Atlanta, by four to Cleveland and by six to Memphis. Their margin of victory is 9.4 points, and they’ve yet to lose consecutive games.

It’s difficult to compare strength of schedule at this early stage of the season, but last year’s team played 15 of its 24 games against eventual playoff teams and went 11-4 in those contests. The current Celtics have cleaned up against the dregs of a terrible Eastern Conference (8-0 against the bottom six teams in the standings), but 13 of their opponents thus far entered Tuesday with winning records. Boston went 9-4 in those games.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/12/11/celtics-off-to-remarkably-similar-start-in-title-defense-with-two-key-differences/

[Fierce1]

Only one thing worries me this season and that is health.

For the Cs to repeat this season, there must be no major injury to any of the key players.

[zoyathedestroya]

Any update on Sam?

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[phincsfan]

Any update on Sam?

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I hope they give Sam odds for 6MOTY next season because I bet these injuries are pissing him off and he's gonna want to prove himself just like PP is doing this season.

[jmr07019]

Tatum and Brown have each scored 25 points or more in 5 games this year. Can't see them passing anybody this year but if they both stay healthy they could move into third place by the end of next year. Would be one hell of an accomplishment.

[keevsnick1]

Tatum and Brown have both made leaps in play-making this year. I remember just two years ago when everybody wondered if these guys were good enough passers to work together on a championship level team. Turns out they just needed time to develop those skills.

[Smart2Nesmith43]

Tatum and Brown have both made leaps in play-making this year. I remember just two years ago when everybody wondered if these guys were good enough passers to work together on a championship level team. Turns out they just needed time to develop those skills.

Time, better personnel (easier to trust Pritchard or Hauser to knock down shots than Ojeleye or Edwards for instance) and the right coach. I don't think they make that playmaking leap without Mazzulla constantly preaching and teaching making the right reads.

[ConstableGeneva]

Tatum and Brown have both made leaps in play-making this year. I remember just two years ago when everybody wondered if these guys were good enough passers to work together on a championship level team. Turns out they just needed time to develop those skills.

Time, better personnel (easier to trust Pritchard or Hauser to knock down shots than Ojeleye or Edwards for instance) and the right coach. I don't think they make that playmaking leap without Mazzulla constantly preaching and teaching making the right reads.

I will just chalk up RealGM posters not getting any credit to some sort of mental glitch on your part.

[Parliament10]

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[Fierce1]

Cooz is a treasure.

Basketball IQ of that man is off the charts.

[cloverleaf]

Go here: https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2025.html

Scroll down to the leaderboard at the bottom of the page.

Click on "expand all leaderboards".

Take a good perusal of who shows up for what.

And tell me those three guys aren't their three legit AS candidates.

[Triple M]

The Celtics take and make a lot of threes, but they also do pretty well on the other side of the 3 point equation. They allow they 4th fewest 3 point shots a game with 35.8. They rank 11th in opponent 3 point percentage at 35.8%.

That 11th rank is interesting. Conventional wisdom says defensive three point percentage is more or less random. NBA teams can change how many threes they give up, but to some degree whether they go in or not is luck. But the Celtics have typically been an exception to the rule.

Here's the C's ranks other the last nine years:
16-17: 2nd
17-18: 1st
18-19: 6th
19-20: 2nd
20-21: 22nd
21-22: 1st
22-23: 4th
23-24: 4th
24-15: 11th

So this is sort of an "off" year defending the three for them.

I think you can go furtherback to 08.

[Parliament10]

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[ConstableGeneva]

via inpredict.bsky.social:

This is an attempt to put some numbers behind what is likely one of the more vibes-based player awards - The Jerry West Clutch Player of the Year

https://www.inpredictable.com/2023/01/the-jerry-west-clutch-player-of-year.html

DWhite (6) and Tatum (12) both make top 15. They try to track these things so we don't have to rely on our biased eyes (which also don't watch every player/game).