The Boston Celtics Newest Additions Will Help Transform Their Offense

Despite suffering significant loses via free agency, the Boston Celtics newly acquired players can stabilize Boston’s offense at an elite level.

Those who associate themselves with the Boston Celtics knew that changes would be inevitable this summer. The only question was, would it be with Anthony Davis or a darker timeline?

Folks, we are now in the darker timeline.

A season of pent up fear and angst over Kyrie Irving’s free agency decision was increased twofold with Al Horford’s decision to join a conference rival in the Philadelphia 76ers. Who knew Horford would be helping to form one of the most fearsome starting lineups in the NBA alongside Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Josh Richardson.

The pain the franchise and fanbase suffered over the two losses was quelled a bit by the additions of All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, and a group of generally fun and genuine guys that includes Enes Kanter, Grant Williams, Carsen Edwards, Romeo Langford, and Tremont Waters.

Walker can primarily make up for what was lost offensively with Irving and is somewhere on the same end of the spectrum on the defensive end. Walker averaged 25 points per game last season as well as making third-team All-NBA. Walker will now be entering a Brad Stevens system that has a history of elevating point guards.

Most of the question marks now surrounding the team is who will fill the void of Horford? Horford’s impact as the general of Boston’s consistent top-five defense was the foundation in which the team’s identity was built.

Kanter has been a defensive liability his whole career, Daniel Theis cannot handle the behemoths of the league, Robert Williams doesn’t have the reps to be a full-time starter, and Vincent Poirier is an unknown commodity who doesn’t have a ton of NBA experience.

If the Celtics want to compete with the best teams in the east, let alone the entire league, they will need to have an elite offense. The problem with that is coach Stevens isn’t exactly notorious for having hyper-efficient offenses.

From Stevens’ first year, the Boston Celtics offensive rating has ranked 27th, 18th, 10th, 8th, 18th, and 10th respectively. The highest mark coming in 2017 when the team featured Isaiah Thomas as a supercharged MVP candidate on offense.

Their tenth place ranking this past season is a bit misleading. The team was inconsistent on that end all year with players not wanting to make sacrifices for the betterment of the group.

Strangely enough, there was a chunk of time where the Boston Celtics were the best offensive team in the league this past season. A 16 game sample size would suggest it wasn’t an aberration.

From November 18th – December 25th the Boston Celtics were first in points per game at 117.4 and tied for second in offensive rating at 115.2. Touting the best record during that stretch going 11-6.

Starting from December 26th through the end of the season those numbers dropped to 112.9 (16th) and 112.4 (9th.) That’s almost a fourth of the season spent crushing teams on offense, what changed during that stretch?

The team’s pace stayed about the same, 100.74 from November to December, and 100.45 the months after. The most noticeable difference was playing as a team, and overall less selfish play.

Shooting statistics from 11/18 – 12/25:

Catch and shoot three frequency 29.3%

Pullup jumper frequency 27.6%

Shot less than 10ft frequency 38.2%

27.1 catch and shoot threes per game

Combined 33 “wide open/open” threes per game

Shooting Statistics from 12/26 – 4/10:

Catch and shoot three frequency 26.7%

Pullup jumper frequency 27.5%

Shot less than 10ft frequency 39.5%

24 Catch and shoot threes per game

Combined 29 “wide open/open” three per game

Players also spent less time pounding the ball in iso situations during this timeframe. Here’s what the data said about how long players were holding the ball on average per touch.

Touch time from 11/18 – 12/25:

Less than two seconds 55% frequency

2-6 seconds 38.5% frequency

6+ seconds 8.7% frequency

Touch time from 12/26 – 4/10:

Less than two seconds 52.8% frequency

2-6 seconds 35.4% frequency

6+ seconds 11.7% frequency

The most glaring data point is the difference in frequency of holding the ball for 6+ seconds at a time. This goes back to players not trusting each other, or not believing that they’ll get the ball back once they give it up which was the common theme for this team all year.

Boston averaged 316 passes per game from 11/18 – 12/25, and only 290 from 12/26 – 4/10,

It’s no coincidence that right in the middle of this timeframe is when Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris were substituted into the starting lineup for Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward.

via GIPHY

The play above is during Boston’s hot offensive stretch. This play encapsulates the type of game the Celtics were producing on a nightly basis, whether they were playing a good or bad team. Tatum attacked a closeout and made a simple kick-out pass. Boston moved the ball around the perimeter to find the best shot as the best offensive teams routinely do.

The only significant difference among the players individual numbers during their hot stretch was Tatum. His numbers from late November through Christmas went up to 18 points per game on slightly better efficiency, as well as getting a few more touches per game; 48 during compared to 43 after.

It was clear last year that Tatum should have been Boston’s consistent number two scoring option, but didn’t always get to play to his potential due to so many other established scorers on the roster.

