Forsberg: Handing out grades for the 2019-20 Celtics

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1/20
<p>Even as the disappointment of Boston bowing in the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years lingers, it’s important to remember that the development of Boston’s two youngest stars has positioned this team for long-term contention. And that might have been the most promising aspect for the 2019-20 season.</p>

<p>Maybe that doesn’t ease frustrations now after the Celtics let a golden opportunity slip away. And there are more strides necessary for this team to really assert itself as the best team in a soon-to-be souped up East. But as we broke out our red pens to grade this season, it only accentuated the development of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who land at the head of the class in our season-ending Celtics report card.</p>

Even as the disappointment of Boston bowing in the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years lingers, it’s important to remember that the development of Boston’s two youngest stars has positioned this team for long-term contention. And that might have been the most promising aspect for the 2019-20 season.

Maybe that doesn’t ease frustrations now after the Celtics let a golden opportunity slip away. And there are more strides necessary for this team to really assert itself as the best team in a soon-to-be souped up East. But as we broke out our red pens to grade this season, it only accentuated the development of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who land at the head of the class in our season-ending Celtics report card.

2/20
<p>It’s fitting that 2020 was a leap year because that’s exactly what Tatum made it. The 22-year-old established himself as one of the best two-way wings in the league while earning All-Star and All-NBA nods. The jump he made in February before the league’s shutdown had LeBron James <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/lebron-james-congratulates-jayson-tatum-instagram-41-point-game?b">dubbing him an “absolute problem.”</a> Tatum blossomed as a scorer, consistently improved his playmaking, and routinely impacted the defensive end.</p>

<p>Tatum’s next challenge: Assert himself as the best player on a championship-caliber team. As good as he was in this year’s playoffs — 25.7 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists per game — there’s still another level for him to climb while being able to carry his team on the biggest stages.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: A-</h3>

It’s fitting that 2020 was a leap year because that’s exactly what Tatum made it. The 22-year-old established himself as one of the best two-way wings in the league while earning All-Star and All-NBA nods. The jump he made in February before the league’s shutdown had LeBron James dubbing him an “absolute problem.” Tatum blossomed as a scorer, consistently improved his playmaking, and routinely impacted the defensive end.

Tatum’s next challenge: Assert himself as the best player on a championship-caliber team. As good as he was in this year’s playoffs — 25.7 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists per game — there’s still another level for him to climb while being able to carry his team on the biggest stages.

 

Grade: A-

3/20
<p>Brown's development was overshadowed at times by Tatum’s vault, but Brown improved his game in so many different areas and, by season’s end, cemented himself as a future All-Star. The numbers were excellent, including in the postseason where Brown averaged 21.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He showcased dramatically improved handle and vision.</p>

<p>But what really stood out is the way Brown embraced difficult defensive assignments, especially in the playoffs, while routinely taking on the challenges of defending All-Stars like Pascal Siakam and Bam Adebayo. Yes, Brown was still susceptible to lapses like losing a shooter, but his versatility -- especially defending those bigger 4s and 5s -- is huge for Boston moving forward.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B+</h3>

Brown's development was overshadowed at times by Tatum’s vault, but Brown improved his game in so many different areas and, by season’s end, cemented himself as a future All-Star. The numbers were excellent, including in the postseason where Brown averaged 21.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He showcased dramatically improved handle and vision.

But what really stood out is the way Brown embraced difficult defensive assignments, especially in the playoffs, while routinely taking on the challenges of defending All-Stars like Pascal Siakam and Bam Adebayo. Yes, Brown was still susceptible to lapses like losing a shooter, but his versatility -- especially defending those bigger 4s and 5s -- is huge for Boston moving forward.

 

Grade: B+

4/20
<p>It’s tempting to elevate Walker’s grade based on the chemistry jolt alone. We’ll keep saying it: He was the perfect palate-cleanser after the Kyrie Irving Experiment. And we're convinced that Tatum and Brown don’t develop quite as quickly as they did this year if they don’t have a supportive All-Star alongside that embraced their progress.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, Walker’s <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-kemba-walker-admits-nagging-knee-injury-has-been-frustrating?b">knee issue clearly diminished his performance</a> before and after the shutdown. Walker had too many games in the postseason where, by his own admittance, he was bad at both ends of the floor. Walker must find a way to ensure that knee isn’t a lingering issue into the future. Walker still averaged 20.4 points per game while shooting 38.1 percent beyond the arc in the regular season.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B-</h3>

It’s tempting to elevate Walker’s grade based on the chemistry jolt alone. We’ll keep saying it: He was the perfect palate-cleanser after the Kyrie Irving Experiment. And we're convinced that Tatum and Brown don’t develop quite as quickly as they did this year if they don’t have a supportive All-Star alongside that embraced their progress.

