Boston Celtics: 4 unanswered questions for the playoffs

How will Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum work together?

This question may seem unnecessary or an overreaction, but it started to become a ligament question before the break. It is important to note that Kemba Walker was still recovering from a knee injury, but since he returned in March, both Jayson Tatum and Walker’s own production took significant drops.

Between February 21st and Walker’s return, Tatum was averaging 33.7 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, over a steal and block a night on 50.0 percent efficiency. After Walker joined the starting lineup, his numbers sank to 22.3 points, six rebounds, 2.7 assists, on 41 percent efficiency.

The decline may not have been because of Walker, but it brings into question Tatum’s role. Without the point guard, Tatum looked like an MVP candidate and the number one option for the Celtics offense but afterward scrambled right back into the shell of the number two.

Brad Stevens likely noticed this and had time to switch the gameplan in order to accommodate both of them. Even though they are great friends and teammates, the way they played on the court, seemed to just be slowing down the effective Celtics offense.

In the bubble, Stevens did change things. Tatum has led to the team in usage percentage, and Walker is fourth. On the minute restriction, Walker has turned into more of an outside threat. Walker has been taking six shots per game from 20 feet or further, while only two per game from less than five feet from the rim. It may just be an experiment, but it now seems like it is Tatum’s team.

Additionally, Walker has only averaged 14 points per game, which also ranks fourth on the team. Brad Stevens may be resting him, but if the Celtics continue to play how they have so far, it does not Walker is going to be the center of the offense.

It is important to note that the Celtics have not had much to play for in Orlando, clinching the third seed early. However, the fact of the matter is as the playoffs loom ahead, the Celtics still do not have a guaranteed number one option.

With how Tatum has been doing, it looks like Stevens has given him the reigns, and the Celtics are now his team. If so, would Walker play like has during the bubble, shooting threes and staying on the perimeter? Will the Walker even get more touches than Jaylen Brown?

If Stevens does not discern a true star, it could lead to a situation like last year, where the players were confused about who to listen to and how to play. Although it is clear that Walker is a better leader than Irving was, the Boston Celtics cannot afford any tension on or off the court if they want to compete for an NBA championship.