This is where the arrival of Walker could greatly benefit Tatum as a player, as well as the team as a whole. Through his bevy of interviews he’s already participated in since officially becoming a member of the Boston Celtics, much of Walker’s remarks have been centered on doing things to make his teammates better.

It doesn’t take long to figure out how highly Walker views Jaylen Brown and particularly Tatum as basketball players, but especially as people.

In a one on one interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, Kemba had this to say about Tatum while the two were together in Paris,

"“Jayson’s such a good guy, such a great player, but for the most part I just like being around high character guys with work ethic, just guys who I can be around, be myself around. That’s kind of the vibe I got from JT when I was around him. When we left Paris and the days went on, free agency came and I made my decision, a lot was because of him.”"

Walker also had some interesting things to say about Brown,

"“He’s a great kid; he’s smart, really smart; I know he’s into tech and stuff like that. I got a chance to meet his family as well, his brother and his mom. Being around him, he’s just so down to earth, such a good kid and a person I can be around. That’s just the kind of people that I like, I just like to be myself and be comfortable around people, and I think those two guys are great examples of two guys who are just good people.”"

Walker went on to say that the two young wings were one of the driving forces behind him choosing to sign with the Boston Celtics. Walker already has a lot vested in two players he hasn’t even played with yet. It’s hard to not assume he’ll do everything he can to help them flourish while they’re all together.

With Irving in the mix, it seemed he often saw himself above the team, often calling them out publicly for their mistakes. Irving never hesitated to make the world aware of how he’s “been there before” in terms of the biggest stage and knowing what it takes to win a championship..

Walker, even with his eight years of experience in the league, admitted you’re never too old to learn. When asked by Boston Celtics reporter, Marc D’Amico what It’ll take for the Celtics to get where they want to go, Walker said he’ll look to his younger teammates for help,

"“A lot, I think in that aspect these guys will have to show me what it takes. They’ve been there I haven’t. I’ve only made the playoffs two times in my career, and that’s why I came here.”"

Having a team full of guys that trust and enjoy each other’s company would make players more willing to make the right play on the court, and avoid stagnating the offense with boneheaded isolations.

Many think that Tatum is going to have an all-star year now that he’ll have more of a chance to spread his wings. He even stated to Jeff Goodman on the “Good n Plenty” podcast what he intends to improve this summer.

"“I think an area for me would to be able to shoot more threes off the dribble. Being more comfortable playing the pick and roll for this upcoming season.”"

Referring to it again later,

"“That’s something I really want to work on a lot. The best players at my position – Paul George, KD guys like that. They feel very comfortable shooting catch and shoot threes and threes off the dribble.”"

Tatum has already shown flashes as a capable pick and roll ball handler, placing in the 71st percentile last season.

I took a look at some of the elite offenses in the league to see which ones were more comparable to a team littered with elite scorers out of the pick and roll. The Portland Trailblazers had the third-best offensive rating in 2018-2019 with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum running the show; the P&R serving as their bread and butter.

One glaring issue with the way Stevens runs his offense whether it’s guys coming of curls or operating a traditional screen and roll, the action is taking place on or below the three-point line

via GIPHY

Since the screen by Horford is set below the arc, it opens up Irving in the midrange for two points as opposed to three points from above the line. One of the significant advantages of Horford on the offensive end is his ability to make threes at an above-average rate and put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. The Celtics routinely bailed defenses out by not maximizing the talents of Irving and Horford as frequently as they could have.

via GIPHY

By setting the screen way above the three-point line, Lillard has the ability to pull up for three or attack the slower footed Gobert on the way to the rim.

Looking at the Blazers, they almost always run their action way above the three-point line since teams have to respect Lillard’s range. Walker, Irving, and Lillard all have a very similar skill set. While Lillard’s range extends way beyond the average NBA player, Irving stays proficient in the midrange, and Walker seems to be somewhere in between.

Adjusting where the Boston Celtics operate their offense would greatly benefit Tatum as well, as most wing defenders aren’t as comfortable negotiating screens that far away from the basket consistently.

Kanter, who one would assume would get the starting gig at center, at least to start the season, will play a pivotal role in this revamped offense as well. As a roll man, Kanter placed in the 67th percentile with the Trailblazers last season. He’s also a willing passer when making the short roll, or out of the post when he commands a double team.

The possibility of developing a three-point shot is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Kanter’s fit with the Celtics.

Having already coaxed Horford and Aron Baynes to take and make more threes while in Boston, it’s not a bad bet to see someone with Kanter’s soft-touch being able to make them sooner rather than later.

Some of the Boston Celtics’ biggest problems last season took place on the court but stemmed from issues embedded deep within in fabrics of the team. With Walker, Kanter, and others serving as a breath of fresh air to the franchise, don’t count this team out of title contention just yet.