3 takeaways from Boston Celtics’ perfect start in the season
The Boston Celtics have made a great start to the NBA season and have climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a perfect record (3-0).
On Saturday night, they escaped Orlando with a big road win over the Magic (126-120), with Jayson Tatum making another stellar performance (40 points).
Earlier this week, they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers (117-126) and the Miami Heat (111-104), respectively. That said, here are three takeaways from the Celtics’ perfect start:
1. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are off to a hot start
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the Boston Celtics’ undisputed leaders. There is no doubt about that. Without them, a trip to the NBA Finals would have been impossible last season.
The same goes for this year, with the superstar duo having their sights set on a second straight championship run.
Tatum is averaging 34.7 points per game, while Brown has scoring averages of 25 points in his first three games.
They are the focal point on offense and if they continue that way, their presence in an All-NBA team and in the NBA MVP conversation is guaranteed.
In the season opener vs. the Philadelphia 76ers, they combined for 70 points, scoring 35 each. Against the Miami Heat on Friday, they combined for 57, with Tatum scoring 29 and Brown adding 28.
On Saturday night, Jaylen Brown was limited to just 12 points, but Tatum posted 40 points on 14/21 shooting and 4/10 from beyond the arc.
2. Ime Udoka’s scandal had no effect on the team
Head coach Ime Udoka has been suspended for the entire 2022/23 season following a violation of the team’s rules because of his relationship with a female employee of the organization.
Udoka took full responsibility for the situation and apologized to the franchise and its fans for his actions. With his future with the team in jeopardy, assistant coach Joe Mazzulla took over for the entire 2022/23 season.
Entering the season, it was unclear what effect this turbulent period would have on the team on and off the court. After three games, it seems this scandal has had zero effect on the squad, which plays at very high standards on both ends.
Off the court as well, the relationship between the players and interim coach Mazzulla is great and the franchise has no issues to solve in its locker room.
The players are extra motivated following their failure to claim the championship last season and play with a chip on their shoulders this year, aiming to go all the way.
3. Malcolm Brogdon is what the Boston Celtics needed this year
The addition of Malcolm Brogdon was a great offseason move for the Boston Celtics, who were seeking ways to bolster their second unit after what happened in the Finals vs. the Golden State Warriors.
Signing Brogdon would bring instant scoring for Boston and a player to take over when Smart, Tatum and Brown are on the bench.
At the same time, the former Indiana Pacers guard is a great on- and off-ball defender and a defensive-first team like the Boston Celtics has greatly appreciated that.
Boston views Malcolm Brogdon as the ideal Sixth Man in the squad and the veteran guard is currently thriving in that role.
He is averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 23.1 minutes on the floor and is making the difference with Boston coming off the bench.
The Boston Celtics have their sights set on maintaining their great start and extending their unbeaten record in the East.
They now travel to take on the Chicago Bulls (Monday) before returning home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers (Friday).
