Celtics: NBA’s Rising Team? Scouting Baylor’s Yves Missi: Hollinger’s Weekly Report
Are the Boston Celtics the anomaly or are they the future of the NBA? This question has been on the minds of many basketball fans and analysts as the Celtics continue to dominate the league. With a record of 48-12, ranking first in offense and second in defense, the Celtics seem unstoppable. Despite their recent playoff performances, which have left some doubting their ability to win a championship, it is hard to deny their dominance this season.
The Celtics’ success can be attributed in part to the analytics revolution that has taken place in the NBA. One of the key insights that analytics has brought to the game is the importance of the three-point shot. Teams that have embraced this strategy and increased their three-point attempts have seen success on both ends of the court. However, as more teams have caught on to this trend, the relationship between three-point frequency and overall offensive efficiency has started to break down.
Teams are now taking more three-pointers than ever before, but the returns have diminished. With league averages of 36.7 percent on threes and 54.5 percent on twos, a typical three-pointer no longer has a higher expected return than a typical two-pointer. This has led to a shift in defensive strategies, with teams focusing on protecting the rim rather than preventing three-point attempts.
However, the Celtics have found a way to break this strategy. With all eight of their top players shooting over six three-point attempts per 100 possessions and shooting at least 35 percent from distance, the Celtics present a distributed threat that is hard for opponents to defend. The core strategy of denying the rim and living with the threes simply doesn’t work against Boston. Their ability to shoot from beyond the arc and switch on defense makes them a nightmare for opposing teams.
Interestingly, the teams that have had the most success against the Celtics are the ones that have taken away the three-point shot. Teams like the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, who give up the fewest threes in the league, have been able to compete with Boston. However, these strategies are risky and don’t work against most other teams.
The Celtics’ success this season has led many to wonder if this is the future of the NBA. Will more teams try to replicate their strategy of having multiple shooters on the floor at all times? Or is it simply too difficult to build a roster with that level of shooting talent? Only time will tell, but if the Celtics continue their dominance through the playoffs, it’s likely that other teams will try to emulate their success.
In other NBA news, John Hollinger discusses the state of analytics in the league. He notes that while there have been significant advancements in technology and data collection, there are still areas that need more attention. In particular, he believes that more research needs to be done on player health and optimizing salary allocations.
Keeping players healthy is a critical part of any team’s success, yet there is still much we don’t know about how to prevent injuries. The NBA is currently embroiled in a debate over load management, and the analytics community has had little to say on the matter. Additionally, while there are sophisticated player valuation models, not enough research is being done on how to allocate salary dollars to maximize wins.
In conclusion, the Boston Celtics are currently dominating the NBA with their unique style of play that emphasizes three-point shooting and defensive versatility. Their success has sparked a debate about the future of the league and whether other teams will try to replicate their strategy. Meanwhile, the analytics community is focused on advancing technology and data collection but should also pay more attention to player health and optimizing salary allocations. The NBA is constantly evolving, and it will be interesting to see how these trends develop in the coming years.