Some ideas on the Celtics, taken one by one

· Jaylen Brown: He’s a spectacular shot-maker and finisher, darned close to unstoppable when he’s in a rhythm. He additionally stays the worst decision-maker among the many starters, and the convenience of the workforce’s playoff path goes to rely considerably on his willingness to share the basketball just a bit bit extra. Is that truthful? I feel that’s truthful.

· Jrue Vacation: He’s not the Celtics’ finest participant, however — don’t inform Jaylen — he is perhaps their second-best, and he’s completely my favourite to observe proper now.

The relentless-but-under-control defensive stress … the lefthanded finishes and ambidextrous bullet passes … the endurance and willingness to go up a superb shot to get a teammate an incredible one … I imply, it’s no revelation that he’s extraordinarily good, however what a privilege it’s to observe it from shut vary.

· Kristaps Porzingis: My notion of him earlier than he acquired right here is that he was some type of joyless basketball robotic. That turned out to be neither truthful nor correct. He appears to be having as a lot enjoyable as, if no more than, every other Celtic. And past all of his different skills, what a pleasure it’s to have somebody who can go to the publish and get a straightforward bucket each time the offense turns into stagnant.

· Derrick White: Let’s see: He’s selfless, intelligent, good, malleable, alert, and good to wonderful at every part. I don’t know the way else to say it apart from that he’s a quintessential successful Celtic who would match on any workforce throughout any period.

· Al Horford: I really like how a lot the Horford household loathes Sixers followers — and the way enjoying in Philadelphia brings the most effective out of ol’ Al. His 4 threes in opposition to the Sixers Wednesday accounted for 40 % of his season complete, and his 5 blocks doubled that complete. His shot was off till that recreation, however contemplating how spry he has regarded on the defensive finish, it strikes me as a hunch moderately than an indication of misplaced legs.

· Sam Hauser: Within the Celtics’ first three video games, he shot 20 % (3 for 15) from 3-point land. Within the eight video games since, he’s flattening these high-arcing, banner-scraping threes at a 51.9 % clip (27 for 52). Did anybody discover that Vacation appeared to exit of his technique to get Hauser concerned when he was struggling?

· Payton Pritchard: The unofficial First Workforce Preseason All-NBA choice is coming round in the actual video games after his frigid begin, having gone 3 for 7 from three over the previous three video games after hitting simply 5 of 27 from downtown to begin the season.

Right here’s a stat that backs up my assertion that he’s not likely a degree guard, however a invaluable contributor nonetheless: He’s averaging almost as many rebounds per recreation (3.3) as assists (3.5).

· Luke Kornet: You already know what he’s? He’s playable. And that isn’t an insult. He’s totally able to delivering 10-12 helpful minutes per night time, by which he’ll have a few dunks off putbacks or lobs, set high quality screens on the high of the circle, and wrestle to rebound in site visitors. His pluses counter his minuses, and he’s useful sufficient to present Horford the required relaxation in the course of the common season.

· Oshae Brissett: It appeared like he was going to turn out to be a daily a part of the rotation when he got here into the second recreation of the season in opposition to the Warmth and supplied a jolt of power. However he has performed simply 12:33 over the six video games earlier to Friday’s matchup with the Raptors, so there should be one thing extra Joe Mazzulla desires to see.

· Dalano Banton: If he can be taught to shoot in any respect, the Celtics may have one thing right here. He’s a terrific ballhandler for somebody who’s listed at 6 ft 9 inches and has a knack for cruising by defenders by shifting gears and altering his tempo.

· Svi Mykhailiuk: His perimeter shot appears to be like like somebody tried to attract Klay Thompson’s type from reminiscence. When you may mix his shot with all of Banton’s abilities, you’d have one excellent participant. He’s the sort of defensive weak hyperlink that opponents mistakenly consider Hauser to be.

· Lamar Stevens: He averaged 18 minutes per recreation final 12 months for the Cavaliers, however has performed simply 17 minutes complete for the Celtics. He’s not a shooter (28.5 % from three in his ca