The Boston Celtics are expected to take a step back next season without Jayson Tatum, although that doesn’t mean that they won’t lean into their strengths.
For the past four seasons, the Boston Celtics have finished with either the first or second-best record in the Eastern Conference. After trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in cost-cutting moves, as well as losing Jayson Tatum for several months with an Achilles tear, the Celtics are expected to take a step back.
However, “a step back” from being Finals favorites still means they could be in the playoff picture. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are excellent two-way players, and Boston managed to maintain most of their depth.
On top of that, the team will be able to keep up its identity as one of the most prolific shooting teams in the entire NBA.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesCeltics will continue to shoot 3-pointers with high volume
In each of the last two seasons, the Celtics took more shots from deep than anyone. Granted, with floor-spacers like Porzingis and Al Horford, it was rare they had a below-average shooter on the floor, but they made the most of their skill set.
Even with Tatum, their best player, out for perhaps the entire season, Boston is still expected to lean into their established style, and it should find some success.
“I think people underestimate how difficult it is to play against this Celtics style,” expressed The Athletic’s Zach Harper.
“In the three seasons under Joe Mazzulla, 3-point shots have been 47.9, 47.0, and 53.5 percent of their shot attempts. That was the highest volume of 3-pointers in the league the past two seasons, and it was second behind Dallas in Mazzulla’s first season. Mazzulla wants them to get up shots from deep.”
With Brown, White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser all still on the roster, the team has no shortage of shooters, and they managed to add players who fit their mold.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesCeltics’ offseason additions hint at shooting prowess
In exchange for Holiday, Boston added Anfernee Simons, who took more shots at a better percentage than Holiday did last season.
“They didn’t lose a lot of outside shooting, which is the main staple of their offensive attack,” Harper added.
“They managed to acquire Anfernee Simons and Chris Boucher. Simons is a career 38.1 percent 3-point shooter. On catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts, Simons is a career 41.3 percent shooter. He fits this style, and it wouldn’t shock me if the Celtics take nearly 60 percent of their shots from outside to make up for the losses.”
Boucher is not an elite shooter by any means, although last season he made 36.9% of his attempts, and he could replace Horford in the Celtics’ offense.
Simons has been included in recent trade rumors, although he fits Boston’s playstyle, and depending on when Tatum returns, the Celtics could very much remain in the running in a weaker Eastern Conference.