Unfortunately, Walker’s knee issue clearly diminished his performance before and after the shutdown. Walker had too many games in the postseason where, by his own admittance, he was bad at both ends of the floor. Walker must find a way to ensure that knee isn’t a lingering issue into the future. Walker still averaged 20.4 points per game while shooting 38.1 percent beyond the arc in the regular season.

 

Grade: B-

5/20
<p>It’s easy to forget now, particularly given how poorly he played over the final games of the season after rushing back from an ankle injury, but there were stretches early in the year where Hayward played at an All-Star level.</p>

<p>Alas, he broke his hand in San Antonio in November, battled a foot issue that he wondered out loud if it was connected to his 2017 ankle fracture, and then suffered a Grade III ankle sprain in the first game of the playoffs. The best ability is availability and that’s <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/gordon-hayward-could-return-nba-bubble-soon-isnt-close-game-action?b">simply been a challenge for Hayward</a> during his time in green.</p>

<p>It’s clear the Celtics’ ceiling elevates whenever he’s at full health but he simply hasn’t been that when the team has needed him most, though he deserves credit for trying to tough it out in the Miami series.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: C+</h3>

It’s easy to forget now, particularly given how poorly he played over the final games of the season after rushing back from an ankle injury, but there were stretches early in the year where Hayward played at an All-Star level.

Alas, he broke his hand in San Antonio in November, battled a foot issue that he wondered out loud if it was connected to his 2017 ankle fracture, and then suffered a Grade III ankle sprain in the first game of the playoffs. The best ability is availability and that’s simply been a challenge for Hayward during his time in green.

It’s clear the Celtics’ ceiling elevates whenever he’s at full health but he simply hasn’t been that when the team has needed him most, though he deserves credit for trying to tough it out in the Miami series.

 

Grade: C+

6/20
<p>Even those Celtics fans who both love and trust Smart unconditionally couldn’t have been smitten with Smart putting up 11.6 shots per game in the playoffs, including a whopping 22 shots in Game 6 against Miami. Yes, he looked like Steph Curry at times but also finished at 33 percent beyond the arc for the postseason while hosting as many 3s per game as Walker.</p>

<p>That irrational confidence is part of the Smart package. But the Celtics are at their best when Smart is setting the defensive tone and showcasing his playmaking skills. He was first team All-Defense for a second consecutive year and <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/why-marcus-smart-deserved-be-defensive-player-year-finalist?b">deserves more consideration</a> for Defensive Player of the Year.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B</h3>

Even those Celtics fans who both love and trust Smart unconditionally couldn’t have been smitten with Smart putting up 11.6 shots per game in the playoffs, including a whopping 22 shots in Game 6 against Miami. Yes, he looked like Steph Curry at times but also finished at 33 percent beyond the arc for the postseason while hosting as many 3s per game as Walker.

That irrational confidence is part of the Smart package. But the Celtics are at their best when Smart is setting the defensive tone and showcasing his playmaking skills. He was first team All-Defense for a second consecutive year and deserves more consideration for Defensive Player of the Year.

 

Grade: B

7/20
<p>Retained as a low-cost backup for a team with limited resources to address the center position in the aftermath of losing Al Horford and Aron Baynes, Theis asserted himself as <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-center-daniel-theis-best-bang-your-buck-contract-nba?b">an ideal complement to Boston’s core</a>. He was happy to set screens, showcase new sealing talents, and finish dunks whenever defenses strayed.</p>

<p>Theis was really good for much of the playoffs but foul trouble hindered him and, unfortunately, the lasting image will be Bam Adebayo’s dominant stretch at the end of Game 6. Still, Theis’ production far exceeded what could have been reasonably expected coming into the season.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B+</h3>

Retained as a low-cost backup for a team with limited resources to address the center position in the aftermath of losing Al Horford and Aron Baynes, Theis asserted himself as an ideal complement to Boston’s core. He was happy to set screens, showcase new sealing talents, and finish dunks whenever defenses strayed.

