Boston Celtics: 1 important goal for each player this season

roster full of players</a> who are at the point in their careers where they should start making strong impacts on the game. Some of those players also need to showcase their abilities on the court during a contract year in hopes of landing their next deal. Players like Grant Williams and Romeo Langford are in a situation where they need to prove to the Celtics what exactly they offer the team, without hurting the team by doing so.</p> <p>Let’s take a look at realistic goals that should be attainable for some of these players on the Boston Celtics this season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Jay's </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_421484" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img class="wp-image-421484 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1200,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1230284741.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230284741.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1230284741-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Boston Celtics Photo by Brian Fluharty-Pool/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Jayson Tatum &amp; Jaylen Brown</h2> <p>It’s crazy to think that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are entering their fifth and sixth years in the NBA. We’ve had the pleasure of watching these two players become franchise pillars and ascend the Boston Celtics to newer and higher heights as they progress into more of an All-Star player each year.</p> <p>When it comes to a player’s goals, it’s important to look at what the next leap is for that player to take and how it will impact their team. The Celtics need Tatum and Brown to continue taking those leaps in their own games. However, in only a handful of years, the Jay’s have progressed at a much faster rate than what could have been predicted.</p> <p>It’s fair to say that Tatum is capable of averaging 30 points per game throughout the regular season. A personal goal for Tatum could be to continue being the consistent lethal sharpshooter that he’s become for the Celtics. He averaged 26.4 points per game last season, which was good for 11th in the league last year.</p> <p>As for Brown, he climbed the ladder and made his leap last season. He proved to be one of the better two-way players in the league and averaged a career-high 24.7 points per game along the way. Brown made his first All-Star team last year and loved every bit of it.</p> <p>Brown is still recovering from the offseason surgery he had on his left wrist that ended his season early last year. The wrist is still noticeably weak, however, Brown is confident that in time it will get stronger and work better for him. It’s worth mentioning that Brown just recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in the health and safety protocols.</p> <p>Although Brown has a lot going on before he can get himself back on the court, a personal goal for him should be to get back to playing at an All-Star level in hopes of making his second consecutive team. I feel it’s important for Brown to be recognized as an All-Star and something he wants for himself.</p> <p>It’s worth mentioning that both Brown and Tatum want to make more plays for their teammates and be leaders. We’ll see how they take on that role this season.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Veteran Guards </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436647" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img class="wp-image-436647 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1321318488.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1321318488.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1321318488-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Boston Celtics Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Marcus Smart</h2> <p>The Boston Celtics are expecting a lot more out of Marcus Smart this season. Udoka wants Smart to be more of a facilitator and lead the team in a way that he hasn’t necessarily done before. Last season, Smart had career highs in points (13.1) and assists (5.7).</p> <p>It took some time, but Smart has proven to be able to make-and-take 3-pointers and meaningful shots that could call the game. Earlier in his career, you wouldn’t have wanted Smart in a position to take many 3-pointers and especially not a game-winning shot. But as he’s matured as a professional, he’s improved as a shooter.</p> <p>The personal goal for Smart remains the same as it always is: winning Defensive Player of the Year.</p> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Josh Richardson</h2> <p>The Boston Celtics are excited for the potential of what Richardson can bring to the team. They’re hoping to get an experienced two-way player that can hold his own and control the pace of the game while he’s on the floor.</p> <p>The goal for Richardson is to reintroduce himself this season. He’s had a rough few years since he broke out in Miami.</p> <p>The Celtics feel confident enough in Richardson and gave him a contract extension shortly after trading for him to prove so.</p> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Dennis Schroder</h2> <p>Dennis Schroder landed in a prime position with the Boston Celtics after a quiet free-agent market. Which is crazy to think about. Schroder has been consistent throughout his entire eight-year career, averaging over 15 points per game in each of the last five seasons.</p> <p>Schroder’s experience and durability automatically add value to the Celtics. With the exception of his rookie season and last season due to strict health and safety protocols, Schroder has played in at least 65 games for six consecutive years.</p> <p>One of the biggest flaws of the Celtics over the last few seasons has been depth, especially at the point guard position. It’s great that there are finally some veteran pieces in Boston.</p> <p>A goal for Schroder this season is going to be for him to put his name back on the map. He’s playing for his career this season. There weren’t any teams too interested in Schroder outside of the Boston Celtics. It’ll be interesting to see how things play out for Schroder in Boston.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Third-Year Homegrown Talent </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436650" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img class="wp-image-436650 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2441,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1333468953.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2441" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1333468953.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1333468953-768x586.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Romeo Langford &amp; Grant Williams</h2> <p>Romeo Langford and Grant Williams are the only two players remaining on the team from Boston’s 2019 draft class.</p> <p>Both Langford and Williams have experienced the growing pains of playing at the pro level. However, entering their third year, they both have played in big games and should be poised to contribute in a serious way this season.</p> <p>Langford looks like the game finally slowed down a bit for him this year. While shooting at a consistent clip, he’s hit a game-winner in both the Summer League and preseason, perhaps he’ll be able to connect on one in the regular season.</p> <p>A goal for Langford should be to finish the season healthy for the first time in his career. The Celtics have been waiting for him to be available when they need him most and unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to do so.