It may sound ridiculous, but a team most analysts expect to finish in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference could revolutionize the NBA next season under the guidance of new head coach Brad Stevens.
According to Celtics.com reporter Marc D'Amico, Brad Stevens has been running three-point shooting drills in recent practices -- with the entire team shooting from beyond the arc. That's right, every player on the team is focusing on his three-point shooting, including Boston big men Jared Sullinger, Kris Humphries, Brandon Bass and Vitor Faverani.
You may be thinking that's not a big deal; it is, after all, just practice. But looking at the box scores of Boston's first four preseason games reveals a surprising trend: Almost everyone on the roster is attempting three-point shots.
In the first four preseason games, the Celtics have attempted 96 three-point shots, 30 more than their opponents, and it's not just the usual suspects either. The 6-foot-11-inch rookie Vitor Faverani has taken 4 three-point attempts, center Kelly Olynykhas 7 attempts and forward Jeff Green has an incredible 20 three-point attempts.
Even second-year player Jared Sullinger, who weighs in at 6-9 and 260 pounds, has taken 7 attempts from deep, which is truly remarkable given that he only managed to attempt 5 three-pointers in 45 regular season games in 2012-2013.
While it's true coach Brad Stevens was quick to point out in D'Amico's story that fans shouldn't "read too much" into the three-point "contests" the team is holding in practices, it's hard not to notice that virtually every player on the roster is capable of hitting a three-pointer and is spending valuable practice time working on it.
Given the struggles the Celtics are likely to go through in 2013-2014 scoring points without Rajon Rondo to start the season, anything at this point is conceivable -- even the possibility of an offense that utilizes the three-point shooting ability of every player on the floor.
If such a strategy is implemented and does actually produce positive results, it could radically change the way teams are forced to play Boston. But even if the strategy fails, one thing is absolutely true: Brad Stevens is the kind of guy who will experiment with a team until he finds something that works.
For fans, it's great to see. The Celtics are going to be a fascinating team to watch in 2013-2014.
Don't agree with me? Tell me why I am wrong on Twitter @sports4g
Barka De sallah to All Muslim Viewers........... From Team Sports4G
You may be thinking that's not a big deal; it is, after all, just practice. But looking at the box scores of Boston's first four preseason games reveals a surprising trend: Almost everyone on the roster is attempting three-point shots.
In the first four preseason games, the Celtics have attempted 96 three-point shots, 30 more than their opponents, and it's not just the usual suspects either. The 6-foot-11-inch rookie Vitor Faverani has taken 4 three-point attempts, center Kelly Olynykhas 7 attempts and forward Jeff Green has an incredible 20 three-point attempts.
Even second-year player Jared Sullinger, who weighs in at 6-9 and 260 pounds, has taken 7 attempts from deep, which is truly remarkable given that he only managed to attempt 5 three-pointers in 45 regular season games in 2012-2013.
While it's true coach Brad Stevens was quick to point out in D'Amico's story that fans shouldn't "read too much" into the three-point "contests" the team is holding in practices, it's hard not to notice that virtually every player on the roster is capable of hitting a three-pointer and is spending valuable practice time working on it.
Given the struggles the Celtics are likely to go through in 2013-2014 scoring points without Rajon Rondo to start the season, anything at this point is conceivable -- even the possibility of an offense that utilizes the three-point shooting ability of every player on the floor.
If such a strategy is implemented and does actually produce positive results, it could radically change the way teams are forced to play Boston. But even if the strategy fails, one thing is absolutely true: Brad Stevens is the kind of guy who will experiment with a team until he finds something that works.
For fans, it's great to see. The Celtics are going to be a fascinating team to watch in 2013-2014.
Don't agree with me? Tell me why I am wrong on Twitter @sports4g
Barka De sallah to All Muslim Viewers........... From Team Sports4G
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