*NEW ACQUISITION
Starters∂48 wins ∂Lose in 1st round ∂Thanks to Brad Stevens, the C’s will lead the NBA in after–T.O. points.A large share of criticism surrounding
Kyrie Irving last season was his
ball dominance. Jayson Tatum’s
and Jaylen Brown’s development
slowed after a breakout postseason
in 2017–18, when Irving was out injured. Boston’s
secondary scorers spent much of the season
isolated on the wing waiting for a catch-and-shoot
opportunity. As Irving cooked, Boston watched.
Irving is now in Brooklyn, replaced by former
Hornet Kemba Walker. Does that mean Boston
will feature a more egalitarian offense in 2019–20
under Walker? Don’t assume so. WALKER’S
USAGE RATE OF 30.8 was actually higher than
Irving’s 28.6. And it was especially pronounced
late in games. His 126 shots in clutch situations
(within five points in the final five minutes) led the
league. Charlotte’s dreadful roster is at least partly
responsible for Walker’s late-game volume, but
don’t assume a marked change in Boston’s offense
to close games without Irving. —M.S.30.8
TELLING NUMBER
KEMBA
WALKER*
25.6 PPG; 5.9 APG;
43.4 FG%; 35.6 3FG%PG
MARCUS
SMART
8.9 PPG; 4.0 APG;
42.2 FG%; 36.4 3FG%SG
JAYSON
TATUM
15.7 PPG; 6.0 RPG;
45.0 FG%; 37.3 3FG%SF
ENES
KANTER*
13.7 PPG; 9.8 RPG;
1.7 APG; 54.9 FG%CENEMY LINES
A rival scout weighs inLast season you could
see a disconnect on
the floor. The body
language was bad,
there was a lack of
communication....
They take a huge
step back at center.
Al Horford [now with
Philly] and AaronBaynes [Phoenix] are
elite defenders. ENES
KANTER is one of the
worst. He’s not a bad
post defender. It’s the
pick-and-rolls where
you attack him....
If you took a poll of
coaches in the league,
JAYSON TATUM is in the top
five of young players.
He is an incredible
pure scorer. But for
a player who getsthe touches he gets,
the playmaking—the
assists, the hockey
assists, that’s the
next progression....
Most people see JAYLEN
BROWN as a tier below
Tatum. But you can
argue that he is a better
all-around player. He
can average 16, 17
points. His defense
plays every night....
Boston is the perfectsystem for KEMBA WALKER.
The offense is very
structured. He is going
to have the ball in his
hands a lot, and he
makes good decisions.
The pick-and-roll
offense should be really
good. Kemba shoots it
at a high level. He’s very
reliable.... MARCUS SMART
is an elite defender.
Draymond [Green]
might be the only wingplayer better. Maybe.
I wouldn’t hesitate to
put Smart on a center.
The last seven minutes
of a game, he’s the
best guard defender in
the league.... GORDON
HAYWARD is a wild card.
I don’t know if he ever
gets back to that player
we saw in Utah. But
you could see his body
come around toward
the end of last season.Projected Lineup
GORDON
HAYWARD
11.5 PPG; 4.5 RPG;
46.6 FG%; 33.3 3FG%SG
SEMI
OJELEYE
3.3 PPG; 1.5 RPG;
0.4 APG; 42.4 FG%PFBench
PF
JAYLEN
BROWN
13.0 PPG; 4.2 RPG;
46.5 FG%; 34.4 3FG%Crystal Ball: 73
BRIAN BABINEAU/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES (WALKER)
Celtics
BOSTON
2018 – 19 RECORD 49– 33 3rd in Atlantic
COACH BRAD STEVENS 7th season with CelticsTHE
EAST