In a 30-part series leading up to the start of the 2021-22 National Basketball Association season, we will take a look at each NBA franchise from a fantasy perspective. The second team we will review is the Boston Celtics.
The Boston Celtics are the NBA’s most successful franchise of all-time. The winner of 17 NBA Finals, Boston however is looking their first Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy since 2008.
The Celtics have one of the game’s most exciting stars who is ranked number one among small forwards in 2021-22. Jayson Tatum is only 23 years of age, but is already heading into his fifth season with the green and white.
Last year Tatum had 2531 fantasy points among small forwards.* Where he was most dominant was near the glass. Tatum had 472 boards, which was second among small forwards last season. Only Royce O’Neale of the Utah Jazz had more rebounds among small forwards, as he had 485. Tatum also had a field goal percentage of .459, a free throw percentage of .868, 187 three-pointers, 1692 points, 472 rebounds, 276 assists, 75 steals, and 171 turnovers. Tatum is also ranked fourth among power forwards, which is actually his normal position for the Celtics.
The Celtics have another elite forward in Jaylen Brown, who is ranked seventh among small forwards and eighth among shooting guards. His versatility at shooting guard and small forward makes him one of the best swingmen in the NBA, making him valuable in fantasy basketball. Last season Brown had 2049 fantasy points. a shooting percentage of .484, free throw percentage of .764, 163 three-pointers, 1430 points, 347 rebounds, 195 assists, 72 steals, and 158 turnovers.
At point guard, the Celtics acquired Dennis Schroder of Braunschweig, Germany from the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency in the offseason. He is ranked 23rd among point guards. In 61 games last year, he had a .437 field goal percentage, .848 free throw percentage, 71 three-pointers, 941 points, 211 rebounds, 351 assists, 70 steals and 163 turnovers for 1481 fantasy points.
Finally in the later rounds, it may be worth to take a flier on guard Marcus Smart, who plays point guard and shooting guard. Last season Smart had a field goal percentage of .398, free throw percentage of .790, 93 three-pointers, 627 points, 167 rebounds, 273 assists, 72 steals and 96 turnovers for 1136 fantasy points.
*Please note: To calculate NBA fantasy points for point guards, shooting guards and small forwards, I use the formula (3PTM+Points+Rebounds+Assists+Steals-Turnovers). For power forwards and centers, I use the formula (Points+Rebounds+Assists+Steals+Blocks-Turnovers).
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