Theis was really good for much of the playoffs but foul trouble hindered him and, unfortunately, the lasting image will be Bam Adebayo’s dominant stretch at the end of Game 6. Still, Theis’ production far exceeded what could have been reasonably expected coming into the season.

 

Grade: B+

8/20
<p>Kanter, signed with Walker as part of what Danny Ainge called his “Plan A” offseason, embraced his role as a situational player who stayed ready and gave maximum effort whenever he got called upon. He was a vacuum on the glass and gave the Celtics occasional offensive jolts with his work around the basket.</p>

<p>For a team thin on size, he was the purest of bigs and Stevens did his best to mask Kanter’s defensive deficiencies. Boston was the third different Kanter team to make the conference finals in the past four years.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B</h3>

Kanter, signed with Walker as part of what Danny Ainge called his “Plan A” offseason, embraced his role as a situational player who stayed ready and gave maximum effort whenever he got called upon. He was a vacuum on the glass and gave the Celtics occasional offensive jolts with his work around the basket.

For a team thin on size, he was the purest of bigs and Stevens did his best to mask Kanter’s defensive deficiencies. Boston was the third different Kanter team to make the conference finals in the past four years.

 

Grade: B

9/20
<p>Boston’s top pick in the 2019 draft battled a slew of ailments during his first year as a pro. Thumb surgery after his lone college season left him playing catchup out of the gates, then he sprained his ankle a couple times, hurt his knee, and tore ligaments in his wrist right before the playoffs.</p>

<p>He toughed it out and got some chances in the postseason, only to suffer a groin injury 81 seconds into his first Eastern Conference finals appearance. The potential is there, we just need to see more of it. Alas, Langford could miss the start of next season recovering <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/romeo-langford-will-miss-rest-celtics-season-after-wrist-surgery?b">from his latest surgery</a>.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: Incomplete</h3>

Boston’s top pick in the 2019 draft battled a slew of ailments during his first year as a pro. Thumb surgery after his lone college season left him playing catchup out of the gates, then he sprained his ankle a couple times, hurt his knee, and tore ligaments in his wrist right before the playoffs.

He toughed it out and got some chances in the postseason, only to suffer a groin injury 81 seconds into his first Eastern Conference finals appearance. The potential is there, we just need to see more of it. Alas, Langford could miss the start of next season recovering from his latest surgery.

 

Grade: Incomplete

10/20
<p>The 30-year-old NBA sophomore turned out to be one of the most reliable options on Brad Stevens’ bench and got quality minutes straight through the playoffs. He was a steady ballhandler, thrived in transition, shot 44.4 percent beyond the arc in the playoffs, and consistently made his free throws. He wasn’t very flashy but he was steady.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B</h3>

The 30-year-old NBA sophomore turned out to be one of the most reliable options on Brad Stevens’ bench and got quality minutes straight through the playoffs. He was a steady ballhandler, thrived in transition, shot 44.4 percent beyond the arc in the playoffs, and consistently made his free throws. He wasn’t very flashy but he was steady.

 

Grade: B

11/20
<p>The Celtics could lean on Ojeleye for sturdy defense and injuries routinely opened doors for regular-season playing time. Alas, his 3-point shot was streaky and failed him in the playoffs (21.7 percent). His offensive limitations made it tough for him to carve out time when it mattered most and rookie Grant Williams slowly started getting the call over him. At 25, Ojeleye just hasn’t been able to make the sort of offensive advancements that would allow him to be a more consistent presence, especially in the postseason.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: D+</h3>

The Celtics could lean on Ojeleye for sturdy defense and injuries routinely opened doors for regular-season playing time. Alas, his 3-point shot was streaky and failed him in the playoffs (21.7 percent). His offensive limitations made it tough for him to carve out time when it mattered most and rookie Grant Williams slowly started getting the call over him. At 25, Ojeleye just hasn’t been able to make the sort of offensive advancements that would allow him to be a more consistent presence, especially in the postseason.

