The depth of the Celtics bench has been a major talking point for Boston this season. With key additions such as Malcolm Brogdon and Mike Muscala and key retentions in Sam Hauser and Al Horford, the Celtics pose a serious threat at the championship this season. Despite players like Brogdon making a stride towards Sixth Man of the Year, other players are left out of the discussion for a playoff spot. Here are three Celtics players that should make the playoff roster.
Sam Hauser
One of the hottest shooters for the Celtics this season, Hauser has been a surprise. Moving up from the end of the bench last season, he has played every game but two. Last season, he only played 26 games, averaging five minutes per, usually in garbage time.
Hauser has provided Boston with just under 42% from three. Despite only giving them six points per game, his unexpected impact has been a huge boost off the bench. At a price of only two million a year, the 3-point specialist has been a great sight for Boston fans.
Hauser’s “show out” game came against the Pistons back in November, when he dropped 24, shooting 60% from the field.
However, a downside of Hauser is not knowing what version he’ll be every night. Hauser has demonstrated his ability to shoot the ball, however some games he struggles to get possession. Similarly, some nights he has the cold hand, shooting low percentages from range.
When weighing the positives and negatives of a player like Hauser, his position in the playoff roster should be guaranteed.
Blake Griffin
If a Celtics fan was told five years ago that Blake Griffin would be a Celtic, they would’ve laughed. General reaction to Griffin’s signing and leaving Brooklyn was surprise. Griffin has received the short end of the stick when it comes to injuries throughout his career, signing a mere three million contract for a year with Boston.
Despite being more of a benchwarmer for the Celtics this season, when his number has been called he has provided. Looking solely at box scores for Griffin, one may observe his impact to be minimal. However, he’s been a vital backup center for injury-prone Williams and veteran Horford.
Griffin provides the Celtics with something that Williams and back-up, Luke Kornet, don’t. That is a solid 3-point shot. Griffin hasn’t always been a 3-point shooter, but changed his shot selection after injuries. Through seven games where Griffin shot the 3 three or more times, he shot the ball 41%.
With the Celtics’ center position always being a question season in and season out, Griffin gives Boston a boost off the end of the bench. It shouldn’t be a question that he’s included in the three Celtics players who should make the playoff roster.
Mfiondu Kabengele
Kabengele, a current two-way for the Boston Celtics and Maine Celtics, has been on a tear up North. Kabengele averages a double-double for the affiliate, averaging 20 points and just under 11 boards. His average plus-minus sits at a +10.3, the best through his G-league career. He most recently earned G-League Player of the Week for March 27.
Kabengele is the player the Celtics have been looking for. He’s a tough big man who bullies his way to the basket, can occasionally shoot from range, and defend efficiently. He’s the whole package.
A lesser-known talent, the only minutes he’s received in NBA time this season came in a blowout win and blowout loss to Charlotte and Orlando. In those games, he only put up two points and five combined rebounds through fourteen minutes.
With those statistics, one may ask why Kabengele deserves a spot on the playoff roster, as the two-way doesn’t automatically provide the safety of a roster spot. Kabengele adds something fresh, something new to the lineup. That is why he deserves a guaranteed roster spot for the playoffs.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to read more on the Celtics here, and if you would like to read more about other sports and esports, be sure to click here. If you want to read more from Nate, click here.
(Featured image credits to Nick Grace/Getty Images)