Boston Celtics: 3 things to monitor in C’s preseason debut

What Boston Celtics fans should monitor No. 2) Who will be backup point guard?

Since the decision was made to trade Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this offseason, for the majority of time after it has been a well-established notion that, unless a major move was made, Marcus Smart would serve as the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics.

With this, many are rather excited to see the eighth-year veteran finally get the chance to man the one on a full-time basis, with some believing that he could set new career highs in certain statistical areas this year.

Now, with Smart bound for starting one duties, the next question that needs to be answered is who will serve as his primary backup?

This summer, the Cs snagged perhaps the biggest steal in free agency in Dennis Schroder, who signed on with the franchise on a one-year, $5.9 million deal. Because of his arrival, many are anticipating that the ninth-year pro will be the likely choice to come in to tap out Smart when in need of rest.

However, the fact still remains that the team’s surprise rookie performer, Payton Pritchard, is still in tow and should also be highly considered for the primary backup point guard role.

Being that Schroder is a well-known versatile talent, he could theoretically come in as a sixth-man and slot in alongside Smart at the two rather than replace him in the rotation at the one.

Should this happen, the backup point guard spot would likely be Pritchard’s for the taking which, in our humble opinion, would be the best course of action rookie head coach, Ime Udoka, could take.

Tonight, we’ll get a clearer picture as to how the Cs will go about utilizing their rather intriguing backcourt depth.