Fansided

5 takeaways from the Celtics shutting down the 76ers process

By Jeremy Lambert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: As Boston Celtics Al Horford, left, was doing a post-game interview, teammate Jayson Tatum jumped in and called him, "Playoff Al" before running away. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on May 5, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 5: As Boston Celtics Al Horford, left, was doing a post-game interview, teammate Jayson Tatum jumped in and called him, "Playoff Al" before running away. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on May 5, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jaylen Brown;Jayson Tatum
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jaylen Brown;Jayson Tatum /

2. The new Boston Big 3

Yes, Al Horford is the best player on the Celtics. But man. Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and Jayson Tatum are really good.

Tatum averaged 23.6 points on 52 percent shooting. Brown, who was dealing with a hamstring injury all series, posted 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting and 3-of-4 from 3 in Game 5. Rozier made people remember Drew Bledsoe and forget all about that Tom Brady guy.

This should not have been a five-game series with the injuries Boston was dealing with. They lost Gordon Hayward minutes into the first game of the season. They didn’t have Kyrie Irving and his championship DNA to score when they needed buckets. But they somehow got it done thanks to these three.

No, Boston should not consider trading Irving and/or Hayward in the offseason. Instead, you view those guys as two All-Star free agent signings that you’re adding to an Eastern Conference Finalist. Yikes.

Of course, no Big 3 is complete without the right role players. And I’d be remise if I didn’t praise Marcus Smart because I love me some Marcus Smart. Smart is like J.R. Smith, Tony Allen, and Lance Stephenson all rolled up into one package who is considered a shooting guard, but will defend centers if asked to. Rozier, Tatum, and Brown deserve all the credit in the world for their ability, but it helps to have a guy like Smart running through walls for you.

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