Who is our third best player? Who is our third most important player?

[Roy H.]

I'm stipulating that JT and JB are our two best and most important players.  I think that's obvious, and I'm not really interested in devil's advocacy in this thread.

But, who is our third best?  Our third most important?

The way he's playing right now, it's hard to argue against Derrick White as our third best player.  Our third most important I'd say is Timelord.

[Moranis]

This year White was the 3rd most important and Brogdon was probably the 3rd best. 

[Wretch]

I'm stipulating that JT and JB are our two best and most important players.  I think that's obvious, and I'm not really interested in devil's advocacy in this thread.

But, who is our third best?  Our third most important?

The way he's playing right now, it's hard to argue against Derrick White as our third best player.  Our third most important I'd say is Timelord.

This year
3rd best: White
3rd MIP: Timelord

[Vermont Green]

I had just posted something similar in the game thread but for these two ATL games, Horford has been the X-Factor in my mind.  His importance is amplified because we don't have as much depth at his position as other positions.  You can take White out and put in Brogdon, for example.  But Horford has been critical.  We are +36 when he has played this series and -10 when he is out.

Brogdon has had a great +/- also (+25) but he is shooting 29% overall and 1 for 7 from 3.  Smart and White have both been excellent, both box score and +/- or NRTG.  But I think Horford has been more important than any of these 3.

Horford brings another element that I think is also very important.  It is kind of a steadying or calming influence that he brings.  There was a point in the game where ATL called a TO after we went on a little run with Horford making the last basket.  As the team was heading off the court, all the young players were jumping around and doing high fives or chests or whatever.  As they worked their way to Al, he was just walking off the court, total game face, offered simple high fives, and you could see the rest of the team adjust and adopt his more laid back demeanor.  His body language sent a message to the team.  Still work to do here.  Stay focused. 

[BitterJim]

The fact that there are 5 different players that you can argue are the 3rd best/3rd most important is pretty incredible. It's great to have so many guys that are capable of both stepping up big when we need them and taking a step back when someone else has already stepped up.

Going into the year I would have said Brogdon was 3rd best and Horford was 3rd most important, but right now I think it's probably White as 3rd best with Horford as 3rd most important (White has a bigger impact but Smart and Brogdan are incredible replacements)

[SparzWizard]

Derrick White is the third member of the Big 3

[footey]

Best: White
MI: Tie (Al and TL)

[Who]

I found myself wondering last night if Derrick White is a top 10 PG in the league right now. His non-scoring game has always been very strong but this year he has been much better with his perimeter shooting and scoring. He is so rock-solid and consistent out there on a night-to-night basis.

I can't help wondering, a bit similar to Lonzo Ball, if Derrick White is a low key top 10 PG. Or even just outside the top 10 say top 12.

[Vermont Green]

I found myself wondering last night if Derrick White is a top 10 PG in the league right now. His non-scoring game has always been very strong but this year he has been much better with his perimeter shooting and scoring. He is so rock-solid and consistent out there on a night-to-night basis.

I can't help wondering, a bit similar to Lonzo Ball, if Derrick White is a low key top 10 PG. Or even just outside the top 10 say top 12.

I took a quick look at the 538 WAR rankings.  White is ranked 10th with an 8.8 WAR.  It is interesting that his WAR last season was also 8.8 but that resulted in being ranked 7th.  Smart was 8.8 last season but down this season at 4.4.

Trae Young, Brunson, Morant, Fox, and Haliburton are all behind White in the current rankings by WAR, so do with this ranking what you will.

[W8ting2McHale]

At least Marcus Smart seems to have finally accepted that he’s not the 3rd best offensive player and has dialed back his shot attempts.

Regular season White was 3rd best and is carrying that into the playoffs. Brogdon was close though. He probably gets the most important addition nod. Al, Marcus and Rob missed too many games.

Playoff White is looking to continue to be 3rd best, and as they get deeper I think Rob will become 3rd most important. Right now that’s Al for reasons stated above. I think Brogdon will step up and win at least one game for us.

[Neurotic Guy]

The fact that there are 5 different players that you can argue are the 3rd best/3rd most important is pretty incredible.

I was about to write this exact sentence.  Yes! Amazing that 5 players are arguably the 3rd best or 3rd most important.  The team also happens to have Hauser, Muscala, Pritchard, Grant and Blake who can come in and impact a game. One of them might win us a playoff game in the next few weeks.

[SHAQATTACK]

No Brown or Tatum , no title.

Rob is our third most IMPORTANT  player, NOT third best tho …..if winning a chip means anything to you.  He does stuff NO ONE else can , Celtics always look unbeatable when Rob is healthy …he changes the game being on the court.

  But Rob is NOT the third best basketball player on Celtics


The. DWhite has been playing this year pushes him easily past Smart , who just kills the team with bone head crap way way too often for a player with his experience.

Right now I have DWhite as theTHIRD best player .  Excels BOTH ends of court. Never takes a play off , rarely screws up .

Brogdon is a favorite player from back in his college days , he plays the correct way , team ball and was born to be a Celtic .   Like Al ,  all effort and first class guy.

Brogdon steady s the ship NO matter where he is inserted.  Best floor General .

I have Brogdon and White tied after Rob as important to winning a title .

Brogdon has my vote as 4 th best player

Then Smart when he plays limited offense and does his thang on Defense .

[gouki88]

I find it impossible to split White and Brogdon for 3rd best, particularly with how short the rotation is (i.e., both are getting starter minutes).

Rob is 3rd most important though. Total gamechanger

[Sophomore]

I’d say Brogdon and White are different players. If you want a guy to be the first option while the starters rest or throttle down, it’s Brogdon. If you want a guy to complement your stars, do whatever is needed and make winning plays, and really excel on defense, it’s White. If I absolutely had to choose one for this team, it’s White.

[nyceltsfan]

I find it impossible to split White and Brogdon for 3rd best, particularly with how short the rotation is (i.e., both are getting starter minutes).

Rob is 3rd most important though. Total gamechanger

Given the way the game finished, it's hard to remember this, but the Celtics were looking lethargic and disinterested to start the game.  They were down double-digits.  My belief is that the game started to change once Rob Williams got on the court.  They got a couple of easy baskets and hit their stride from there.

I really like the dynamic of Rob off the bench.  He adds something different to the game and it is not necessary to have him and Horford on the court together for most of the game, unless we are playing against 2 bigs.

Also, putting Rob on the bench allows White to start.  White was saying during his press conference last night that sharing the court with Tatum and Brown opens up the floor for White to go to work.  White is playing at a different level right now due to both comfort and circumstance.