Celtics
Payton Pritchard clearly will get an A, however what about everybody else?
The All-Star break has arrived, which suggests it’s an excellent time to reset, take a step again, and assess the Celtics’ play thus far.
They’re 39-16 (.709), and have been dominant in stretches, however that doesn’t inform the total story. The Celtics have lacked consistency and have oftentimes performed all the way down to the extent of their opponent.
Lately, although, they’ve discovered a rhythm and returned to kind. Boston has received seven of eight and heads into the break with momentum on its aspect.
With an eye fixed towards the previous, current, and future, listed here are grades for every member of the crew thus far. Consider it as how they’ve performed in relation to how they have been anticipated to play coming into the yr.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is averaging 27 factors, 8.7 rebounds, and a career-high 5.6 assists this season. He presently has the fourth-best MVP odds, behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tatum continues to take over video games along with his distinctive mix of dimension, power, and finesse. Probably the most important improvement, nonetheless, is his enchancment as a passer. Groups are doubling him, generally even tripling him, and it doesn’t appear to faze him in any respect.
Even with a championship to his title, Tatum most likely nonetheless kicks himself when he thinks again to the 2022 NBA Finals. If he had his present stage of decision-making and playmaking, there’s a superb likelihood the Celtics would have received the sequence. Kudos to him for engaged on that component of his recreation and sharpening his craft yearly.
Grade: A
Jaylen Brown
For many gamers, 22.9 factors, 6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists could be a dream yr. For Jaylen Brown, whereas he’s nonetheless been a powerful No. 2 possibility total, that stat line signifies a little bit of a down season to this point.
Brown is capturing 46.1 p.c from the ground — the bottom share since his rookie yr — and a career-low 32.4 p.c from 3-point vary.
It’s value noting that Brown has typically been tasked with guarding the opposite crew’s finest participant, so maybe his taxing defensive duties are bleeding into his offensive effectivity. It’s additionally value noting that 4.8 assists is a profession excessive.
Some video games, he dominates; others, he disappears. The usual is excessive, however he wouldn’t have it some other method.
Grade: B+
Kristaps Porzingis
Most Celtics followers have been excited when the Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis, however it’s truthful to say the bulk didn’t understand simply how good a match it will be.
Porzingis has endeared himself to the Celtics devoted along with his lighthearted persona off the court docket, however his competitiveness persistently shines by means of on it. He strikes an ideal stability between being aggressive and likewise realizing he has Tatum and Brown by his aspect. Porzingis takes Boston from nice to just about unbeatable.
His total numbers are about on par with the place they’ve been all through his profession, however his 3-point share (40.5) is the best it’s ever been. After all, the No. 1 precedence for Porzingis is to remain wholesome. Diving on the ground for a free ball, like he did Wednesday in opposition to the Spurs, might not essentially profit him or the Celtics long run.
Grade: A-
Derrick White
After a scorching begin to the season, Derrick White hit a little bit of a lull in December and January. Ever since, he’s been again to his successful methods.
Contemporary off a 19-point, 9-assist, 7-rebound efficiency in opposition to the Spurs, White is now averaging 16.5 factors, 5.7 assists, and three.8 rebounds in February, whereas capturing 47.1 p.c from the sphere and 41.5 p.c from distance.
He additionally continues to excel as a shot-blocker and on-ball defender, and his means to alternate between level guard and capturing guard is vital. White is the glue for the Celtics, and his versatility is on show each night time, no matter whether or not his shot is falling.
Grade: A-
Jrue Vacation
It’s truthful to say Jrue Vacation is having a little bit of a down season thus far.
He’s averaging 11 factors per recreation, which is the bottom since his rookie yr, and a career-low 3.7 assists. Clearly, a part of that stems from the outstanding expertise he has round him, however it illuminates a bigger development.
He’s capturing simply 43.8 p.c from the ground and 34.2 p.c from 3 – in comparison with 48 p.c and 42.9 p.c final yr. Vacation deserves the advantage of the doubt, and religion from followers that he’ll flip it on when it issues most, however it will profit the Celtics if he flips the change sooner quite than later.
Grade: B-
Al Horford
Al Horford is the consummate skilled, and his contributions transcend statistics, but it’s value noting that his numbers are additionally down this season.
Horford, who turns 39 in June, is averaging profession lows in factors (7.9), rebounds (5.5), and field-goal share (40.4). His 3-point share is all the way down to 35.3, after he shot a ridiculous 44.6 p.c two years in the past and 41.9 p.c final season.
Quantity isn’t essential for Horford; it’s all about effectivity. Very like Vacation, Celtics followers can belief that he’ll be there once they want him most; on the identical time, he hasn’t been enjoying as much as his commonplace thus far.
Grade: B
Payton Pritchard
In the case of anticipated play vs. precise play, Payton Pritchard has exceeded expectations greater than anybody else on the roster thus far this season.
Pritchard, presently the Sixth Man of the Yr favourite, is averaging profession highs in factors (13.8), rebounds (3.9), and assists (3.5). A part of that comes with a career-high 27.9 minutes, however the minutes are additionally a results of his manufacturing.
It looks like when the Celtics are in a rut, and wish a jolt, Pritchard is regularly the one to supply it. He guess on himself, and it’s straightforward to see why he had a lot religion in his talents. The Celtics are fortunate to have him.
Grade: A
Sam Hauser
To begin, it’s value noting that Sam Hauser has the most effective file by a starter in NBA historical past (minimal 30 video games), so clearly he’s doing one thing proper.
His numbers are down throughout the board, however solely barely. He’s moved again up above 40 p.c from 3-point vary, due to a 48.2 p.c clip in February thus far. It’s been an up-and-down capturing season for Hauser, however he’s nonetheless managed to yield a successful product all through.
Even when he’s not hitting photographs, he’s a risk as a floor-spacer and has improved his driving means. When he’s making photographs, he’s a weapon.
Grade: B+
Luke Kornet
One may argue that Luke Kornet is constructing a case as essentially the most underrated participant within the NBA.
His excellence within the choose and roll, elite palms, and terrific ending means make him a risk offensively. Defensively, he compensates for an absence of pure velocity with intelligence and prime positioning.
Plus, he’s the final word vibes man, and his Celtics teammates clearly love him. Very like Pritchard, once they’re in a funk, he’s typically accountable for serving to them regain their mojo.
Grade: A
Different gamers
Neemias Queta: Whereas he’s proven flashes in spurts, it’s all about consistency. Enhancing his lateral quickness on protection would go a good distance. Grade: B+
Xavier Tillman Sr.: The fact is that he’s out of the rotation and inconsistent when he does see the ground. Queta has leapfrogged him, and deservedly so. Grade: C
Jordan Walsh: Like Queta, he shows his potential in bursts however has bother sustaining it. He appears so desirous to show he can shoot that he forgets how worthwhile he’s in different areas. Grade: B-
Drew Peterson: He’s sneakily performed fairly effectively in a small pattern dimension, capturing 48 p.c from the ground and 42.1 p.c from 3. After they’re shorthanded, he helps fill the void. Grade: A-
JD Davison: JD Davison is an attention-grabbing one, as a result of he’s completely dominating the G League (25.1 factors, 7.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds) but has seemed out of types within the NBA. There’s a advantageous line between a G League star and NBA position participant, and Davison might find yourself slightly below the brink. Grade: C+
Baylor Scheierman: He’s beginning to look extra snug and has blended in over the previous few video games. Whereas he’s an elite shooter, his versatility is what actually units him aside. He has a better ceiling than many understand, and it’s as much as him to show it. Grade: B
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