The Read & React: The Cobra strikes again

Jeff Clark: Skinny Marcus Smart keeps doing all the little things it takes to win basketball games. 11 points, 2 for 2 from three, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 20 minutes, what more could you ask for? Nobody puts Baby in the corner, but if Marcus keeps shooting from there his percentage could climb by leaps and bounds.

Mike DePrisco: I really liked how Gordon Hayward led a bench unit without Irving and Horford on the floor. He looked very confident looking for his shot and running the offense. This would be huge if Stevens can stagger his star's minutes without losing much production, especially in the postseason.

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Bill Sy: What’s really struck me about this new team is how much more aggressive they are attacking on the catch. It really doesn’t matter who it is, but in particular, bigger wing players like Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Abdel Nader, and Semi Ojeleye are taking the swing pass on the weak side and challenging closeouts with a hard drive. The team is still averaging 30+ 3FGA’s a game, but most of those are coming on kick outs when they’re wide open; if there’s a sliver of space to suck in the defense even more, the Celtics have made the extra drive that’s lead to the extra pass for an easier shot.

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Bill Sy: Not since Kendrick Perkins have the Celtics had an enforcer like Aron Baynes. It’s not even fair to call him a rim protector. Through two games, he’s been more than that. What’s been a pleasant surprise has been his speed. I knew how big he was coming from Detroit (insert Tommy Heinsohn joke), but I didn’t expect him to be so fast. He’s very underrated at tracking the ball and quickly rotating on a touch pass. I really wish Danny had signed him to a team option for next season now.