With Marcus Smart no longer on the roster, the rise of Jayson Tatum as team leader and Derrick White as Boston’s point guard has begun.
Are Tatum and Brown the best duo in the NBA?
The Celtics stand out as the most balanced team in the NBA. With Tatum, White, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the starting five are capable of delivering 20-plus points each per game and, more importantly, excel defensively.
Tatum, now in his seventh year, has clearly taken the reins as the team's leader in Smart's absence.
When asked about White, who seems to be filling the role that Smart once held on the court, Tatum expressed his support.
“I’ve been an advocate for D-White since he joined the team two years ago,” Tatum said. “…When he’s at his best and he’s being aggressive, I think we’re a much better team.”
White, in discussing his increased comfort level, explained, "I'm the point guard, and I've been with the team for a couple of years, so I know where everyone should be and my aim is to lead in that way."
"I'm the point guard..."
Following White's buzzer-beater in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami, Celtics coaching and management recognized that White had another level his game could get to if he didn’t have to play behind Smart.
Brad Stevens trading Smart for Porzingis this offseason indirectly confirmed their faith in White as a replacement for Smart and marked a departure from the 2014 sixth overall pick.
Throughout the previous season, during critical moments, Smart was on the court instead of White, who was not only a more prolific scorer but also arguably a better defender than Smart, at least last season.
Smart's presence hindered Tatum's growth as the franchise player from a leadership perspective, too, as he often chose to take shots in crucial moments over Tatum and Brown, asserting seniority over players who outperformed him.
With Smart now departed, the Celtics are poised to overcome their struggles in high-pressure situations and are better equipped to face adversity in closely contested games.
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