The press defense is back, the Boston Celtics' rebounding woes, and more

Hello, everyone!

Unfortunately, by the time you read this, I’ll be in an operating room getting my meniscus repaired (hopefully!). Please forgive me for the lack of a major article today.

But I can’t leave you completely empty-handed! That would be rude. So here are highlights from two pieces I wrote this week for other outlets that may be of interest (and both are free, so no worries there).

I never want you to open an email from me and leave without learning something; hopefully, this will suffice. If everything goes well, I’ll return to normal for my usual Tuesday article.

(Also, before I forget, make sure to follow me on X and/or Bluesky! #NBASky is having a moment right now.)

NBA teams are pressing like they own a juicery

The popular Locked On Podcast Network now has a totally free daily newsletter tailored to your favorite team. I write original content for them every Thursday. You should sign up so I can keep the gig!

My most recent article was about the rise of the press defense. Remember in the preseason when I predicted the Blazers would press 10% of the time this year? (A Redditor called it the “weirdest prediction I’ve ever seen.” I’m proud of that.)

Turns out, I had the right idea, but the wrong team(s). To wit: 22 of 30 NBA teams are pressing more often this season than last, and two are in double-digits.

The Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets are on pace to press on more than 10% of their possessions, which would be by far the highest number since Synergy started keeping track fifteen years ago.

Anyway, read more about why I think the press is here to stay at Locked On’s site. If you, like me, are a sucker for gimmicky defenses, it’s worth the click.

Do the Celtics have a rebounding problem?

If the Celtics have anything resembling a championship hangover, it shows up in their relatively lackluster rebounding efforts this season. Before the bounce-back blowout of Brooklyn Wednesday night, six of the Celtics’ nine rotation players were rebounding significantly less on a per-minute basis than last season:

Click here to read a little more about the Celtics’ rebounding woes and why they should (and shouldn’t) be worried.