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Boston Celtics have a ‘bigs’ problem and here’s who can help

By Randy Marquis

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 08: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot over Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 8, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 08: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns puts up a shot over Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 8, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics Aron Baynes (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Over the past two games, losses to the Suns and Bucks, the Boston Celtics were out-rebounded 111 to 73. Down two key “bigs,” Al Horford and Aron Baynes, it’s clear the Celtics need someone who can help clean the glass ASAP.

Even in this era of “positionless” basketball, most players still have clear roles on the court. Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens has three solid ball handlers in Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier. He has ample wings, led by Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum to spread the floor and handle the bulk of the scoring. And between Al Horford, Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis, it was thought the Celtics would have just enough size to keep opponents from dominating the paint.

Horford, however, has missed the last seven games with patellofemoral pain syndrome in his left knee and his return to the lineup anytime in the near future is uncertain. Baynes, meanwhile, is expected to miss at least a month after breaking his hand two minutes into the Suns game.

That’s left the Celtics with just Theis and rookie Robert Williams to tangle with DeAndre Ayton and Brook Lopez, and the stats bear out how much of a mismatch that is. Theis is a tough kid and solid two-way player. But, though nominally a center, he stands just 6’8″, so he’s already battling a significant height disadvantage against the likes of Ayton (7’1″) and Lopez (7’0″).

Williams is 6’10”, but also just 21-years-old and with 123 minutes of NBA experience. For all his promise, expecting him to suddenly handle 25-30 minutes a game might be asking too much. Stevens clearly knows this, as despite the C’s clear lack of options, Williams still played just eight minutes against the Bucks.

With the team already trailing the 76ers by two games for home-court advantage in the first round of a playoff match up, the Celtics can ill-afford to lose more winnable games by struggling to clear the boards. Indeed, when the 6’3″ Irving leads the team in rebounds, it’s clear the current bigs aren’t cutting it.

So here’s a quick look at a few players Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge might bring on board to fill in for, and potentially even compliment, the ailing Horford and Baynes.

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