Blog | off-the-glass

Dec 6, 2019
3 min

Film School: How Jaylen Brown Opens Up The Offense

(photo cred: USA Today) I know what you are going to ask and no, I will never grow tired of making Jaylen Brown breakdowns. Perhaps this is the best year to cover the Celtics emerging star. Brown is playing his best basketball yet as evident by his improved handle and finishing at the rim. It looks like his 3-point shooting (38 percent) is here to stay as well. Known for his potential as a high level scorer and defensive menace, Brown was never expected to become a meaningful

You May Not See It, But Jayson Tatum Is Growing

Matt Esposito

Nov 19, 2019
4 min

You May Not See It, But Jayson Tatum Is Growing

(photo: Sports Illustrated) It's okay, I didn't see it at first either. But after some squinting, a couple of eye exams and one updated prescription later, I saw it. Sure, you have to see past the ugly 39.5 percent field goal percentage. When you get by that there is also Jayson Tatum's atrocious 2-point percentage. Eventually, however, you can see it too. The statistics may not divulge it right away, but Tatum is starting to shift his style of play. Coming into the season an

Jaylen Brown In The Hunt For Most Improved? Here's How.

Matt Esposito

Nov 14, 2019
3 min

Jaylen Brown In The Hunt For Most Improved? Here's How.

(source, Hoopshype) Before you ask - Yes, I do promise to return back to my scouting roots and provide some updates on rookies. But now, in the fashion of Sauron's Eye in Middle Earth, we must shine our attention on Jaylen Brown. The fourth year Celtic has had an odd journey throughout his time in Boston. After selecting him over players like Dragan Bender and Kris Dunn, many fans were eager to write off Brown as a Danny Ainge bust. His first season showed promise, however. B

Is Kemba's Off-Ball Movement The Key To The Celtics Success?

Matt Esposito

Nov 9, 2019
4 min

Is Kemba's Off-Ball Movement The Key To The Celtics Success?

(photo cred: ESPN) Place an emphasis on without. When Danny Ainge lured Kemba Walker away from Charlotte, Cs fans everywhere rushed to YouTube to catch breakdowns of their new star in action. What would the All-Star guard bring to the table? Sure, his one-on-one scoring ability is well known, as is his talent for finishing amongst the trees. So it may surprise you to learn that Walker has the Celtics offense running smoothly due to his off-ball prowess. The Celtics have many

Celtics Center Watch: A Couple Trade Candidates To Consider

Matt Esposito

Nov 3, 2019
4 min

Celtics Center Watch: A Couple Trade Candidates To Consider

USA Today So help me God, Celtics Center Watch will become a movement by the end of the season. Hopefully, by that time, the Celtics will have figured out their big man rotation. This year, Boston has had some mixed results at their center spot. Enes Kanter (more on him in a second) has been injured and has played in just one game. Vincent Poirier has been used sparingly. Daniel Theis has been serviceable despite being undersized and Robert Williams has proven to be a surpris

The Evolution of Jayson Tatum As Told By Kanye West's "Monster"

Matt Esposito

Nov 3, 2019
6 min

The Evolution of Jayson Tatum As Told By Kanye West's "Monster"

(Photo via Boston Globe) Waiting to think of this idea only two days after Halloween is the most me thing I have ever done. Alas, spooky season is over and my window has closed. Jayson Tatum's window, however, may just be starting to open. The Boston Celtics most recent contest versus the Knicks was too close for comfort. The Celtics were coming off of a remarkable come-from-behind win versus the the Milwaukee Bucks, on national television, nonetheless. This game should have

Matt Esposito

Oct 28, 2019
2 min

Grant Williams Is Already Making Noise

(photo cred: NBA.com) You have no idea how badly I wanted to include this piece in my Center Watch 2019-2020 literary pipedream. Alas, this article is not ready for that theme, yet. In due time, however, Williams could see himself supplanting a big like Enes Kanter in the Celtics lineup. His performance against a stingy, we-don't-need-Kawhi-anyway team was that good. So, what has me thinking that the 6-foot-7 utility player from Tennessee could steal minutes from a much bigge

Celtics Center Watch 2019-2020: Theis Is Nice

Matt Esposito

Oct 15, 2019
3 min

Celtics Center Watch 2019-2020: Theis Is Nice

Last week, I wrote about Robert Williams, the variety of ways you can spell his name and the odds of him becoming the Celtics starting center. On this edition of "Center Watch" we will study another candidate's chances of landing the starting gig. Let's dive into the detail and breakdown Germany's very own Daniel Theis. The big man has started for the Cs during these handful of preseason games but, it he appeared as a starting candidate much earlier this summer. His performan

Daniel Theis Can Outsmart His Way Into the Celtics Starting Lineup

Matt Esposito

Aug 20, 2019
3 min

Daniel Theis Can Outsmart His Way Into the Celtics Starting Lineup

SB Nation (Celtics Blog) In The Memory Code author Lynne Kelly theorized that Stonehenge was built to help Neolithic Britons remember important times for crop cycles. By that logic, FIBA basketball was created to remind me that it's August and time to write about Celtic role players. Without further ado, I now present a short piece on Boston big man Daniel Theis, his play against the Czech Republic in the VTG Supercup, and the likelihood that Brad Stevens names him their star

