The 2023-24 Boston Celtics By Category

During the 2023-24 season, Jayson Tatum has continued to showcase his scoring prowess as the focal point of the Golden State Warriors' offense. With a scoring average of 27.1 points per game, Tatum is one of the best offensive players in the world and he is doing it while shooting 47.5% from the field and 36.3% from the three-point line.

The next-best scorer on the team is Jaylen Brown who is averaging 22.0 points per game but he is not as refined offensively as Tatum is. Tatum can score from the perimeter and inside the paint and has gotten better when it comes to using footwork and dribble moves to stun the defender. No doubt, Tatum is the best offensive player on the Celtics this season.

Playmaking - Jrue Holiday

In the playmaking department, Jrue Holiday has been an absolute life-changer for his team this season. Holiday is posting 4.8 assists per game and is managing to keep his turnovers impressively low at just 1.9. The recently acquired guard is a consistent playmaker and is exactly what the Celtics needed when it comes to bringing the ball up the court and making plays.

Jayson Tatum is right up there as the second-leading playmaker, also dishing out a notable 4.8 assists while Derrick White is the third playmaker on the team due to his role on defense (4.7 APG). Holiday is showing us why he's still considered one of the best floor generals out there, even at 33 years old. His ability to orchestrate plays, share the rock, and do it all with minimal turnovers is a testament to his basketball IQ and leadership.

Rebounding - Jayson Tatum

The Celtics do everything as a team and that includes the boards. But when it comes to grabbing boards, Jayson Tatum is the go-to guy for the team, pulling down a solid 8.6 rebounds per game. It's a clear sign that the Celtics are putting a premium on crashing the boards, especially considering their athletic lineups and Tatum is taking advantage by consistently grabbing rebounds and kickstarting a fast-break.

Even Kristaps Porzingis, standing tall at a whopping 7’4”, is only averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. Porzingis could average more boards, but Tatum has been tasked to use his athleticism and quickness to leap and grab rebounds in order to push the break. The Celtics have five players averaging at least 5.0 rebounds per game so it is clearly a team effort, regardless.

Defense - Derrick White

There are many great defenders on the Celtics this season, including Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum who have both significantly improved on that end. Al Horford is a specialist, Kristaps Porzingis is a shot-blocker posting a team-high 1.9 blocks per game, and Jrue Holiday has five All-Defensive Teams to his name. But Derrick White is still the team's best defender, averaging 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

Perhaps no other player in the league can be relied upon to hustle, defend all positions, and switch on defense effectively. White has been invaluable defensively because he can handle three positions consistently and is simply as scrappy as they come. Making the 2022-23 All-Defensive Team last year, White deserves to make another one this year.

3-Point Shooting - Jrue Holiday

There are also many great shooters on the Celtics this year. Jayson Tatum is shooting an impressive 36.3% from three, but he is attempting 8.4 attempts from beyond. Derrick White is nailing 2.7 threes per game, and he is shooting 39.7% from three but he has not cracked 40.0% just yet.

Jaylen Brown’s shooting is known to be streaky but he is averaging only 34.2% from deep. Kristaps Porzingis is attempting 5.0 threes per game but is shooting 36.8% from three which isn’t exactly elite in today’s NBA. That leaves Jrue Holiday, a player averaging a whopping 44.0% from three while nailing 2.1 per game which means he is the most consistent outside shooter.

Finishing - Jayson Tatum

It is either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown who has to take this category because of their athleticism and skills finishing with dunks or layups. But even when it is very close, Tatum has been the go-to guy when it comes to finishing at the rim. His consistency in that department is pretty noteworthy. Standing tall at 6'8" with some serious athleticism, Tatum has proven to be a threat when driving to the basket.

Tatum’s euro-steps are becoming simply unguardable when he is near the rim and his height makes it very easy for him to score consistently. Jaylen Brown can probably finish better dunks, but he is 6’6” which means it is a little bit tougher to score around the rim. Tatum’s raw skill offensively means he can finish the best on the Celtics right now, with Brown finishing as a close honorable mention.

Athleticism - Jayson Tatum

When it comes to pure athleticism, Jayson Tatum once again beats out Jaylen Brown. Standing at 6'8" and weighing in at 210 lbs, Tatum is the definition of an explosive athlete. He is one of the best finishers in the league right now as he continues to level up his scoring around the basket by utilizing his height and length.

That combination of explosive athleticism and a growing ability to close out plays at the basket is making him a standout on the court as a superstar player. In a team that's often lauded for its playmakers and skillful players, Tatum is the beacon of pure athleticism because he is two inches taller than Jaylen Brown and that helps him accumulate rebounds and block shots as well.

