Bringing Home the Chip

Are the revised Celtics really better?

This is the year for the new and improved Boston Celtics. This offseason, Joe Mazzula and his team rearranged the roster, including the release of Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), in exchange for 7’ 3” power forward Kristaps Porzingis. This trade adds the much needed size to Boston’s frontcourt, balancing the guard heavy team (NBC Sports). To make the Celtics even stronger, all-star guard Jrue Holiday was added to the roster just two weeks ago. Holiday is expected to play an off-ball role, complementing the skills of the dynamic duo, Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Yahoo Sports). These two major trades complement the already well-built Celtics, diversifying the team with size and offensive force. 

Although the Marcus Smart trade was controversial, Jrue Holiday can replace Smart’s role on the defensive end, as he was voted the best perimeter defender in the league by the general managers (USA Today). Smart is a consistent defensive player, but his lesser offensive role is easily outdone by Holiday’s spot-up shooting, one of the point guard's most desired attributes, which greatly adds to Boston’s starting lineup. 

As these Celtics add new faces to the starting lineup, one might ask how the chemistry and dynamics of these starters is developing throughout the preseason. Al Horford answers this question perfectly, stating that Porzingis is “having [his] back…and covering different positions on the court” (CLNS Media Boston Sports Network). Furthermore, Tatum and Holiday already have a close relationship on court, playing together on the 2020 USA team and winning the olympic gold medal. Tatum believes that Jrue is an “elite competitor” (NBC Sports) and “big guard” (NBC Sports), and those components will give the team what they have been missing. 

These new additions won’t just help the team win, but they will bring lessons that each player can absorb, to further their development on the court (NBC Sports). Many fans are saddened by the trading of Rob Williams, but Alex Hoops says it best: “Porzingis can do what Rob was doing and much more” (NBC Sports). Throughout this preseason, Porzingis has been showing Boston what he can do defensively, and how he can improve this top of the line team. Horford shows this appreciation, saying that “on defense he’s been doing a good job of talking to us [Tatum, Brown, Horford, and Holiday], protecting the basket, and staying active” (NBC Sports). 

Porzingis is known to be an injury prone player, but with Al Horford and Luke Kornet by his side, the load is lightened, and Porzingis is safer than he was with the Wizards. The depth of the Celtic’s roster has been a highly regarded attribute of the team for the past few years, and this season is no different. With three strong players, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser, coming off the bench this season, Boston’s future is bright and full of stars. The Celtics have become an experienced team, with Tatum, Brown, and Horford making it to the finals in 2022, and the conference finals in 2023, and Jrue Holiday winning the finals in 2021. 

This year’s Celtics are more well rounded than previous years, with the addition of more big players, and that is just what they need to bring home their first championship since 2008. 

Kaya Surmeli