After coming within two games of winning the championship in 2021-22, the Boston Celtics came into 2022-23 with a ton of expectations but some uncertainty after the whole Ime Udoka debacle. Either way, they are loaded with talent – and of the elite variety.
Below, check out our player scouting reports for the 2022-23 Boston Celtics.
Jayson Tatum
tatum
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Versatile forward with plenty of ways to score… Nasty face-up game with an explosive first step and ability to glide through defenses… Very good athleticism… Pivoted away from taking mid-range jumpers to threes… Great instincts on defense… Drawing more fouls and knocks down free throws at a high rate… Good size and lateral quickness defensively… Emerged as a legitimate superstar… May win an MVP before his career is over.
For even more detailed info on Jayson Tatum, click here
Jaylen Brown
jaylen brown
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
A two-way force… Came into the NBA as a defensive specialist on the wing who could guard various positions… And he’s still that, a great defender, but he’s also developed into an elite scorer… Above-average outside shooter… Scores off the ball, too, as a slasher… Can even do scoring out of the pick-and-roll… Athletic and long so he can finish in the paint well… Turnover prone… Doesn’t have the tightest ball-handle… Improved playmaker but still not quite a strength.
For even more detailed info on Jaylen Brown, click here
Marcus Smart
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Super tough competitor… Built like an NFL player, he plays his heart out every night… Among the best perimeter defenders in the NBA… OK playmaker… Can play both guard spots… Has improved as an outside shooter, but overall not a great scorer… Questionable shot selection… Knows his role… Teammates love having him around.
For even more detailed info on Marcus Smart, click here
Al Horford
al horford
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Despite what the raw averages may say, a very good defender thanks to positioning and instincts… Not a good rebounder for his position at this point, but he makes up for it with a well-rounded offensive game that includes outside shooting and a hook shot with either hand… Underrated playmaker out of the frontcourt… No flash, but a glue guy who makes teams better… Skill set has translated well as he has aged.
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For even more detailed info on Al Horford, click here
Robert Williams
Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Has evolved from an athletic big who can block shots to a legitimate DPOY candidate for years to come… Insane wingspan makes him a serious above-the-rim finisher… Can get up for blocked shots quickly… Fouls too much but has improved drastically here… Rebounding has improved tremendously… Often injured… Goes all out for hustle players, sometimes gets him hurt physically.
For even more detailed info on Robert Williams, click here
Malcolm Brogdon
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
A model playmaker… Rarely makes mistakes… Good court vision… Can create shots for himself and his teammates… Reliable shooter from the outside… Smart and active defender… Not an especially gifted athlete… Has trouble staying healthy… Lacks explosiveness… Skill set should allow him to stay in the league for a while.
For even more detailed info on Malcolm Brogdon, click here
Grant Williams
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Extremely high basketball IQ… Makes a lot of winning plays… Uses wide body well on the glass and setting screens… Doesn’t have a true position… Though that’s not a huge issue in the modern NBA… Can play small-ball center, even though he’s 6-foot-8… Has even become a dependable three-point shooter.
For even more detailed info on Grant Williams, click here
Derrick White
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Well-rounded guard on offense… Can do so many little things well on the court… Can score, rebound and create for others at respectable levels… True floor general who can be fully trusted to run an offense… Highly reliable defender with nice blocking stats to back it up… Can run hot and cold as a shooter.
For even more detailed info on Derrick White, click here
Blake Griffin
blake griffin
Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Strong playmaker out of the power forward spot… Injury concerns will follow him through the end of his career… In his prime, hard to stop one-on-one scorer with a potent face-up and post-up game… Tight ball handle for a big man… Average defender at best due to size and length limitations, though effort on that end isn’t poor… Once an athletic freak, but no more… His lack of shooting has made him a fringe player now.
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Payton Pritchard
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Plays with sky-high confidence… Solid floor general in his ability to run an offense, but will also make flashy plays to set up teammates… Very quick burst, which helps him blow by defenders… Lightning quick release on jumper with dependable form… On the smaller side and not an elite athlete vertically… That’ll hurt him when attacking the paint.
For even more detailed info on Payton Pritchard, click here
Danilo Gallinari
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Bombs away from three-point land like few other players at that size… Will open the floor for his team thanks to the gravity caused by his spacing… Plays with confidence… Staying healthy has been a challenge for him throughout his career… Not much of a defender, though improved on that end… Can hit shots over good defense thanks to high release point… Able to back down and score on smaller guys… Has a fadeaway he can go to at times.
For even more detailed info on Danilo Gallinari, click here
Luke Kornet
luke kornet
Justin Ford/Getty Images
Big man with some athleticism and length… Able to spot up from the three-point line… Pick and pop option with his range… Really good timing as a shot blocker… Can get finessed around the rim by bigger players… A bit slow to stay in front of guards on switches… Developed a new technique for contesting three-pointers where he jumps from inside the paint to try and cover the rim from the shooter.
For even more detailed info on Luke Kornet, click here
Noah Vonleh
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Wide-bodied big man who uses size well in the post… Finishes tidily over smaller defenders… Soft touch on hook shots… Also uses size to clean up on the glass… Excels on putback opportunities… Slow-footed… Decent one-on-one defender but not much of a help defender.
For even more detailed info on Noah Vonleh, click here
Justin Jackson
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Solid size and quickness on the wing at 6-foot-8… Best skill is driving, taking a couple of dribbles and attacking from floater range… Solid teardrop shot… Despite solid shooting stroke, his numbers from the outside have been bad throughout his career… Decent defender… Plays with energy… Just can’t be expected to do much scoring.
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Mfiondu Kabengele
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Really strong and plays through opponents… Dunks with authority and decent shot blocker… Can shoot a bit from the perimeter but mostly operates as a screener and roller… Can pass a bit from the top… Decent face-up/post-up game… Better rebounder on offense than defense… Plays with tons of effort… Undersized but has long arms to make up for it.
For even more detailed info on Mfiondu Kabengele, click here
Sam Hauser
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Role-playing type who can play some 3 or 4… Excellent shooting stroke… Struggles to create his own shot but can finish plays when he’s set up… Lack of quickness hurts him on both ends… Can score off the dribble, particularly against hard closeouts.
JD Davison
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Playmaking guard who can set up teammates and run an offense… Not much of an outside shooter… A bit passive in that he prefers to pass than look for his own shot… Uses quickness and athleticism to do damage on both ends… Can pick up steals and run a fast break… Must get stronger.
Story originally appeared on HoopsHype
