The Boston Celtics are a legend in the NBA and one of the powerhouses in recent years. This year's season has only just begun, and they are already showing the momentum to win the championship. But, you know what? This team has a very different lineup than it did last year!
In the offseason, the Celtics made a series of trades and signings, sending away some veterans and bringing in some new blood. Among them, the most interesting is the joining of unicorns Porzingis and Holiday . The performance of the two of them has directly influenced the Celtics' record and style.
So, apart from the two of them, what are the new faces of the Celtics, and how are they performing? Today, we're going to introduce them one by one to give you a deeper understanding of this team.
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis, nicknamed "The Unicorn", is a 2.21-meter-tall power forward with excellent projection ability and athletic talent. He used to be a core player for the Dallas Mavericks, but this summer, he was traded to the Boston Celtics.
At the time, many were skeptical about the deal, believing that Porzingis' injury issues and defensive qualities would affect his performance with the Celtics. However, he proved to be a very worthwhile signing. In 20 games for the Celtics, he averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. He, along with Tatum and Brown, formed the Celtics' trident, providing the team with great firepower and space.
Porzingis' performance was reminiscent of his best days with the New York Knicks, when he was hailed as one of the league's most promising young players. In Boston, he regained his confidence and form, and earned the respect and affection of his fans and teammates. Although he missed a few games due to injury, it was mainly to protect his body from more serious injuries. As long as he stays healthy, he'll be an important part of the Celtics' championship run.
Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is a 1.91-meter-tall guard who is widely regarded as one of the best offensive and defensive players in the league. He was a regular player for the Milwaukee Bucks, helping the team win the 2021 championship. However, this summer, he was traded to the Boston Celtics to form a new backcourt combination with Derrick White.
The addition of Holiday has greatly improved the defensive strength of the Celtics. Not only is he able to defend the opposing team's leading scorer, but he is also able to contribute in rebounding and steals. This season, he averaged 12.5 points per game and a career-high 6.7 rebounds. Together, he and White are arguably the strongest defensive backcourt duo in the league.
Holiday had an impressive debut season with the Celtics. The only concern is his attacking efficiency, however, in the last five games, Holiday has seen a noticeable upturn in form. He shot 49 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range. If he can maintain that level, then he will be a double threat to the Celtics both offensively and defensively.
Jordan Walsh
Jordan Walsh, a rookie in the 2023 NBA Draft, was selected by the Celtics with the 38th pick in the second round with excellent defensive awareness and tough ball style, becoming the team's only rookie this year.
His addition has injected new vitality and hope into the future of the Celtics. In Summer League, Walsh was particularly eye-catching, averaging 16 points per game. Not only did he play strong on the defensive end, putting the opponent under tremendous pressure, but he also provided effective support on the offensive end, especially in the fast break and the transition between attack and defense.
However, Walsh has yet to make his debut in the NBA this season. While he has traveled with the team on several occasions, he has spent most of his time playing for the Maine Celtics in the G League. There, he averaged 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range. For a small forward who is known for his defensive skills and has relatively limited offensive ability, such statistics are already quite impressive.
Still, Walsh is expected to spend the remainder of his rookie season in Maine, continuing to hone his craft and be fully prepared for next season's contention for the main spot. His tenacity and perseverance, as well as his all-around performance on the court, make us excited about his future in the NBA.
Oshae Brissett
Oshae Brisset, is a 2-meter-tall small forward with excellent physical fitness and defensive awareness. He used to be a starter for the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers, but this summer, he opted to join the Boston Celtics for a smaller role.
The addition of Brissett has added depth and stability to the Celtics' bench. Although he has little role in the team, he is a selfless player who is willing to make sacrifices for the team. So far, he has only played 13 games, averaging 10 minutes per game. During that time, he averaged just 2.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
Brissett's role may not change much, unless there are injuries or trades happening. However, he still proved his worth in his own way.
Dalano Banton
Dalano Banton, a 2-meter-tall point guard, has excellent physical fitness and rebounding ability. He was a former bench player for the Toronto Raptors, and this summer, he signed with the Boston Celtics and became part of the team.
The addition of Banton has added size and variety to the Celtics' bench. While he isn't particularly outstanding in scoring and defense, he's good at grabbing rebounds and can play in a variety of defensive situations. He is also able to act as a playmaker for the team and create opportunities for his teammates.
Aside from the game in which he started for Porzingis, he didn't get much playing time. So far, the Canadian is averaging 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Lamar Stevens
Like Banton, Lamar Stevens hasn't played much this season, playing just nine games in total. He joined the team with a defensive prowess, with the goal of improving the defensive quality of the bench. But despite this, the timing of his playing time has been inconsistent. Despite this, he has been able to perform well in his limited time and is expected to get more playing opportunities as the season progresses.
Svyatoslav Mikhailyuk
Svyatoslav Mikhailiuk has played a limited number of games for Celtic this season, with just 10 games and an average of 6.7 minutes per game. Despite his quality as a three-point shooter, it seems unlikely that his role with the Celtics will become more important under the competitive pressure of sharpshooters like Sam Hauser.
Nemias Keta
In contrast, Nemias Keta, on the other hand, has managed to find his place in the Celtics' rotation after missing a few games due to a foot injury at the start of the season.
In the overtime game against the Golden State Warriors, when neither Porzingis nor Luke Kornet were able to play, Keta seized the opportunity and contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes of playing time.
While Keta may not take on much of the blame as long as Porzingis remains fit, the Portuguese big man has been quite impressive throughout the season, earning more minutes in the rotation.
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