We Have Questions, Does Boston Have Answers?
Creator: Michael Dwyer | Credit: AP | Copyright: Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
As we get ready for Game 19 of the 2020-2021 NBA season (vs. the Golden State Warriors) there are many lingering questions from the Boston faithful. Questions like:
When will Kemba Walker get his groove back?
When will Danny Ainge use that $28.5 million TPE, and who will he get with it?
When will this team find its defensive chops?
Where is that ball movement that we love from this team?
The Kemba Walker question is the easiest of the four to answer. Like any other player coming back from an injury, it takes time. With no preseason and training camp to work off the rust, it will have to come during the regular season. It will be even harder for Walker, who will not play in back-to-back games at all this season as the medical staff continues to monitor his knee. Walker’s input is measured in more than points and assists, but there are going to be games where the Celtics will need both from him, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will deliver. It’s just a matter of time!
What Ainge will do with the TPE is the hardest to answer. That is a lot of money to have at your disposal, and there are many ways to use it. A long-time friend of mine, Ernie Lampkin, and I talk basketball all of the time (looking to one day work on a podcast) and the one thing we talk about when it comes to adding players is: “Does this player “move the needle?”
What we mean by that is how many more wins does this player get the Celtics? Does he get Boston from the 3-4 seed to the top seed in the East? Does this player get them from the East Finals to the Finals? Can he be on the floor in the last five minutes of the game and have an impact on the outcome?
There are many players available but few that will get Boston what it needs. A low post scoring threat is missing from Boston’s offensive arsenal, and players like Nikola Vucevic in Orlando and Andre Drummond in Cleveland could fit that need. Rumors are swirling that Drummond is seeking a buyout from the Cavaliers and wants to join the Nets. Despite having limited money, Boston does have more cap flexibility than Brooklyn, and Drummond could become the starting center the minute he gets off the plane at Boston Logan International Airport. While he may not get as many offensive opportunities, he leads the NBA in rebounding and this has been an area of weakness for the last few seasons for the C’s, despite making deep playoff runs.
Vucevic is also an instant upgrade, a good passer, and is shooting 83% from the free-throw line this season, meaning he can be on the floor during crunch time. Other names I have seen rumored are Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier of the Magic, Buddy Hield of the Kings, and recently JJ Redick of the New Orleans Pelicans. You can never have enough floor spacers, and Redick and Hield fill that role/need very well! In my opinion, Drummond and Vucevic “move the needle” because more scoring and rebounding at the five frees up others to get the transition game going with all the athleticism Boston has at the wing. We will find out soon enough as the trade deadline is rapidly approaching (March 25).
When will the top five defense show up? No training camp, no preseason, and not a lot of team workouts in the offseason have made this difficult, but at the end of the day, defense is all about desire. The pieces are in place for this team to upgrade itself on that end of the floor and we will find out just how bad the Celtics want to get better on that end, especially with the defensive leader Marcus Smart out for a minimum of two weeks with a calf strain.
Does Robert Williams have it in him to be the starter? He has shown glimpses of ability in limited minutes, but maybe it’s time to give him a larger role and see if he can handle it. He is easily the most agile of the Boston bigs and in my opinion, has the biggest upside. On the 2008 title team, the second unit was tough defensively and the 2021 team’s second unit must find their mettle. You must be able to give Brown and Tatum rest during games and a solid defense does that. Time to get tough, Green!
I love the ball movement from this team, but there are games where it is nonexistent. I have been and will continue to track one particular stat: assists. I have noticed that when this team has 25 or more assists in a game they have been victorious 80% of the time. Ball movement makes this team, particularly Walker, Brown, and Tatum, even better. The Celtics must move the ball and find the best shot whenever possible. I feel as though their season’s success depends on it.
Overall, I am not worried about this team. Danny Ainge will make the right moves and Brad Stevens will get this team up to par on the defensive side of the ball. Regardless, buckle up and hold on tight. This ride may get a lot bumpier before it starts to settle.
