Dereck Lively II: Celtics can ‘shoot the [expletive]’ out of the ball
"One through five, they're an amazing team."
As a standout rookie heading to the NBA Finals, Mavericks center Dereck Lively II isn’t lacking in confidence or swagger.
When asked what he’s learned about himself during this postseason run, Lively told reporters he’s “tough as nails, man.”
“I don’t care what name, what you do to me, what you thought of me, if I hit the ground, I’m going to get back up,” Lively said.
At the same time, Lively knows the value of respecting his opponent. He understands the Mavericks will have their hands full against the Celtics.
Lively called the Celtics an “amazing team” and noted that they’ve been among the best in the NBA the entire season.
“They can shoot the [expletive] out of the ball,” Lively said Sunday. “One through five, they’re an amazing team. They can space the floor, they can get to the rim. They have a lot of weapons that they can use.”
Lively said the key is to understand when the Celtics are going to use those weapons and when the Mavericks can try to use those weapons against them.
His assessment isn’t incorrect. The Celtics finished second in the NBA in 3-point percentage (38.8) in the regular season and were first by a landslide in 3s per game (16.5). In the playoffs, they’re first at 14.6 per game.
Lively, meanwhile, shot a ridiculous 100 percent in the series against the Timberwolves. In fairness, though, the vast majority of his attempts are dunks.
He’s playing with his late mother, Kathy Drysdale, as his angel on his shoulder this postseason. Kathy died of cancer in April.
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