Gus Saltonstall

May 5, 2019
4 min

Five Thoughts: Bucks vs Celtics Game 3

CBS Sports The Milwaukee Bucks are legit. Paul Pierce is backtracking faster than James Dolan scurrying off to band practice. Giannis Antetokounmpo has returned to looking like the MVP of the 2018-19 Season, and the Boston Celtics are in some trouble. The Bucks won Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals 123-116, winning the game in the third quarter, where they outscored the Celtics 40-31 — the difference in the other three quarters between the two teams was actually +2

Five Thoughts: Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers

Kory Waldron

Apr 20, 2019
3 min

Five Thoughts: Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers

Winslow Townson/AP Photo The Boston Celtics have taken a commanding 3 - 0 series lead over the Indiana Pacers, and here are five thoughts following Game 3. 1. The Boston Celtics just aren’t that good. Now, I know that may seem like I’m being a hater or a salty Pacers fan, but think about it. They win 84-74 in Game 1, 99-91 in Game 2, and 104-96 in Game 3. Not to mention in Game 3, 41 of those 104 points came in the first quarter alone. Kyrie Irving has been stellar and Jayson

Roundtable: 2018-2019 Defensive Player of the Year

OTG Staff

Apr 14, 2019
4 min

Roundtable: 2018-2019 Defensive Player of the Year

All year we’ve watched the best of the best play this wonderful game of basketball. The season has concluded and the OTG Staff is making their award selections. Defensive Player of the Year is full of many worthy candidates, making this one of the tougher races. Jeremy Freed - @JeremyFreed3 Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo Via Complex Defensive Player of the Year is as close a race as I think we have this year, but I like Giannis to take home the hardware.

Gus Saltonstall

Apr 11, 2019
4 min

2019 Playoff Preview: Boston Celtics

NBA.com The Boston Celtics did not live up to expectations in the 2018-19 regular season. The door seemed wide open for the Celtic’s to stamp their dominance over the conference with LeBron James leaving for Los Angeles and a healthy combo of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Success on paper however doesn’t always translate to the hardwood, and the Celtics finished at just 49-33. Barely good enough for a fourth place finish within the conference, as the team struggled with it

Jac Manuell/Kory Waldron

Mar 23, 2019
4 min

OTG's Top 50 NBA Players: 10-1

10. Nikola Jokic 2018-19 Stats: 20.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 7.6 APG, 50/32/84 The Denver Channel The Nuggets rise to genuine Western Conference contender has been off the back of the sublime talents of big man Nikola Jokic. Jokic is a wizard with the ball in his hands. He might even already be the best passing center in the history of the league. His defense is still shoddy but has made minor improvements. What he does on the offensive end more than makes up for it. 9. Kyrie Irving

Sneaker Culture in the Association: Playoff Push

Rountable: Who Is Golden State's Biggest Challenger?

OTG Staff

Mar 2, 2019
10 min

Rountable: Who Is Golden State's Biggest Challenger?

Golden State of Mind You made your pick, now our writers make theirs! Dennis Dow: Houston Rockets Reading that team name makes you think that I might be confused and think that it is last year, but I assure you I am referring to this year. The Houston Rockets have had a difficult season and they have managed to stay afloat thanks to a historic stretch of scoring from James Harden, probably the NBA's least liked superstar. While the Warriors at times have looked unbeatable t

Melod Askari

Feb 27, 2019
2 min

Loddy's NBA Locks 02/27/19

CBS Las Vegas I started this channel after a friend told me about a bad experience buying picks from a "handicapper". It is intended to help guide novice bettors, or people not having success betting on sports, come up with a strong theory to base their bet selections on. That's why today's episode is a little longer, as I go into detail about some of the key components of my theory, or more specifically, system of contingencies, that I use when making my bet selections. 5 pi

Olivier Auguste

Feb 9, 2019
6 min

The Ripple Effect of 'The Business'

The NBA is thriving in a way it never has before. The dollars are pouring in, estimated values are souring, and the money pot continues to grow. Forbes recently stirred the pot with the release of their 21st Annual NBA Team Valuations. One thing that’s understood and often repeated is the fickle and fleeting nature of “the business." The ripple effects spreads farther than most can imagine. They determine how ownership groups and front offices manipulate moves and contract si

Video Breakdown: Kyrie Irving's Career-Night

Jac Manuell

Jan 17, 2019
1 min

Video Breakdown: Kyrie Irving's Career-Night

Sporting News Kyrie Irving had his full array of tricks on display in a win over the Raptors. His scoring was not only sublime but it was the best passing performance he’s had in his 8-season career. Here’s a breakdown of the best plays from the performance. For more breakdowns of some of the best performances from the league's best players be sure to follow Off the Glass and Jac Manuell on Twitter. #BostonCeltics #JacManuell #VideoBreakdown

Jac Manuell

Jan 9, 2019
2 min

Trade Deadline Marathon: Day 3

Boston receive: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Shabazz Napier, the rights to Denver’s 2019 first round pick Brooklyn receive: Jaylen Brown My boss Nick Fay made me do this. In all honesty this is an optimistic trade from the Nets perspective. Jaylen Brown would be such a tantalising fit under the player development expertise of Coach Atkinson. I would almost trade the Nets own 2019 pick for Brown, especially if the Nets continue the trajectory they’re heading on. Brown won’t turn 2