There’s a version of the Celtics’ identity that gets talked about too simply: bomb away from deep and live with the math. But Joe Mazzulla’s group has been built on something a little grittier and a lot more relentless - winning the possession fight and stacking up more shot attempts than the team across from them.
That approach already paid off in a big way last season. Boston controlled the glass, took care of the ball, and created more chances to shoot.
Yes, plenty of those were threes, but the bigger story was the volume of opportunities. That formula helped fuel a strong regular season, and after the playoff disappointment, the expectation was that the Celtics might pivot stylistically.
Instead, they’ve doubled down.
The clearest sign is on the offensive glass. Boston entered last season with real questions there, then turned it into a priority and became one of the league’s better rebounding teams. The transformation was obvious in the way they attacked misses, with the whole roster buying into the idea of squeezing out extra possessions.
Neemias Queta and Luka Garza gave them two centers who were among the NBA’s best at offensive rebounding, but this wasn’t just a big-man story. Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and others helped make the corner crash a real weapon, turning hustle into hidden possessions.
Now the Celtics may be even more dangerous in that area with Mitchell Robinson in the mix. He’s widely viewed as one of the league’s best offensive rebounders, and his addition gives Boston a new layer to what was already working. With Robinson, Queta, and Garza, the Celtics should be able to keep an elite offensive rebounder and contested rebounder on the floor for all 48 minutes.
Jayson Tatum adds another important piece, too, since he’s an elite rebounder for his position. Boston also figures to have one of its young wing rebounders on the floor at all times, and the depth behind them fits the same mold. Amari Williams and the rookies, Chris Cenac Jr. and Dillon Mitchell, all profile as players who could slide into that role if they earn minutes.
That’s what makes this roster so intriguing: the flexibility is everywhere. No matter which five players Mazzulla uses, the Celtics should be able to keep the same identity intact.
The numbers from last season back it up. Boston finished 5th in offensive rebounding rate and 3rd in total rebounding rate, and that came in a year when it took months to settle on the right rotations and fully unlock the approach. This time, the expectation is that they’ll be ready from the start.
The basic idea remains simple. Even the best shooters can go cold.
But if you keep creating extra chances, you give yourself a better shot at winning. Boston looks built to squeeze every possession for all it’s worth, and with this group, that strategy should only get sharper.
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Jordan Walsh Knows What Could Keep Him Off The Floor Late
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Walsh said during Summer League that his focus is on becoming a better scorer and playmaker, with the goal of giving himself more ways to stay on the floor late. He knows the margin is thin for wings in Boston, especially with the roster shifting around him, and he has pointed to the need to improve his shot, handle and ability to create his own offense in small pockets. The opportunity is there for him to grow into a bigger role, but so is the pressure to prove he can be more than a specialist when the Celtics need a bucket. [Read more 🡒]