
Though I’m sure the entire roster of the Boston Celtics has been celebrating their championship run, I’m also sure they’ve gotten back to basketball this offseason.
The summer is for working on your game and getting better prepared for the upcoming season. Even though the Celtics won an NBA title, there’s always room for improvement for every player. Therefore, here’s what each starting Celtics player, should be working on.
Jaylen Brown: Off-ball defense/left hand
This past season Brown made it clear that he worked on his left hand already, especially after the C’s lost to the Warriors in the finals a few seasons back. Offensively, Brown is spectacular and can score on any level on the floor. However, Brown still is noticeably not as effective when the ball touches his left hand. Whether it’s driving with his left, a crossover, or even dunking–his offhand isn’t as strong.
Defensively, too many times this past season has Brown been caught sleeping when he’s not guarding the ball. Whether it’s a back cut, or his man coming off a screen, Brown struggles as a defender when off the ball, he reacts late. It’s been a problem since he’s been drafted. He has enough athleticism to make up for it and can help on defense which makes him not considered a liability on defense.
Jayson Tatum: Control pace of game
When it comes to who many consider him to be the best on the Celtics, my biggest critique of Tatum isn’t a skill thing, it’s his lack of ability to control the game. There were times this season when Tatum settled for a deep shot, he took a turnaround jumper with a clear mismatch, or it felt like he didn’t get to the foul line enough. When other teams go on runs, it should be Tatum to call for the ball, slow the pace of the game, and make a play. Whether it’s getting to the foul line to give his team a breather, or kicking the ball out to the open man, I hope he learns to control the game a bit more. Which was something his idol Kobe Bryant was spectacular at later in his career.
Derrick White: Handle/first step
This isn’t to say White can’t dribble the ball and easily gets stripped — but he’s limited when it comes to moves with the basketball. He’s on a Celtics team where he doesn’t need to do much besides defend, knock down open jump shots, and play hard, but his ceiling is much higher than I expected. If he could add some moves to his bag with the ball in his hands to make him a bigger 1 on 1 threat, than he may take that leap to all-star status.
Kristaps Porzingis: Strength/Durability
There’s no secret that Porzingis struggles staying healthy and will likely continue that throughout his career. That doesn’t mean he can’t take the necessary steps to try to prevent that as much as he can. Not to say that he’s weak, but physically he can be overpowered at times and forced to just shoot over defenders with his tall frame. Although most times that offensive plan works, he’d be more productive over a span of an entire season if he began to gain more muscle mass and use footwork inside the paint. Shooting, dribbling, defending the rim isn’t a problem for him in my eyes, it’s him staying healthy to do all of it.
Jrue Holiday: Shooting
Holiday is a veteran in the league and knows exactly what he does and doesn’t do well. He can defend the best in the league and run an offense. The only thing I’d personally like to see would be him knock down shots behind the arc at a more consistent clip. That is all.

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