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Aron Baynes Makes Great Claim to Start in Preseason Debut

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics grabs the rebound against the Charlotte Hornets on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics grabs the rebound against the Charlotte Hornets on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Aron Baynes was the most impressive player in the first preseason game, making him the favorite to start on opening night

The Boston Celtics opened up the preseason will all kinds of exciting and supremely talented new players on the team, making this one of the most anticipated preseason games in a long time. While the established studs in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward looked fine out there, it was a different starter who stole the show.

He did nothing crazy or flashy, but Aron Baynes played the exact way the Celtics need him to if he wants to start next to Al Horford. He was the most reliable finisher, and that included some shots from some distance.

Baynes will always be the forgotten man by the defense on that unit, and he hit his open looks every single time the play makers found him.

On defense too, Baynes brought the reliability they want next to Horford. The Celtics know that Horford is going to have an impact on defense, but he cannot do it on his own. The Celtics will struggle on defense if Horford needs to make up for the other front court player, and Baynes looked like someone we will not have to worry about on that end.

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Baynes also looked like the most comfortable player on the court. He forced nothing, and took all his opportunities in rhythm. He looked like a player that already had chemistry with the play makers on that top unit, and that is a great sign of things to come. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, and his teammates knew where to find him whenever they needed.

Baynes may not have the crazy upside of other options. He certainly does not spread the floor the way the Celtics are hoping the younger bigs will, but he has the size to help fix their rebounding woes, and allows Horford to play where he is most comfortable.

If the only concern is that he does not spread the floor to the three point line, that should not be a deal breaker. Horford already creates space from the front court, and the combo of Hayward and Irving will do more than enough to make sure the offense is never a weakness. His reliability on the inside could prove to be more valuable than any of the shooting the younger bigs could provide.

The most important thing for the Celtics at that second starting position in the front court is not having a liability anywhere on the court. The Celtics have much greater risk when they put in the younger options, and they open more things up for their opponent without the size he brings, and he is the only option to bring that size right now.

This is just the first preseason game, and this starting position is going to be a battle that extends well into the regular season, and could end up being a platoon type situation, without any consistent starter game in and game out.

Right now, however, Baynes has to be the favorite to start in that position. Stevens gave him the starting nod for this one, and he did everything he needed to make sure that he holds onto that position.

The minutes may go down in the preseason, as Stevens tries other options with the starting unit. That being said, Baynes passed every test while on the court with the first unit, and it will be very difficult for any other player to establish trust the way Baynes did in that game.

Add on that he is already a big favorite of Tommy Heinsohn, and this could be the most underrated acquisition of the offseason.

Next: Five Players to Watch in the Preseason

The best part is that the Celtics do not need Baynes to be anything more than what they already know he can do. There is also no other player on the team that can offer the same things he does with his size, and right now that makes him the favorite to start on opening day next to Horford.

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