Ranking season has come and gone, and the truths of the 2022-23 NBA season have sunk in. For many clubs and players, that means the hard, cold truth has replaced warm, fuzzy expectations.
To such an end, the folks over at The Ringer have put together a trio of NBA rankings that touch on the Boston Celtics’ players. The Ringer’s list focused on overall player rankings, League Pass value player rankings, and trade value rankings, which are all what they sound like they are. Today, let’s take a look at the League Pass player rankings put together by Ringer analysts Rob Mahoney, Michael Pina, Kevin O’Connor, and J. Kyle Mann.
Surprisingly, the Celtics have just one player ranked in the top 20 — and likely far lower than you might expect.
Celtics Lab 159: On fake jerseys for real Boston wins, fantasy sports and remembering Paul Silas with Pete Rogers https://t.co/rHbMySsYwo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 13, 2022
Jayson Tatum
“We watch Tatum to marvel at the ease with which he maneuvers through defenses keyed entirely on him,” writes the panel. “… to revel in the details of his ballhandling, the doctoral-level footwork that frees him up to do the kind of offensive damage that has him bumping statistical elbows with franchise legends.”
“Scored more through 20 games than any Celtic in franchise history. (We are contractually obligated to mention.) That history is storied.”
He’s baaaaack. https://t.co/r66bZ0gMEK
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 15, 2022
“Somehow, a two-time All-NBA performer took another leap,” they add. “He’s getting to the line more, getting in the lane more, getting to the rim more, and making defenses absolutely miserable.”
“This is a horrifying proposition for the rest of the league. It’s shotmaking at 6-foot-8 that looks nonsensical. Tatum is a deployer of artful filth and a monster of an offensive engine. There are loads of arrows in the quiver and if he woke up on the right side of bed, best of luck to whatever defender has to try to slow him down. Late-clock I’m-bigger-than-you daggers. Demoralizing, state-of-the-art fadeaways that end with Tatum on the ground and the ball in the net. Put his footwork in a museum. Pristine, virtuoso, smooth.”
“Real bodacious stuff,” suggests The Ringer. “The kind you text friends about. Blends guys in isolation, dusts them with stepbacks and his signature side-steps, four- and five-dribble combos, churning matter, dropping bombs.”
The answer might surprise you! https://t.co/NkzJMElZ9D
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 15, 2022
“At times, when he was younger, he could make it hard on himself, jacking contested pull-ups from no man’s land, chucking with tired legs,” recalls the panel.
“But the approach has been diversified and Deuce’s father is eating. He’s not relying on the jumper as much and has gotten decidedly more comfortable bodying defenders in the lane to better get to his spots. Has built himself into an off-the-bounce colossus. He looked in the mirror and finally realized, ‘Oh, I’m gigantic and move like a deer. I should use that.'”
“Handle improves every year. Playmaking improves every year. Strength improves every year,” they observe. “Now a floater has been added to his already sizable tool chest and he’s money at the rim.”
It’s safe to say the Georgia native has a little extra motivation this season. https://t.co/T6LYgiofoE
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 15, 2022
“Tatum doesn’t get talked about as a leaper, but he has mashed on some of the gods,” writes the panel.
“Banged on Giannis during last year’s playoffs and reintroduced LeBron to the poster business back during the playoffs after his rookie season.”
All the above may not even do the St. Louis native justice in just how watchable his play is (when you’re not on the wrong end of it, we suppose).
Five Boston Celtics become trade-eligible today https://t.co/50LE79CgLP
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 15, 2022
But it’s not so much Tatum’s place on this list we have a bone to pick with so much as the absence of his partner in crime, Jaylen Brown, even if we can respect the omission of Robert Williams III given he has yet to play a minute this season.
But the idea that Jose Alvarado or OG Anunoby (as good as they have been) are having more watchable seasons than the midrange assassin that Brown has become this season seems…off.
It was the 15th 40-point game of his career – and key to the Celtics’ win over Los Angeles. https://t.co/u4LcLP3EDv
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 15, 2022
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
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YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
