Poll: Who do you feel has been the best player for C's so far?

[Csfan1984]

Before our next big back to back and now seeing Hayward return nicely I wanted to ask this. Who is our best player currently this year? For me it's hard to answer.

Hayward offensively has been near Jazz level Hayward. I think he has been the most efficient guy all year. He is working well off the other players. He looks and feels to be our new glue guy as he replaces a lot of what we lost in Al on offense, mainly with passing and good pts per shot taken.

Brown is the most dependable player since the opening night no show. His growth from last year puts him in a "most improved player" conversation for the league. He brings defense and offense every night.

Walker is our Mr 4th Quarter. Though he struggled a few games he has come up with clutch shots and fts.

Smart is pure energy and competitive attitude every possession. He is still shooting okay and dishing well. He has taken over in short spurts in tight spots with "back to back to back" plays a few games that turned things for the C's.

Tatum has been the face and guy we look to to set the tone on offense. Despite his early struggles in the role he is evolving before our eyes to be a better defender, rebounder and passer than he was last year. So he has had more growth with the added responsibility. It says a lot when a guy struggling to score efficiently picks up the rest of his game to be a + player.


I really don't think any would be a bad answer.

[BitterJim]

I'll go with Brown because he's been our best 2-way player all year, but if Hayward hadn't missed so much time I'd probably go with him. The impact that he has on our offense is just incredible (Smart is the defensive version, but defense isn't as impactful)

[nickagneta]

I think Brown as he has been our best two way player and most consistent guy on offense and 2nd most consistent guy on defense.

20/7/2 on splits of 50/38/73 with a TS% of 59.5% with nearing All-Defense quality defense.

What a difference a year can make. Last year after 20 games, Brown had to go to the bench for his poor play. Now...team's best player.

[keevsnick]

I voted Brown but it really is close. I don't think hayward has played enough  games yet to really qualify to me, but Smart/Brown/Tatum/Kemba all have strong arguments.

[RPGenerate]

If Hayward continues to play like he did before the hand injury, it could definitely be him. But I'll go with either Kemba or Brown for now.

[jambr380]

I went with Kemba over Brown because he is the primary option on offense and is producing despite being more of a focus of the other team's D. He also has been better at setting up his teammates. And most importantly, the culture shift in this team compared to last year's team has been incredible. Obviously everybody needs to buy in for this to happen, but he was an All-NBA player joining a new team - that doesn't always work right away. It's really clear how much the other guys like and respect him.

Kemba, Brown, Tatum, Smart, Hayward - so far. But I imagine Hayward will move up to at least 3rd on the list after a few more weeks. He's only played 9 games; it's not really fair to rank him ahead of the other guys on the list quite yet (okay, maybe Smart  )

[Moranis]

I went with Tatum because I believe he is the most important player and that if he went down the team would miss him more than any other player.

[slamtheking]

chose Brown.  most consistent so far.  provides great offense and defense.

[Somebody]

I think it's Kemba. I'm a huge Brown fan, but I don't think Brown is an All-NBA calibre player yet (I think he's straddling the sub All-Star and All-Star tiers), even with his two way play.

[MJohnnyboy]

Kemba has been the leader. Brown has been the most consistent. Hayward gives the team a whole new dimension. Smart might be the most indispensable. I went with Tatum because even with his struggles - which by the way are starting to fade - the Celtics seem to play at their best when he is out on the floor.

If you disagree, I completely understand because there's a case for all five of these guys. Call it a cop-out, but in my eyes, it's so awesome that there's no wrong answer for this prompt.

[Who]

Hayward would be a contender if he played enough but he hasn't. It is between Kemba and Jaylen for me. Kemba has been the more important offensive player but Jaylen offers more two-way value so I am going with Jaylen. Tatum and Smart duking it out for 4th spot.

[Jvalin]

I was between Kemba and Brown. Chose Kemba, but it was a close call.

If Hayward hadn't gotten injured, I would have probably chosen Hayward though.

[droopdog7]

Probably would have been Hayward had he not gotten hurt.  Went with kemba.  Most reliable scorer and closer.

[Roy H.]

JB, but I might pick Hayward if he’d played at this level all season.

[Rosco917]

I went with Jaylen Brown. He's quietly improved several parts of his game. His ball handling is improved, his passing, he's scoring the ball at an EFFICIENT 19-20 a game, playing solid defense, all while still having more upside remaining. I just wish he had a bit of Tatums swagger.

Second went to Hayward I can see that he will be Jazz Hayward shortly if he can only stay on the floor. Hayward and Smart are the only one's of the five that do not need the ball in their hands to be of value.