Ex-NBA Player Says Celtics Do Something '95%' of Teams Can't image
Ex-NBA Player Says Celtics Do Something '95%' of Teams Can't image
Sam Dekker believes the Boston Celtics have established a standard almost every basketball team would struggle to match.
On Sunday, the former NBA forward shared Baylor Scheierman's highlights from Boston's preseason win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Scheierman scored only three points in the victory, but he led the Celtics with eight assists and five steals.
Dekker's quote-retweet came with a clear message.
"Celtics play a type of basketball that 95% of basketball teams cannot play," Dekker tweeted. "Stevens and Mazzulla have set a standard that his guys must reach, otherwise you won’t play."
Celtics play a type of basketball that 95% of basketball teams cannot play. Stevens and Mazzulla have set a standard that his guys must reach, otherwise you won’t play.
Joe Mazzulla took over as Boston's head coach in 2022-23. Since then, they've won 72.6 percent of their regular-season games, giving him the greatest winning percentage in NBA history.
Mazzulla's success goes beyond the record. Under his leadership, the Celtics have developed a distinct identity on both ends of the floor. Offensively, they emphasize 3-point shooting, floor spacing and attacking mismatches in a read-and-react system. Defensively, they use their size and versatility to overwhelm opponents.
Mazzulla is the one pulling the strings on the court, while Brad Stevens builds the roster and frames Boston's long-term vision.
Now, the challenge is maintaining that identity as the Celtics enter a new era.
Dekker's comments suggest he has plenty of confidence in Boston's leadership.
More Celtics