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NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s biggest question

By Ben Ladner

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Two of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics share a handshake during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics: How will offensive roles change with a fully healthy roster?

Injuries to Gordon Hayward on opening night and Kyrie Irving midway through the year placed a cap on Boston’s ceiling, but in their absence Brown and Tatum developed ahead of schedule. Such progress rarely occurs so quickly for players so young, and with Hayward and Irving back in the fold, the Celtics enter the season with a wealth of talent rivaled only by Golden State. But adding two star players to a team that accomplished so much without them disrupts, if only slightly, the rhythm Boston settled into late in the 2018 season. Now, Brown and Tatum must find ways to remain effective on offense while dialing back usage rates and shot attempts – perhaps to a large degree – an adjustment that will require cooperation from all parties involved.

The Celtics’ offense will almost certainly operate smoothly and efficiently. The channels through which it runs and means of execution remain in question. To some degree, every player’s game overlaps with another. The role Hayward is accustomed to may not be as available with Tatum also on the floor, and vice versa. Irving may now vie for the same driving lanes Brown used in the playoffs. That can be used as an advantage as well. Most every player in Boston’s rotation is multifaceted on offense, and some matchup is bound to produce an advantage on a given night. Brad Stevens could employ a heavy stagger with his starters to ensure each gets an appropriate number of shots and involvement. Boston should obliterate opposing bench units.

Even so, the balancing of five stars (or pseudo-stars) will take time to achieve. All are too good to merely act as specialists while one player cooks. Hayward and Al Horford are probably the most functional without the ball in their hands and Horford, who hardly needs to score to make an impact, may get squeezed the most by the growing number of mouths to feed. Brown can also function well as a cutter, and all five starters can space the floor and create for others (to varying degrees). Given the coaching and personnel it has, Boston is probably a good bet to find whatever balance it needs to approach its ceiling.

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