As the Boston Celtics head into the offseason, NESN.com takes a closer look at each player on the roster in an effort to determine who will stick around for next season and who will be playing elsewhere.
Next up: Phil Pressey.
Pressey is the closest thing the Celtics have to a traditional point guard. The problem for him is who he plays behind.
Starting point guard Marcus Smart rarely was the primary ball-handler when he was on the court this season — Evan Turner typically handled those duties — but he’s one of the team’s best defenders. Smart’s backup, Isaiah Thomas, probably could start on most NBA teams, and he’s without a doubt Boston’s most explosive scorer.
With the amount of minutes head coach Brad Stevens has to allocate to Smart and Thomas, Pressey often found himself as the odd man out in the Celtics’ backcourt rotation. Of the 25 games Thomas played in following his deadline trade from the Phoenix Suns, Pressey saw action in just nine.
That’s not to say the 24-year-old Missouri product wasn’t valuable. Pressey delivered when called upon — especially after he learned to cut down on his 3-point attempts — and his infectious energy allowed him to serve as a spark plug off the end of the bench when those above him on the depth chart were, for whatever reason, not getting the job done.
One of those instances came in a March 25 loss to the Miami Heat. It was Thomas’ first game back from a back injury that sidelined him for two weeks, and it was clear from the jump he was not yet ready for a full workload.
So, Stevens turned to Pressey, and the second-year guard did not disappoint. Pressey remained on the court from the 4:56 mark of the third quarter until the final minute of regulation, racking up nine points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block in the fourth quarter alone.
The Celtics nearly erased a 22-point deficit before ultimately falling 93-86.
“He was great,” Stevens said after the game, “and he was worn out at the end, but he was still attacking and doing every little thing you could ever ask. He knew that he probably wasn’t going to be in the rotation, or at least the top eight or nine guys (Wednesday night), but he stayed ready, and when he was called upon gave us a chance to win the game.”
That’s what Pressey brings this team: He’s a depth guy, but one his coach isn’t afraid to go to in a big spot. And, seeing as he’s set to make less than $1 million next season in the final year of his rookie contract, there’s no reason for the Celtics not to bring him back.
Up next: Marcus Smart
Previously: Chris Babb, Brandon Bass, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Luigi Datome, Jonas Jerebko, Kelly Olynyk
Thumbnail photo via Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports Images
