Malcolm Brogdon Explains His Improved Shooting Since Joining The Celtics
Malcolm Brogdon is shooting the lights out of the ball. Since joining the Celtics, the former University of Virginia product has career high marks on his shooting numbers for 2022-23. Brogdon is a prime candidate to win 6th man of the year and has lived up to the hype thus far.
Of course, many readers of the site know I was against the move. I thought the point guard rotation with Derrick White, Marcus Smart, and Payton Pritchard was fine as is. I thought Kevin Huerter would have been the more logical choice. Given what’s happened to the Kings this year, I’m not sure you can argue against that.
Still, Brogdon has done well with the Celtics. Across 25.8 minutes per game, Brogdon is averaging 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Those numbers are all down from his Pacer days but he’s been uber efficient as a sharp shooting marksman. The Celtics point guard is converting 45.1% of his attempts from distance which is the third best mark in the NBA.
What’s gone into this shooting explosion from Brogdon? He credits not having to carry the load for his efficiency numbers.
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“I think I’m less run down,” Brogdon told Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “When I was with the Pacers, I had to do a lot. I had to run the show, I had to guard the best player, I had to do a lot. Here, I don’t have to do that. I don’t have all the responsibility. I have a role to play and I specialize in that role.
“I was the guy who was being scouted against. Now, I’m not the guy,” Brogdon said. “You got (Jayson Tatum), (Jaylen Brown), these other guys that are absorbing all the attention and the scout. So, it makes the game easier for me.”
Regardless of the shooting performance, this trade will ultimately be judged come postseason time. Will Brogdon manage to lift the Celtics over the hump? That’s what will really matter.
