Boston Celtics: what each players should be thankful for this Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving, here are some things members of the Boston Celtics should be thankful for.

We’re just over a month into the NBA season and the Boston Celtics are looking good — great even.

Are things absolutely perfect? No, but there’s a lot of things for Celtics fans to be happy with so far. They’re gelling on both ends of the court and seem to be playing together as a team.

No drama + winning games = fun basketball.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we’re reminded to be thankful and not take things for granted. With that in mind, here are things Boston Celtics players should be thankful for when they carve into their turkeys today.

Keemba Walker – A Fresh Start

Kemba Walker has had a scary past couple of days, and perhaps is the Boston Celtics player that will be reflecting most today. Walker was carried off on a stretcher after colliding head first into the chest of Semi Ojeleye last week vs. the Denver Nuggets. Luckily, the injury looked a lot worse than it actually was and Walker will retake the floor soon.

With that behind him, Walker should be thankful for a fresh start in Boston surrounded by several skilled players. He was relied on as the main player for the Charlotte Hornets for the first eight seasons of his career and had to essentially do everything for them.

After signing with the Celtics in the offseason, he now has less pressure on him to carry the team every night because he has other capable scorers around him. There is far less defensive focus on Walker than what he has been accustomed to and is surely making his life a lot easier on the court.

Jaayson Tatum – Kemba Walker’s Unselfishness

Walker’s arrival has definitely had a positive impact on the team. After being an All-Star starter last year, as well as an All-NBA selection, he came to Boston, but hasn’t tried to be their superstar.

As we found out last season, that doesn’t work.

Instead, Walker has allowed Tatum to grow and command a star role of his own. Tatum is leading the Celtics in shot attempts and is averaging five more attempts than last season.

Tatum has an incredibly high ceiling and playing alongside an unselfish point guard is seeming to have a big effect on his development and confidence.

Jaaylen Brown – Kemba Walker’s Unselfishness

Is using the same thing for Jaylen Brown to be thankful for as I did for Tatum cheating?

Maybe.

Is this trending towards a Kemba Walker appreciation post?

Also, maybe.

But, like Tatum, it appears Brown is benefiting from the arrival of Walker and his willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. Coincidentally enough, Brown is also averaging five more shot attempts than he did last season.

Sure, the injury to Gordon Hayward has opened up more playing time, but Brown will still be a critical part of the offense upon Hayward’s return and will continue to be trusted and given the opportunities to improve.

Maarcus Smart – Thick Skin

Marcus Smart is having arguably the best season of his career. Many have forgotten he was thought to be a “risk” when Boston drafted him sixth overall in the 2014 draft, because of his antics in college; which involved pushing an opposing fan and earning a three game suspension.

Boston took a chance and in return Smart has turned into one of the most underrated and valuable players in the NBA. From claims regarding his inability to score to his lack of a consistent jump shot, Smart has been able to tune all of that out and just play ball.

He has evolved into one of the most elite defenders in the league and is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year contender this season. He’s also averaging career highs in scoring and assists and is averaging almost three 3-pointers a game.

While Smart certainly has his fair share of non-believers, his ability to focus on basketball and do whatever it takes to help his team win is a driving force for his breakout 2019-20 campaign.

Goordon Hayward – Time to Recover

Gordon Hayward can’t seem to catch a break. After a gruesome leg injury just five minutes into his debut as a member of the Boston Celtics forced him to miss the entire season, he just didn’t look comfortable on the court last season.

He never really settled in and, as a result, had his worst season since his second year in the league. This year, through, he was putting up numbers very similar, if not better, than when he was named an All-Star in 2017 as a member of the Utah Jazz.

Then, he got hurt again on November 9th vs the Spurs and has been out of the lineup since. Luckily for Hayward, his return isn’t being rushed. And it doesn’t have to be. The Celtics have been just fine without him — with Brown, Tatum, and Smart all stepping up, and as a result, Boston has been able to remain near the top of the Eastern Conference.

When Hayward comes back, hopefully 100% fully healthy, the Boston Celtics will have one more weapon to put in their lineup.

From all of us here at Hardwood Houdini, we wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving!