The Boston Celtics are off to a hot start and are on pace for 64 victories. With such a good squad and NBA All-Star debates heating up, how many All-Stars will the Celtics have this February? This article examines the case for five Celtics players, finally determining which players deserve to be named to the All-Star team.
What number of All-Stars will the Celtics have this season?
Jayson Tatum
Let’s not waste any time; Jayson Tatum is unquestionably an All-Star. He’s a consensus top-10 talent, arguably a top-five player, and the best player on the Celtics. This season, Tatum has maintained his status as a top two-way wing and three-level scorer while attacking the rim more aggressively, shooting a career-high 62.6% at the rim. Tatum, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, will be an All-Star starting in the frontcourt.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is the epitome of a co-star. Despite a little decrease in PPG, Brown is having another outstanding season and is deserving of an All-Star selection. Brown remains a productive scorer at all three levels, as well as an important defender, while significantly improving as a facilitator. He’s also averaging a career-high in assists and reducing turnovers. Brown can shoulder the offensive load and win games for Boston on any given night thanks to his outstanding creating ability. Brown will be chosen an All-Star reserve due to the competition in the East frontcourt.
Derrick White
You could argue that Derrick White has been the Celtics’ second-best player this season. Does that indicate he has the second-best chance of making an All-Star team? Based on his name and perceived role, most likely not. His all-around influence, on the other hand, has attracted national media attention, and he might easily be named to the All-Star team. White is one of the league’s top perimeter defenders and a remarkable shot blocker for a guard. He’s one of the team’s most consistent and efficient scorers, with a high basketball IQ and playmaking ability. White’s impact on winning may offer him an advantage over more skilled but less successful players like Trae Young or Donovan Mitchell. Whether he’s a reserve or an injury replacement, I’d be amazed if White isn’t an All-Star.
Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis’ addition has proven to be a match made in heaven. Porzingis provides tremendous value to the Celtics on both sides of the court, unleashing a new element in Boston’s attack with his post-up and lob threat talents. Defensively, he excels at numerous areas, including shot blocking, rim protection, and wreaking havoc as an off-ball defender. The one significant critique on Porzingis’ All-Star campaign has been his nine game absence. Porzingis, like White, has a good chance of being chosen a reserve or injury replacement. The Celtics would most likely have three or four All-Stars in this scenario.
Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is an important player for the Celtics, bringing unrivaled versatility on defense while shooting extremely well from beyond the arc and connecting the offense through his playmaking. Regrettably, he is the odd man out for an All-Star spot. It has never happened before for a team to have five All-Stars. Unless there are an excessive number of injured replacements, I don’t see it changing. Furthermore, Holiday lacks the conventional scoring figures associated with All-Stars, and the backcourt rivalry is too much for him to overcome.
The Last Word
Finally, we haven’t seen a team with this many All-Star candidates since the late-2010s Golden State Warriors. This Celtics team is unique and filled with talent. As a result, I believe Boston will be represented by at least three All-Stars. Given the past, four is a strong probability, but five seems unrealistic. Tatum and Brown are sure bets to make the team. Simultaneously, White and Porzingis have about identical chances. However, because White has played more games, he has a tiny advantage. My hunch is that one of White or Porzingis will start as a reserve, with the other coming in as an injury replacement.