Boston Celtics: ranking each player’s output at the halfway mark
9. Robert Williams
The “Time Lord” was given a chance to seize control of the starting center spot at the jump of the preseason. In the Celtics’ first preseason affair against the Charlotte Hornets, it seemed that this year would be a big one for Williams after catching a Gordon Hayward lob and flushing it home to ignite the TD Garden crowd.
Unfortunately, those moments have been few and far between for Boston Celtics fans. Limited to just 19 games this season, Williams has not had the breakout year many–including Hardwood Houdini co-editor Mark Nilon–expected.
Williams is expected to return just after the All-Star break but Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter may have already staked their claim for minutes…if a move for a different big man isn’t made.
8. Brad Wanamaker
The Boston Celtics have managed to get by this season with the relatively unknown Brad Wanamaker running point for the second unit. In his second year in the league, Wanamaker has upped his counting stats to a respectable six points, two assists and one rebound in 19 minutes per game.
His efficiency has taken a hit with the increased volume, but perhaps Wanamaker’s greatest contribution has come off the court, where Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters have gleaned valuable lessons from the career journeyman.
7. Enes Kanter
Enes Kanter started the season off in underwhelming fashion. Injuries derailed him from the jump, and after starting at center for the Boston Celtics against the Philadelphia 76ers, he soon found himself in the same position as last season with the New York Knicks: on the bench.
Luckily, instead of pouting, he has embraced the role. He and Marcus Smart have formed one of the league’s most spirited bench duos, and if recent play dictates anything, Kanter seems poised to return to the conference finals after starting for the Portland Trailblazers last year in the NBA’s final four.
6. Daniel Theis
After signing a two-year, $10 million deal this past summer, Daniel Theis took control of the starting center position at the onset of the 2019-20 season by being a part of an eight game winning streak to start the season.
Theis hasn’t had to do much besides play the Zaza Pachulia role within the offense; defense and finishing close looks at the rim created by the dynamic wings in the Boston Celtics starting lineup. He may serve as a trade chip if the team wants to upgrade the front-line but there may be no need because of his consistency and low-usage role in Brad Stevens’ offense.
5. Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart is the longest tenured member of the Boston Celtics, and his consistently rigid defense is a trademark of the team’s second unit. Often times this season, the team has needed Smart to step into the starting lineup, particularly during absences from Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown.
The thing separating Smart from the top four players on this list is his productivity in wins vs. his productivity in losses. Smart’s output is a little more stated when the team drops a game (14 points in such contests) than when they win (11 points per game).
That said, this team would lose its identity if Smart was ever dealt. Ainge likely knows this, and will keep Smart in uniform for the long haul.