3 Boston Celtics New Year’s resolutions for 2022
Boston Celtics new year’s resolution #3: A healthy core
The C’s have battled through both traditional injuries and Covid-19 so far this season, with as many as 14 players finding themselves on the injury report at one point. This has shown itself on the court, with coach Udoka’s rotations having to change on a game-by-game basis.
Going into the year, the Boston Celtics had established a young core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Robert Williams. Unfortunately, they have not been able to stay healthy as much as the Celtics wished, with both Brown and Williams missing extended periods.
However, when they have gotten on the court, all four of them hold positive net ratings, with Brown, Smart, and Tatum all recording net ratings over +6. This statistic goes to show their impact on their basketball court, along with their impressive play compared to the drastic drop in production when their backups replace them.
Ultimately, this four-man core has the potential to act as the foundation of a true contender, and it will have every opportunity to do so. Besides Brown, whose deal runs out after the 2023-24 season, the other three have contracts running through 2025-26.
Many associate the woes of the Celtics’ season with this core, but in reality, they have continued to prove themselves as vital assets of this organization. Without any one of them, the C’s seem to fall apart on both ends of the floor.
The Boston Celtics’ best lineups throughout the year have contained these four players, so let’s hope for them to stay healthy, letting the Celtics compete at their highest level.