Thanksgiving is the holiday where you share thanks and gratitude for what you have in life. The Boston Celtics are one of the best franchises in the NBA with historical value and this season is no different as they continue to bring happiness to their fans and community. Here is what we are thankful for from the Celtics organization.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum has been nothing but a superstar for the team since being drafted in 2017. When all is said and done, he will be one of the greatest players to ever wear a jersey Celtics. Over his five-year career, he is already the fifth-best in franchise history when it comes to three-pointers made. The 23-year old is averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
This season, the star forward is averaging 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He started the season off slow, as his shooting percentages were abysmal to look at during some games. As of late, though, Tatum has been immaculate, and with his rise in shooting consistency, the team has seen success. With Tatum playing well, the team starts to show their true colors of being a title contender.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is one of the best two-way players in the league. Defensively, Brown is a talented perimeter defender and elite transition defender. Having a player that can help limit transitions and hustles back on defense is rare in today’s NBA. The forward is capable of defending elite talents, such as LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard. Although he is not the best defender on the team, he is still considered an elite player defensively.
Offensively, Brown has shown the most improvement since his rookie season. Every year, his numbers have greatly improved. He went from averaging 6.6 points per game in his rookie campaign to 24.9 points per game in his sixth season. The forward’s field-goal percentage has steadily become insanely consistent, too. He is currently averaging 49 percent from the field, which is a career-high and amongst the best for forwards and guards this season. His fading elbow mid-range is the most exciting and consistent shot in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers and the Rest of the NBA
In regards to Dennis Schroder, the Boston Celtics are the luckiest team this past offseason. Schroder has been spectacular for the team. For the price that Brad Stevens offered the guard, Schroder is playing at an All-Star level. A one-year deal worth $5.8 million for a player who averages 17.9 points, 4.9 assists, and 45.8 percent from the field? Absolute steal. Los Angeles and the rest of the NBA would not pay the guard what he wanted. Stevens saw the opportunity to sign the guard for cheap, and now the team has a healthy point guard for the first time since the 2016-2017 season.
The Boston Celtics
The Celtics have a great team this season, filled with multiple All-Stars and role players that give off the best energy every day on and off the court. Marcus Smart is the league’s biggest energy guy, and having him on the team is nothing but exciting to watch. Robert Williams was given a cheap contract extension this offseason and has been exactly what everyone wanted him to become: a DeAndre Jordan type of player who rebounds the ball and scores in the low post at high efficiency. Williams is becoming the heart of the paint for this team.
Al Horford is back in Boston and it seems as if he never left the team. Horford looks 10 years younger and is playing just as well as his prime in the NBA. He is becoming the team’s veteran leader who takes care of the younger guys on the roster. Fans are thankful for a veteran player like Horford who can leave everything on the court while still leading the locker room.
Finally, the team as a whole deserves thanks. This squad may have started slow, but they are steadily rising into becoming a threat for the title. With the team playing well and bonding after a tough start, everything seems to be set in place. Stevens is holding the team to high expectations and Ime Udoka is getting better at coaching day by day.
There is nothing but thankfulness and appreciation for such a great franchise. Happy Thanksgiving.
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