Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from preseason win versus Raptors

Mar 4, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) returns the ball up court against Toronto Raptors forward DeAndre' Bembry (95) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) returns the ball up court against Toronto Raptors forward DeAndre' Bembry (95) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 2) The congestion of mid-tier shooting guards

In the Boston Celtics win over the Raptors last night, we saw just how uncertain the starting lineup will be, based largely on the lack of exceptional off-guards.

The three players we will be examining are Romeo Langford, Josh Richardson, and Aaron Nesmith.

We would have all hoped the guy being paid the most would be the clear best, but Richardson hasn’t been impressive enough to warrant a starting role.

In the game, Langford logged 19 minutes, Richardson 20, and Nesmith 15.

It seems as if even Udoka doesn’t know what he is going to be doing yet, but Langford got the start and did not disappoint. He finished with 13 points on5-6 shooting from the field, Richardson seven points on 3-5, and Nesmith five points on 2-4.

Many, including myself, had hoped Nesmith would get the start, as his catch-and-shoot ability can well complement the Jays, but Romeo did not let us down.

The results are far too inconclusive at this point. If Langford can continue to be the improved shooter he has shown to be this year, he could be the best bet out of all three of them. He has the defense and adds in a shooting ability that Richardson lost over these past few years, and he could be a real difference-maker.

Hopefully this issue can have a more definitive answer in the next coming games, as Udoka himself has said the starting lineup will not be fluid:

https://twitter.com/RedsArmy_John/status/1444353257464336385?s=20