Boston Celtics: 3 things we need to see in the second half of the 2019-20 season

A fully healthy center rotation

For the entire 2019-20 season — heck, pretty much since Al Horford left this past offseason — the media (ourselves included) have been pretty down on the state of the Boston Celtics’ center position.

None of the combination of Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter and Robert Williams (at least, not yet) have proven to be worthy of a starting center spot on a championship contending team. However, in small spurts playing together — Williams has missed 33 out of a potential 52 games — this year, we’ve seen a great one-two-three punch from the team’s pivot trifecta.

When it was thought of as a “no brainer” that the C’s should look into acquiring a center — at this time, specifically Andre Drummond — our very own Lyle Morrison said it best:

"I think this would be a foolish move for a variety of reasons. First, because of the Celtics Hydra at center and the flexibility it affords them. They get added versatility in distributing their minutes between three centers that can all be deployed more tactically. Brad Stevens can plug in whoever he needs at any given time. When they need shooting to stretch the floor or a versatile rim protector, they put in Theis. Theis is an elite level rim protector with comparable DBPM and Block% numbers to Andre Drummond (in 12 less minutes per game, mind you.) When they want some energy on the offensive glass or need a bucket on a post up, they can put in Kanter. I was among the many Kanter skeptics this season, but after a mediocre start he has really ramped it up as of late and I’m sitting here with a plate full of crow. He’s rebounding at an elite rate and would be among the league leaders in virtually all rebounding metrics were he to have enough minutes to qualify. And when they need some athleticism and a legitimate shot blocking presence, they have the Time Lord himself, Robert Williams. Williams would be among the leagues best shot blockers were he to qualify in minutes. Plus with three more years on a team-friendly deal, years where he’s poised to make the jump to an athletic rim runner on par with the leagues best, he’s the perfect combination of affordable and effective."

When healthy, the Celtics really have all they need from a center rotation: outside scoring, a fantastic post presence, rim protection and stellar rebounding skills on both sides of the ball.

Individually, they may not have what it takes to hold down the five spot.

But together? Now that’s a troublesome combination of earth, wind and fire.