Celtics Need Inside Scoring, Not Only a Rim Protector
By Jeremy Karll
One the biggest needs this off-season for the Celtics is finding a rim protector, but they also can’t forget to get help in the paint on offense
With the Boston Celtics entering the off-season with eight total picks in the draft and the cap space to sign two players to max deals, there is a lot of focus on them finding a rim protector. Boston lacked an anchor down low who struck fear into opposing players driving the lane. Their only protection down low was a 6’9″ power forward – Amir Johnson.
Not having a rim protector put a glaring hole in their otherwise very good defense. Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart all are great defensive wings, however, none can be put on the block and stop a player from driving the lane and getting an easy layup.
Adding a rim protector would make an already good Celtics’ defense great, but Boston can’t forget their need for an inside scorer as well.
The Celtics didn’t have one reliable scorer down low last season. Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk would rather shoot from three or 15-feet out and Johnson is usually forgotten on offense. Besides, Sullinger and Johnson might not be on the team next season.
Boston led the Eastern Conference in points per game last season (105.7) but was the worst shooting playoff team. They only shot 43.9 percent from the field as they lived and died by the three, and that was eventually their demise in the playoffs. The fast-paced tempo the Celtics played at allowed them to get up more shots than anyone per game, meaning the quality of shots wasn’t always the best.
Boston’s fast-paced offense did lead to a lot of easy layups and jump shots when they were able to get on fastbreaks, however, in the playoffs they weren’t able to play like that. The game slowed down and they weren’t able to create shots in half-court scenarios.
It was easier to trap Isaiah Thomas or put a much bigger defender on him to make him work for his points. When that happened Thomas would either forget about passing and take a contested jump shot or dribble out the shot clock in hopes of getting to the rim for a circus shot layup. Sure, he scored close to 25 points a night but he shot under 40 percent from the field and was always struggling to find his shot.
It’s easy to use Avery Bradley’s injury as a scapegoat of why the Celtics lost, however, the truth is they weren’t built to play in the playoffs. When Boston would go through scoring droughts they would continue to throw up shots in hopes that someone would catch fire. It worked better in the regular season because their fastbreak type offense led to more open shots and they were able to catch the defense off-balanced to drive the lane.
The Celtics needed someone they could feed the ball to inside so the defense would have to collapse and it would lead to an open three. The Atlanta Hawks used Paul Millsap in that way and it worked when he was able to get going. Boston would lose focus on Kyle Korver or Kent Bazemore and they’d either get an open three or cut backdoor for an easy layup.
The Celtics didn’t have the option to play inside-out. Sullinger was bullied down low as he’s not a natural back to the basket player, Olynyk was hurt and is more comfortable on the perimeter, which led to the Celtics relying on Johnson. It didn’t work as the Celtics averaged a terrible 93.8 points per game in the playoffs and shot a playoff-worst 38.4 percent from the field.
Everyone waited in hope that Boston would be able to find their outside shot or that they’d be able to speed up the game. The fact of the matter is the playoffs are a slower, more defensive-minded game and the Celtics weren’t built for that. They were never great at creating their own shot during the regular season and it was on full display come playoff time.
Adding a player who can score inside and be a rim protector would make the Celtics a lot better than people might think. However, the Celtics need more than someone they can lob alley-oops to or a player who can only score on put backs. While that would still be an improvement, Boston’s offense will be taken to another level if they sign or draft a player who can play with their back to the basket.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?
In the upcoming draft, there’s not many rim protectors. Dragan Bender – widely considered the best big man in the draft – isn’t a rim protector and likely won’t ever be. He likes to hang around the perimeter and can guard wing players better than most big men, however, doesn’t have the natural shot blocking ability needed.
The Celtics would have to either trade down or reach for Jakob Poeltl with the third pick to find a potential shot blocker in the draft. The Celtics best bet would to find a player who has a developed inside game in the draft and go after a player like Hassan Whiteside or Bismack Biyombo in free agency.
Next: 5 Players the Celtics Could Draft With the 16th Pick
The Celtics have shown that they’re a playoff-caliber team, so the next step is trying to win in the playoffs. Their defense wasn’t terrible in the playoffs as their guards were able to make up for the lack of a rim protector but there’s no way to win if you don’t score. The Celtics need a back to the basket player they can feed the ball to inside to create open shots on the perimeter or they’ll continue to struggle on offense in the playoffs.