The new NBA season is almost here, and teams are getting ready for their preseason games.
Questions Facing the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics aim to win back-to-back championships this season. Here are three big questions they face:
Can Jayson Tatum Find His Scoring Touch Again?
Jayson Tatum had an amazing regular season, becoming a key player by balancing scoring and playmaking. But in the playoffs, his shooting dropped to 28.3% from three-point range over 19 games. The Olympics didn’t help either; he struggled under Steve Kerr’s coaching. The Celtics need Tatum at his best next season to maintain their edge.
Boston needs Tatum to remind everyone why he’s considered a top-10 talent by rediscovering his scoring prowess and delivering standout performances.
Will Kristaps Porzingis Stay Healthy?
Kristaps Porzingis is out until late December or early January due to leg surgery. Although the Celtics have a deep roster of big men, fans worry about his injury history. Last season, the team was +11.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.
The Eastern Conference has gotten tougher, so having Porzingis healthy for the playoffs is crucial if Boston wants to repeat last year’s success.
Fans hope Porzingis can stay fit because we know how much he can impact the game when he’s on form.
Can Jaden Springer Earn Minutes?
Jaden Springer joined the Celtics at the trade deadline but struggled to get playing time. He showed promise in Summer League but was quickly benched for the rest of it. With Boston’s focus on defensive versatility, Springer could fit in well as a defensive specialist.
Springer worked with Sam Cassell during his time with Philadelphia and came highly recommended. However, earning minutes in Mazzulla’s rotation will be tough but necessary if he wants to secure his future in the NBA beyond this final contract year with Boston.