Celtics’ best players make All-Star cases for each other
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates with Kristaps Porzingis (8) in overtime during an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Boston. The Celtics defeated the Pistons 128-122. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)AP
BOSTON — With the Celtics boasting the NBA’s best record while employing multiple talented players, the All-Star discussion has begun in Boston. Four of the five members of the starting lineup have made an All-Star game in their careers, and the final member is Derrick White, who’s having a career-best year.
But there are only so many spots from the East — 12, to be exact — so getting all the Celtics will be difficult. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday were All-Stars last season, while Kristaps Porzingis got his nod back in 2018. The C’s themselves are going to push for their entire starting lineup to make it.
Tatum will likely be the Celtics’ lock even if his counting stats are down compared to past seasons. But he’s the face of the franchise. Brown’s numbers are also down, but the coaches, who vote on the reserves, could factor in the team’s success along with his stellar defensive play thus far this season.
The first fan voting for the All-Star game came out the other day. The Celtics’ entire starting lineup were in the top-10 for their respective positions. Tatum was the highest at third among the frontcourt with 1,765,919 votes, trailing only the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and the 76ers’ Joel Embiid. Brown was fifth in the frontcourt with 426,589 votes. Porzingis came in at eighth in the frontcourt with 197,234 votes. Over at the guards, Derrick White was eighth (175,940 votes) and Jrue Holiday was 10th (145,144).
Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see how many members of the Celtics makes it to the All-Star game. Boston’s best players gave their best pitches for their teammates, talking about why certain plays should earn the honor. Here’s what they said after the Celtics blew out the Jazz on Friday:
Tatum on Porzingis’ All-Star case: “He’s a big part of the success that we’re having as a team. Best record in the league. I don’t know exactly but he’s probably averaging over 20 and 8 rebounds, something like that. His presence on both ends of the floor and just how efficient he’s been the entire season. He’s a big reason why we got the best record in the league, and he should be rewarded for that.”
Porzingis on Holiday’s case: “Oh, because we’re number one, number one team in the league and he’s a previous All-Star player. I think you can get like overshadowed by guys putting up numbers. But at the end, if you’re winning, I think a lot of the things that he’s doing that is contributing to winning in a big way can go under the radar a little bit. That’s what’s happening and I think as I’ve said before, if we keep winning, the personal accolades will come.”
C’s coach Joe Mazzulla on All-Star candidacies: “I trust our guys. I trust the character and I’m sure they’re talking about it, I’m sure there’s some level of importance to it, I don’t want to diminish how important the individual is to the team and the opportunity that they have and the legacy that making an All-Star brings and so we shouldn’t diminish that. I’m assuming they’re talking about it, I’m assuming they want to do it because it is important. Individual accolades are important and it takes good individuals to be part of a team, and I think all five of them are deserving to be an All-Star, so they should try that, they should talk about it, they should relish that, they should go after it but we should do it in a way that highlights everyone and a way that continues to make the team successful.”
Celtics Rip Apart Utah’s Zone Defense in 126-97 Win
BOSTON – In recent seasons, the Boston Celtics struggled against zone defenses. With this year’s team, it no longer appears to be an issue.
Friday night was a perfect example, as Boston obliterated Utah’s zone, scoring 107 points through the first three quarters en route to a 126-97 win at TD Garden.
It marked the second straight game in which the C’s scored over 120 points against a zone defense, after also doing so during a 127-123 loss in Oklahoma City Tuesday night.
So, what’s been the key to getting over the obstacle that had been in their way for so long?
“Learning from it,” said Jayson Tatum, who logged 30 points, nine rebounds, and five assists all in less than 25 minutes of action. “Learning from our weaknesses that worked against us last year and kind of kept us from getting our ultimate goal.”
That, plus the addition of Kristaps Porzingis helps, as well.
“We didn’t have a 7-foot-4 guy that we could throw the ball to, and then they switch and he can make the right play. He can score every time; it’s tough. So adding that and obviously how (Derrick) White has been playing and adding Jrue (Holiday). We’ve just got so many more weapons. But I think KP is a big part of why it’s hard to kind of guard us.”
Both KP and JT were terrors inside, where they drew contact at an unbelievable rate. They made a combined 26 trips to the free-throw line despite neither playing more than 27 minutes.
They became the first pair of Celtics teammates to make at least 10 free throws apiece in the same game since Glen Davis and Paul Pierce on Dec. 12, 2007 – six months before they won a championship together. KP and JT are the first Celtics duo to accomplish that feat while playing fewer than 27 minutes apiece.
Weighing in on the key to attacking the zone, Porzingis noted, “You have to read and try to exploit some of the weak spots, and I think we did a pretty good job today. It was a pretty weird zone and OKC’s zone was weird too, I’m not gonna lie. Not like a classic zone that we had played these last two games against. But I think we did a good job of picking it apart, getting open looks, and then it’s just a matter of us making the shots. And I think the answers to those zones that are given to us by our coaching staff are good. Joe (Mazzulla) is doing a great job, and that’s it.”
Being able to adapt to different defenses goes back to Tatum’s earlier point of learning to adapt throughout the years. For example, last March when the Celtics played in Utah, the Jazz trapped Tatum relentlessly and limited him to just 15 points on 12 field goal attempts. The Celtics lost that game 118-117 while attempting 20 fewer free throws than they took Friday night (36).
The difference in Friday’s game, Mazzulla said, is that “We didn’t lose rhythm. I think obviously the roster being a little bit different, we have different strengths than we had before so we’re able to play a little bit faster. And KP’s strengths in the paint – we can get the ball in the middle of the paint … So I think it’s just all of us making plays, getting out in transition. And I think Jayson’s ability to play patient versus that and see the 2-on-1s. I think Jaylen (Brown’s) ability to play fast. I think Derrick and Jrue, we saw them be aggressive with catch-and-shoot shots and driving to the paint. And then just constant movement. So I was pleased with the way we handled [their defense]. It didn’t change our rhythm.”
Some teams have difficulty adjusting to when a team throws different defensive looks at them. This Celtics team, however, embraces the variety because it keeps them on their toes.
“We want to keep seeing different kinds of looks thrown at us,” said Porzingis, “so that we can learn everything and know what weapons to use in each of those scenarios.”
In this case, the Celtics have shown they have no shortage of weapons. No opposing defense has been able to slow them down of late, as they’re now riding a franchise-record-tying streak of nine straight games scoring at least 120 points.
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