We have now a whopping 6 new writers to the CelticsBlog crew! Give them a heat welcome within the feedback beneath. To kick issues off with them, we wished to do a fast roundtable dialogue. Right here’s the subject that we picked:
What ability would you want a participant (or coach) to develop over the summer time? (You’ll be able to’t choose Jaylen studying dribble left, that’s too simple)
Man DePlacido
I’d love for Robert Williams to achieve confidence in his soar shot. We’ve seen him, sparingly, hit baseline jumpers because the shot clock expires and we’ve seen him hit free throws at a constant degree. His type is there however he lacks the arrogance to take the shot constantly. Working together with his capturing coach Aaron Miller may be the breaking level to that cup ceiling.
Sam LaFrance
I’d wish to see Malcolm Brogdon re-develop some imaginative and prescient whereas on the drive. When Brogdon joined the Celtics final summer time, the thought by many followers was that the crew could be including one other playmaker. That wasn’t the case. As an alternative, the previous Rookie of the 12 months turned Sixth Man of the 12 months by placing scoring first. His help common dropped by 2.2 per sport as he took on the brand new function off the bench. That’s all tremendous, however he may very well be much more efficient if he dished the ball off on extra of his drives. Particularly enjoying alongside Robert Williams III and now Kristaps Porzingis.
Mark Aboyoun
I’d wish to see Payton Pritchard improve his defensive exercise. With Marcus Sensible and Grant Williams off the crew, the Celtics on paper acquired worse defensively. If Pritchard desires to be within the 8-9 man rotation he’ll have to point out he’s not a legal responsibility on the defensive finish. Smaller guards are likely to wrestle to defend on the professional degree as a consequence of their dimension, however he could make up for his lack of dimension by being extra energetic. Drawing extra costs and entering into the passing lane will assist Pritchard keep on the ground. He’s had two of one of the best defensive guards in Derrick White and Sensible to study from and in Sensible’s absence it’s the proper time to step up defensively.
Noa Dalzell
I’d wish to see each Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown settling for fewer three-pointers. Each gamers shot a career-low from three within the 2022-23 season, whereas taking a career-high variety of makes an attempt. Tatum hit simply 35% of 9.3 makes an attempt per sport, and notably struggled from the highest of the important thing, changing on simply 28.9% of 190 pictures on the season. Brown hit 33.5% of seven.3 makes an attempt per sport, and was least environment friendly from the corners (24.2% from proper nook, 33.3% from left). A part of this (considerably) poor capturing is the results of a three-pointer reliant offense that head coach Joe Mazzula constantly preached. However, at many factors all through the season, Tatum and Brown settled for troublesome, contested threes, notably when the offense was stagnant. It’d be nice to see them each persevering with to leverage their distinctive athleticism and skill to complete across the rim, and never be so reliant on the three ball.
Ben Dupont
Derrick White was statistically very spectacular final season on the level guard place. With Marcus Sensible now in Memphis, although, the burden of unlocking Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis will probably be positioned largely on his shoulders. A method he can do this higher is by enhancing his pick-and-roll offense. Sensible is a really productive pick-and-roll participant who can function successfully as each a roll man and a ball handler. White may stand to enhance in each roles. Utilizing Sensible as a curler was key to getting Tatum and Brown into rhythm final season, notably within the playoffs. When the celebrities take over ball dealing with, White’s screening and rolling will probably be key. As a ball handler himself, White may very well be extra assured making reads within the choose and roll. Coming off of screens, he tends to show the ball over an excessive amount of, or get caught within the paint. The excellent news is that – with the addition of Porzingis – virtually everybody White will play with is an elite curler.
Sara Jane Gamelli
I wish to see Head Coach, Joe Mazzulla get extra comfy within the Celtics group, and on the ground. Mazzulla is extraordinarily intense and led the Celtics to the Jap Convention finals in his first yr as Interim head coach. Beforehand an assistant, by mid-February, he was named head coach, and acquired an extension by GM, Brad Stevens. Head Coach Mazzulla led the Cs to a 57-25 document, which was second finest within the East. Celtics followers expressed their displeasure with the C’s chief, after his time administration within the Sport 4 loss in opposition to the 76ers, within the Jap Convention Semifinals. Mazzulla took a whole lot of criticism, following Boston’s 103-84 Sport 7 loss in opposition to the Miami Warmth. The Celtics shot simply 9-42, and each participant on the roster struggled. Boston has excessive expectations headed into the 2023-2024 season, and I wish to see Coach Mazzulla have a greater plan for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, together with sensible performs in essential possessions, and time administration. His capacity to educate the Huge 3 and make the most of Kristaps Portzingis on this offense will probably be key.
