The Celtics main goal as a team is to repeat as champions which will be the priority for everyone on the team throughout the upcoming season. However, individual goals are intriguing and in some cases, they can add some extra motivation for players, especially in the regular season. This list focuses on individual goals for the eight established players in the Celtics rotation. Let’s dive into it.
1 Goal for Every Celtics Player in the 2024-25 Season
Jayson Tatum: Lead the Team in All Major Statistical Categories
Jayson Tatum is one of the league’s most well-rounded stars. During the playoffs en route to winning the championship, Tatum led all Celtics in points, rebounds, and assists. In the regular season, Tatum led the team in points and rebounds. However, his 4.9 assists ranked second on the team narrowly behind Derrick White’s 5.2 assists per game. Despite being close for several years, Tatum has never led the team in assists.
Tatum’s playmaking has greatly improved and his point-forward skill set was on full display in the playoffs when he averaged 6.3 assists per game. This trend may continue in the upcoming season, and Tatum’s assist averages could be closer to his postseason numbers. This past season only Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic led their teams in all major statistical categories. If Tatum leads the team in these three major statistical categories, he will gain more recognition for his all-around game, specifically playmaking.
Jaylen Brown: Make an All-Defensive Team
Last season Jaylen Brown openly campaigned to make an All-Defensive team. Brown often guarded the opposing team’s best player notably his matchup difficulty ranked in the 89th percentile. However, Brown didn’t make an All-Defensive team and only received four votes. During the playoffs, Brown showcased elite defense especially his masterful defense against Luka in the Finals. Notably, Brown held Luka to 4o percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from three.
Brown takes pride in his defense and is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. Once again Brown is likely aiming to make an All-Defensive team. After a championship run where Brown won Finals MVP in large part due to his incredible defense, the media may give Brown the defensive credit he deserves.
An appreciation post for Jaylen Brown’s defense this season 🔒 pic.twitter.com/SrVFSCeRpX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 14, 2024
Derrick White: Average More Blocks Than Turnovers
Derrick White’s goal is a fun one. Over the past few seasons, White has established himself as one of the league’s best role players. White is an all-around guard with no true flaws. His elite defense and historic shot-blocking abilities for a guard are notable. Additionally, he is an efficient playmaker who rarely makes mistakes. Last season White averaged 1.2 blocks per game and 1.5 turnovers. The season before he averaged .9 blocks and 1.2 turnovers. However, in both of the past two playoffs, White has averaged more blocks than turnovers. With 1.2 blocks in 2024 and one block per game in 2023 compared to .9 and .8 turnovers per game respectively. Averaging more blocks than turnovers for a full season as a guard with plenty of ball-handling responsibilities would be an awesome stat and a fun accomplishment.
Jrue Holiday: Finish Top-3 in DPOY
This is perhaps the most ambitious goal on the list but it’s reasonable. Jrue Holiday has made six All-Defensive teams in his career including in four consecutive seasons. Despite three All-Defensive first-team selections Holiday has never cracked the top five for voting. The NBA’s recent change to make All-Defensive and All-NBA teams positionless contributes to this. Nevertheless this past season Holiday finished sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting he also received one first-place vote and two third-place votes. Holiday is one of the league’s most skilled and most impactful defenders. He is the best perimeter defender in the league and is capable of guarding every position. Ultimately, Holiday’s elite defensive skill set combined with the Celtics’ all-around defense could allow Holiday to sneak into the top three of DPOY voting.
Kristaps Porzingis: Be Healthy For The Playoffs
Kristaps Porzingis will miss a good portion of the season due to an offseason surgery stemming from an injury he suffered in the Finals. As a result, he will focus on getting back into the groove of things and preparing for the playoffs once he returns from injury. Ensuring health for the playoffs will be vital for both Porzingis and the Celtics. Porzingis’ presence is highly valuable as a highly efficient interior scorer and versatile rim protector. Seeing a fully healthy Porzingis in the playoffs would be incredibly exciting and it would certainly boost the Celtics’ chances of repeating as champions.
Al Horford: Lead the Team in Three-Point Percentage
Finding a goal for Al Horford 18 years into his career is a difficult task. With Porzingis missing the start of the season Horford will play a crucial role for the Celtics. Horford provides consistent high-IQ play on both ends of the floor and is one of three-point shooting centers in the league. Horford’s elite spot-up shooting makes him an ideal fit in the Celtics system. Notably, Horford has shot over 40 percent from beyond the arc over the past two seasons. In the 2022-23 season, he shot a team-high 44 percent from three. Last year, his 41.9 percent ranked third on the team. This season Horford will get plenty of open threes off drive and kick plays. Consequently, he may lead the team in three-point percentage once again while shooting between 40 and 45 percent.
Sam Hauser: Add More Shot Creation
Sam Hauser has carved out an important role in the Celtics rotation mainly due to his elite three-point shooting. However, if he added some more shot creation his role and value would increase. At 26 it’s unclear if Hauser can improve as a creator and the Celtics will always need him more as a spot-up shooter. Nevertheless, it’s possible and with more creation skills Hauser would be a far more versatile and effective offensive player.
Payton Pritchard: Become a Neutral Defender
While Payton Pritchard has improved defensively he is still a net negative on that end of the floor. At 6-foot-1 Pritchard will always be targeted defensively. Regardless, if he can improve his perimeter defense and harass opposing guards with intense defense he could become a neutral defender. Pritchard’s offensive skill set has allowed him to become a consistent part of the Celtics rotation. However, improving his perimeter defense would give him an even bigger role.
