The preseason is over for the Celtics, and, frankly, they looked even more dominant than they did most of last year.
No, the competition wasn’t quite as stiff, and yes, they did lose to the Raptors, but the overall product was crisp and aesthetically pleasing. For those naively worried about a championship hangover, I think it’s safe to say this preseason should quell those doubts.
Star players, role players and players fighting for a spot all showed something throughout the five games. Here are preseason grades for each player (and yes, they’re going to be mostly be high – the Celtics are good at basketball).
Jayson Tatum
Tatum has nothing to prove anymore. He has the ring, the fame and the clout. Everything from here is simply a chance to cement and augment his legacy even further.
Perhaps the most encouraging development is that his outside shot appears to no longer have a hitch. Tatum was aggressive from 3-point range, attempting nine per game and hitting 38.9 percent in the preseason. Otherwise, it was pretty much status quo for one of the best players in the world.
Grade: A-
Jaylen Brown
Brown had some moments of brilliance, but he looked a bit shaky at times as well. While he does appear to have put on some extra muscle, he shot 19 percent from 3 and turned it over 2.3 times per game in just 22.6 minutes.
It’s nothing to worry about, but grading him in the A range based solely on this wouldn’t be accurate.
Grade: B
Jrue Holiday
Holiday has earned the right to essentially chill in the preseason. He played just 16 minutes per game over three contests and shot 52.9 percent. He managed to average a steal per game and put constant pressure on the ball.
He remains a truly perfect fit for this team.
Grade: B+
Derrick White
White continues to block shots at a ridiculous rate. He averaged 1.3 per game while playing an average of 24 minutes.
He was a bit careless with the ball at times (1.5 turnovers) and didn’t shoot it too well (37.8 percent from the floor), but his energy and pace were instrumental in Boston’s success. I’d like to see a stat for how many runs a player sparks, because I’m pretty sure White would be near the top of the league.
Grade: B
Al Horford
Horford played just one game and looked a bit rusty, but it’s nothing to worry about moving forward. Once the lights are brighter, and he gets in a rhythm, he’ll be just fine. Giving him a grade feels silly, because the sample size is too small and he’s Al Horford.
Grade: N/A
Payton Pritchard
They don’t call him Preseason P for nothing. The thing about Pritchard is that whether it’s a pickup game, a preseason game, a regular-season game or a playoff game, his intensity will always be there. Joe Mazzulla has to love coaching a guy like that.
Pritchard averaged 16 points, a team-high six assists and 3.4 rebounds per game. He hit timely shots, made life easier for his teammates and barely turned the ball over. It may be a long shot for him to win Sixth Man of the Year, but it’s not impossible.
Grade: A
Luke Kornet
Much like Pritchard, Kornet is always ready when he gets the opportunity. Whether he plays 10 minutes or 30 minutes, chances are those minutes are going to be fruitful.
His style meshes perfectly with Holiday, White, Brown and Tatum. With Kristaps Porzingis out, and Horford not playing every night, the Celtics have someone they can trust to start in their place. Don’t be surprised if Kornet scores in double figures on a somewhat consistent basis.
Grade: A
Sam Hauser
Confidence has always been a staple of Hauser’s game, and it appears he’s more confident than ever entering this season. Why wouldn’t he be? The guy doesn’t miss.
He shot 45.8 percent from 3-point range in the preseason and also showcased an improved ability to beat defenders off the dribble. When you hit a couple in a row, the defense has no choice but to swarm. Make the right read, take a few dribbles and hit the open man or stick a jumper. He’s doing just that.
Grade: A
Xavier Tillman Sr.
Much like Kornet, Tillman fits this team perfectly. Also like Kornet, the Celtics can trust him when their top bigs are out. He looks more comfortable overall, and particularly from 3-point range, where he shot 54.5 percent in the preseason.
Tillman also averaged 0.8 blocks per game in 17.2 minutes a night, which is a promising sign for the Celtics.
Grade: A-
Jordan Walsh
The simplest way to sum it up is that Walsh looked like an NBA player out there. He has a high ceiling, and his floor appears to be lower than some initially thought.
His bucket in the final minute Tuesday was very impressive, and even on the last shot, he had the right idea as he zoomed to the rim. For him, it’s all about confidence, rhythm and shot selection. The tools are there. The next step is consistently putting it all together.
Jordan Walsh showed real flashes throughout this preseason. Here’s what stood out to me:
– Consistently played at controlled pace
– Consistently made good decisions
– Improved release from 3
– Legitimate burst/first step on drives
– High-level defensive potential pic.twitter.com/Vxo7Rc6I0R— Marc D’Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 16, 2024
Grade: A-
Neemias Queta
Queta is an interesting one, because he has some moments where he looks tremendous and others where he looks a bit lost.
While he doesn’t naturally fit in quite as well as Kornet and Tillman stylistically, he does offer a shot-blocking element that few backup bigs in the league provide. His length is impressive, and the next step is offensive footwork and fluidity.
Grade: B
JD Davison
Davison has moments of brilliance and others where he regresses and elicits a Cheez-It commercial “Not ready” stamp. His shot looks better, he’s a reliable dribbler and he plays hard on defense, but shot selection, decision-making and turnovers are still an issue.
He’s truly right in between a regular role player and a G-League standout. This season could be a pivotal one for him long term.
Grade: B+
Drew Peterson
Peterson has improved a lot. Give him credit. The reality is that he’s a poor man’s Hauser at the moment, so it’s going to be hard for him to carve out a true role. Having said that, he deserves praise for how much he’s worked on his game.
Grade: A-
Lonnie Walker IV
Walker is an NBA player, period. Whether that’s with the Celtics or with some other team, he deserves to be in the league. I personally would keep him on the roster and let him provide a spark as needed off the bench.
Grade: B+
Jaden Springer
I expected Springer to get a bit more run in the preseason. He played just three games, averaged 13.8 minutes and frankly didn’t show a whole lot while he was out there. Springer’s defense is elite, and his offense is coming along, but time may be ticking.
Grade: B-
Baylor Scheierman
The true Celtics Blog diehards may note that I was extremely high on Scheierman when the Celtics drafted him. I’m still extremely high on him, but I will confess that it may take some time.
Shooting, check. Passing, check. Dribbling, check. Decision-making, check. Now, it’s about adjusting to the pace of the NBA and figuring out how to bring those skills his naturally has to the forefront.
He shot just 17.6 percent from 3, so anything less than a C wouldn’t be accurate, but don’t lose hope just yet. He’s still learning, and I’m confident he’ll figure it out.
Grade: C
Dmytro Skapintsev
Alright, we’re really getting into it here. This guy’s not bad! Shades of a less mobile Dino Radja (OK, maybe not quite). But hey, he makes good decisions, has soft hands and finishes better than expected. Who knows…
Grade: B
Anton Watson
I also thought Watson would play more. He averaged just 7.7 minutes so it’s hard to grade him accurately. He should fare well in the G-League this season.
Grade: N/A
Ron Harper
Same for Harper, who blended in Tuesday night but didn’t do much else. He plays hard, which certainly counts for something.
Grade: N/A