Clutch - Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has received criticism in the past for his playoff failures, often turning the ball over and making mistakes in the biggest games. But if the Celtics need a bucket in a tight game, they will turn to Jayson Tatum. His shooting and raw size make it easy for him to get what he wants, and he will deliver more often than not.

Jrue Holiday has proven to be a consistent clutch performer on both ends of the court, but he has stepped into a lesser role as he has aged. Porzingis can be trusted and so can Brown in instances, but Tatum is the go-to player for the Celtics as he is the leading scorer in crunch time with 59 clutch points scored which ranks 27th in the NBA.

Efficiency - Kristaps Porzingis

When it comes to efficiency, Kristaps Porzingis continues to showcase his elite shooting skills, although this season might not be his peak in terms of percentages. Shooting at 53.1% from the field, 36.8% from three, and an impressive 84.5% from the free-throw stripe, Porzingis remains a force to be reckoned with.

While his efficiency numbers might not be hitting the same high notes as in some previous seasons, it's essential to note that the big man is arguably the most consistent mid-range scorer on the team since he can simply shoot over defenders. He is chipping in 1.9 blocks per game as well with only 1.7 turnovers per game, so he has been the most efficient this year.

Leadership - Al Horford

In terms of leadership, Al Horford has emerged as the unsung hero of the Celtics. With Tatum and Brown still maturing and Holiday still a new face, Horford has stepped into the forefront as the stabilizing force. What sets Horford apart is not just his on-court professionalism but his leadership off the court.

He leads by example, embodying the values of hard work and dedication. We have seen Horford step it up in the playoffs and he will likely do it again this year. Even as he has aged, Horford is the consummate professional and his presence is invaluable on and off the court for the stars of the team.

Versatility - Jayson Tatum

When it comes to versatility, Jayson Tatum has stood out as a jack-of-all-trades for the Celtics. His impact often goes beyond scoring, influencing the game in ways that contribute significantly to winning. Tatum is the leading scorer on the team but is also chipping in 8.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season which both top the Celtics on the stat sheet.

Tatum’s averages of 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game also showcase his ability to contribute across various facets of the game. Tatum has become a far better all-around player in recent seasons and that is a testament to his basketball IQ and understanding of how to be a superstar player in the NBA.

Handles - Jayson Tatum

No other player comes close to Tatum in terms of using ball-handling to create offense for himself. Jrue Holiday is the closest, but he is 33 years old and cannot pull the moves that Tatum can to break down defenses. Tatum’s handles and the improvement in that regard over the past few campaigns have been arguably the main reason he has become an offensive superstar.

The greatest players in the league have had elite handles and Tatum is one of them. His moves when it comes to dribbling the ball have been a spectacle in recent seasons and the hard work put in that regard is a reason the forward continues to put up monster scoring numbers. Quite frankly, it is nearly impossible for any defender to stop Tatum in one-on-one situations.

Underrated - Derrick White

Derrick White’s production often goes unnoticed and you must watch the Celtics to truly appreciate what he can bring on both ends of the court. He has been the team’s best defender this season, posting 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 39.7% from three and averaging 15.6 points and 4.7 assists per game.

There was even noise that White might sneak into the All-Star Game but that was clearly impossible considering the talent in the league right now. White competes on both ends of the court, hustles for loose balls, and plays winning basketball. On a team with many great players, White has to be the most underrated and that is a fair title for him.

Overrated - Jaylen Brown

This is a difficult one because Brown is one of the two All-Stars to represent the Boston Celtics. He is the team’s second-highest scorer with 22.0 points per game, but he is only shooting 34.2% from three which is below average in the modern NBA. He is also shooting 71.8% from the free-throw line which isn’t exactly impressive.

The fact that Brown signed the largest contract in NBA history worth over $350 million this summer and a player making that much should probably be a top-10 player in the world. While Brown should not be punished for accepting a contract that is extremely high due to the market right now, it does warrant better shooting numbers than the player has put up so far.

Overall - Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum is the best player on the Celtics, even when the team has many elite players who can contribute offensively. Tatum is putting up the best numbers on the team, is the go-to closer, and is the best player when it comes to generating wins. Jrue Holiday is the best playmaker, Derrick White is the best defender, and Kristaps Porzingis has improved, but there is no doubt Tatum is the star of the show.

Jaylen Brown might be the second-best player on the Celtics because he contributes in many areas, but he isn’t at the top of the team in any single category. Tatum tops the category for scoring, athleticism, and finishing while being the go-to player in tight moments, making him the best player on the Celtics.