It in all probability falls someplace between doable and certain, however a league supply careworn that the workforce stays a number of steps away from even contemplating the choice. Tatum should nonetheless attain a number of mile markers in his restoration earlier than discussions a few return might be thought-about.
⋅ Add Bucks coach Doc Rivers to the rising listing of Jordan Walsh admirers. Earlier than Thursday’s recreation, he stated he has been impressed by the third-year wing’s defensive tenacity.
“It looks like they only put him on anyone to strain,” Rivers stated. “His vitality is infectious, man. For those who don’t need to play onerous whenever you’re watching him play, then there’s one thing fallacious with you.”
Popping out of faculty, Walsh was generally known as a high-level defender with a barely unpolished offensive recreation. He linked on simply 17 of 64 3-pointers over his first two NBA seasons (26.6 %).
However Walsh is crafting an unfathomably sizzling capturing stretch. This month, he has made 30 of 37 makes an attempt total and 9 of 12 3-pointers.
⋅ Walsh has been on the forefront of the Celtics’ push to use extra full-court ball strain this season. The emphasis has been a rising pattern all through the league, and coach Joe Mazzulla stated the Celtics are merely adjusting to the ever-changing recreation, in addition to gamers who appear to develop into extra athletic by the 12 months.
“It’s simply one other solution to affect, as a result of gamers have gotten too good,” Mazzulla stated. “I believe the programs have gotten good. Offensively, it’s onerous to protect guys, and also you don’t need to take a passive strategy defensively. So I believe that’s one of many areas why it’s grown, is simply taking a extra proactive strategy. Clearly, all of the analytics, the later you get into your offense and that stuff, that performs an element, as nicely.”
⋅ Mazzulla continues to lean closely on small lineups when heart Neemias Queta is on the bench. Groups have been capable of bulldoze into the lane for layups towards these teams, however the early returns have been encouraging anyway, with the Celtics gashing opponents with their pace and capturing whereas holding their very own on the defensive glass.
Sure, the pattern measurement is miniscule, however the grouping of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Josh Minott, and Walsh has performed 13 minutes collectively over 5 video games and outscored opponents by a whopping 100.2 factors per 100 possessions.
⋅ Two-way contract heart Amari Williams was a shock addition to the damage report this week with a hairline fracture in his proper hand. A league supply stated Williams suffered the damage when he hit the hand throughout Maine’s win over the School Park Skyhawks on Monday, however that he’s unlikely to be sidelined for an prolonged interval. The rookie huge man registered 10 factors, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists within the recreation.
⋅ Talking of Maine, the Celtics’ G League affiliate quietly rolled off a nine-game profitable streak beneath first-year coach Phil Pressey earlier than a blowout loss to Capital Metropolis on Friday. Pressey was a backup level guard for Celtics groups coached by Brad Stevens from 2013-15. Final season, he regularly attended Mazzulla’s pregame press conferences to begin getting ready for his new position.
⋅ So, has anybody seen that the defending champion Thunder are 24-1 and on tempo to win an NBA-record 79 video games? The Celtics go to Oklahoma Metropolis on March 12, and the Thunder come to TD Backyard 13 days later.
⋅ The NBA Cup has actually created a clunky schedule. The Celtics performed six video games in 9 days from Nov. 29-Dec. 7. Now they’re in a stretch during which they are going to play simply two in 11 days. Rivers on Thursday instructed transferring the NBA Cup title recreation to All-Star Weekend. Good luck with that concept, however it does appear to be some changes are wanted.
Adam Himmelsbach might be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Observe him @adamhimmelsbach.
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