 

Grade: D+

12/20
<p>His 3-point shot defied him for much of his rookie season, but Williams clearly learned from <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-home-grant-williams-details-life-kemba-walkers-roommate?b">shacking with Walker during quarantine</a> because he shot a blistering 58.8 percent (10 for 17 overall) beyond the arc in the postseason. Combine that with high-IQ play and solid defense, Williams saw small doses of minutes as a smallball center throughout the postseason.</p>

<p>What’s more, some of Boston’s best stretches came with Williams at the 5 and he was the only one of the Celtics’ rookies to truly make a consistent impact this season.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B-</h3>

His 3-point shot defied him for much of his rookie season, but Williams clearly learned from shacking with Walker during quarantine because he shot a blistering 58.8 percent (10 for 17 overall) beyond the arc in the postseason. Combine that with high-IQ play and solid defense, Williams saw small doses of minutes as a smallball center throughout the postseason.

What’s more, some of Boston’s best stretches came with Williams at the 5 and he was the only one of the Celtics’ rookies to truly make a consistent impact this season.

 

Grade: B-

13/20
<p>A hip injury sidelined Williams for three months during the regular season and, right as he was ramping back up, the league shut down. He was never quite able to earn Stevens’ trust and that led to inconsistent postseason playing time despite his intriguing abilities.</p>

<p>Timelord still had some very encouraging stretches in the postseason, even if it’s clear there’s still strides to be made, especially with defensive consistency. His athleticism is unmatched on this team and it might be time for Stevens to simply bite the bullet and figure out just how much he can lean on Williams moving forward.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: C</h3>

A hip injury sidelined Williams for three months during the regular season and, right as he was ramping back up, the league shut down. He was never quite able to earn Stevens’ trust and that led to inconsistent postseason playing time despite his intriguing abilities.

Timelord still had some very encouraging stretches in the postseason, even if it’s clear there’s still strides to be made, especially with defensive consistency. His athleticism is unmatched on this team and it might be time for Stevens to simply bite the bullet and figure out just how much he can lean on Williams moving forward.

 

Grade: C

14/20
<p>A <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/carsen-edwards-3-point-barrage-celtics-catches-dwyane-wades-eye?b">3-point barrage during a preseason game</a> in Cleveland had Celtics fans buzzing about the second-round pick’s potential as a microwave off the Boston bench but he wasn’t able to carry any of that momentum into real games. Edwards shot just 31.6 percent beyond the arc and played only 351 total minutes in 37 regular-season appearances. He made only one trash-time appearance in the playoffs.</p>

<p>More concerning is that he shot just 28 percent beyond the arc in the G-League while logging 34.2 minutes per game in nine appearances. The Celtics remain hopeful he can find his shot at the pro level.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: D</h3>

A 3-point barrage during a preseason game in Cleveland had Celtics fans buzzing about the second-round pick’s potential as a microwave off the Boston bench but he wasn’t able to carry any of that momentum into real games. Edwards shot just 31.6 percent beyond the arc and played only 351 total minutes in 37 regular-season appearances. He made only one trash-time appearance in the playoffs.

More concerning is that he shot just 28 percent beyond the arc in the G-League while logging 34.2 minutes per game in nine appearances. The Celtics remain hopeful he can find his shot at the pro level.

 

Grade: D

15/20
<p>One of the <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/europe-celtics-playing-nba-dream-come-true-javonte-green?b">best stories of the season</a>, the 26-year-old rookie, who spent recent years toiling overseas, managed to fight his way onto Boston’s roster after showcasing his athleticism at summer league. The springy wing played a total of 468 minutes in 48 regular-season appearances while often showcasing his freakish hops. He needs to develop his 3-point shot and make defense his priority to stick around in the NBA, and a roster crunch could make it difficult for Boston to keep him next season.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: C</h3>

One of the best stories of the season, the 26-year-old rookie, who spent recent years toiling overseas, managed to fight his way onto Boston’s roster after showcasing his athleticism at summer league. The springy wing played a total of 468 minutes in 48 regular-season appearances while often showcasing his freakish hops. He needs to develop his 3-point shot and make defense his priority to stick around in the NBA, and a roster crunch could make it difficult for Boston to keep him next season.

 

Grade: C

16/20
<p>No 2-way player in the league got as much attention as the 7-foot-5 Fall, who became an immediate fan favorite with a solid showing at summer league. Fall is still a long way away from being a rotation-caliber big in the NBA but his skills improved throughout the year and nothing made TD Garden roar more than the sight of Fall running to the scorer’s table. His ability to impact games with his size is undeniable and Fall earned the trust of his teammates with his work ethic and desire to improve.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: C+</h3>

No 2-way player in the league got as much attention as the 7-foot-5 Fall, who became an immediate fan favorite with a solid showing at summer league. Fall is still a long way away from being a rotation-caliber big in the NBA but his skills improved throughout the year and nothing made TD Garden roar more than the sight of Fall running to the scorer’s table. His ability to impact games with his size is undeniable and Fall earned the trust of his teammates with his work ethic and desire to improve.

 

Grade: C+

17/20
<p>When the Celtics plucked Poirier out of France last summer, it felt like they had high hopes he could compete immediately for frontcourt minutes. He never quite made the advancements necessary to earn consistent time. Poirier was good for chemistry and bonded with Boston’s diverse group of bigs but he played only 130 minutes in 22 appearances.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: D</h3>

When the Celtics plucked Poirier out of France last summer, it felt like they had high hopes he could compete immediately for frontcourt minutes. He never quite made the advancements necessary to earn consistent time. Poirier was good for chemistry and bonded with Boston’s diverse group of bigs but he played only 130 minutes in 22 appearances.

 

Grade: D

18/20
<p>Waters wasn’t even Boston’s most popular 2-way player (no one could compete with Fall) but he was a star in Maine while finishing third in G-League MVP voting. He also earned a nod as the <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-tremont-waters-wins-2020-nba-g-league-rookie-year-award?b">G-League's Rookie of the Year</a> while averaging 18 points, 7.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 36 games with the Red Claws. Waters has to improve his shooting and his height poses defensive challenges but his playmaking abilities are undeniable.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: C+</h3>

Waters wasn’t even Boston’s most popular 2-way player (no one could compete with Fall) but he was a star in Maine while finishing third in G-League MVP voting. He also earned a nod as the G-League's Rookie of the Year while averaging 18 points, 7.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 36 games with the Red Claws. Waters has to improve his shooting and his height poses defensive challenges but his playmaking abilities are undeniable.

 

Grade: C+

19/20
<p>Stevens is under the microscope after the Celtics fizzled in the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years. Boston’s perpetual injury woes and an unreliable bench complicated matters for Stevens throughout the year.</p>

<p>We can quibble with his timeout usage or how he deployed his bigs late in the postseason but, ultimately, his biggest failure was being unable to get his team to play with better composure when it mattered most, particularly in the East finals where Boston routinely wilted in crunch time.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: C+</h3>

Stevens is under the microscope after the Celtics fizzled in the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four years. Boston’s perpetual injury woes and an unreliable bench complicated matters for Stevens throughout the year.

We can quibble with his timeout usage or how he deployed his bigs late in the postseason but, ultimately, his biggest failure was being unable to get his team to play with better composure when it mattered most, particularly in the East finals where Boston routinely wilted in crunch time.

 

Grade: C+

20/20
<p>After watching Irving and Horford walk away, the Celtics were in a bit of an awkward spot last summer, but the additions of Walker and Kanter not only kept Boston in position to compete but changed the entire vibe around the organization after a trying 2018-19 campaign.</p>

<p>Ainge and his staff did a solid job cobbling together a low-budget group of big men, but Ainge might have left the bench a bit too thin on talent and too heavy on youth. It’s hard to begrudge Ainge for his lack of trade deadline activity — he wasn’t going to splurge on a Davis Bertans to watch him walk away in free agency — and it’s unlikely that landing a Marvin Williams type on the buyout market would have swung the East finals.</p>

<p>That said, Andre Iguodala’s ability to give Miami a Game 6 jolt only accentuated Boston’s lack of a similar type of playoff-proven reserve. Better health for Hayward at the finish line might have masked some of Boston’s depth issues.</p>

<h6> </h6>

<h3>Grade: B</h3>

After watching Irving and Horford walk away, the Celtics were in a bit of an awkward spot last summer, but the additions of Walker and Kanter not only kept Boston in position to compete but changed the entire vibe around the organization after a trying 2018-19 campaign.

Ainge and his staff did a solid job cobbling together a low-budget group of big men, but Ainge might have left the bench a bit too thin on talent and too heavy on youth. It’s hard to begrudge Ainge for his lack of trade deadline activity — he wasn’t going to splurge on a Davis Bertans to watch him walk away in free agency — and it’s unlikely that landing a Marvin Williams type on the buyout market would have swung the East finals.

That said, Andre Iguodala’s ability to give Miami a Game 6 jolt only accentuated Boston’s lack of a similar type of playoff-proven reserve. Better health for Hayward at the finish line might have masked some of Boston’s depth issues.

 

Grade: B

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