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We’re back! Welcome to the Celtics’ Top-5 Highest IQ Plays of the Week!
Sure, we love the high-flying dunks and the deep, off-the-dribble step-back threes, but this is a place for the under-the-radar plays that might not get the credit they deserve. The plays that get the basketball sickos and nerds out of their chairs. The plays that even YOU could make in your weekly rec league game.
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Each week, the plays will be ranked from five to one—one being the smartest—and will only be taken from games that occurred within the past week. For this week, games from March 21st to March 28th are considered. The Celtics went 2-1 this week, with wins over the Thunder and Hawks but a loss to the Timberwolves.
5. Stampede catch
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I’m such a big fan of the stampede catch and think Jaylen Brown is at his best when he employs it as much as possible—and this specific possession presents an awesome illustration of the play’s effectiveness. Because McDaniels has his eyes on Pritchard, he’s unprepared for Brown catching the ball and immediately driving through his chest. The stampede catch is effective for anyone, but especially a guy with Jaylen’s physicality and straight-line drive ability. McDaniels’ momentum going away from the hoop plus Brown’s momentum going downhill towards the rim equals great offense for Boston.
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4. Brown’s growth
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This has been a year of massive growth for Jaylen Brown, and his calmness and balance in the paint has been his most significant improvement in my opinion. This move—in which Brown uses a low, controlled pickup cadence on his right hand and subsequently shifts his weight to the left side—is a super difficult move to defend and is a good way of Jaylen leaning into his strength and size. The move allows him to square up his body and forces the defense to make a decision about swiping at the ball (and potentially fouling) or not swiping and allowing Brown an easy layup attempt. Jaylen must be watching some Donovan Mitchell highlights.
3. Trusting Baylor’s defense
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I have really enjoyed Joe Mazzulla’s willingness…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/celtics-top-5-highest-iq-185934711.html
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Publish date : 2026-03-29 18:59:00
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