Boston Celtics: Teague deserves run with the starters Friday

The Boston Celtics dropped their preseason opener in Philadelphia Tuesday night, but new addition Jeff Teague proved that he deserves an extended run with the starters on Friday.

Until Kemba Walker returns in January, Brad Stevens will have to figure out how to come up with enough offense to keep the team afloat in the early portion of what should be a fascinating 2020-21 season for the Boston Celtics.

After coming within two games of the NBA Finals, many saw the Cs taking a step back this offseason with the departure of Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets in free agency. With teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets adding stars this offseason (with the Bucks landing Jrue Holiday and the Nets getting Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency), the road back to the conference finals figures to only grow more difficult.

If the Celtics fall behind early on in this season in the standings, it will be because of a lack of playmaking and ball movement with Walker’s absence. As gifted Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and (to a far lesser extent) Marcus Smart are with the ball in isolation, a true point guard needs to be the guy bringing the ball down the floor and initiating the offensive sets.

Jeff Teague proved Friday night that he could be that guy.

Teague looked sharper on Tuesday night than he has looked since his first few seasons in Minnesota. Last season, he seemed like a shell of his former self with the Atlanta Hawks, though the team was relying on him more as a Trae Young mentor than as a legitimate starter.

Teague was just that in Minnesota, but their acquisition of D’Angelo Russell eventually pushed him out of town. After feeling the ill-effects of the left foot injury that ended his 2018-19 season abruptly, Teague has found a second win in Boston…if the preseason opener is any indication.

Of course, it may not be. The typical preseason caveats apply, but this year is certainly different for guys like Teague who haven’t played since March. If Brad Stevens ignores the performance Teague just had and decides to stick with Javonte Green(???) in the starting lineup, the Boston Celtics will be moving in the wrong direction as the season approaches.

That said, if Teague starts Friday after dropping 18 points on 7/9 shooting, the Houdini will be happy.