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Boston Celtics: 3 Things We Want To See in Preseason Opener

By Thomas King

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics are introduced prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics are introduced prior to Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 23, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum dunks
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Will the Celtics play at a faster pace this season?

Last season, the Boston Celtics played at the eighth-slowest pace in the entire league, averaging 98.23 possession per game. The New Orleans Pelicans led the league in pace at more than 102 possessions, according to NBA.com/stats.

There were times last season when Stevens lamented his players’ unwillingness to push the ball up the court in transition and dedicate themselves to sprinting hard. The Celtics don’t have to play at a breakneck pace, but with a projected starting lineup full of speed and athleticism, Boston would be foolish not to play faster.

The biggest benefit of playing the ‘Big 5’ lineup, is that every player is capable of grabbing a rebound and taking the ball up the floor themselves, which will spark plenty of fast break opportunities if the team only commits itself to playing uptempo.

When Stevens first came to coach the Celtics, he talked a lot about improving the team’s ‘pace and space’. If the Celtics can jump up to about 100 possession per game, they can unlock a different dimension to their offense and put defenses in a bind trying to defend all those shooters in space.

You ever watch Draymond Green push the ball in transition for the Golden State Warriors and see the wide-eyed terror in defenders as they frantically try to locate Steph Curry and Klay Thompson?

Next. 5 Things We Learned From Boston Celtics Media Day. dark

Well, Boston will boast five near 40 percent three-point shooters in their starting lineup; if they can play with more pace and space, there are going to be a lot of fearful defenses around the league.

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