13 for 13, Part 3: Early thoughts on Simons and other Celtics role players

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13 for 13, Part 3: Early thoughts on Simons and other Celtics role players originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Editor’s Note: In a three-part series, Chris Forsberg is sharing 13 thoughts on the 13 Celtics players who have played in the team’s first 13 games. Part 1 focused on the “core four.” Part 2 focused on key role players. Here is Part 3.

For all the consternation about Boston’s depth after its offseason overhaul, there is still no lack of competition for minutes on this new-look Celtics roster.

Joe Mazzulla has leaned heavily into players who can bring energy and grit. We’re eager to see if the competition among the bench players can push the entire batch to expand their games.

For Part 3 of our “13 thoughts on 13 players after 13 games” series, we’re keeping the spotlight on Boston’s bench players:

Sam Hauser

One number: 96.7

That’s how many points per 100 shot attempts that Hauser is averaging this season. It ranks in the bottom 3rd percentile among all forwards, per Cleaning the Glass data.

More jarring: That number is 31.5 points per 100 shots lower than Hauser’s average over the past three seasons, where he’s lingered in the 88th percentile or higher while averaging 128.2 points per 100 shot attempts in that span.

One thought

Hauser got first crack as a starter with the fellow holdovers from Boston’s last title team, but the Celtics’ rebounding woes forced the team to seek alternatives. Hauser’s shot has disappeared in November, too, with six straight games with one 3-pointer or less.

A wrist sprain likely hasn’t helped matters, but even Hauser looks exasperated whenever shots finally fall. Like we’ve often said with Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, this team could look a lot different when players who typically make shots find their groove.

Anfernee Simons

One number: 47.3

That’s Simons’ 3-point percentage on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. He’s taking 4.2 per game in that playtype. On the flip side, he’s shooting 30.8 percent on 3.0 pull-up 3-point attempts per game.

While Simons’ ability to create for himself is vital for a new-look bench group, the Celtics need to maximize his catch-and-shoot abilities by having others create for him.

One thought

It’s insane how hot Simons can get shooting the ball in short stretches. He’s reached double figures in scoring in 10 of Boston’s 13 games. While we’d like to see the Celtics limit Simons’ ball-handling responsibilities, he has driven down his turnovers after a rough preseason, and his assist percentage is up over the last few games. Being a willing ball-mover can aid that second group.

Xavier Tillman

One number: 61

That’s the total number of minutes that Tillman has played this season, the fewest among Boston’s regulars. He’s reached double-figure minutes just three times and it hasn’t happened in November.

One thought

Tillman’s minutes continue to be based heavily on matchups, but it’s still jarring how little he’s played given Boston’s frontcourt overhaul. Tillman had a great season debut while jousting with Joel Embiid on opening night but has played sparingly since.

Rebounding has always been an issue with Tillman given his size and that might be conspiring against him now. His defensive versatility is a luxury but one that Mazzulla just hasn’t consistently called on.

Chris Boucher

One number: 57.1

That is Boston’s defensive rebound percentage during Boucher’s 76 minutes of floor time this season. That’s the worst mark on the team by more than 3 percent. The Celtics’ total rebound rate plummets to 43.8 percent, or nearly 6 percent below the team’s season mark of 49.4 percent.

One thought

The Celtics leaned so heavily on Boucher in the preseason — including some double-big minutes as a starter — that it’s been a bit surprising he hasn’t played much in the regular season. Alas, Boucher has struggled to contribute offensively in his minutes (missing 10 of his 11 3-point attempts) and the team hasn’t rebounded the ball in his floor time.

We suspect the veteran will get more chances moving forward, but the Celtics have leaned into playing smaller to start the year.

Baylor Scheierman

One number: 53.8

That’s what Scheierman is shooting from beyond the arc this season, making seven of his first 13 3-point attempts. After misfiring on 15 of 19 triples in the preseason, it’s encouraging to see Scheierman find his stroke in limited regular-season minutes.

One thought

Scheierman has seen limited reps as the team tends to lean into the energy and grit of younger wings like Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez.

Scheierman needs to stay ready for his opportunities, but the Celtics have posted good numbers in his floor time, including a +10.8 net rating in his 81 minutes. He just needs to find more ways to impact winning beyond shotmaking when he’s on the court.

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