Boston Celtics: 3 regular season goals for Daniel Theis in 2018-19

2.  Play defense without fouling

Fouls were a big part of Theis’ game last season. Part of that was probably him adjusting to the NBA game overall. However, that needs to change this season.

Theis ranked second on the team at two and a half fouls per game, right behind Jaylen Brown. Fouls drive everyone nuts, but I have no doubt they drive Brad Stevens up a wall.

Theis has to play defense with his feet rather than with his arms. He did a great job at times last season of staying straight up when he was protecting the paint. The refs would blow their whistles even then, and it would make playing defense that much harder.

However, there were definitely times where his arms had come down or he was just using his hands too much on the defensive end.

Look, Theis is a really athletic guy. There’s no reason for him to be using his hands so much as a defender. He can stay with any guy, and if he falls back then he has the athletic ability to block a shot.

Just like anyone else, I’m a huge fan of the blocked shot. Daniel Theis was second on the team with almost one blocked shot per game, right behind Al Horford. Him being able to swat shots without fouling his man is going to be so important to this defense.

The less Theis fouls the longer he can be on the court and help contribute to this team. He’s more important to the second unit than we might remember.