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Boston Celtics: 3 bench players to watch if NBA season resumes

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics Brad Stevens (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics Brad Stevens (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

The Boston Celtics lack of production off the bench was a problem this season, but here are three reserves who can make a difference.

The Boston Celtics may have one of the best starting lineups and sixth man in all the NBA when everyone is fully healthy.  With the season halted due to the Novel coronavirus, the team will more than likely be healthy once play resumes.

When Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis and Marcus Smart are all available, the Celtics have proven that they can go toe-to-toe with any team in the NBA, until it’s time to rely on their bench.

The lack of consistent productivity from their reserves when it comes to providing offense, was a glaring problem that was not addressed at the NBA Trade Deadline nor was it been addressed in the buyout market prior to suspended league play.

With players like former Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas and sharp-shooter Jamal Crawford available at the time, fans were calling for the team to do something, but the real answer will have to come  from within.

Following home losses to the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets back in early March, that lack of bench reliability came to the forefront once again, leading to Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens to admit more is needed and necessary from his reserves.

"“I think that we do need probably to get a little bit more statically, but some of the guys that do that didn’t play the other day,” Stevens said following the Brooklyn loss, via MassLive.com.  “Like, Enes [Kanter] is going to usually give us points and rebounds and those types of things.  So that’s just part of it.”"

In the game against the Nets, the lack of bench production was evident as the team went into the game without Jayson Tatum and eventually lost both Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown during the course of the game.  With Kemba Walker on a minutes restriction and Marcus Smart fouling out, the team was at a major disadvantage when they went into overtime with Daniel Theis as the only starter available.

That was a major opportunity for the depth to make a statement, but that depth didn’t show up, as the Celtics were outscored 11-2 in overtime in the team’s most embarrassing loss in some time.

While the main solution is eventually shortening the bench with everyone healthy and on the court, health has proven to be a constant obstacle for the 2019-20 Boston Celtics.  That’s why they need reserves who will be ready and contribute on both sides of the court.

Here are three reserves who can be a difference for the Boston Celtics in the playoffs if and when the 2019-2020 NBA season resumes.

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