The concept of struggle in the NBA varies greatly. If other teams could trade their issues for those of the Boston Celtics, the defending champions, they probably would without hesitation. The Celtics, sitting with an impressive record, are still feeling the heat of lofty expectations.
After a strong start to the season, the Celtics have seen their performance dip recently. They’re currently 7-7 over the last month, a stark contrast to their earlier record of 21-5. Some of those games have been very close, and they narrowly avoided a worse outcome with close calls in some games. They still rank well in offensive and defensive efficiency, beating teams by an average of 5.2 points per 100 possessions. However, their performance has been inconsistent, especially in the final minutes of games. They’ve dropped to 24th in net rating during the fourth quarter.
Home games haven’t been as friendly lately. The Celtics have lost four of their last seven games at TD Garden, a venue where they barely lost four times all of last season. Their recent defeats have included unexpected losses to teams like the Kings and Raptors, leaving fans scratching their heads.
Star player Jayson Tatum acknowledges the pressure. He shared after a loss to Toronto, “We’re going through some tough times.” Other players, like Kristaps Porziņģis, expressed frustrations about the team’s lack of energy and personality on the court. The struggles of being a reigning champion are not easy, as opponents bring their best every game, making it hard to maintain the same level of excellence.
Even with the challenges, Tatum remains optimistic. He believes the team just needs to refocus and regain their rhythm. They still showcase skills, like winning the possession battle more often than most teams, but sloppy play has hurt them, especially against stronger defenses that have been able to limit their scoring opportunities.
A significant issue appears to be their 3-point shooting. The Celtics led the league early in the season but have since experienced a decline, scoring fewer points per possession than before. In fact, their shooting percentage from beyond the arc has dropped significantly since mid-December. This involves almost every player in their rotation, with many hitting the three less consistently than earlier in the season.
As for the offense, the focus on 3-pointers has sometimes backfired. The Celtics still lead the league in launching long shots, but as teams adapt defensively, they’re finding fewer quality looks. Tatum, Brown, and other strong shooters need to find ways to adjust and break the opponent’s defense, especially since defenses have been more diligent in closing down shooting opportunities.
Mazzulla, the head coach, emphasizes the importance of maintaining good habits and execution, stating it’s crucial not to take success for granted. Teams face ups and downs, but cultivating trust and accountability is key to bouncing back.
The immediate future poses challenging matchups for the Celtics, facing teams that have already handed them losses. However, the team maintains hope. They still have a solid structure and are capable of generating good shots. A few successful games could turn their season around.
In the spirit of resilience, Tatum reminds everyone that it’s not always easy, but the team has plenty of time to reclaim their identity. The journey to greatness may be bumpy, but it’s all part of the process in professional basketball.
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