Marcus Smart was the cost of “something needed to change” for the Boston Celtics

One thing wants to vary.

That’s the thought that stored coming to my thoughts throughout Sport 7 of the Warmth collection (and truthfully, effectively earlier than that). Like most, I couldn’t fairly put my finger on anyone obvious factor. The Boston Celtics workforce that appeared within the Finals one yr and the Jap Convention Finals the following yr was clearly proficient. Something lower than a championship would have been disappointing and so after they fell quick, all of us have been appropriately disenchanted.

There was one thing both essentially lacking or one thing that was as soon as there however pale over time. I don’t suppose it was a “lack of coronary heart” or “dangerous chemistry” or every other such drained cliche. At occasions you may say that the workforce appeared unfocused or inconsistent, however I couldn’t inform you what was on the root of that or who particularly was most accountable.

One thing was simply off.

You possibly can’t say that they have been a foul defensive workforce as a result of the stats level to them being the most effective within the league for many of the yr. However they didn’t play their greatest protection when it mattered probably the most. You possibly can’t say they have been a foul offensive workforce both, however they did are likely to falter down the stretch in large video games.

The Celtics have been proficient, versatile, battle examined, and able to contend for a championship. However they didn’t have no matter it was that they wanted to get previous the Warmth. Briefly, it felt like no matter they wanted to recover from that final hurdle was not presently on the workforce and working it again would have been a mistake.

So, one thing wanted to vary.

A prevailing thought was that head coach Joe Mazzulla let the workforce down. He was out-maneuvered by Erik Spolestra and his offense-first strategy was passive aggressively side-eyed by gamers in public feedback. That led to many questioning if his days in Boston have been numbered. Nevertheless, Brad Stevens and the Celtics brass clearly have a agency perception in Joe. And maybe they weren’t too eager on bringing in a 4th head coach in 4 years.

However nonetheless, one thing wanted to vary.

With Jaylen Brown’s extension up within the air, there have been extra questions on breaking apart the Jays and buying and selling Brown. In idea, the workforce may have tried to get youthful gamers and picks that they might both take their time creating or flip for one more star after they turned accessible (and somebody all the time turns into accessible). That sounds fantastic in idea, however if you’re not essentially upgrading from Brown then what’s the purpose?

Proper now, we’ve two star wing gamers on very related timelines. They’ve grown up collectively they usually’ve shared successes and failures collectively. Breaking that up simply to herald one other participant which will or might not match as effectively is a large threat. That possibility could also be revisited in future years as we see the impacts of the brand new CBA. Nevertheless, for at the very least the following yr, the duo of Tatum and Brown will keep collectively.

However nonetheless, one thing wanted to vary.

Which brings us to Kristaps Porzingis. The Wizards lastly went into fire-sale mode and the Celtics have been sensible to grab him up off the market. They clearly most well-liked to maneuver Malcolm Brogdon within the deal, however when that fell by means of, they pivoted relatively rapidly to shifting Marcus Good. That has quite a lot of questioning if the Celtics would have moved Good in one other transfer even when the unique Brogdon deal went by means of as deliberate.

That’s to not suggest that the workforce didn’t love and belief Marcus. He’s beloved by gamers, coaches, followers, and nearly anybody even remotely related to the workforce. And rightly so. He gave all of it and we appreciated it. He cherished this metropolis and we cherished him again.

However one thing wanted to vary.

I’m not going to sit down right here and inform you that “effectively, really the protection will likely be higher as a result of Porzingis will defend the rim.” It could be exhausting to take a former Defensive Participant of the 12 months off the workforce and get higher at protection. The workforce goes to be much less versatile on the perimeter as a result of they’re shedding a man that might actually guard positions 1 by means of 5.

I can’t even say with certainty that the workforce will likely be higher offensively. Positive, Porzingis is a greater shooter, however Good was our greatest playmaker and there are questions on how the ball will transfer when the stress ramps up.

Nonetheless, generally it’s a must to strive one thing new.

So, one thing modified.

What we are able to say with certainty is that the workforce will look completely different subsequent yr. With each Good and Grant Williams gone, the workforce will seemingly transfer to a extra conventional drop protection protection. Maybe they’ll experiment extra with zones as effectively. Within the fashionable NBA, you’ll be able to’t have only one fashion of play. You need to throw a number of appears at opponents and swap up schemes on the fly. I’m only a bit nervous about taking away two of probably the most versatile defenders.

On offense, the Jays may have a 3rd star to depend on. You possibly can stagger issues in order that two of the three will likely be on the court docket always with out over-taxing anyone participant. Even having Porzingis as a menace will create just a little extra space for the Jays to drive into the paint. There can even be alternatives to run any considered one of them out of the mid-post to maximise their midrange sport.

Picture by Stephen Gosling/NBAE through Getty Photos

The management dynamic modifications a bit now as effectively. It was clear that Jayson and Jaylen have been the faces of the franchise, however Marcus was all the time a really vocal chief on and off the court docket. You don’t substitute that voice by making an attempt to duplicate it. Tatum and Brown have their very own distinctive management fashion they usually might want to fill that void in their very own methods.

Finally, the modifications this offseason might have raised the ceiling for this workforce. Porzingis has the potential to carry out like a star. Maybe even at an All-Star stage. That’s not a stage that both Good or Williams was ever prone to obtain. Expertise wins on this league and in idea, Porzingis might be additive to what Tatum and Brown do on the court docket with out taking something away from their roles.

The draw back, nevertheless, is that Kristaps has had his share of accidents through the years. Massive guys with decrease physique points haven’t all the time aged effectively. Add him to a roster that additionally contains Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, and the senior citizen Al Horford, and also you’ve bought fairly just a few damage dangers. We’ll be ready for the damage experiences as if the sword of Damocles is hanging over our heads.

So, one other crucial yr approaches for the Celtics. If all goes effectively, we could possibly be seeing them increase a banner to the rafters. If not, then maybe extra drastic modifications could possibly be on the horizon. However at the very least there’s an opportunity that each one may go effectively and the modifications that they made may repay.

One thing wanted to vary and the Celtics leadership recognized that. The value of that change was Marcus Good. It higher be value it.