</p> <p>Langford should be looking to play a huge role in the Celtics’ championship aspirations. He also has a fourth-year team option on the line.</p> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Grant Williams</h2> <p>Similar to Langford, Williams is extremely poised and can do a little bit of everything. He can defend most positions and has improved his shooting more than anything in regards to his offensive game. The Celtics have asked much from Williams since his rookie year and despite growing pains, Williams hasn’t disappointed all that much.</p> <p>A goal for Williams should be to produce for the team in the best way possible, which will be to focus more defensively. Williams is a great instinctual defensive player and that’s why he’s able to defend most positions, despite being undersized. When he’s on the court with the core group, attention is going to shy away from Williams, allowing him to take those 3’s that he’s immensely improved on.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Second-Year Draftees </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436653" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img class="wp-image-436653 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1291523485.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1291523485.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1291523485-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Payton Pritchard &amp; Aaron Nesmith</h2> <p>Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith are both on the right track trending upwards. It’s fair to say that the Boston Celtics nailed these two draft picks in 2020.</p> <p>Both Nesmith and Pritchard contributed last year, especially nearing the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. With one season under their belts, the two sharpshooters worked on their flaws and inconsistencies during the offseason. After doing so, the two returned to Summer League looking like the better/ upgraded versions of themselves.</p> <p>Nesmith sharpened his defensive maneuvering and his shooting, becoming the most reliable offensive player for the Boston Celtics during Summer League.</p> <p>Pritchard, on the other hand, didn’t necessarily need to work on his shooting. However, Pritchard worked on his distance and now has an increased range from behind the arc, making him one of the Celtics’ best shooters (<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://twitter.com/JaredWeissNBA/status/1447015049575424004" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to coach Udoka</a>).</p> <p>A goal for both of these players as they enter their second year should be to just be consistent when you’re able to get on the court. Focusing defensively will always open up scoring opportunities on the other end. But on a personal note, both of these players are poised to possibly make some All-Star teams during their time in Boston and definitely the Rising Stars Challenge Teams this year.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Big Men </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_429529" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img class="wp-image-429529 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1319714464.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1319714464.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1319714464-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Robert Williams</h2> <p>Robert Williams has a completely different mindset entering his fourth year with the Celtics. After receiving a contract extension during the offseason, Williams said that he feels the organization trusts him and that’s all of the motivation he needs to go out and do his best every day.</p> <p>There’s no doubt that Williams is one of the premier centers in the league. He’s an outstanding rim protector and can block just about anyone in the league. The offense moves well through Williams, which is another major asset that he brings to the team.</p> <p>The only goal for Williams this season should be to stay healthy. The Celtics need him to finish the season healthy and hopefully be available for them during a playoff run.</p> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Al Horford</h2> <p>Al Horford returns to Boston as a freshly motivated and rejuvenated version of himself. After essentially having an entire season off due to OKC’s youth movement, Horford feels the best he has in his entire career.</p> <p>In two preseason games, Horford has looked like a perfect addition for the Celtics. In the team’s last game against the Raptors, Horford scored 16 points (second-most on the team) and connected on all four of his 3-pointers.</p> <p>The goal for Horford this season is for him to simply do what he does best: lead and do all of the little things that go unnoticed. He’ll be a good model for guys like Robert Williams and Grant Williams, while also helping Tatum and Brown ascend further into their careers.</p> <p>Like Jaylen Brown, Al Horford also has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in health and safety protocols.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Juancho Hernangomez </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_436657" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img class="wp-image-436657 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1344861668.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344861668.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344861668-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">(Boston Celtics Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)</p> </div> <h2>Boston Celtics player goals – Juancho Hernangomez</h2> <p>The Boston Celtics have much to be intrigued with in regards to Juancho Hernangomez. He’s a big forward who moves around the court well and understands his role.</p> <p>In the first game of the preseason, coach Udoka had Hernangomez in the starting lineup. It was surprising, to say the least, however, Hernangomez impressed his new team. He scored six points and had an athletic put-back reverse-layup that was really impressive to see from the big man. It wasn’t so much the production that was impressive, but much more of everything else he offered the team on the floor.</p> <p>Hernangomez helps with spacing. He’s a big guy who can stretch the floor and even hit an occasional 3-pointer, which we saw in the Celtics’ second preseason game against the Raptors. He holds a unique value that’s hard to overlook when he’s on the court.</p> <p>The Celtics newcomer, Hernangomez, is able to be paired with any group that Udoka deploys him to the court with. Coach Udoka has expressed multiple times during the preseason that he intends to use a double-big lineup and that the Celtics have the right pieces to do so. Hernangomez falls into that equation for the Celtics.</p> <p>A goal for Hernangomez this season should be to prove that he can be a contributor on a contending team. To show the rest of the NBA that he can make an impact on a team. If he can do that, then everything else will fall into place for him.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Nets to Kyrie: No part-time work is available" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/12/brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving-part-time/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/13/boston-celtics-1-important-goal-players/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/12/brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving-part-time/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Nets to Kyrie: No part-time work is available </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">