Celtics’ Unselfish Play Fuels Dominance: A Deep Dive
The Boston Celtics, currently boasting a stellar 50-19 record, aren’t just winning games; they’re crafting a blueprint for team success rooted in selflessness, patience, and a collective commitment to finding the open man. While their star power is undeniable, it’s these often-overlooked virtues that truly drive their dominance in the NBA.
A recent game against the Brooklyn Nets perfectly illustrated this dynamic. With the Nets mounting a comeback in the fourth quarter, Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s premier talents, found himself at the top of the key, immediately swarmed by all five defenders. Instead of forcing a contested shot, Tatum, showcasing his elevated court vision and composure, used subtle eye movements to bait a defender towards Payton Pritchard on the wing, creating a clear path for Kristaps Porziņģis to cut down the lane for an easy dunk. This play wasn’t just about scoring; it was a microcosm of the Celtics’ offensive philosophy: prioritizing the best available option, regardless of individual accolades.
Coach Joe Mazzulla emphasizes the significance of this unselfish approach. "We have really good players — really good guys — they all want to do what it takes to win," he said. "They have a knack to want to make the right play, regardless of the role that they’re in. I really just kind of trust the guys in that and their ability to make plays. You’ve seen at different times, different guys make different kind of plays, different kinds of roles. To me that’s just a testament to who they are as players.”
This team-first mentality extends beyond the starting lineup. In a game against the Utah Jazz, missing key players like Tatum, Porziņģis, and Al Horford, undrafted forward Sam Hauser stepped up in a big way. He exploded for a career-high 33 points, fueled by a barrage of seven 3-pointers in the third quarter alone. Recognizing Hauser’s hot hand, his teammates consistently fed him the ball, allowing him to take 23 shots, 19 of which were from beyond the arc. Hauser himself credited this team-oriented approach for his success, stating, "I feel like a lot of us do a really good job of whoever’s hot, just trying to find them and get a couple more up."
The Celtics’ offensive prowess isn’t solely reliant on passing to the open man. Players are also crucial for moving effectively without the ball, creating space for one another, and identifying gaps in the opposing defense. This symbiotic relationship between ball movement and player movement is what makes their offense so difficult to guard.
Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, after his team suffered a decisive loss to the Celtics, lauded their unselfishness. "I know this sounds crazy, but there aren’t that many teams that will just throw the ball to the open man,” Bickerstaff said. “That shows the ultimate amount of trust in team. … They just seem like they care about winning more than anything else.”
The return of Porziņģis further amplifies the Celtics’ offensive capabilities. His ability to stretch the floor and draw opposing rim protectors out of the paint creates even more space for his teammates to operate. In his recent return after missing several games due to illness, Porziņģis led all scorers with 24 points, demonstrating his immediate impact on the team.
Perhaps the player who embodies this unselfishness the most is Tatum. Despite being a perennial MVP candidate and one of the league’s elite wings, Tatum consistently defers to his teammates when the situation dictates. In the game against the Nets, when Jaylen Brown exited with an injury, Brooklyn repeatedly double-teamed Tatum, attempting to disrupt Boston’s offense. However, Tatum remained patient, scanning the floor and finding open teammates, ultimately finishing the game with eight assists.
“Shoot, double-, triple-teams, they was doing it all,” Tatum said. “It’s just scanning the floor, take your time, don’t be rushed, know where your outlets are and deliver the pass.”
Teams are realizing that focusing defensive attention on Tatum can be effective, but only if the rest of the Celtics don’t capitalize on the resulting openings. Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and a career-high 5.9 assists per game, proving that his unselfishness doesn’t diminish his individual performance.
Despite their impressive record, the Celtics have faced their share of adversity this season, including injuries to key players like Brown, Tatum, White, and Horford. However, they remain confident in their ability to overcome these challenges, emphasizing their trust in the team-first approach.
Tatum summarized their philosophy: “We have an identity. We know what we’re trying to accomplish on the floor, and we’ll just try not to skip a beat when we plug in and replace guys.”
The Celtics’ success isn’t solely based on individual talent or a complex offensive scheme. It’s rooted in a culture of selflessness, where players prioritize the team’s success over personal statistics. They trust one another, they move without the ball, and they consistently find the open man. This simple yet powerful formula is what makes the Boston Celtics a force to be reckoned with and a prime contender for the NBA championship. Their commitment to these values provides a strong foundation to navigate the challenges ahead, including injuries and the intensity of the playoffs. The ability of role players to step up when called upon speaks volumes about the depth of their roster and the strength of their team culture, ensuring they don’t skip a beat regardless of who is on the court.
