Grading Every Celtics Starters’ Performance from the Regular Season

Grading Every Celtics Starters’ Performance from the Regular Season

Time Stamp: April 19, 2023 3:58 PM

The Celtics were a great unit this season, putting on incredible team performances against juggernaut teams. However, behind every team is an individual player, an individual face. Here are grades for each Celtics starters’ individual performance over the regular season, based on their expected role.

Jayson Tatum – A

Jayson Tatum for the majority of the season put up MVP caliber numbers. However, he did go through his regularly-scheduled midseason slump in February. Even in this month, he had 25.5 points per game and the All-Star Game MVP to his name after a 55 point outing with the pros.

Tatum is the only Celtic to average 30 or more points per game in a season. This is even more impressive when you think of the Celtic greats that have passed through Boston. The only players that come close are John Havlicek and Larry Bird, at 28.9 and 28.7 ppg.

Tatum has set himself up for a position in the All-NBA first team conversation, and if it weren’t for a such a packed race for the MVP, he would be in the conversation for the most valuable player as well.

Jaylen Brown – A

Often working in Tatum’s shadow, Brown isn’t just a sidekick. He’s the main event. Jaylen Brown has been giving the Celtics just under 27 points per game and 7 rebounds. In games without Jayson Tatum this season, Brown has averaged just under 40 and 10.

Brown has done exactly what Boston asked of him this season: to be the one-two punch with Tatum. Like Tatum, Brown put up a performance only a star would be able to in the All-Star Game. There, he led Team Lebron with 35 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics attempts a 3-pointer over John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks (Image credits to Maddie Meyer/Getty Images).

Brown has been there every step of the way in Boston’s route to success.

Marcus Smart – B

Boston’s starting point guard for the last several years, Smart continued his success on the defensive end. Last year, his efforts were rewarded with a DPOY. However, Smart has been injured for a good part of this previous year and will not be eligible for the award.

Smart has taken decreases in points, rebounds, and steals. The increases came in blocks and shooting percentages, but were very minuscule increases at that.

Bringing on Brogdon and having White return to the Celtics, it was speculated that Smart would take a lesser role. However, without any serious increases from the previous season, he sits at a B overall.

Derrick White – A-

The only Boston Celtic to play in all 82 games this season, White played both the starting and bench role. White averaged 12 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, while also averaging a block a game, as a guard. He’s grown to be more comfortable in Boston, all of his averages better than the previous seasons’.

White has put himself in the conversation for an all-NBA defensive team this season. To get statistical, White had 0.7 steals per game and 0.9 blocks per game. He’s also done plenty off the stat sheets that often don’t get accounted for.

Al Horford – B+

Al Horford has been a prime example of a center changing their play style to fit the modern era. This year marks the highest shooting percentage from range for the big man. He knocked down 2.3 out of 5.2 attempts, 46%.

But as Horford continues to age, there’s a clear decline in his playtime. Horford played only 63 games this season, starting all 63. In those games, he averaged just under ten points per game, the lowest of his career. He’s also averaging his lowest in rebounds and steals per game.

[Related: Age Is Just A Number: Al Horford’s Unexpected Impact]

Horford’s role on the team has never been a primary scorer; yet he’s still an important piece of the puzzle to Boston’s success.

Malcolm Brogdon – A+

Coming to a brand new team is never easy for a player. However, Malcolm Brogdon came from Indiana to Boston in a blockbuster trade over the summer and he has comfortably fit into his role. How comfortably you may ask? Brogdon is the favorite for 6th man of the year.

Malcolm Brogdon attempts a 3-pointer over the Utah Jazz (Image credits to Brian Babineau/Getty Images)

Brodgon played 67 games for the Celtics this season, every single one off the bench. In these games, he averaged 15 points per game, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He also shot the 3-pointer at an impressive 44%.

Fitting his role like Cinderella in a glass slipper, Brogdon has been the missing piece to Boston’s former bench issues. Brogdon gives Boston the much-needed veteran presence, while being a key figure.

The Celtics continue their series against Atlanta on Tuesday the 17th. Will the Celtics take game 2 at home or go South tied? The Celtics play the Hawks at 7PM EST.

If you want to read more on the NBA, check out the NBA main page, and if you like the Boston Celtics, check out more by Nate. If you’re interested in other sports or esports, check out the main page!

(Featured image credited to Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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