The Boston Celtics boast arguably the most talented top-six rotation in the NBA. They have been praised for their top-end talent all season. However, there have been concerns surrounding the team’s bench depth. On paper, there is a significant drop-off in talent. Yet, as the season has worn on, the Celtics have proved those concerns wrong.
Sam Hauser is one of the best movement shooters in the NBA. Payton Pritchard has taken massive strides in his development on both sides of the ball. Luke Kornet is now seen as one of the most valuable backup big men in the NBA. Boston’s depth has gone from being labeled a weakness to a strength.
Speaking to the media during his postgame news conference following the Celtics’ victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday, Mazzulla praised his bench players for their impact and poise.
“This is fun,” Mazzulla said. “This is awesome. Couldn’t simulate a better environment of stress, pressure, chaos. It’s a perfect environment to execute. That’s why when those guys are in, you hold them to the same standard you hold everybody else to. I thought they did a great job just making plays… Everybody on that floor has started a game for us this year, I think, or played significant, significant minutes. So it’s just a testament to them. And whoever is on the floor, I always feel like we have a chance to win.”
Suddenly, the Celtics have genuine depth at every major position. Joe Mazzulla has enough talent to produce an elite eight-man rotation in the playoffs. He also has some reliable backup options, such as Xavier Tillman, whom the Celtics acquired at the trade deadline and scored the game-winning bucket against the Kings.
With the playoffs fast approaching and the Celtics in the hunt for their first championship since 2008, that depth will have a significant role to play. The Celtics have positioned themselves as the best team in the NBA. They have answered every question asked of them. However, the postseason is a clean slate.
With a shortened rotation, Mazzulla’s team must prove it can dominate when the pressure is at its highest. Fortunately, the Celtics have the talent and the depth to rise to the occasion, just as they’ve been doing all season.
