Dishing out preseason grades for each member of the Celtics

The preseason is over for the Celtics, and, frankly, they regarded much more dominant than they did most of final yr.

No, the competitors wasn’t fairly as stiff, and sure, they did lose to the Raptors, however the total product was crisp and aesthetically pleasing. For these naively nervous a few championship hangover, I feel it’s secure to say this preseason ought to quell these doubts.

Star gamers, function gamers and gamers combating for a spot all confirmed one thing all through the 5 video games. Listed here are preseason grades for every participant (and sure, they’re going to be principally be excessive – the Celtics are good at basketball).

Jayson Tatum

Tatum has nothing to show anymore. He has the ring, the celebrity and the clout. Every thing from right here is just an opportunity to cement and increase his legacy even additional.

Maybe probably the most encouraging growth is that his outdoors shot seems to not have a hitch. Tatum was aggressive from 3-point vary, making an attempt 9 per recreation and hitting 38.9 % within the preseason. In any other case, it was just about established order for top-of-the-line gamers on the planet.

Grade: A-

Jaylen Brown

Brown had some moments of brilliance, however he regarded a bit shaky at occasions as properly. Whereas he does seem to have placed on some additional muscle, he shot 19 % from 3 and turned it over 2.3 occasions per recreation in simply 22.6 minutes.

It’s nothing to fret about, however grading him within the A spread based mostly solely on this wouldn’t be correct.

Grade: B

Jrue Vacation

Vacation has earned the precise to primarily chill within the preseason. He performed simply 16 minutes per recreation over three contests and shot 52.9 %. He managed to common a steal per recreation and put fixed stress on the ball.

He stays a really excellent match for this group.

Grade: B+

Derrick White

White continues to dam pictures at a ridiculous fee. He averaged 1.3 per recreation whereas enjoying a mean of 24 minutes.

He was a bit careless with the ball at occasions (1.5 turnovers) and didn’t shoot it too properly (37.8 % from the ground), however his power and tempo had been instrumental in Boston’s success. I’d prefer to see a stat for what number of runs a participant sparks, as a result of I’m fairly certain White can be close to the highest of the league.

Grade: B

Al Horford

Horford performed only one recreation and regarded a bit rusty, nevertheless it’s nothing to fret about transferring ahead. As soon as the lights are brighter, and he will get in a rhythm, he’ll be simply superb. Giving him a grade feels foolish, as a result of the pattern measurement is simply too small and he’s Al Horford.

Grade: N/A

Payton Pritchard

They don’t name him Preseason P for nothing. The factor about Pritchard is that whether or not it’s a pickup recreation, a preseason recreation, a regular-season recreation or a playoff recreation, his depth will at all times be there. Joe Mazzulla has to like teaching a man like that.

Pritchard averaged 16 factors, a team-high six assists and three.4 rebounds per recreation. He hit well timed pictures, made life simpler for his teammates and barely turned the ball over. It could be a protracted shot for him to win Sixth Man of the 12 months, nevertheless it’s not not possible.

Grade: A

Luke Kornet

Very like Pritchard, Kornet is at all times prepared when he will get the chance. Whether or not he performs 10 minutes or half-hour, likelihood is these minutes are going to be fruitful.

His model meshes completely with Vacation, White, Brown and Tatum. With Kristaps Porzingis out, and Horford not enjoying each evening, the Celtics have somebody they’ll belief to start out of their place. Don’t be shocked if Kornet scores in double figures on a considerably constant foundation.

Grade: A

Sam Hauser

Confidence has at all times been a staple of Hauser’s recreation, and it seems he’s extra assured than ever getting into this season. Why wouldn’t he be? The man doesn’t miss.

He shot 45.8 % from 3-point vary within the preseason and likewise showcased an improved potential to beat defenders off the dribble. While you hit a pair in a row, the protection has no selection however to swarm. Make the precise learn, take a couple of dribbles and hit the open man or stick a jumper. He’s doing simply that.

Grade: A

Xavier Tillman Sr.

Very like Kornet, Tillman matches this group completely. Additionally like Kornet, the Celtics can belief him when their high bigs are out. He appears extra snug total, and notably from 3-point vary, the place he shot 54.5 % within the preseason.

Tillman additionally averaged 0.8 blocks per recreation in 17.2 minutes an evening, which is a promising signal for the Celtics.

Grade: A-

Jordan Walsh

The best method to sum it up is that Walsh regarded like an NBA participant on the market. He has a excessive ceiling, and his ground seems to be decrease than some initially thought.

His bucket within the closing minute Tuesday was very spectacular, and even on the final shot, he had the precise concept as he zoomed to the rim. For him, it’s all about confidence, rhythm and shot choice. The instruments are there. The following step is constantly placing all of it collectively.

Grade: A-

Neemias Queta

Queta is an attention-grabbing one, as a result of he has some moments the place he appears large and others the place he appears a bit misplaced.

Whereas he would not naturally slot in fairly in addition to Kornet and Tillman stylistically, he does supply a shot-blocking factor that few backup bigs within the league present. His size is spectacular, and the subsequent step is offensive footwork and fluidity.

Grade: B

JD Davison

Davison has moments of brilliance and others the place he regresses and elicits a Cheez-It industrial “Not prepared” stamp. His shot appears higher, he’s a dependable dribbler and he performs exhausting on protection, however shot choice, decision-making and turnovers are nonetheless a problem.

He’s really proper in between a daily function participant and a G-League standout. This season might be a pivotal one for him long run.

Grade: B+

Drew Peterson

Peterson has improved so much. Give him credit score. The truth is that he’s a poor man’s Hauser in the mean time, so it’s going to be exhausting for him to carve out a real function. Having mentioned that, he deserves reward for a way a lot he’s labored on his recreation.

Grade: A-

Lonnie Walker IV

Walker is an NBA participant, interval. Whether or not that’s with the Celtics or with another group, he deserves to be within the league. I personally would hold him on the roster and let him present a spark as wanted off the bench.

Grade: B+

Jaden Springer

I anticipated Springer to get a bit extra run within the preseason. He performed simply three video games, averaged 13.8 minutes and albeit didn’t present an entire lot whereas he was on the market. Springer’s protection is elite, and his offense is coming alongside, however time could also be ticking.

Grade: B-

Baylor Scheierman

The true Celtics Weblog diehards could notice that I used to be extraordinarily excessive on Scheierman when the Celtics drafted him. I’m nonetheless extraordinarily excessive on him, however I’ll confess that it might take a while.

Capturing, verify. Passing, verify. Dribbling, verify. Choice-making, verify. Now, it’s about adjusting to the tempo of the NBA and determining carry these abilities his naturally has to the forefront.

He shot simply 17.6 % from 3, so something lower than a C wouldn’t be correct, however don’t lose hope simply but. He’s nonetheless studying, and I’m assured he’ll determine it out.

Grade: C

Dmytro Skapintsev

Alright, we’re actually stepping into it right here. This man’s not unhealthy! Shades of a much less cell Dino Radja (OK, perhaps not fairly). However hey, he makes good selections, has smooth fingers and finishes higher than anticipated. Who is aware of…

Grade: B

Anton Watson

I additionally thought Watson would play extra. He averaged simply 7.7 minutes so it’s exhausting to grade him precisely. He ought to fare properly within the G-League this season.

Grade: N/A

Ron Harper

Identical for Harper, who blended in Tuesday evening however didn’t do a lot else. He performs exhausting, which actually counts for one thing.

Grade: N/A