They have just eliminated Miami in the first round of the playoffs, in five very controlled matches, after having dominated the regular season with 64 victories, being the best attack and the third defense. However, the Celtics do not have the label of a team that is difficult to play against on a physical level.
It is more with their talent that they would dominate their opponent. And even if dominating Miami is a sign of robustness, the doubts are not resolved since the Heat were deprived of Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier.
“Physically and mentally, they try to disrupt you, to make you hesitate, to make you think. They are very good at that. We must salute their coach. They tried several things. They put Tyler Herro on me, we're doing a zone defense. It’s physical and mental”, analysis Jaylen Brown. “What is the teams plan against us? Put rhythm, pressure, be physical. We know it “continues Jayson Tatum.
“I think it’s lazy or easy to say that we are a team that we can dominate physically”
If opposing teams want to shake up the Celtics, it's already because it has to be done at this level to bother the best players in the world. But also because Boston is not always very comfortable in trench battles. And obviously, this reputation bothers Jayson Tatum.
“Why not reverse the roles and be the physically toughest team? Why not go for even more rebound? Why not increase the pressure on defense while remaining the talented team that we are? We would then be very hard to beat”explains the All-Star.
With Kristaps Porzingis, admittedly injured for a few days, and Jrue Holiday, the finalists have clearly gained in defensive density and quality.
However, neither is a brute nor a player who absolutely wants to impose a physical balance of power, as Marcus Smart or Dillon Brooks can be and do. So, the Celtics aren’t badass enough?
“There's something wrong with every team, people like to say that, and you see how talented we are. I think it's lazy or easy to say that we are a team that we can dominate physically. I never understood that,” assures Jayson Tatum. “What is the definition of 'tough'?” Is it having the loudest players? That doesn't make you tough. Everyone has their own definition of toughness. For me, it's playing the right way, doing your job without complaining every day. That's what being hard is. »
