We’ve a whopping 6 new writers to the CelticsWeblog staff! Give them a heat welcome within the feedback under. To kick issues off with them, we wished to do a fast roundtable dialogue. Right here’s the subject that we picked:
What ability would you want a participant (or coach) to develop over the summer time? (You possibly can’t choose Jaylen studying tips on how to dribble left, that’s too straightforward)
Man DePlacido
I’d love for Robert Williams to achieve confidence in his bounce shot. We’ve seen him, sparingly, hit baseline jumpers because the shot clock expires and we’ve seen him hit free throws at a constant stage. His type is there however he lacks the boldness to take the shot constantly. Working together with his taking pictures coach Aaron Miller is perhaps the breaking level to that tumbler ceiling.
Sam LaFrance
I’d wish to see Malcolm Brogdon re-develop some imaginative and prescient whereas on the drive. When Brogdon joined the Celtics final summer time, the thought by many followers was that the staff could be including one other playmaker. That wasn’t the case. As a substitute, the previous Rookie of the 12 months turned Sixth Man of the 12 months by placing scoring first. His help common dropped by 2.2 per sport as he took on the brand new position off the bench. That’s all high-quality, however he may very well be much more efficient if he dished the ball off on extra of his drives. Particularly taking part in alongside Robert Williams III and now Kristaps Porzingis.
Mark Aboyoun
I’d wish to see Payton Pritchard enhance his defensive exercise. With Marcus Good and Grant Williams off the staff, the Celtics on paper bought worse defensively. If Pritchard needs to be within the 8-9 man rotation he’ll have to indicate he’s not a legal responsibility on the defensive finish. Smaller guards are likely to battle to defend on the professional stage attributable to their dimension, however he could make up for his lack of dimension by being extra energetic. Drawing extra fees and stepping into the passing lane will assist Pritchard keep on the ground. He’s had two of one of the best defensive guards in Derrick White and Good to study from and in Good’s absence it’s the proper time to step up defensively.
Noa Dalzell
I’d wish to see each Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown settling for fewer three-pointers. Each gamers shot a career-low from three within the 2022-23 season, whereas taking a career-high variety of makes an attempt. Tatum hit simply 35% of 9.3 makes an attempt per sport, and significantly struggled from the top of the key, changing on simply 28.9% of 190 pictures on the season. Brown hit 33.5% of seven.3 makes an attempt per sport, and was least environment friendly from the corners (24.2% from proper nook, 33.3% from left). A part of this (considerably) poor taking pictures is the results of a three-pointer reliant offense that head coach Joe Mazzula constantly preached. However, at many factors all through the season, Tatum and Brown settled for troublesome, contested threes, significantly when the offense was stagnant. It’d be nice to see them each persevering with to leverage their distinctive athleticism and talent to complete across the rim, and never be so reliant on the three ball.
Ben Dupont
Derrick White was statistically very spectacular final season on the level guard place. With Marcus Good now in Memphis, although, the burden of unlocking Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis will probably be positioned largely on his shoulders. A technique he can do this higher is by bettering his pick-and-roll offense. Good is a really productive pick-and-roll participant who can function successfully as each a roll man and a ball handler. White may stand to enhance in each roles. Utilizing Good as a curler was key to getting Tatum and Brown into rhythm final season, significantly within the playoffs. When the celebrities take over ball dealing with, White’s screening and rolling will probably be key. As a ball handler himself, White may very well be extra assured making reads within the choose and roll. Coming off of screens, he tends to show the ball over an excessive amount of, or get caught within the paint. The excellent news is that – with the addition of Porzingis – nearly everybody White will play with is an elite curler.
Sara Jane Gamelli
I wish to see Head Coach, Joe Mazzulla get extra snug within the Celtics group, and on the ground. Mazzulla is extraordinarily intense and led the Celtics to the Jap Convention finals in his first yr as Interim head coach. Beforehand an assistant, by mid-February, he was named head coach, and obtained an extension by GM, Brad Stevens. Head Coach Mazzulla led the Cs to a 57-25 file, which was second greatest within the East. Celtics followers expressed their displeasure with the C’s chief, after his time administration within the Recreation 4 loss towards the 76ers, within the Jap Convention Semifinals. Mazzulla took a variety of criticism, following Boston’s 103-84 Recreation 7 loss towards the Miami Warmth. The Celtics shot simply 9-42, and each participant on the roster struggled. Boston has excessive expectations headed into the 2023-2024 season, and I wish to see Coach Mazzulla have a greater plan for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, together with good performs in essential possessions, and time administration. His means to educate the Huge 3 and make the most of Kristaps Portzingis on this offense will probably be key.
