Report card: evaluating every Celtics player after 55 games.
Naturally, Derrick White receives an A. What is the landing place for everyone else?
It’s a great idea to step back, gather our collective breath, and evaluate what we’ve seen so far during the All-Star break.
It’s also a good opportunity to assign grades. Naturally, the majority of these evaluations will be good because the Celtics are 43-12, but there will definitely be some dispute over the pluses and minuses. Let’s get started:
Jason Tatum: A
On the top team, Tatum is the best player. Forget for a moment about the Most Valuable Player discussion. He’s the head of the snake and has advanced to a new level as a leader this year with the departure of Marcus Smart, so it’s probably not going to be his year.
He’s decreasing bad shooting nights, accepting even greater defensive responsibility, and whining a little bit less about calls. In June, if he’s not careful, he might end up being the league’s face.
Along the way, Brown has had both brilliant and perplexing moments. He can drop more than thirty any given night, but he can also drop ten or less. Now that he seems to have a left hand, consistency is what matters most to him.
Although he is only making 34.2 percent of his 3-point attempts, he is shooting a career-high 49.2 percent from the field. Although his passing and defense have improved, he is averaging 5.5 rebounds, the fewest he has had since 2018–19. Brown’s superb form makes the Celtics virtually invincible.
Porzingis Kristaps: A
Since Kevin Garnett, it’s difficult to recall a scenario in which a player adjusted with such ease and instantly felt like the missing component. Porzingis has flourished in a position where the Celtics really needed him to—post-ups—with crazy efficiency.
He’s also been a pleasant surprise on defense, guarding shorter players more skillfully than I had imagined. The only minor criticisms are that he ought to make slightly more twos and somewhat fewer threes. The guy is 7’2 and has angelic touch, really.
Jrue Holiday: A-
Holiday leads the charge defensively every night, and his career-high 44 percent 3-point shooting has exceeded expectations. He may take five shots or twenty, but he always finds a creative way to contribute.
He stands out for his poise, consistency, and maturity. Playmaking is one area where I hope to see a little bit more. His assist average of 4.8 is the lowest it has been since 2011–12, and I think it should be closer to 6. Of course, there are situational factors at play, but I believe that he should have more opportunities to have the ball in his hands at the top of the key.
Derrick White: An.
Fear not—White receives an A. He truly deserves one, but I know my coworkers would kick me if he didn’t. Playing his best in the fourth quarter, he often scores the most points (15.6), rebounds (3.9), blocks (1.2), and steals (1) of his career.
White has gained popularity among fans and is the epitome of professionalism. The Celtics supporters think he can do no wrong. People like men who hustle, make clutch plays, and have charisma, and White possesses all of those qualities and more.
Al Horford: A-
Whether the Celtics need Horford to play 15 or 30 minutes, he is always prepared. He currently receives a B+, although this grade is not as significant as some others. It all comes down to saving him for the postseason, when he can easily improve to an A, especially if Boston plays Philadelphia.
Horford has performed exceptionally well this year in one area: rebounding (6.7 per game). Although it has understandably decreased from the previous season, his 3-point percentage is still 40.9 percent. Though it’s possible that he’s simply not comfortable attacking the basket at this time, I still like to see him do it a little more.
Pritchard Payton: A-
Pritchard was well compensated by the Celtics, and he has generally flourished in his new capacity. With an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.81, he ranks 15th in the league and has demonstrated proficiency in both ball handling and passing.
Whether it’s garbage time (don’t tell him it’s garbage time) or the fourth quarter of a close game, he’s always focused. Pritchard is a wonderful fit for this core.
Sam Hauser: a
Although Hauser’s 3 point percentage of 41.2 percent is impressive, his spacing is actually what makes him stand out. You really can’t double up when Tatum, Brown, and Porzingis have the ball. They will discover Hauser open for three if you do. He’s very deadly with the starters, but he’s good with the bench players as well.
Defensively, he has also come as a welcome surprise, and his mid-range jumper has been better. It’s simple to forget that this is only his second season playing regularly.
Luke Kornet: A-
Even though Kornet only plays 14.9 minutes each game, his statistics of 4.9 points and 4 rebounds aren’t particularly impressive. He’s a total joker, incredibly skilled in pick-and-roll, and great for team dynamics. He could do better when it comes to rim protection.
Oshae Brissett: B.
Brissett’s 3-point % would benefit greatly if he could raise it by just a hair, from 29.3 to roughly 33.3. Despite his length, athleticism, and strong motor, he currently has a shot that makes him somewhat of a liability.
Neemias Queta: B+
Queta epitomizes what a “fun project” is. It’s quite cool to occasionally see the lightbulb go out in the middle of the game, and he keeps improving. Post moves, lateral speed, and foul-free defense are the following levels.
