Watching the Celtics blow out the Cavaliers last night, I grew frustrated at the defensive rebounds that Boston players could not corral. Apparently, my eyes and mind-set betrayed me since the stats this morning showed Boston took down 39 defensive boards to only 22 by Cleveland.
But The Green lost the offensive rebounding contest, pulling down only 12 to the Cavaliers 22. Joe Mazzulla fully understands that his present crew is both undersized and underexperienced. Rebounding and defense are mostly intensity and hard work. And Joe is stressing that point to his troops.
His message to his players is - "Work hard out there, be intense, don't give up offensive boards to the opposition, stay with your man on defense - or you will be taken out of the game." The first few months of this season will determine if the Celtics maintain a "win every game" mentality or go for a lottery pick. And Jayson Tatum's potential return towards the end of the regular season will play a role in that decision.
But we are still in pre-season right now, and wins are not that important. But the play of his troops - the ability to make the right plays - and mostly the all-out effort while not taking any plays off - are vital for the Celtics players to get the floor time they all strive for.
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