3 Things Joe Mazzulla Must Improve in 2nd Season as Celtics' Head Coach
By Nick Galle
Spreading Out Minutes
In his first season at the helm, Mazzulla very clearly favored an eight-man rotation, with all eight of those players averaging at least 23.5 minutes per game. There was a steep drop-off in playing time beyond that, as no one else logged more than 16.2 minutes per game.
With Boston's new-look bench, this year is going to have to be a lot different.
Outside of Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser, the Celtics don't really have any reserves that have proven they can match the production of Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III and Grant Williams. Sure, Derrick White or Al Horford may be playing with the second unit on some nights, but guys like Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens, Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton and Luke Kornet are going to have to step up.
No one in that group has the ability to just single-handedly take over a game, so Mazzulla is going to have to get creative with the bench. Mix and match sets, throw different looks at opponents -- do whatever it takes to promote team basketball.
The more players who get involved, the better. If Boston is going to have success with its starters off the floor, it's going to require everyone to get in on the action.