The power balance for the Boston Celtics has shifted in a big way since Jaylen Brown was ruled out for the season after opting for surgery on his non-shooting hand. No longer are the Cs buoyed by a pair of All-Stars capable of creating their own shot against most any defender that attempts to point-prevent them.
Jayson Tatum will be shouldering a tremendous load by himself as the primary point of emphasis for opposing defense (or defenses) in the NBA Play-in tournament. Not only that, but Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, and Evan Fournier will now all step into bigger roles without Brown on hand.
Are they ready? This team has had minimal time to gel considering all of the absences to the aforementioned scattered throughout the year. Brad Stevens has had a difficult time figuring out which of his backups he could deploy consistently and in what combinations due to the turnover of the non-core members of the team throughout the past few off-seasons.
Well, ready or not, here come the red-hot Washington Wizards. Counted out of the postseason race just a month and a half ago, the Russell Westbrook-Bradley Beal tandem rolls into town clicking on all cylinders.
Even the role players in the nation’s capital are stepping up, with Robin Lopez being their best scoring big man and Rui Hachimura continuing a steady climb as the blue-chip complement to the All-Star backcourt.
Who is going to be the hero of the day for the Cs tonight? And, in the event the Boston Celtics have to play for their playoff lives against the winner of tonight’s Indiana Pacers/Charlotte Hornets matchup, who might be the Celtic to save the season?
Let’s examine 4 potential postseason heroes: