The importance of substitutes in the Boston Celtics

With a record of 47-18, the Boston Celtics are in an unbeatable position to repeat as champions. One of the most interesting stories of this season is the candidacy of Payton Pritchard for Sixth Man of the Year. The 27-year-old player has made a significant scoring leap, averaging 14.2 points this season compared to 9.6 last year, positioning himself as a candidate for the end-of-season award. However, the team has an underrated bench apart from him.

Pritchard is undoubtedly the offensive engine of the Celtics' bench. Impressively, Pritchard's 906 total points off the bench and 210 total triples off the bench lead the NBA. Additionally, he ranks seventh in three-pointers made. Pritchard gives the Celtics a spark off the bench and stabilizes Boston's offense, especially when players are injured or having an off night. Last year, the Celtics did not have such a consistent scorer or shot creator off the bench. Pritchard makes the Celtics even more dangerous.

Al Horford is another key bench player for the Celtics. Although the veteran player has started in 35 of the 50 games when the team is healthy, Horford is a crucial presence off the bench. Horford is averaging 8.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 35.8% from three-point range. His shooting, rebounds, and versatile defense highlight Horford's importance. In a recent game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Horford faced numerous challenges, yet he held strong and made crucial stops to help the Celtics secure the victory. Horford's overall impact and consistency at 38 years old are remarkable.

Sam Hauser is another significant player for the Celtics. The forward shoots 40.1% from beyond the arc. Hauser has shot at least 40% from three-point range in all the years he has played in the NBA and in college. His shooting consistency and ability to hit threes boost the Celtics' bench. In a recent game against the Utah Jazz, Hauser scored 33 points and made nine triples, showcasing his ability to provide an offensive spark for the Celtics. His consistent perimeter shooting helps open up the Celtics' offense, giving them more opportunities. Hauser also contributes rebounding and high basketball IQ. Overall, among Pritchard, Horford, and Hauser, the Celtics' top eight players couldn't be better.

Celtics have an underrated depth. Luke Kornet is a sturdy big man who can catch balls, set screens, grab rebounds, and protect the rim. Kornet's impact often goes unnoticed, but few ninth men in the rotation can provide such quality minutes. Neemias Queta offers a similar skill set. Torrey Craig is a reliable veteran small forward and an excellent depth piece. Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh are quality young forwards. Although they have not had consistent minutes, they have shown solid glimpses, including Scheierman's recent 15-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Celtics' deep rotation may not have many recognizable names, all are capable of providing quality minutes.

The Celtics' bench ranks third in the best plus/minus and third in net rating. Additionally, Pritchard, Horford, Hauser, and Kornet all have a positive net difference. These stats demonstrate the impact of the Celtics' bench, even if many players' numbers may not stand out. Boston's bench has been crucial throughout the regular season, as they've had to deal with several minor injuries. When the playoffs arrive, the Celtics' rotation will shorten. However, their top nine are truly stellar, and beyond that, they have players who can step up if needed.

The Importance of the Celtics' Bench

The argument that the Celtics' bench is a weak point is primarily based on the raw bench numbers. Boston ranks 24th in bench minutes and 26th in bench points. Although these numbers are not ideal, they need context. The Celtics have had to cope with injuries to their starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday throughout the season, with Porzingis, in particular, missing significant time. As a result, traditional bench players have been playing more like starters.

Additionally, aside from Pritchard, the Celtics do not have many bench players for scoring. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have two elite shot creators and consistent offensive options. The Jays, along with Derrick White and Pritchard, are sufficient to maintain an elite offense. Horford and Hauser are used as spacing options rather than shot creation, which opens up the floor for the Celtics and the offense overall. In any case, both have shown they can ignite if the defense allows it. Kornet and Queta are primarily used in the offense as quality defenders and shooting threats; their points often come within the flow of the offense. However, they significantly open up the game for their teammates. Ultimately, the impact of the Celtics' bench goes beyond raw scoring figures.

While Pritchard's case for Sixth Man of the Year is the main story of the Celtics' bench, and his scoring has been crucial, the overall impact of other depth players cannot be ignored. When healthy, the Celtics possibly have the most complete and balanced rotation in the league. The Celtics' top eight players have shown their performance in the playoffs, and Kornet's development will allow him to play crucial minutes. If the Celtics face an injury, they have several bench players who can provide quality minutes. Overall, from top to bottom, the Celtics are an elite and very complete team.

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