On the defensive end, the Boston Celtics will appear different. However, this does not have to be a terrible thing.
Especially if their stars are willing to take a step forward on that end of the court.
“I want to make sure that’s where we hang our hats this year, and that starts with me, starts with Jayson (Tatum),” Jaylen Brown stated this offseason after signing his supermax contract and the Celtics trading Marcus Smart.
“With Marcus gone, we don’t want our defensive identity to go out the door as well, so we have to really emphasize that at the start of training camp.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla stated that he needs to do better, emphasizing the significance of defense. But Brown knows Mazzulla can’t be the only one, so he’ll do it as well.
“I think at different points in my career, I’ve been able to display my defensive ability, but not enough,” Brown said at the Auerbach Center during Celtics media day.
What are your thoughts?
“I believe that when I’m dialed in and make sure I’m challenging myself, I can be one of the best defenders in the world, and that’s something I’m working on.” Meet more people at the rim, make more plays, and be a more dominant defensive presence. That is something I am considering.”
Brown challenging himself to be more consistent in that regard would be really beneficial to the Green. According to the Boston Globe, the Celtics’ defense improved by 3.7 points per 100 possessions when Brown was not on the court last season.
As Brown stated, Boston’s defensive leader is no longer with the team. Smart, the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, isn’t the only one. High-flying rim protector Robert Williams, versatile and strong-bodied Grant Williams, and Malcolm Brogdon have all left Boston.
Without them, the defense will not look the same as in previous years. But being unique does not have to be a bad thing.
Before the Celtics added five-time All-Defense selection Jrue Holiday, many thought Mazzulla’s squad moved its emphasis from defense to offense — specifically, an offense centered on 3-point shooting. The feeling stemmed from the reality that Boston’s defensive versatility had vanished. Instead, Kristaps Porzingis, who is known for his stature and shooting ability, was acquired. Then, with the arrival of Holiday, defensive expectations returned to where they had been.
Holiday and Derrick White, who both won All-Defensive honors last season, are expected to form one of the NBA’s greatest backcourt defenses. And at 7-foot-3 — and all 7-foot-3, as Al Horford said — Porzingis can defend the rim as good as anyone.
There’s no reason why Boston can’t have one of the greatest defenses in the NBA if Brown and Tatum commit to consistency. They’d get you a long way.
Brown made his commitment public after Smart was traded but before Holiday was acquired. It’s excellent that he keeps emphasizing how important it is. And he’s demonstrated it before. When the Celtics needed someone to stop James Harden in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the All-NBA selection stepped up defensively. Brown aced that test to win the series.
Brown has proven that he has what it takes as long as he challenges himself. Consistently doing so would be a huge step forward for the Celtics.