Boston Celtics: Three players we’re thankful for in 2018-19 season

Ryan Feyre

BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 16: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during overtime at TD Garden on November 16, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Thanksgiving is the time of year to be grateful for what you have. For those diehard Boston Celtics fans, here are three players we enjoy watching.

Regardless of whether or not you love Thanksgiving as a holiday, this time of year is still important for us to not take things for granted; to be appreciative of what we have. For those who live in the Boston area, that list includes family, friends, and of course, sports. Since it’s basketball season, we’re going to focus on the Boston Celtics, and three players all of us should be thankful for in 2018.

My criteria will be based on talent, recent output, and impact with regards to the NBA as a whole. They don’t necessarily have to be the best player on the team, just someone who we all love.

So gather round, go to town on some food, and enjoy the three Boston Celtics players us fans are thankful for this season.

1. Kyrie Irving

After a rocky start to the 2018-2019 season, Kyrie Irving is showing off why he’s a top ten player in the NBA. In his first seven games, Irving averaged a measly 16 points-per-game on 43 percent shooting.

When November rolled around however, his point total was upped to 27 a game on 54 percent shooting. Not to mention, his three-point percentage has increased tremendously since the start of the month

So why has he all of a sudden turned it on? Well, for one thing, he’s showed more frustration than he’s ever had during a season. More than that though, it’s probably because he’s finally starting to feel 100 percent after his leg surgeries back in March.

Boston Celtics fans should be thankful that the injury itself wasn’t as bad as many thought it would be. He’s really carried a majority of the load for an overall underwhelming season so far for Brad Stevens squad. But that’s what his strength is; stepping up when the team desperately needs him.

When Boston looked like they were going to lose by 20 against a below-average Phoenix squad, Irving put them on his back and scored 39 on 46 percent shooting.

The same type of concept happened when Irving was a part of Cleveland. When LeBron James and company couldn’t get the offense going in the fourth quarter of Game 7 against Golden State back in 2016, Irving hit the game-winning three. He also scored 44 points in Game 5 of that series to keep the season alive.

All in all, we’re all lucky to watch such a talented player dribble mercilessly to the rim each and every time the opportunity presents itself. Hopefully, that results in a title eventually.

2. Al Horford

Boston Celtics fans have to be thankful for Al Horford. He’s basically the backbone/veteran guy everyone goes to for information on the team. Even the young guys, like rookie Robert Williams are glowing about the big man, and rightfully so.

More from Boston Celtics

The ten-year player continues to re-define his game, even to this day. He’s garnered a competent three-point shot and anchors the defense on all levels of the floor.

It’s no wonder the Atlanta Hawks won 60 games one year with Horford as one of their best players. He’s smart and driven.

When he has the ball in his hands, he’s one of the few forwards/centers who can do multiple things with it, especially in the post. He either finishes at the rim, passes out for an open three, or shoots from the initial spot. Defenders are clueless when guarding him, specifically when Boston runs pick n’ roll, because Horford either darts to the basket, or clears out for three.

Because he’s developed a pretty decent shot from three-point range, Horford has been able to get the opposing team off their feet. Just look at all of the times Cleveland found themselves jumping when Horford pump-faked in the Eastern Conference Finals last May.

Unfortunately, the Boston Celtics have failed to get him the ball so far this season, and that’s probably as a result of the growing number of wings Brad Stevens has to juggle in the lineup. More wings mean more people that need touches.

Realistically, Horford doesn’t have much left in the tank at 32 years-old, so it should be interesting to see how Boston uses him over the next couple of years.

3. Jayson Tatum

If you’ve taken Jayson Tatum for granted so far in his short career, just remember that he is 20 years old. You know certain players will be special when they have a rookie season like Tatum did.

Personally, I’ve been high on this guy since the beginning, and the fateful draft night trade between the Boston Celtics and the 76ers back in 2016. The guy can defend, shoot, and attack off the dribble.

He turned into the go-to star the Celtics needed when Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving were both out. Tatum came through, averaging 18 points on 47 percent shooting in the 2018 postseason.

Tatum is literally my age, and he’s already a bonafide star. He’s doing all this while raising a kid as well!

He’s been so good, that Stevens chose Hayward to sit on the bench (the $135 million guy) over the sophomore player for better offensive output. So far this season, Tatum is averaging 18.5 points-per-game (up from 16.4 in 2017) and spearheading the offense with Irving.

As of right now, he has done nothing to make me think he can’t do everything, and no one can tell me otherwise.