Three Boston Celtics starters are absolutely locked in for game one of the preseason against the Cavaliers: Derrick White, Paul George, and Jayson Tatum. But that fourth spot? That’s where things get wild, and this first look at a new era could tell us everything. It’s been a long offseason, and diving into Celtics basketball for the first time this year feels so good, even if it’s just preseason. This is our first real glimpse into what head coach Joe Mazzulla’s staff is cooking up and who is truly shining in training camp. It’s a tryout for some guys to show growth or fight for their place. You can always get a feel for who’s going to matter, but let’s be real, you gotta take this stuff with a huge grain of salt. We saw it last preseason, right? Chris Boucher started all four games, then played in only nine regular season games before he was traded. Xavier Tillman had a super similar fate. So yeah, a dash of skepticism, a promise not to overreact, but still, there’s a ton to learn as the Celtics roll into Cleveland.
Who Gets The Start, Seriously?
This starting lineup question is one of the juiciest big-picture mysteries of the season. Joe Mazzulla just dropped a little bomb, saying only three or four starters are “etched in stone.” Talk about cryptic, man! We can all confidently guess that Derrick White, Paul George, and Jayson Tatum are the no-brainer three. My gut said Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta would round out the five. But if only four are locked in, that opens up two ways to read it: either Pritchard is the definite fourth and the center spot is a matchup decision between Queta and Mitchell Robinson, or the center is settled, and they actually prefer Pritchard coming off the bench. This game against Cleveland isn’t just a friendly; it could be a massive reveal for who that fourth starter is. It might even tell us what kind of skills they’re desperate for in that fifth spot. Are they looking for pure spot-up shooting? Defensive hustle? Someone to make plays? Even if the answer isn’t permanent yet, we’re gonna see who gets the first crack at it and what type of skills they value most to complete this lineup.
Can A Wing Take That Sophomore Leap?
On a similar note, a breakout from one of the Celtics’ wings could totally reshape this rotation. There’s so much room for movement in that part of the roster. Last season showed us that Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Hugo Gonzalez were basically interchangeable parts. All three of them had stints as starters or key pieces in the rotation. This year could easily be more of the same, but you gotta wonder if one of them is ready to break through and truly own a spot. Jordan Walsh definitely wants it. He talked at Summer League about his goal to become a more versatile offensive player, to be “the answer in any situation” instead of the guy who gets subbed out when the team needs a bucket. Scheierman could carry a killer training camp right into the preseason; his mix of shotmaking and ball handling arguably makes him the most natural offensive fit of the three next to Tatum and George. And hey, a sophomore leap from Gonzalez isn’t out of the question either, he definitely puts in the work.
So, while we’re not gonna declare anyone MVP after one preseason game, keep your eyes peeled for those early signs. This Cleveland game might not give us all the answers, but it’s gonna light the fuse on what promises to be a wild ride for our boys in green. We’re looking for effort, chemistry, and those first clues about who’s ready to step up and make a real difference. Go Celtics!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
Leave a Reply