What’s an important factor the Celtics must be taught subsequent 12 months?
Mark Aboyoun
That they’re going to lose video games — and that’s OK. It’s been awhile since this crew, and the fan base. Has actually skilled common season adversity. Even with out Jayson Tatum, I nonetheless anticipate Boston to complete nicely above .500. However there can be video games they need to win and don’t, just because they’re lacking a top-five participant. There can be moments when somebody must take over and make a play — often that’s Tatum, however he received’t be right here subsequent 12 months. Jaylen Brown has proven he can step up, however with extra defensive give attention to him, there can be updates and downs. This group remains to be gifted sufficient to win a whole lot of video games, however adjusting to inconsistency — and studying from it — can be a part of the method.
Mike Dynon
My hope is, first, that the Celtics pace up their offense to search for extra transition alternatives and rely much less on the halfcourt sport. With out Jayson Tatum dealing with the ball within the set offense, they’ll want to seek out one other technique to create good pictures. There’s nothing higher than the working sport to do this.
Second, play onerous each night time and make life troublesome for the opposition. Sure, the roster is gutted. Relying on what Al Horford does, the Celtics will start the season lacking 4 or 5 of their core from the final two years. Additionally, expectations are low – this received’t be one other 60-win season. However the Celtics can’t permit themselves to suppose that approach. They should hold round, see what occurs with Tatum’s restoration, and make the playoffs. Maybe win a playoff sequence. That will be a profitable season, they usually may have the satisfaction of taking part in the “no person believed in us” card.
Steve Hooper
Push the Tempo!!!
Nirav Barman
The one facet of the sport that the Celtics will actually need to be taught is how you can play as a crew. Jayson Tatum does a lot for them by way of scoring, playmaking, gravity, defensively, and rebounding. All of that’s gone subsequent 12 months. The lively guys must take care of much more defensive stress than they’re used to, and they will need to be extra lively defensively than they’re used to. Everybody’s roles and obligations simply acquired greater, and the vital factor is for the gamers to learn to handle it collectively. They’ll’t get caught up making an attempt to do every part themselves with this elevated alternative – they need to develop inside the system, even when the system seems to be just a little completely different this 12 months.
Jack Anderson
Study what you’ve with the younger guys. Summer season League wasn’t nice for Baylor Scheierman however I believe he nonetheless has an opportunity to be a superb participant within the league, his passing was good throughout the summer season and the top of final season. Jordan Walsh is probably going on his final legs but when they nonetheless like him they need to see what they’ve. Josh Minott, Luka Garza, Neemias Queta and the rookies additionally. They should see who could be on the subsequent Celtics champion behind Tatum, Brown and White.
Jeff Clark
In case you shut your eyes and film what the roster will appear to be beginning the 2026-27 season, you seemingly see Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and …every part else appears blurry.
So I believe an important factor the crew must be taught subsequent 12 months begins on the prime. How nicely does Jaylen Brown modify to being the star and point of interest of the offense (in addition to opposing defenses)? Can he do sufficient playmaking to make these round him higher? Can he get off the ball rapidly sufficient to get it again later?
As a bonus, I’ll be watching to see how a lot White and Pritchard can stage up with bigger roles.
Jake Issenberg
The Celtics must be taught if any of their younger guys will help the crew win Banner 19. There’s stuff to love about all of the younger guys: Hugo’s motor, Baylor’s passing, Walsh and Minott’s size and athleticism. These traits are enjoyable. Can any of those gamers construct out a skillset by the point the 2027 playoffs roll round that’s worthy of 11 minutes within the Japanese Convention Semi-Finals? The Celtics want to seek out out. Over-indexing on prioritizing profitable this season by taking part in Gorges Niang or Anfernee Simons too many minutes, leaving gamers like Gonzales stapled to the bench, can be a mistake. Play the younger guys. In the event that they’re dangerous, the Celtics will choose larger within the draft; in the event that they’re good, the dynasty is again on
