The Boston Celtics have been lighting up the scoreboard all season, boasting one of the top offenses in the NBA. They're currently trailing just behind the Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic. With Jayson Tatum making his much-anticipated return from major Achilles surgery, the Celtics' offensive prowess is poised to reach new heights.
Most fans picture Tatum orchestrating the offense, or perhaps Jaylen Brown, who has admirably stepped up as the team's offensive leader. However, there's a fascinating twist to this narrative that might surprise some: a scenario where neither Tatum nor Brown is the primary ball-handler.
Under Joe Mazzulla's system, the Celtics thrive on ball movement, spacing, and exploiting mismatches. This approach has kept the offense humming, no matter who's on the court. As highlighted by Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon on the Game Theory podcast, Boston has another dynamic duo in Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, both adept at running the pick-and-roll.
The Celtics can execute these plays with White, Pritchard, and big men like Neemias Queta, Luka Garza, or potentially Nikola Vucevic, once he's back from his finger injury. With the roster now at full strength, these pick-and-rolls can be complemented by Tatum, Brown, and a sharpshooter-whether it's Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, or the non-initiating guard between Pritchard and White.
The real challenge for opposing defenses is deciding where to focus their efforts. With Tatum and another sniper spacing the floor, teams are often left with their weaker defenders in the action, as their top defenders are tied up with the Jays.
Neemy's screens create opportunities, and White or Pritchard is ready to capitalize. But where does the help come from?
Leaving Tatum or Brown unguarded is a risky move. And ignoring a marksman like Hauser?
That's a recipe for disaster. Opponents face a daunting choice: get dismantled by pick-and-rolls, concede a barrage of threes, or watch the Jays exploit defensive rotations.
For the Celtics, these scenarios are a dream come true. For their rivals, they're a nightmare.
Tatum's return is about more than just his individual brilliance-it's about elevating the entire team. As he settles back into his rhythm, expect the Celtics' offense to become even more formidable.