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Fueled by a strong start to the season for both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics sit at 4th on the Eastern Conference table with a .542 win percentage. At the start of the season Marcus Smart filled in for the injured Kemba Walker, who received a stem-cell injection in his sore left knee during the fall. With Walker back in Boston Celtics’ roster, Brad Stevens has been trying out a few different starting lineups.
After coming up short in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, they’ve added a few pieces to the mix. Veteran Jeff Teague of the Atlanta Hawks and Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers signed with the Boston Celtics in the off-season and have immediately started contributing.
Let's have a look at how the Boston Celtics roster has performed so far this season and for the purposes of this article, we have taken those that have played more than 10 games and therefore are having a significant impact on the team.
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Grading the Boston Celtics starters after 24 games of the 2020-21 season
Jayson Tatum: A+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 35.7 PPG: 26.3 AST: 4.4 REB: 6.8 FG%: 46.0
Jayson Tatum has displayed great skill with the ball to start the season. Leading the Boston Celtics with 26.3 PPG, he has added a variety of plays to his arsenal. At just 22 years old, Tatum is evolving into one of the league’s most dangerous players. He has missed 5 games this season due to COVID-19 safety protocols and has been balling ever since his return. He has had five 30+ point games being the center piece of the Boston Celtics offense.
Jaylen Brown: A+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 33.2 PPG: 26.0 AST: 3.7 REB: 5.6 FG%: 51.2
24-year-old Jaylen Brown gets an A rating because of his immense contribution on both ends of the floor. With two 40+ point games this season, he has been an efficient point scorer, missing just two games for the Boston Celtics. Recording 28 steals and 14 blocks, Jaylen Brown is someone who gets things done on the defensive end.
Daniel Theis: B+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 23.8 PPG: 9.5 AST: 1.4 REB: 5.1 FG%: 60.3
German international Daniel Theis has been a hustling factor for the Boston Celtics. He is the only man on the roster who hasn’t missed a game so far. Defensively he has been active, tallying a total of 25 blocks and offensively he has the highest effective FG% in the league. He also has an improved 3FG% which has gone up 10% from the previous season. Much improved? Yes Sir!
Tristan Thompson: C
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 22.5 PPG: 6.9 AST: 1.0 REB: 8.5 FG%: 49.2
The addition of Tristan Thompson to the roster definitely adds value in terms of a veteran presence. He has been in the league a long time and can certainly mentor players like Daniel Theis and Tacko Fall. On the field he has had a decent contribution, but the question is will he be the fit for championship contention? The Boston Celtics might look to replace him if they are able to find the right fit.
Kemba Walker: B
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 27.6 PPG: 15.5 AST: 4.2 REB: 3.6 FG%: 34.8
The last spot in the starting lineup has been shuffled between Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart and Semi Ojeleye. But with Kemba back from injury, he will be the preferred option to start games. He is a veteran point guard and has been putting in work ever since his return. Dropping 46 dimes in 11 games, he knows how to get his team going and also has a solid impact on the defensive end. He will need a few more games before he can get back to his all-star level of play.
Grading the Boston Celtics supporting cast after opening 24 games
Marcus Smart: A
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 32.3 PPG: 13.1 AST: 6.1 REB: 2.8 FG%: 39.4
Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics made the most of his opportunity when he filled in for Kemba Walker in the starting lineup. Now out with a right calf strain, he has started in 16 out of his 17 played games. He is the perfect "Glue Guy" for the team, leading the team in assists after dropping 103 dimes over 17 games. The Boston Celtics are awaiting his return but will have to figure out his rotation considering Kemba is back.
Semi Ojeleye: B+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 18.4 PPG: 5.6 AST: 0.8 REB: 3.0 FG%: 42.6
Semi Ojeleye has been putting in work behind the scenes. On Thursday, he recorded a career-high 24 points, leading the Boston Celtics to a 120-106 win against the Raptors. The other players on the roster have nothing but praise for him based on the amount of work he’s put in. The Boston Celtics will definitely require his support as they go deeper into the season.
Payton Pritchard: B+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 21.1 PPG: 8.4 AST: 2.3 REB: 2.5 FG%: 49.5
Pick #26 in the 2020 NBA Draft, Payton Pritchard has become a major contributor to the Boston Celtics’ offense. With veteran Jeff Teague not having found his rhythm and major rotational changes between Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart, Pritchard has made a solid impact. Playing against the Suns, he showed some great defensive prowess in marking one of the most creative point guards in NBA – Chris Paul. With a 46.9% 3FG and defensive intensity, he has earned his minutes and Brad Stevens’ confidence.
Grant Williams: C+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 19.2 PPG: 5.9 AST: 0.9 REB: 3.1 FG%: 46.3
Being ever present on the defensive end, he is a bit slow but can work within the team’s defensive setup. The major difference this season is that he is taking and making so many more 3-pointers. His 3FG% has shot up to 45.8% which is almost double of what he was doing in the previous season – 25%.
Jeff Teague: C
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 17.4 PPG: 5.7 AST: 2.1 REB: 1.7 FG%: 32.2
32-year-old veteran Jeff Teague hasn’t quite found his rhythm with the Boston Celtics. After a strong start in Game 1 against the Bucks, where he scored 19 points, he has been sub-par. Hopefully he turns things around and starts supporting the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown by leading the second unit.
Javonte Green: C
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 15.7 PPG: 4.6 AST: 0.6 REB: 2.6 FG%: 48.0
With Jayson Tatum missing 5 games, Javonte Green saw an uptick in his minutes. He hasn’t been very effective in utilizing those minutes, but when it comes to the playoffs, the Boston Celtics will definitely expect more from him.
Robert Williams: C+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 14.9 PPG: 5.9 AST: 0.7 REB: 5.4 FG%: 72.3
Robert Williams has been an active presence on defense. He’s second behind Daniel Theis in blocks with 21 of them. With 40 offensive rebounds this season, his hustle has helped the Boston Celtics make the most of their second chances as well.
Carson Edwards: C+
2020-21 Season Record - MPG: 11.3 PPG: 5.5 AST: 0.5 REB: 1.2 FG%: 46.9
22-year-old Carson Edwards, with the limited minutes he got, has made a decent impact. He can expect many chances this season to prove his worth and will have to capitalize when they arrive. With a lot of rotations due to injury and COVID-19 safety protocols, he will see his minutes go up in the coming weeks. A 46.9% FG is not so bad for a second year rookie after all.
Aaron Nesmith, Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall
Completing the rest of the Boston Celtics roster, these players have thus far played insufficient games to warrant a realistic grade.
