After hitting the free agent market over the summer, Boston Celtics center Aron Baynes has re-signed with the team. Here are three goals for the Australian big man in the 2018-19 NBA season.
Following the 2016-17 NBA season, the Boston Celtics desperately needed a big man, rim protector who would add some muscle below the basket. They went out and signed the perfect man to fill that role in veteran center Aron Baynes.
Not only did Baynes add size to the Celtics frontcourt, he brought championship experience and a toughness the team was looking for. At 6-foot-10 and built like “all of Australia” in the words of Celtics great Tommy Heinsohn, Baynes averaged 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
He was the big banger the Celtics were looking for and more. He not only selfless nature to the team defensively, he provided leadership on a young team. Along with veteran All-star forward Al Horford, Stevens praised those qualities of Baynes prior to an Eastern Conference Finals playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"“You can’t have better leaders than Al (Horford) and Baynes. You can’t,” Stevens said back in May. “They’re both our two oldest players, they’re totally selfless, they’re totally in it for the team, they wrap their arms around young guys. It’s as good as it gets. So being able to take him in and out of the lineup has set a great example for everybody else.”"
As close as the team came to advancing to the NBA Finals in 2017-18, it was important to bring Aron Baynes back. In signing a two-year, $11 million deal this past July, the big man gives the Boston Celtics a big body presence off the bench who could start games when needed.
Along with Horford, Daniel Theis and rookie big man Robert Williams, Baynes will continue bringing that toughness and energy off the bench the team needs. In all, here are three regular season goals for Aron Baynes.
Protect the rim, baby
What we learned from Aron Baynes in 2017-18 is that he is not backing down from anybody.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
With his big body and man bun, the Australian big man has probably been posterized more than any other player in the NBA. That’s because he contests shots at the rim.
Sure, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid got the best of Baynes a couple of time, but the Celtics big man has also established his presence down low when in the game. If players are going to take it to the rim, they better take it hard.
Aron Baynes has to be ready for more of that this upcoming season. Teams will be aiming for the Boston Celtics and the defensive effort of Baynes will be needed more than last season, especially with a big man like Embiid starring on one of the team’s top rivals in the Eastern Conference.
"“My job is to try to make every shot attempt of the opponent’s as tough as I can. If that’s me putting my body on the line then each time I’m going to step up and do it,” Baynes said back in April, via ESPN. “It’s fun for me. I like it when guys are focused on [trying to dunk on] me because then they’re not focused on their game.”"
That energy and approach to the game made Aron Baynes one of the top defensive players in the NBA. He needs to replicate that this season to get the Celtics to the promise land of the NBA Finals.
More consistent outside shot
Aron Baynes did have a couple big scoring nights for the Boston Celtics in 2017-18, but the team doesn’t need him to score.
With Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back along with the growth of both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown offensively, any scoring the Celtics get from Baynes will be a bonus.
However, when he does get open shots, he needs to knock them down on a consistent basis to keep the opposing team’s defense honest when he is in the game. Baynes has shown that he can knock down open jumpers and even developed a three-point shot in the playoffs.
Shooting .478 from beyond the arc in the team’s playoff push, Baynes added a new element to his game that will make him even more versatile on the floor. More important than knocking down those open opportunities, shot selection will be big for Baynes.
He can’t get three-point shot happy like he did at times in the playoffs. That is simply not his game. With the type of talent the Boston Celtics have on their team, Aron Baynes will likely be the fifth option when he is on the court. His defense will come first. Any offensive output will be an added bonus. He just needs to be consistent when those open shots arise.
Be a mentor to Boston Celtics rookie Robert Williams
The main goal for Aron Baynes heading into the 2018-19 NBA season is to continue to inspire the growth of rookie big man Robert Williams.
With work ethic being one of the main drawbacks of the No. 27 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, players like Al Horford and Baynes have to take him under their wing and lead by example. They have certainly left an impression on Williams who gushed about the work ethic of two veteran players he is looking up to.
"“I learned you got to be a sponge when you’re around those guys,” Williams said, via Chris Forsberg. “Their work ethic – you’ve got guys in the offseason 6 in the morning coming in to get treatment and work out. They’re not obligated to do that.”"
For a young player already known for his tardiness, observing players like Horford and Baynes and how they prepare for games will definitely help Robert Williams.
More than physical preparation, their mental approach to the game will also influence the rookie. Seeing how a player like Aron Baynes prepares for whatever the coach asks him to do as a bench player will be more of a value to a young player adjusting to NBA life.
Now that the Boston Celtics have Baynes for a couple more seasons, Brad Stevens can take the time to really develop Robert Williams and ease him into the flow of the game. In turn, Aron Baynes along with Al Horford have to serve as player coaches by taking Williams under their wings and leading by example on and off the court.