Boston Celtics: B/R grades Cs one month into season

The Boston Celtics had a record of 8-3 until their latest three-game losing streak, getting blown out by the Knicks and losing close contests to the 76ers in back to back games. All of these outings were played without star Jayson Tatum due to COVID-19, meaning the results can be taken with a grain of salt.

If anything, the Cs were competitive in the two games against Philadelphia, showing promise in a potential playoff series down the line. The article articulates their lineup struggles early on in the season.

Bleacher Report gave the Boston Celtics a B+ for their first month of the season

Writer Grant Hughes’ main critique of the Celtics’ beginning of the season is their double-big lineup. However, he also recognizes the leaps that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have taken over the past year, while Payton Pritchard also helps the team in the immediate absence of Walker.

"Jaylen Brown narrowed the gap between himself and superstar teammate Jayson Tatum, giving Boston the league’s best under-25 tandem and setting a high night-to-night floor. Those two, without much help, can get an awful lot done on both ends.Daniel Theis and Tristan Thompson haven’t impressed in two-big looks, and Marcus Smart’s three-point shot is going in less often than it has in any year since 2017-18. Fortunately, rookie Payton Pritchard can play, which helped fill the Walker void. His deep shooting and confidence suggest he’ll be a quality backup point guard (at worst) for years to come. That’s real value at No. 26 in the 2020 draft.Though they’re just outside the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, the Celtics haven’t had their full rotation healthy at any point this season. When that changes, they’ll inch their way up toward the top five on both ends."

With both Thompson and Theis on the floor along with Marcus Smart, Brown, and Tatum, the Boston Celtics are good for a -15.6 point differential, placing their starting lineup in the 18th percentile in the league.

This lineup has since been changed, with coach Brad Stevens opting to start either Semi Ojeleye or Grant Williams in the place of Theis.

In their Friday night loss against Philadelphia, the tandem of Theis and Robert Williams looked great in the frontcourt, with the former being able to stretch the floor from distance.

Williams is still looking short-winded after his battle with COVID-19, but he will continue to get more conditioned with time. Therefore, if the Celtics ever want to go back to a double big set, look for Timelord to be on the court.

Hughes also mentions Smart’s decrease in shooting efficiency, which is factually true as of now.

Through 13 games, the longest-tenured Celtic is shooting 32 percent from the field, down from 34.7 percent last year. Expect his percentage from distance to rise, considering he is going through a slump in the last five games, including performances of 0-of-5 and 0-of-7 from long range, respectively.

Payton Pritchard has presently surprised Celtics fans with his contributions to the team so early in his career. Unfortunately, with the injury he suffered Friday night to his knee, he may miss extended time. Boston will need him, as veteran Jeff Teague is starting to look like his days as a quality backup point guard are behind him.

With the Boston Celtics dealing with an influx of injuries to important players, along with losing close games early on in the season, expect their record to improve.

A grade of B+ in the first month of the season is reasonable.

Let’s check back in a month.