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Boston Celtics: How Big Can Aron Baynes Be?

By Joshua Bateman

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Aron Baynes #46 look on from the bench during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Hornets 94-82. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 2: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Aron Baynes #46 look on from the bench during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Hornets 94-82. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Aron Baynes can offer a unique and much needed impact on the Boston Celtics front court

The Boston Celtics had a major problem in their interior last season, and they never really found that player that could consistently work alongside Al Horford. The Celtics were always effective with him at the five and Jae Crowder at the four, but that was not always sustainable, as Amir Johnson would start at the five, allowing Horford to play where he is more comfortable.

The problem is that Johnson was far too undersized, and Horford could not make up for that, especially in the rebounding department. Come playoff time it was clear that the Celtics needed to change things up, and that lead Brad Stevens to change around his rotation, to try and find something that might work in the front court.

The problem is that there really was not an answer on that roster. The Celtics did not have a single player they could trust that could bring that kind of traditional size and presence in the paint, and time and time again they had to find ways to make up for the problems that created.

It is only one preseason game, and he still has a lot to prove before we can say with any confidence that he will start, but Aron Baynes could be the man to finally fill that role. The Celtics will already be bigger with their new back court, but rebounding will continue to be a liability if they do not have someone that can make up for Horford in that area.

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Baynes is not going to be any kind of league leader in rebounding, but he will finally give them that big that can box out properly, with great stature to prevent opponents from crashing on their shots and collecting far too many offensive rebounds.

The Celtics do not have the players to be a top rebounding team, but a front court of Horford and Baynes should not be a liability in that area, and that could be the most important thing the Celtics want from their second starting big.

What could makes Baynes even more important is that, if he can have this impact, he is literally the only player on the team that can offer it. Every other big on this team is undersized. All those young prospects and Marcus Morris are here for their versatility, and potential to stretch the floor as a forward.

Baynes does not have that offensive or defensive versatility, and he is not going to stretch the floor, but there is a good chance the Celtics will not need as much of that on the starting unit. Even if others can offer higher potential, the Celtics do not need a game changer in that position.

The Celtics know their top players on that starting unit, and a secure option starting next to Horford will allow them to focus on what they do best, rather than trying to make up for everyone else.

Last year we saw Avery Bradley‘s rebounding numbers sky rocket as he tried to make up for those issues, and we clearly saw the rest of his impact and activity suffer. The Celtics do not want their back court players to have to worry about rebounding as a priority, and it looks a lot like Baynes is the only one that will allow that to happen.

Baynes will never fill the stat sheet too well, and will not make the flashy plays, but if he brings the whole package as a presence in the paint, he could have one of the most underrated impacts on this team.

Even in that preseason game we saw the toughness he could bring. No one is going to push Baynes around in the paint, and he is going to do all the things that the Celtics do not want Horford doing.

The Celtics want Horford to have the freedom to embrace his own versatility. As great as some of the young bigs look on the Celtics, none of them will come close to having the versatile impact that Horford does.

The best way for the Celtics to get versatility in that starting unit front court is if Baynes is able to handle everything else, opening up what makes Horford so special.

Anyone having this kind of impact on the Celtics would be massive for this team, but when you only have one real option, that makes him even more important.

Next: When he Returns, Should Morris Start?

Who knows how much Stevens will be able to get out of Baynes, but if he has the kind of impact that fans are dreaming of after just one preseason game, he could transform the front court problems of a season ago.

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