Like many others, Monty Williams immediately highlighted Boston’s star power when analyzing the Celtics’ pregame on Monday night.
“They have two top ten, top 15 – whatever you want to top them - players in Tatum and Brown,” Williams said. “We understand who they are.”
But Williams didn’t stop there.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the talent of the Celtics’ six-pack — Tatum, Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford — who collectively boast 16 All-Star appearances, five All-NBA selections, and seven All-Defensive team honors, Williams made sure to emphasize the team’s depth and balance.
“They are probably the most complete team in the league,” Williams added.
Despite missing four key rotation players on Monday night (Tatum, Holiday, Horford, and Sam Hauser), the Celtics didn’t falter. They received solid contributions throughout the roster, a trend seen frequently this season, and for the second consecutive night, cruised to a 25-point victory despite the absence of three of their top six players.
With the win, the Celtics advanced to 8-0 on the season when missing two or more of their preferred starting five.
Boston’s bench was a major concern among fans entering the season, but it hasn’t materialized into the problem many feared it would be. Boston’s reserves have been among the most impactful in the league, posting a league-best +5.6 net rating, ranking fifth in field goal percentage (47.4%) and second in three-point percentage (38.2%). Meanwhile, opponents struggle against them, shooting a league-worst 44.5% from the field and 33.1% (third-worst) from deep against Boston’s reserves.
The dependability of Boston’s core bench unit, consisting of Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet, can not be stressed enough, and they haven’t forgotten about those preseason concerns.
“I definitely did,” Payton Pritchard said when asked if the group took those early season concerns personally. “I think it’s a chip on our shoulder that we’ll always carry. I don’t know; it’s just the media and all of that. They questioned us because we haven’t really played, so I’m just glad we’re able to show them.”
They showed them again on Monday night.
With the hospital Celtics on full display, Pritchard and Kornet slid into the starting lineup and provided solid minutes. Pritchard finished with 23 points, seven assists, and two rebounds in the spot start. He is averaging 22 points and nine assists over his last three starts.
After the game, Williams credited Pritchard for setting the tone defensively for the C's and making the Pistons uncomfortable.
“I thought their ball pressure took us out of our stuff a little bit. We were getting into our sets with 14, 12 seconds on the clock,” Williams said. “Pritchard did a good job of just hounding us tonight.”
On the other hand, Kornet snagged a season-high 10 rebounds and tied a career-high for offensive rebounds, with six of his 10 boards coming on the offensive glass. He also had three blocks and two steals.
“We’re a very deep team,” Pritchard said postgame. “I think people are starting to realize that.”
The consistency of guys like Hauser, Pritchard, and Kornet has become expected. They have been playing high-quality basketball for an extended period of time, which the increased opportunities have just highlighted.
However, Monday night’s game showcased Boston’s depth even further, as the “Stay-Ready Group” proved they are indeed always ready.
Players like Svi Mykhailiuk, Jaden Springer, Oshae Brissett, and Xavier Tillman, who may not typically see the court, made significant impacts. While their contributions may not be flashy on the box score, they did all the little things, complementing the efforts of Brown, White, and Porzingis, ultimately aiding the Celtics in securing the win.
“They take their job seriously, they’re professionals, and they understand that the work that they do prepares them for situations. And I think it’s important throughout the season when you have moments to put them in the game and trust them, that you do it because it validates the work,” Mazzulla said on the group postgame.
“It validates who they are as players, so it’s a credit to them and to the staff. But regardless of who’s in the game, guys played at a high level of physicality and execution. So, it’s because of the work they put in, and it’s because of the staff.”
The members of the Stay-Ready Group have one of the most challenging jobs on the team. They adhere to the same rigorous practice schedule as the regular rotation and often show up on off days or before/after practices to work extra with the coaches and player development staff.
Their work behind the scenes is likely overlooked and underappreciated, but they can be counted on whenever their number is called, and they play a crucial role in the team’s success.
“This is the type of team we have. It’s a big privilege. The top guys are out, and other guys just step in and just keep rolling as a team. I don’t know [if you can count on] one hand the teams that are like us,” Porzingis said postgame. “We believe we’re on a different level, and we’re going to have to show it in the postseason.”
Although they likely won’t see time in the postseason, the Stay-Ready Group’s contributions shouldn’t be overlooked. They are always ready to contribute with their energy and effort, have swung games in Boston’s favor this season, and have fit their roles perfectly.
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