Most people are normal. Most people see a blank Celtics injury report and get pumped. They itch at the opportunity to see their favorite squad at full strength. What do the C’s look like when they have all their pieces and everybody is playing the role they’re supposed to? The ceiling of the team – and therefore their likelihood of repeating as NBA champions – can only be determined by seeing them at their fullest, right?
Most people want to see the best of the best play, and I certainly don’t blame them. But I’m not most people.
My ideal Celtics injury report is actually the exact opposite, especially at this time of the year. With the playoffs right around the corner, I’ve seen all I need to see from the healthy Boston Celtics. I know what they are at their best, I know what they can look like at their worst, and I’ve come to terms with the team that they are. Besides, I want these guys to get rest before the grueling playoff journey they’re about to embark on.
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But the main reason I want the starters to sit is because I yearn for the Hospital Celtics. I love watching an offense centered around Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. I covet a rare Luke Kornet shot from more than 6 feet. I’m at the edge of my seat for Baylor Scheierman in the pick and roll. Yes, I know – I’m a freak.
On Wednesday, with Boston’s top-6 players out, we got to see all of those things and more. And although Boston lost by 20 and scored nust 76 points – their lowest scoring output of the entire season – I had the time of my life watching it all go down.
Nothing was more fun than Luke Kornet. I get off my feet virtually any time Kornet does anything positive on the court; but usually, Luke’s buckets are reserved for short layups and dunks. Against the Magic, though, he hit 2 (TWO!) foul line floaters, one of which was with his left hand, as well as a fadeaway jumper. Are you kidding me? It’s so fun to see someone who always sticks exactly to his role get to do some things he doesn’t normally do. Beautiful stuff, Luke.
It’s also awesome seeing Sam Hauser step out of his comfort zone. He’s so locked in on his movement-shooting role with the C’s that sometimes he forgets he can actually dribble and make plays out of the pick and roll or hand off situations. And by the way, he actually has some solid creation ability.
Here’s Hauser being patient in the high screen and roll and getting to his mid-range jumper, which I can barely remember him ever missing.
And here’s Sam executing one of the better dribble moves I’ve seen from him. He’s driving hard right and snaps the ball back to get right into his jumper. Silky smooth. It might not be on this version of the Celtics, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hauser continue developing this part of his game in the coming years – he wouldn’t have been able to make a move like this a year ago.
We also got to see a more aggressive side of Baylor Scheierman against Orlando. While he normally operates as a shooter and ball-mover, the southpaw got some reps in hand off situations and also showed off some really nice finishing at the rim. This game was perhaps the best window we’ve gotten this season into what he could look like with more offensive responsibilities.
What a beautiful look from Scheierman on this play. There’s a tiny window of space (and time) to throw this lob, but he executes it perfectly. Beautiful vision, beautiful touch, and so much confidence. So fun.
And here’s Baylor attacking a closeout on the second side. He does a great job using ball fakes and completely schools two Magic players with his up fakes and Pinoy step at the hoop. A confident Scheierman is pretty close to as fun as it gets. So smooth and natural with the ball in his hands.
And then there’s this triple screen from Pritchard. Not that Pritchard doesn’t get pick and roll reps with the normal guys in the lineup, but does he ever get a triple screen set for him? Does ANYONE ever get a triple screen set for them? Pro-Am P in full effect here.
Sunday’s finale against the Hornets isn’t exactly the game of the day. But while all the normal people will be pissed that the starters are sitting, I’ll be as focused as I would be for any other game this season.