NBA season preview: 5 big questions for the Boston Celtics

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Miami Heat during a preseason game at FTX Arena on October 15, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Jayson Tatum, Jalyen Brown, Boston Celtics

Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images /

2. Can either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown take another leap?

The most straightforward path to championship contention for the Celtics is for one of their two best players to take the big step forward to becoming a first-team All-NBA performer. That’s not necessarily likely for either Tatum or Brown, but that kind of development isn’t impossible for either Boston wing.

Tatum is already an elite offensive player who can get buckets for himself whenever the Celtics offense bogs down. If he can find a way to take a few more three-pointers each game and increase his percentage to over 40 percent then he has a chance to become one of the best offensive players in the game. That, coupled with slight improvement in his defense could be enough to make him a first-team ALL NBA guy.

Brown already has the defensive chops to be considered one of the league’s best players, but he doesn’t create enough for his teammates on the offensive end of the floor to be considered one of the greats. He had the ball in his hands a lot last season and only managed 3.4 assists per game. It may be tough for Brown to ever take control of the Celtics’ offense playing with Tatum, but that’s what he needs to do if he wants to take a real step forward individually.

The Celtics can’t afford to just sit around and wait for one of their two stars to take an unlikely leap, but continued improvement from both guys could do wonders for Boston’s title chances.

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