Tag Archives: 2018-19 Boston Celtics

Key Dates for 2018-19 Boston Celtics

The 2018-19 NBA regular season is approaching. Here are a handful of dates to mark on your Boston Celtics calendar:

Tue, Oct 16 vs Philadelphia 76ers

The Celtics open the season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, the Sixers will be a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

The two teams faced off on nine occasions in 2017-18, though the Celtics won seven, with four coming in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Fri, Nov 9 @ Utah Jazz

Just 12-games into the season, Gordon Hayward will make his return to Utah. Hayward chose to join the Celtics in free agency after seven seasons with the Jazz. Fans and teammates were understandably upset, though the backlash Hayward received from the decision was shocking.

 

Watching Hayward respond on the court will be must see television.

Tue, Dec 25 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Boston and Philadelphia face off once again on Christmas Day. This will be their second of four games. With a playoff rematch looking likely, it will be important to get the edge in the regular season.

Sat, Jan 26 vs Golden State Warriors

The defending champion Warriors will come to Boston in late-January for what may be an NBA Finals preview. In their last six head-to-head matchups, both have a 3-3 record, with two of their wins coming away from home.

This will be an important test for Boston, as they look to defend home court against the most talented team in the NBA.

Thu, Feb 7 vs Los Angeles Lakers

After joining the Lakers in free agency, LeBron James managed to change to landscape of the entire NBA. He not only opened the door for the Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but also amplified the NBA’s greatest rivalry. Don’t forget to pull out your “Beat LA” shirts when LeBron and the Lakers come to Boston.

Embed from Getty Images

Fri, Feb 15 – Sun, Feb 17 All-Star Weekend

The Celtics are sure to have multiple representatives during All-Star weekend. Last season, both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford represented the Celtics in the All-Star game, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the Rising Stars game, and Horford in the Skills Challenge.

With the amount of talent in Boston, I would not be surprised if all five starters were voted to the All-Star game.

Thu, Feb 21 @ Milwaukee Bucks

This will be the third and final regular season matchup between the Celtics and Bucks in 2018-19. The two faced off in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs last season. The Celtics would win the series, though they would lose all three road games. Winning in Milwaukee will be an important hurdle for Boston to overcome.

Tue, Apr 9 @ Washington Wizards

The Celtics conclude their regular season in Washington, D.C. A rivalry with the Wizards sprouted after the Celtics eliminated Washington in seven games in the 2016-17 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Wizards will surely be a playoff team once again in 2018-19, making this final regular season game more significant than most.

Celtics

Comparing 2018-19 Celtics with 2007-08 Championship Team

Expectations are through the roof for the 2018-19 Boston Celtics. They have appeared in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals, though both times falling short to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With James moving to the Western Conference, as well as superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning from injury, the Celtics are favored to reach the NBA Finals. That being said, lets compare the 2018-19 starters to the 2007-08 NBA Championship team to see if they have what it takes.

Point Guard – Kyrie Irving vs. Rajon Rondo

Celtics

Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the hoop against Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Irving and Rondo have converse playing styles. Irving is a high volume efficient scorer, who takes about 20 shot attempts per 36-minutes. Whereas Rondo is a pure playmaker, who has led the league in assists three times since 2011-12.

Rondo was a perfect fit for the 2007-08 Celtics. His playmaking ability and defensive impact made him an ideal “true” point guard. Through 9 seasons in Boston, Rondo averaged 12.0 points, 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds, while having .127 win-shares per 48-minutes.

In contrast, Irving is the primary scorer as well as the primary playmaker. In his first season in Boston, he averaged 27.3 points, 5.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds, while having a win-shares per 48-minutes of .222. He may be the most talented guard in Celtics history and will surely have a major impact on the franchise.

Shooting Guard – Jaylen Brown vs. Ray Allen

Brown’s shooting was criticized early on. In his rookie season, he shot only 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from the 3-point line. In year two, Brown improved those numbers to 47 and 40 percent respectively. When comparing his first two seasons with Allen, the similarities between their per 36-minute statistics might shock you.

Name

G 3PA 3P% 2PA 2P% TRB AST STL PTS
Ray Allen 164 4.1 .377 9.6 .451 4.5 3.5 1.2

16.7

Jaylen Brown 148 4.5 .379 8.1 .507 5.8 1.8 1.1

15.8

Per 36-minutes (first two seasons)

Through their first two seasons, Brown was a slightly more efficient shooter than Allen, but overall their statistics are remarkably similar. Making this comparison after Brown’s rookie season would have been insane, but after his sophomore campaign, I believe the comparison is warranted.

