Jaylen Brown has secured his fourth All-Star selection, joining teammate Jayson Tatum on the Eastern Conference squad. This achievement adds another accolade to Brown’s growing resume, which includes a championship, Finals MVP, and Conference Finals MVP. At just 27 years old, Brown’s trajectory suggests he could be on a Hall of Fame path if he continues to rack up All-Star appearances and maintains his level of play.
“I’m going to be completely honest with you here. I think at this point, I would be surprised if he’s not [a Hall of Famer]. You’ve definitely seen guys who have a lesser case than won a title, won a Finals MVP, made the All-Star team four times.”
- Tom Westerholm
Late-Game Execution Woes
While the Celtics boast impressive overall statistics, ranking in the top five for offense, defense, and net rating, their record doesn’t reflect their dominance. The culprit? Poor late-game execution. Head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged this issue, citing turnovers, poor offensive execution, and rebounding problems in clutch situations.
The numbers paint a stark picture. In January, the Celtics’ net rating in clutch situations was a dismal -10.7, ranking them 19th in the league. This puts them in the company of struggling teams like the Raptors and Wizards, rather than the championship contenders they aspire to be.
The disconnect between the Celtics’ overall performance and their clutch play is striking. With a season-long net rating of +9.1, they’re performing at a championship level for most of the game. However, their inability to close out tight contests has cost them several winnable games.
Moving forward, the Celtics need to focus on maintaining composure in high-pressure situations. If they can improve their clutch performance to even an average level, it could be the difference between a good season and a great one.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ recent performances and future outlook, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
• Kristaps Porzingis’ impact on the Celtics’ offense
• The potential long-term implications of Jaylen Brown’s All-Star selections
• Joe Mazzulla’s thoughts on the team’s recent struggles
