Top 5 talking points from Boston Celtics' 2021-22 NBA preseason

#3 The Boston Celtics could start both Al Horford and Robert Williams

Ime Udoka could roll out a two-big lineup featuring Robert Williams and Al Horford. Romeo Langford will be a vital part of Boston's bench this season. Jayson Tatum has put on more muscle this season to absorb contact better.

One of the biggest expectations going into the Boston Celtics' training camp was the battle for the starting center position between Al Horford and Robert Williams. Horford was the man patrolling the paint for the Cs when he first joined the team in the 2016-17 season.

Williams, on the other hand, started to show his potential with injuries to key big men like Tristan Thompson. His spectacular postseason performance against the Nets underlined just how good the Boston Celtics can be with a healthy Robert Williams protecting the rim.

Ime Udoka has not decided who starts, but an interesting plot would be using Horford and Williams together. In Boston’s second preseason game against the Toronto Raptors, Udoka started both of them and it looked very natural and promising.

Al Horford helped with the spacing on the perimeter while Williams was a threat with lobs and put-backs. The offense was not stunted as well because both of them are good passers who can help with playmaking duties. Williams’ playmaking became even more evident when former center Daniel Theis was traded.

On defense, they were good enough on switches on the perimeter and were studs in rebounding the ball. Udoka just had to scrap the Horford-Williams strategy after the former was sidelined after testing positive for the virus.

It’ll be worth monitoring if Udoka deploys the tandem as starters once the regular season starts.

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#2 Romeo Langford’s renaissance

Romeo Langford is often an afterthought when the Boston Celtics’ young core is discussed. Langford’s been quite unlucky since the Boston Celtics drafted him 14th overall in the 2019 draft. He is finally healthy this season and his game is showing it.

The shooting guard made a crucial steal and subsequently hit the winning three-point shot against the Orlando Magic in the preseason opener. He is averaging 12.5 points per game, highlighted by a sizzling 60% 3PG for the Boston Celtics. It’s not all about the numbers, though. Langford is moving and playing with confidence.

An improved and confident Langford suddenly makes the Boston Celtics’ bench ultra-talented and deep. In a grueling season and after Jaylen Brown’s wrist injury, this version of Langford will be valuable for the Celtics moving forward.

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# 1 Jayson Tatum is playing bully ball

Jayson Tatum’s skinny frame and length allowed him to glide around defenders in his forays to the basket. He normally gets to his spots through isolations, screens and pin downs. When posting up down low, he would usually jump over defenders or make defenders look foolish with his silky step-back jumpers.

In the preseason, JT has been dishing out doses of old-school bully ball. Tatum’s natural growth has allowed his body to fill out. With more muscle and a bigger frame, he could now take contact and still be effective. In the Boston Celtics’ last game against the Miami Heat, he went after PJ Tucker and Jimmy Butler, who are two of the most bruising defenders in the league, at different times in the post with success.

A bigger and stronger Jayson Tatum could translate to more drives to the basket and result in free throws. The Boston Celtics’ offense gets another layer of variety if Tatum can make a living out of high-percentage shots around the basket. Already an elite scorer, JT could raise his play to MVP level with this kind of development.