Could a little adversity be a good thing for the Celtics?

No person enjoys dropping, particularly not the defending NBA champions. Boston is firmly in the course of a tough stretch — highlighted by losses in 3 out of 4 — however it’s potential this could be an excellent factor.

The common season is an extended street that brings you again to the playoffs, or to a spot within the NBA Draft Lottery. After successful a title, it’s comprehensible that the staff’s vitality ranges aren’t at a continuing 10 for all 82 video games. If you’ve completed the best achievement the NBA has to supply, discovering the additional gear for December basketball might not come as simply.

Name it boredom, or an absence of engagement. Both method, Boston may use a kick-start. There’s some irony to it, however these current loses may show helpful. Mazzulla has made it clear that he sees worth in adversity, and his gamers have echoed that sentiment.

This quote from Jaylen Brown got here after the Celtics crushed the Knicks on Opening Night time. These moments he spoke of although, they’ve arrived. Within the month of December, Boston is capturing 34% from 3 whereas their opponents are at 37%. These numbers are practically a whole 180 in comparison with the 19 video games prior.

It’s clear that as a unit they aren’t taking part in as much as their requirements, however they’ve ready themselves in addition to any staff to show that into motivation. Mazzulla was interviewed throughout his first 12 months as head coach, and shared a perception concerning the mentality of elite groups.

“All nice groups, they determine why they’re nice, they keep there longer than different groups and after they’re not there, they get again to it fast.” Mazzulla mentioned. Boston has arrived at stage 3, and it’s time to get again to greatness.

With as a lot successful because the Celtics have performed, there isn’t all the time publicity to assessments and hardships. Now that opponents have began strolling into the Backyard and outplaying them, one thing has to alter. Shot making is paramount, however they will give attention to issues inside their management like effort, defensive connectivity and communication.

There’s a troublesome schedule on the horizon, with the Celtics visiting the Wolves, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets to open up the brand new 12 months. Their report coming dwelling from that gauntlet will say loads about how nicely they responded to adversity.

To get themselves again on monitor, it’s essential to wrap up December on a excessive notice. The Pacers have all the time been a troublesome matchup, so seeing them twice in three nights could possibly be the right tune-up.

Most of us — with the gamers included — haven’t been thrilled by this stretch of basketball. That’s not from a spot of concern, however disappointment within the staff taking part in under their requirements for this lengthy. Mazzulla nonetheless, would possibly simply be having fun with it just a little bit.

If the staff’s ideas are any indication, they’ll bust out of the hunch with an enormous efficiency shortly. If that’s the case, this tough patch received’t be remembered as something greater than gas for one more deep playoff run.