Also, the high-flying 21-year-old is a force on the defensive end. His 3.2 defensive win shares ranked fourth on the Celtics last season, ahead of defensive minded players like Marcus Smart (2.5), Aaron Baynes (2.5) and Marcus Morris (2.2). The emergence of Brown as a star should not surprise anyone, as he is capable of playing highly efficient and effective basketball on both ends of the court.

Allen played a pivotal role for the Celtics during their Championship run. Celtics fans can expect Brown to do the same.

Small Forward – Gordon Hayward vs. Paul Pierce

Celtics

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots against Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The similarities between these two are uncanny, as well. Pierce stands in at 6-foot-7, weighing 235-pounds and Hayward at 6-foot-8, 225-pounds. Each of them are all-around players adept at padding the stats sheet. Both are versatile, capable of playing the wing, two-guard or primary ball handler roles effectively. From ages 24-26, the two players share a very similar stat line per 100 possessions.

Name G 3PA 3P% 2PA 2P% TRB AST STL PTS ORtg DRtg
Paul Pierce 241 7.1 .342 18.6 .451 9.1 5.6 2.3 33.0 105 100
Gordon Hayward 229 7.3 .370 15.3 .488 7.7 5.7 1.8 30.5 113 106

Per 100 Team Possessions (Ages 24-26)

According to the numbers, Hayward is more efficient and effective than Pierce on both sides of the floor. His all-around skill set will be key for Boston, as they pride themselves on versatility and efficiency.

Power Forward – Jayson Tatum vs. Kevin Garnett

Despite their difference in size, Garnett standing 6-foot-11, weighing 245-pounds, Tatum at 6-foot-8, weighing 225 pounds, I felt comparing the two would be fair as they both made their NBA debuts at 19-years-old, and are versatile on the offensive end.

Garnett began his career by receiving 1995-96 All-Rookie honors after averaging ten points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks over 29-minutes per game. Tatum would have similar success, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block across about 31-minutes per game, while also receiving All-Rookie honors.

Garnett was one of the greatest defensive players of his generation. His nine All-Defensive First team honors are tied for most in NBA history. Despite the difference in their stature, Tatum possesses a similar defensive edge. In 2017-18, Tatum’s defensive win shares of 4.0 ranked first among Celtics players. His length and athleticism allow him to guard nearly every position on defense, which Garnett did seamlessly.

Back to the offensive side of the ball. Both Garnett and Tatum are capable shooters, although Tatum was significantly better in his rookie season. Each averaged over nine field goal attempts per game, although Tatum’s effective field goal percentage of .538 was significantly better than Garnett’s .497.

Name Season FGA eFG TRB AST STL BLK PTS OWS DWS VORP
Kevin Garnett 1995-96 11.5 .497 7.9 2.3 1.4 2.1 13.1 1.8 2.6 2.1
Jayson Tatum 2017-18 12.3 .538 5.9 1.9 1.2 0.9 16.4 3.0 4.0 1.8

Per 36-minutes (Rookie Season)

Overall, I believe Tatum will have a similar impact as Garnett on both sides of the floor, despite the differences in their size and play styles.

Center – Al Horford vs. Kendrick Perkins

Celtics

Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots a jump shot against Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Once again, we have ourselves two opposite playing styles. Perkins was a bruiser in the paint, whereas Horford is used as a pivot atop the key.

Perkins acted as the team’s primary rebounder and rim protector in 2007-08. Since the team was filled with stars, he fit the enforcer role perfectly.

On the contrary, Horford is used as an offensive catalyst. The 32-year-old is one of the most versatile offensive big-men in the NBA. His ability to drive, post up, and shoot make him lethal on the pick-and-roll.

In 2017, he shot 43 percent from the 3-point line on a career high 97 3-point shot attempts. Also, his playmaking ability cannot be overlooked, as his 676 assists since 2016-17 rank second among big-men behind only Nikola Jokic (817).

Although he gets criticized for his inability to corral boards and block shots, it is clear Al Horford is an indispensable offensive cog in the machine that is the Boston Celtics.

Conclusion

After the analysis, it seems the 2018-19 Celtics roster rivals the talent of the 2007-08 Championship team. Only time will tell their fate, but fans will surely have an exciting season ahead.