“Perfect fit” will play an “integral” role this season

It's difficult to jump into a championship-contending team in mid-February and immediately become an impact player.

That's the challenge Xavier Tillman faced when he was traded to Boston before the trade deadline last season. The 25-year-old power forward handled things well, adding defensive power to the Celtics' frontcourt off the bench, but he was more of a depth player than a difference-maker.

After transferring from Memphis, Tillman averaged 13.7 minutes, 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in 20 regular season appearances and only saw action in eight of Boston's 19 playoff games. Most of his postseason playing days for the NBA champions ended in defeat.

That should change this season.

Tillman has time, health and opportunity on his side as he begins his first full season as a Celtic and his teammates and coaches expect him to play a crucial role.

“I thought it was a great transition (after the trade),” head coach Joe Mazzulla said before the Celtics began their preseason trip to Abu Dhabi, where they will face the Denver Nuggets this Friday and Sunday. “I thought he was really smart and he understood things straight away. So it's really great that we have him at the start of the year because I think it helps our versatility.

“But the transition was great and smooth. It feels like he’s been here a long time and he’s great at asking questions, but he’ll be an integral part of our work.”

Integral because the Celtics are preparing to play without Kristaps Porzingis for at least the first month of the season, and Tillman is part of their plan to replace him. He can't match the 7-foot-2 starting center's rim protection (Tillman is 6-8 and averages 0.5 blocks per game in his career compared to Porzingis' 1.8) or 3-point shooting ability (26 .7% in his career at less than one attempt per game), but his defensive versatility will be an asset for Boston.

Al Horford is slated to start in place of the rehabilitating Porzingis, but at 38, he will have to manage his minutes and won't play the second game of most consecutive games. It's up to Tillman and 7-foot reserves Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta to fill that gap.

“On the court, (Tillman) is a guy who can defend pretty well,” Horford said. “Can defend on the perimeter. That has good instincts. Off the field he fits perfectly into our group. He's super easygoing. It's just nice to have him around. To be honest, it was a perfect fit, he was here, he was with us. He cares about the right things. He tries to play to win. When you have people like that, it’s very easy to come here and play.”

After Porzingis fell in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Tillman didn't have much to offer, but turned in some impressive performances during Boston's title hunt. In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, he was the best plus-12 player in 13 minutes as the Celtics rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Indiana. Then, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he grabbed four rebounds, blocked two shots and hit a three-pointer to help Boston pull off a similar comeback in Dallas.

Tillman was released after the Celtics' title run but decided to re-sign, as did Kornet, Queta and backup wing Sam Hauser. The Michigan State commit said he now feels “really comfortable” with the team eight months after his midseason arrival — and much better physically after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a lingering knee problem.

“That was the main reason I was out at various times last year,” Tillman said. “My knee swelled really bad after a game. But it has recovered really well. As far as my range of motion, my strength and things like that and just being able to have a hard day without it swelling up again. So things are progressing really well.”

In his four NBA seasons, Tillman never appeared in more than 61 games. He hopes to end that losing streak this season and be the backup Boston needs from him.

“You hope you get a chance,” Tillman said. “For me it's about being healthy. You may have the option, but if you're not healthy – you know what I'm saying? I make sure I stretch, go in the ice bath and eat right so that when it’s my turn I’m ready, feeling great and ready to go.”

C's Talk CAT

One of the Celtics' main rivals in the Eastern Conference made a big change to its frontcourt last week.

The New York Knicks made a blockbuster trade for four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, sending Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick to Minnesota in return.

Both Mazzulla and Horford briefly commented on the deal, which had not been officially announced as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I think all teams are trying to make roster changes to get better, and Karl-Anthony Towns is a great player on a great team,” Mazzulla said Sunday. “We have to focus on ourselves and get better every day.”

“Yeah, I mean, Karl is a great player,” Horford added. “It will be good for them. He does a lot of things on the floor.”

The addition of Towns could radically change the Knicks' style of play this season. The 7-foot, 28-year-old is one of the league's best shooters, making 41.6% of his three-pointers on 5.3 attempts per game last season. The Knicks' primary centers in 2023-24, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson, tried a in total of three 3-pointers all season. (Hartenstein signed with Oklahoma City and Robinson will miss the start of the season due to ankle surgery.)

The Knicks, who will host the Celtics in their season opener on October 22, also gave up five first-round picks earlier this offseason in exchange for standout wing defender Mikal Bridges. New York finished with the second-best record in the East a year ago and enters the new season with a more impressive roster that includes returning starters Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby.

On paper, Tom Thibodeau's club appears to be Boston's toughest conference rival, with teams like Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Indiana also trying to knock the C's out of their championship spot.

Originally published: October 1, 2024 at 4:06 p.m