Just because the Boston Celtics happen to be the betting favorites to win the 2023 NBA Playoffs a season after coming within two wins of doing so in 2022 doesn’t mean that the Celtics are also seen as having the top-rated trio of stars in the latest ratings update of NBA 2K according to a new assessment by HoopsHype.
In fact, the Celtics check in at just fifth in the league in terms of the combined overall ratings of their three best players, in this case, Robert Williams III (85), Jaylen Brown (87), and Jayson Tatum (90). Ahead of them are Devin Booker (91), Chris Paul (90), and Deandre Ayton (85) of the Phoenix Suns, the Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant (96), Kyrie Irving (89), and Ben Simmons (83), Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (97), Khris Middleton (86), and Jrue Holiday (86), and Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid (96), James Harden (89), and Tyrese Maxey (85) in reverse order.
The trio of Celtics was rated just above the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (96), Anthony Davis (90), and Russell Westbrook (78).
Celtics fans in favor of expansion might be a lot less enthusiastic about it once the daydream becomes a reality. https://t.co/d1F8IlMnNn
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 13, 2022
Part of the reason Boston isn’t rated higher in H/H’s view is that their “Big Three” still needs a little development.
“More of a Big Two with a very strong role player behind it, the Boston Celtics check in at No. 5 on NBA 2K23’s list of best Big Threes,” writes the author. “Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are an elite 1-2 punch on the wing, capable of getting buckets from all over the floor, while Robert Williams is one of the best defenders in the NBA with elite shot-blocking prowess.”
It’s also important to keep in mind these are projections based on what the Celtics looked like the last time we saw them taking the court, and any growth on the part of the trio of Boston players in question could see them jump further up the list in future assessments.
The Boston Celtics still find themselves at the top of the projections in the East for expected regular season wins — but where do their starters rank after the Mitchell deal? https://t.co/kaG3vinpRi
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 13, 2022
It’s also important to note that while the Celtics will likely rise or fall with how this trio plays next season, that they also are not the entire team.
So, if you see a few teams ranked higher than Boston above, it’s the trio of players being so assessed, and not necessarily a suggestion that the teams in question are a reflection of the players being assessed.
As an inseparable part of the Celtics organization and the NBA more generally, Russell was a living, breathing embodiment of what we all ought to aspire towards whether in sport or life beyond it. https://t.co/glwWdZ9vYd
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 14, 2022
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