Through 30 games played, the Boston Celtics find themselves in complete disarray.
After making it all the way to within two games of reaching the NBA Finals in 2019-20, their follow-up season has been quite a roller coaster ride of emotion, one that now finds itself heading down the track.
Losing nine of their last 15 outings, the Cs now find themselves back to a measly .500 record at 15-15, with no clear-cut answer of how they can keep this sinking ship afloat.
While there have been several reasons for this lackluster play, General Manager and President of Basketball Operations, Danny Ainge, has stepped to the plate and has taken responsibility for the disappointment:
"“We’re not playing with the passion that we need. I think that’s on the players. And the players on the team are on me,” Ainge said. “There are things I could have done better, but I’m not going to mention names. I’ll take this responsibility. This is a team that was put together by me, and we’re not playing with enough consistency and urgency, and it’s my job to look to see what we can do to improve the team, but that’s always much harder than improving from within.”"
The Boston Celtics should consider making starting lineup alterations
In regard to what he “can do to improve the team”, there are a few ideas that fans and media alike have floated out there.
Some believe looking to the free-agent market could be the route to take, while others are under the impression that a trade needs to be made to better this team’s chances at attaining victories moving forward.
While we at the Houdini, of course, are behind both of these hypothetical scenarios, at this point in time, the Cs should simply look at what they currently have and figure out a way to make the most of those on the active roster — after all, the aforementioned moves listed above will take some time to culminate.
Perhaps something as simple as a rotation alteration could spark a new fire under the shamrocks.
In regard to such alterations, we believe there are 2 specific players the Boston Celtics should consider thrusting into their starting rotation:
Boston Celtics player deserving of a start No. 1) Semi Ojeleye
On the season, Semi Ojeleye is showing everyone why Danny Ainge didn’t hesitate to pick up the fourth and final season of his rookie deal with the Boston Celtics. Frankly, at $1.7 million, the 26-year-old is arguably a steal in regard to how he’s been producing.
Through 29 games played, Ojeleye is posing career-high averages of 5.7 points and three boards a game on 42 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep.
Though his per-game stats may not blow anyone away, it is the efficiency he is playing at and the effort he puts forth on a nightly basis that has fans truly impressed with the former second-round pick.
Though only measuring in at 6-6, we believe Brad Stevens should try slotting Ojeleye in at starting power forward full time for a multitude of reasons.
Though he may only be smaller than a traditional power forward, his strength allows him to bang down low with the best of them, while his defensive prowess is an aspect of his game well known amongst Cs fans — who can forget his stellar play on Giannis Antetokounmpo when they last met in the postseason?
Boasting his team’s third-best offensive rating of 118 (both out of players logging 300+ minutes), his two-way efficiency this season could be a fantastic jolt of energy for Boston’s starting five.
With Ojeleye at the four, perhaps Stevens could shove Daniel Theis down to the pivot and run his favored small-ball/ five-out lineup, something he can’t truly execute with Tristan Thompson.
Add in the fact that, during his six games starting this season — most of which were out of necessity, however –, the forward posted solid averages of 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from deep and you have all the more reason to tweak the lineup once more and roll Semi Ojeleye out as the team’s starting four.
Boston Celtics player deserving of a start No. 2) Robert Williams III
We’re gonna say it once again, folks: free the Time Lord!
From the team’s most recent loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, there were very few positive takeaways to be had — Robert Williams was one of those few.
On the night, he posted eight points, 13 boards, three assists, and four blocks on 67 percent shooting from the field. His superb defense on Zion Williamson and efficient play on both ends of the ball we the biggest reasons why coach Stevens went with the big man during crunch time in the fourth quarter and into overtime.
Seemingly all season, Williams has been an efficiency machine, albeit in limited minutes, as he’s converting on 73 percent of his shot attempts while grabbing the third most boards on the team, and finds himself leading the way amongst all of his teammates in offensive rating (133), defensive rating (101), defensive box plus-minus (2.7), and overall box plus-minus (5).
In short, the numbers show this Boston Celtics team is better with him on the court. Frankly, so too does the eye test.
When given extended action this year (between 20-29 minutes), Williams finds himself posting impressive all-around averages of 8.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, two assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks on an unbelievable 81 percent shooting from deep.
It may not happen today, it may not happen tomorrow, but soon, if Robert Williams continues to show he can remain healthy, without a doubt they need to toss him into the starting lineup for the Celtics.