In just the first quarter of the season, the Boston Celtics have already played without Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, and/or Payton Pritchard.
Due to these circumstances, coach Brad Stevens looked to sophomore Carsen Edwards to help shoulder the load in the backcourt.
The 22-year-old filled in nicely during his time with the increased role, averaging 6.2 points per contest. Edwards’ development shows night in and night out, looking more poised than last season.
The former Purdue Boilermaker possessed a limited role for the Cs last season, averaging 9.5 minutes per game. Although there were games in which he excelled, Edwards played the reserve role during his rookie year.
But when the second-year guard rises to the occasion, he makes Boston that much better as another aggressive scorer behind Kemba.
Elevated Role
After being selected 33rd in the 2019 NBA Draft, Boston hoped Edwards could bring his shooting and electric playmaking that exemplified his career at Purdue. He has flashed of that talent in some games, but obviously is still developing and forming his identity as an NBA player.
He stepped up in the absence of JB in a 119-115 win against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. He played a career-high 30 minutes and scored 16 points in the win. He also earned his first career start on February 7th on the road in Phoenix.
Boston always seems to lack a quality backup point guard. The improved play of Edwards along with Pritchard should alleviate that issue. Especially with Kemba aging and dealing with injury, the role is more important than ever.
Offensive Contributions
Edwards’ niche may be as simple as knocking down a couple three-pointers to help ignite a Boston run. Their offense has been stagnant at times, paving the way for Edwards to quench any scoring droughts should Stevens give him the call.
On a similar note, he is good at making plays for others. Edwards is a team-first player who knows his role and looks to create for others primarily rather than scoring. Despite his unselfish label, Carsen is more than capable of scoring when he gets his own looks– especially from beyond the arc.
Although no where near a top option for the C’s, Carsen’s unwavering hustle and selfless play can elevate the team’s performance. An average game from Edwards may not differentiate a win and a loss, but a good game could be key in a win.
Early Growth
From rookie to sophomore, fans can tell Edwards took a leap during the offseason. He portrays more confidence than before while not shying away from the big moments. Especially since Stevens trusts Carsen with key minutes, he needs to deliver when given the chance. His solid play amid Boston’s injury-riddled season proves he can be both be a pivotal piece for the C’s bench and the teams’ success this season.
In his most recent notable appearance, Edwards played six minutes and went 1-2 from downtown. In their last game against Detroit, he logged four minutes but did not score. Although these lines won’t jump off the page, his role as a key depth piece should not be overlooked.
Carsen Edwards will continue to develop and grow in his second season when opportunities arise. With a plethora of guards on the bench, it is imperative he maintains his compelling play to fortify Coach Stevens’ trust in him.
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