The Boston Celtics are finally raising their 18th banner after a season of unparalleled dominance. Their 16-3 record in the postseason was the 10th-highest winning percentage in NBA Playoff history. And let’s not overlook having the best record in the regular season. Regardless of your perspective on their path to get there, they executed at a high level to secure their first title since 2008.
And they’re not about to fade into the background; the East runs through Boston.
The Celtics’ starting lineup is a rare gem from a fantasy standpoint. Unlike many teams, all their starters have the potential to finish within the top 80 in fantasy. Jayson Tatum, a perennial first-rounder, is a reliable choice because of his availability and top-tier production. Kristaps Porziņģis and Derrick White’s three-point shooting and defense elevate them to third- and fourth-rounders. It might sound crazy to give White that type of regard, but he’s earned it, and the hefty bag coming his way.
Finals MVP Jaylen Brown is interesting because, while he’s typically a fourth-round guy, his free-throw shooting and turnovers drive his value down a bit. He also took fewer shots this year, with more talent surrounding him. Still, we’ll see a better version of him after he put up the best postseason numbers of his career. Making an All-Defensive team is next on his hit list, and I’ll likely pick him earlier than usual because of it.
Jrue Holiday sacrificed the most production-wise this season, and I’d expect his draft capital to tumble. He’s still an effective fantasy player who offers a mix of assists, stocks and threes with strong shooting splits whom you can get for an attractive price. Al Horford is a reliable insurance policy for Porziņģis, so he’ll again hold some value in the later rounds of drafts.
Boston has the perfect blend of youth, experience and star power, and they’re at the top of the totem pole because of it.
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Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-06-18 14:15:39
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