2) Boston Celtics: Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum
The addition of Kemba Walker has truly changed the vibes at the TD Garden. Everyone is excelling in their roles, and their starting five–when healthy–is one of the league’s best. Above Daniel Theis‘ jump to a good starting center, Gordon Hayward‘s efficient return to a full-time role and even Jaylen Brown‘s leap is the ascension of Boston’s top duo.
Kemba Walker is proving to excel even more on a team better built for his talent. His points total is down, but he is becoming more of a threat as a spot-up shooter. As his attempts have gone down, his scoring inevitably has followed. What’s most important is his fit on a team that can finally get him deep in the playoffs.
We wouldn’t have Walker ranked so highly if it wasn’t for his co-Batman in Jayson Tatum. Tatum is excelling in a way he never could with Kyrie Irving controlling the offense. His scoring is up over 23 points per game after averaging 30 points per game in February.
Although his final game of the month came in a losing effort, Jayson Tatum finished February as the 5th player in Celtics history to average 30 points in a calendar month (min. 10 games).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 1, 2020
He joins Isaiah Thomas, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird and John Havlicek. pic.twitter.com/CkWBf0iyPd
It’s significant to make history like Tatum just did. That he is flanked by an All-NBA point guard playing on a contender for the first time in his career makes this duo all the more dangerous. That said, as great as they are, there is one duo better.