boston
— The Boston Celtics are scheduled to showcase TD Garden’s parquet floor on Wednesday night. This year, however, the game won’t be aired on national television, which reflects a growing skepticism about the team’s standing as a top contender in the league.
But, what if they’re actually pretty decent?
There are plenty of reasons for doubt.
Jayson Tatum, who has been the leading scorer, rebounder, and playmaker for the Celtics during his tenure, will actually not be playing. Additionally, four crucial rotation players will be donning new jerseys: Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, and Luke Kornett.
It’s well-documented that the Celtics have lost significant talent. This considerable offseason shakeup has raised eyebrows about what they actually gained. Will these changes and the infusion of younger players be sufficient to keep the Celtics in playoff contention?
Throughout preseason, it became clear that the Celtics intend to adopt a noticeably different playing style, marked by a quicker offense and a more aggressive, physical defense.
This approach might lead to a wider rotation, potentially featuring 10 to 11 players on any given night, contrasting with the eight or nine players commonly used under Joe Mazzula’s previous coaching tenure.
Some of this might be a necessity; a fast pace can wear players down.
“You’re going to have to substitute often to maintain that kind of tempo,” said Xavier Tillman.
However, Mazzula believes that shifting away from a consistent eight or nine-player rotation could offer strategic advantages.
“Not having a set rotation can be beneficial; you can tap into fresh talent and explore various lineups,” Mazzula explained. “We’re just starting to figure it out, but it could work in our favor throughout the season.”
This shift means offseason recruits like Chris Boucher and Josh Minott, as well as rookie Hugo Gonzalez, might play vital roles right off the bat.
The Celtics aim to excel both defensively and offensively, yet they’ll need to adapt their style of play to pull it off. Here’s how they’re planning to start out.
confusion on defense
Defensively, the Celtics are looking to change things up significantly – or at least they’ll try.
They’re adopting a less conservative approach, planning to apply more pressure, double the ball, and earn more free throws. This aggressive strategy may lead to higher foul counts.
“I believe the NBA allows for more physicality during the playoffs,” Pritchard mentioned during training camp. “We need to learn to adjust and get tougher. So, we’re focusing on that.”
In previous seasons, the Celtics emphasized switching on defense, which made it tough to conceal weaker defenders. They’ve also been unusually hesitant to foul, often ranking lowest in the league in fouls per game, but that trend may shift this season.
“Earlier, our defensive approach was more conservative, centered on switching and contested shots without fouling,” Pritchard noted. “But that mindset has evolved. The NBA changes every year, and so must we. What worked before hasn’t been as effective recently.”
These stylistic changes were mainly a response to current personnel. The team lacks a proven rim protector, and key defensive players like Holiday and Horford are no longer with the team.
As a result, they’ll likely double the ball more often, aiming to create turnovers, even if it means allowing open three-point shots.
Interestingly, Mazzula has expressed optimism, suggesting that the defense might outshine the offense in the early stages of the season.
“This is how we need to operate to be effective,” the fourth-year head coach stated.
In preseason, the Celtics recorded the second-best defensive rating in the league. While this figure may not fully capture the season’s realities, it does indicate a growing emphasis on defense despite some personnel challenges.
Despite the loss, the Celtics still have offensive power.
Offensively, this rebuild still includes a wealth of talent, featuring several excellent shooters to maintain spacing on the floor.
Derrick White is particularly crucial, having set a franchise record last season with a 39.3% three-point shooting rate. Peyton Pritchard also stood out, converting 40.7% of his attempts and earning the Sixth Man of the Year award. Additionally, Sam Hauser has historically shot above 40% but dealt with injuries last season.
With sharpshooters like Jrue Holiday and Al Horford now gone, it’s likely these players will see an increase in shot opportunities.
Anfernee Simons from the Trail Blazers recorded a 36.3% success rate from three-point range, even during a challenging shooting season.
Jayson Tatum’s role isn’t expected to fluctuate much. He has been the team’s focal point for years, although the guards might take more initiative.
Mazzula pointed out that the Celtics’ offensive strategy remains a work in progress, and what fans see in the season opener will likely evolve. While the team may lack the star power of years past, there’s still plenty of shooting talent.
Jaylen Brown, known for his scoring ability, also remains a key asset. Despite battling an injury last season, he still managed to score over 20 points per game for six consecutive years and is now set to become the primary offensive weapon.
How does all of this measure up against other potential playoff rivals in the East?
That’s the million-dollar question.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Celtics aren’t alone in bidding farewell to significant players. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland due to a toe injury, and the Miami Heat face a similar situation with Tyler Herro out for ankle issues. The Philadelphia 76ers are also contending with several injuries, including missing Paul George and Jared McCain. Even the Indiana Pacers will start the season without Tyrese Haliburton as he recovers from an Achilles injury.
The injury list goes on, and we haven’t even kicked off the season yet.
The Celtics may also face unexpected injuries as the season progresses, but right now there’s a clear vision ahead. This could lead to a Celtics squad surpassing initial expectations.
