It was enterprise as normal for the Celtics this preseason.
They performed environment friendly basketball, showcased their depth and regarded like a crew able to run it again. We’ll let the one-point loss to the Raptors slide.
Listed below are 5 issues we realized over the course of 5 video games:
1) Don’t count on a championship hangover.
The Celtics will get each crew’s finest this season, but when the preseason is any indication, they’ll be prepared for it.
It’s vital to not put an excessive amount of inventory into the trivialities of those video games (although we are going to, anyway), however I do assume the general product can oftentimes function a precursor for what’s to return.
The Celtics outscored their opponents 609-526, which speaks for itself. No matter who was on the market for both facet, the usual was unchanged, and the product regarded acquainted. They’re locked in, and so they’re able to do it once more.
2) Payton Pritchard is prepared for a much bigger position.
Final 12 months, Pritchard averaged 22.3 minutes an evening and supplied 9.6 factors, 3.4 assists and three.2. rebounds per sport. It wouldn’t shock me all 4 of these numbers elevated this season. I’d guess one thing round 25 minutes, 12 factors, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.
Pritchard is on the market in shut video games, on the market in blowouts and on the market for all the things in between. He may very well be within the operating for Sixth Man of the 12 months if all the things goes in line with plan.
3) They need to be simply nice at heart.
Most groups would battle immensely with a participant of Kristaps Porzingis’ caliber out and certainly one of Al Horford’s caliber solely enjoying some video games.
As they’ve made abundantly clear, the Celtics should not most groups. Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. are each ready for added accountability. They complement one another completely and likewise complement the Celtics’ personnel completely.
Kornet appears extra comfy ending on the rim, and Tillman appears extra comfy stroking it from distance. Count on each to play, and to play properly the overwhelming majority of nights.
4) They may set the file for many 3-pointers tried in a season.
Final season, the Celtics tried by far probably the most 3-pointers within the league at 3,482 (42.5 per sport), and so they nonetheless managed to submit the second-best 3-point proportion at 38.9.
Within the preseason this 12 months, they tried 52.6 per sport, which was by far probably the most of any crew within the league. Subsequent closest was the Bulls at 47.3.
The 2018-19 Houston Rockets have probably the most 3-point makes an attempt per sport in NBA historical past at 45.4. Do not be shocked if the Celtics break that mark this 12 months. They’ve the personnel to do it, a coach who believes within the idea and a method of play that organically yields an entire lot of three’s.
5) Just a few roster spots are up for grabs.
So, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Vacation, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are all locks. That’s 10 proper there.
The best way I’d personally do the ultimate 5 is: Neemias Queta, Lonnie Walker IV, Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh and JD Davison. Drew Peterson and Baylor Scheierman have proven some indicators, however I feel one other 12 months primarily within the G-League would profit each.
Walsh is able to make the bounce and contribute periodically, and I feel Davison would profit extra from being round NBA stars than dominating in Maine.
