Ranking season exhales its last gasp as the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver and Artur Galocha submit to the public their assessment of the NBA’s top 100 player projection for the 2022-23 NBA season. With the Boston Celtics set to contend for a title again this season, we find a heavy presence of Boston’s roster on said list.
This particular assessment checks in with six Celtics players safely inside the elite list of NBA players, though sometimes-counted-elsewhere reserve forward Grant Williams is not among them. While the former Tennessee standout may make them look silly for doing so in his bid for a contract extension, there’s still plenty to dive into.
Let’s look at who made this cut.
Celtics Lab 148: Getting to know Paolo Banchero and other high-impact 2022-23 rookies with Cody Taylor https://t.co/bm0VK4QhwH
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No. 70 - Malcolm Brogdon
Brogdon arrives in Boston as a major X-factor,” writes the Post. “Will he really be satisfied with his new life as a super-sub after four-plus years as a starter?”
No. 68 - Al Horford
Even longtime appreciators of Horford’s understated and well-rounded game had to be taken aback by his age-defying run to the finals,” note the authors.
No. 65 - Robert Williams III
“Williams contests shots with a middle linebacker’s ferocity, but he could be out until the new year after undergoing two knee surgeries since March,” suggests the post.
No. 47 - Marcus Smart
“Long a master of hustle plays, the tenacious Smart became the first guard since 1996 to be named defensive player of the year,” say the Post analysts.
No. 20 - Jaylen Brown
“Brown’s turnover issues late in the finals shouldn’t overshadow his continual growth as a two-way wing who will break the bank during his next contract talks,” prognosticates the Post.
No. 9 - Jayson Tatum
“Despite channeling Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant with his fashion choices, Tatum came unglued during the latter stages of his finals debut,” offers the authors.
Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.
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