Hey, all. Come on in. Kick your feet up and get comfortable. I’m glad you could make it. It’s time for the first edition of a recurring series where I’ll break down what I’m seeing on Celtics film. That can range from new tactics to performances I enjoyed to, well, anything I want to include. It’s my article after all. I am the master of the dojo.
The goal is to set some guideposts for the season. I won’t be perfect in my analysis, and I will strive to avoid making sweeping statements or predictions. Instead, I’ll just roll out some footage with my thoughts at this point in time. Perhaps these thoughts seem ridiculous in January, April, or next season. Perhaps not. Think of this as a snapshot of key points in the season and approach it accordingly.
Now, let’s get into the film.
The Neemias Queta Of It All
I have LOVED what I am seeing from Neemias Queta in the early going. I could get into a lot of things, like his rim protection, hustle, and general activity. However, I want to focus on two key aspects here: screening and rebounding.
Neem’s screening synergy with Derrick White has been one of the focal points of the offense. Dribble handoff looks are crucial to Mazzulla ball, and Queta thrives at opening angles for White to get his shot off or force the defender into a compromising position on the drive.
The direct ball screen/pick-and-roll looks have been fun as well. Facing drop coverage, like they saw against Philadelphia, it’s an automatic shot for Derrick. If you rise to the level, you’d better have your help defense behind the screen organized.
He’s not limited to on-ball screening utility. With a sense for angles along with hard screens, Queta is highly useful for flare screens, curls, and pin-ins, all staple actions for Boston’s shooters. Here are examples of all three:
I’ve also enjoyed the offensive rebounding from Queta. On the year, he’s a 94th percentile offensive rebounder amongst big men, reeling in 5.85 offensive rebounds per 75 possessions. The development as a tip out offensive rebounder has been exciting. Queta is realizing he doesn’t have to do it all himself, instead opting to slap the ball out where the numbers favor Boston more.
But I want to see more board work on the defensive end. Once again, Queta is a below-average defensive rebounding big, and the lineup stats are brutal. With Queta on the floor, opponents are reeling in 35.6% of their misses, which is an 11th percentile mark. If he can apply the same fervor he uses on the offensive glass to the defensive end, it would go a long way for Boston.
Sam Hauser Screening Actions
If Sam Hauser screening actions are Keira Knightley, consider me Matthew Macfadyen. I am bewitched, body and soul. No, I don’t need to touch grass.
Joe Mazzulla has made a habit of using Spain/Stack pick-and-roll looks to start games off. That inevitably involves Hauser as the back screener, utilizing his size and threat as a shooter. The C’s ran it on the first play of the season opener, and the first two plays against the Knicks. You can see the tree of options developing in these clips, and the problems that Queta’s roll gravity and Hauser’s shooting gravity poise when combined.
The “Chest” actions have been a bundle of joy as well. Chest action involves a player screening for the ballhandler before receiving a pin-in screen from another player behind their initial screen. When timed up well, it’s a thing of beauty.
Just like his defenders, make sure you keep an eye on Sam Hauser when he’s off the ball. You never know how he’s going to make himself useful, but it tends to end in success.
After two years of annoying their way deep into the playoffs, the Indiana Pacers are becoming trendsetters in the league. Their high pickup points and energetic backcourt defenders have caused a lot of problems for their Eastern Conference foes, including the Celtics. Unlike the Pentagon, Joe Mazzulla and the C’s are learning to embrace the press.
Derrick White is the focal point of Boston’s press, but it’s their depth on the wings that allows them to run it so often. Hugo González, Baylor Scheierman, and Josh Minott are fixtures in the press. Their size and energy make them excellent pressers, and it’s a great tool for Boston to break out when they need to generate momentum or put their boot on a team’s neck.
That’s all for the first edition of my Celtics film round-up. We’ll check in next week to see what’s shaking with the C’s.
