The preseason is over for the Celtics, and, frankly, they seemed 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 fearful a couple of championship hangover, I believe 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 below 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 part from right here is just an opportunity to cement and increase his legacy even additional.
Maybe essentially the most encouraging improvement is that his outdoors shot seems to now not have a hitch. Tatum was aggressive from 3-point vary, trying 9 per sport and hitting 38.9 % within the preseason. In any other case, it was just about establishment for among the best gamers on this planet.
Grade: A-
Jaylen Brown
Brown had some moments of brilliance, however he seemed a bit shaky at instances as nicely. Whereas he does seem to have placed on some additional muscle, he shot 19 % from 3 and turned it over 2.3 instances per sport in simply 22.6 minutes.
It’s nothing to fret about, however grading him within the A variety primarily based solely on this wouldn’t be correct.
Grade: B
Jrue Vacation
Vacation has earned the best to basically chill within the preseason. He performed simply 16 minutes per sport over three contests and shot 52.9 %. He managed to common a steal per sport and put fixed strain on the ball.
He stays a very excellent match for this crew.
Grade: B+
Derrick White
White continues to dam pictures at a ridiculous price. He averaged 1.3 per sport whereas enjoying a mean of 24 minutes.
He was a bit careless with the ball at instances (1.5 turnovers) and didn’t shoot it too nicely (37.8 % from the ground), however his power and tempo have been instrumental in Boston’s success. I’d wish to see a stat for what number of runs a participant sparks, as a result of I’m fairly certain White could be close to the highest of the league.
Grade: B
Al Horford
Horford performed only one sport and seemed a bit rusty, but it surely’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 nice. Giving him a grade feels foolish, as a result of the pattern measurement is just 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 sport, a preseason sport, a regular-season sport or a playoff sport, 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 sport. He hit well timed pictures, made life simpler for his teammates and barely turned the ball over. It might be a protracted shot for him to win Sixth Man of the 12 months, but it surely’s not inconceivable.
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 type 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 begin 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 sport, and it seems he’s extra assured than ever coming 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 in addition showcased an improved means to beat defenders off the dribble. Whenever you hit a pair in a row, the protection has no alternative however to swarm. Make the best learn, take just a few dribbles and hit the open man or stick a jumper. He’s doing simply that.
Grade: A
Xavier Tillman Sr.
Very like Kornet, Tillman suits this crew completely. Additionally like Kornet, the Celtics can belief him when their high bigs are out. He seems extra snug total, and significantly from 3-point vary, the place he shot 54.5 % within the preseason.
Tillman additionally averaged 0.8 blocks per sport in 17.2 minutes an evening, which is a promising signal for the Celtics.
Grade: A-
Jordan Walsh
The best approach to sum it up is that Walsh seemed 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 best thought 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 persistently placing all of it collectively.
Jordan Walsh confirmed actual flashes all through this preseason. Here is what stood out to me:
– Constantly performed at managed tempo
– Constantly made good choices
– Improved launch from 3
– Legit burst/first step on drives
– Excessive-level defensive potential pic.twitter.com/Vxo7Rc6I0R— Marc D’Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 16, 2024
Grade: A-
Neemias Queta
Queta is an attention-grabbing one, as a result of he has some moments the place he seems large and others the place he seems a bit misplaced.
Whereas he would not naturally slot in fairly in addition to Kornet and Tillman stylistically, he does supply a shot-blocking aspect that few backup bigs within the league present. His size is spectacular, and the following 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 seems higher, he’s a dependable dribbler and he performs onerous on protection, however shot choice, decision-making and turnovers are nonetheless a problem.
He’s actually proper in between a daily function participant and a G-League standout. This season may very well be a pivotal one for him long run.
Grade: B+
Drew Peterson
Peterson has improved rather a lot. Give him credit score. The fact is that he’s a poor man’s Hauser in the meanwhile, so it’s going to be onerous for him to carve out a real function. Having mentioned that, he deserves reward for a way a lot he’s labored on his sport.
Grade: A-
Lonnie Walker IV
Walker is an NBA participant, interval. Whether or not that’s with the Celtics or with another crew, he deserves to be within the league. I personally would maintain 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 a complete 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 be aware 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. Determination-making, verify. Now, it’s about adjusting to the tempo of the NBA and determining the way to deliver these expertise 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 entering into it right here. This man’s not dangerous! Shades of a much less cellular Dino Radja (OK, possibly not fairly). However hey, he makes good choices, has mushy arms 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 onerous to grade him precisely. He ought to fare nicely 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 onerous, which actually counts for one thing.
Grade: N/A