How are NBA teams returning to action? Wasn’t the NBA Finals a week ago? Maybe I just feel this way because I’m missing out on being a first-time father because the Boston Celtics ended their season with a championship win. (It turns out that parenting is all-consuming… but it’s also better than anyone can explain.)
Anyway, I don’t think the Celtics will start Friday in Abu Dhabi. They don’t have many details on Joe Mazzulla, but the five-game preseason schedule should still be helpful. Here are five areas to watch during the regular season.
1. Did Tatum’s third ball come back?
Concerns about Jayson Tatum’s shooting stroke are probably overblown. He finished last regular season with his best three-point percentage since 2020-21. From the All-Star break to the end of the regular season, he hit 40.9 percent of his long-range attempts. The truth is that it paints a rosy picture of the 6-foot-8 wing, who has consistently made and completed a number of 3-point attempts with excellent accuracy.
Spectacular performances Tatum struggled from the perimeter as the Celtics made their way to the playoffs. He shot over 30 percent from downtown in only one of Boston’s four postseason series. Even in that series, an Eastern Conference final against the Indiana Pacers, he made just 11 of 36 3-point attempts (30.6 percent). Tatum’s overall 3-point percentage in the playoffs (28.3 percent) screamed Russell Westbrook at his worst, and Tatum’s horrendous shots in the Olympics when, you know, he was playing. At last week’s media day, Tatum said he worked during the offseason to fix some of his shooting mechanics. Although problems arose during the playoffs, he said this was not the time or place to fix them. It’s hard to blame him, as the Celtics dominated en route to the championship.
Has Tatum already solved the problem? A five-game preseason doesn’t provide enough of a sample size to tell the tale, especially considering Tatum will likely play a minor role in the exhibition schedule. But it would be nice for the Celtics to see the All-Stars go to warmups. He controlled games throughout the season despite missing a shot. Imagine if you could reach that level again while floating rebounds all over the field.
Will Jayson Tatum’s shooting woes continue into the preseason? (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2. Tips for turning the front?
The Celtics don’t have many rotation questions this offseason, but with Kristaps Porzingis missing a lot of time, some starting minutes could be on the line.
Luke Cornett emerged as the most reliable defender behind Al Horford last season, but Xavier Tillman and Neemias Kweta could also demand additional playing time in Porzingis’ absence. Mazzulla also has to decide how to fill the role of outgoing forward Oshay Brissett, who didn’t play every game but often served as a second wing when the Celtics were shorthanded. Will Baylor Scheierman fill the spot? Will Mazzulla turn to smaller units and give young point guard Jayden Springer a chance? Will Lonnie Walker IV take advantage of his opportunity with a good season?
With 13 players from the championship team, the Celtics won’t have much competition in the preseason. However, Mazzulla had to show his hand in the few games played.
3. Walker’s fight for a place on the roster
Some in the NBA were surprised to see Walker sign the Exhibit 10 deal, which is basically the equivalent of a training camp contract, but the Celtics made it clear that they didn’t promise him anything. Walker said Brad Stevens told him he should earn a roster spot. It is not guaranteed. Stevens even told Walker, the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, that he could spend some time in the G League with the Maine Celtics.
“I’m not going to come here thinking, ‘Okay, I’m an E-10 and then I’m going to get a guaranteed contract,’” Walker said. “It’s like I have to work hard. I really have to put everything on the court every day. First in the gym, hopefully the last one out, come back later, shoot and be mentally and physically prepared for the results.”
To join the Celtics, Walker must prove he can afford the additional luxury tax that comes with his contract guarantee. He has long been known as a scorer, but understands Boston will need him to do other things on the court. Can he contribute in defense? Can he buy the Celtics’ dedication? It certainly seems like he’ll do whatever it takes to make the team, saying he wants to emulate everything Derrick White and Jrue Holiday are doing. But words will not be enough. Walker has to fight his way to the bottom spot on the list. He will compete against the financial reality of the Celtics.
4. Are any of the young players ready?
The Celtics’ rotation is not a land of opportunity right now; Young players will likely spend most of the season developing behind the scenes. However, Boston has several prospects throughout the preseason, including Scheuerman, who will gain 10 to 15 pounds over the course of the season.
Can Scheierman, a useful offensive piece, hold his own on defense at the NBA level? Has Springer, a disruptive defender, found ways to be a zero on offense? Can Jordan Walsh point his shot in the right direction after some struggles in summer league? Can any of those guys threaten to earn regular season minutes?
Based on how Mazzulla approached the 2023-24 preseason, young players should get playing time during exhibition games. Maybe one of them is ready for a bigger opportunity.
5. Is the edge still there?
I’m not dumb enough to think regular season basketball always means a lot. Holders manage limited minutes. Teams with almost no training under their belts are still getting into shape. The caliber isn’t exactly playoff quality.
The preseason can still show the team’s mentality. In one of the best examples, Stevens defeated the Celtics just three games into the 2018-19 preseason. Even this early in the NBA schedule, I could see the warning signs of what was shaping up to be a tumultuous season. Boston had hopes of winning the championship at the time, but Stevens knew his team didn’t have the right mindset. For him the problems were already clear. A dramatic season has arrived.
The Celtics won championships last season with a stunning lack of drama. Nobody complained about playing time. No one was there for their numbers. No one seemed to be worried about the contract situation or really what it would take to win the title. The Celtics played hard. They were charming, intelligent and coherent. They were fully involved in the winning process.
I’m not saying I expect them to play championship-level basketball in the preseason, but if they take the approach Mazzulla wants, you should see that right away.
