The Boston Celtics are not just looking good, they’re looking *scary good* after a near-flawless 3-0 preseason run, and it’s got everyone buzzing about just how quickly this squad has clicked. We’re talking only two weeks since training camp kicked off, and head coach Joe Mazzulla’s crew is already humming, showing off what might be a totally restructured, but still dominant, lineup.
Mazzulla’s Method: From ‘Ass’ Kicking To A Cohesive Crew
You gotta hand it to Mazzulla, the guy clearly knows how to get his players locked in. Newcomers are already deep into his system, understanding what it takes to thrive. Just ask Mitchell Robinson. After their 114-93 preseason win against the Charlotte Hornets, Robinson dished to reporters, saying, “He gets on my ass a lot.” But it’s not a bad thing, not at all! Robinson elaborated, “The way that he takes everything in and gives us all the information, literally down to a T, those are things that can help us be successful.” That’s the kind of intense, detailed coaching that turns a group of players into a winning team, and it’s already paying dividends. Mazzulla himself praised Robinson, calling him “one of the smartest players I’ve been around.” That kind of mutual respect and clear communication is a huge part of why this team is so far ahead of schedule. Last year’s Celtics, under Mazzulla, won 56 games, second-most in the East, by being flexible and maximizing their roster’s strengths. This year looks like more of the same, with a fresh twist.
Double The Trouble: Robinson And Queta’s Intriguing Combo
Mazzulla isn’t afraid to get creative, and we saw a prime example in the preseason finale. He threw a curveball, pairing Robinson with Neemias Queta, giving us an intriguing double-big combination. And you know what? It worked! Robinson and Queta flashed some serious potential playing together, challenging Charlotte on both ends of the floor, especially with their rotations. This helped Boston’s offense operate way more efficiently. Together, they dropped a combined 28 points, unlocking a totally new option for a team already known for its flexibility. But Mazzulla’s experiments didn’t stop there. Queta, a seven-footer who only attempted eight 3-pointers all of last season, took three shots from deep against the Hornets. They didn’t fall this time, but he had plenty of room. Queta’s confident this can become a “weapon” for the team, saying, “It can be a weapon that we can use at certain points.” That kind of adaptability, not committing to a fixed rotation every night, is what makes Mazzulla’s teams so tough to prepare for. They’re going to attack in a bunch of different ways to wear opponents down.
As the regular season tips off, the Celtics are showing everyone they’re ready to rumble. With Mazzulla’s intense coaching already firing up the team and exciting new strategies like the double-big look already showing promise, what’s next for Boston is a fascinating watch. Get ready to see how these early trends translate when the games really start to count!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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