Xavier Tillman elaborates on how the Celtics can elevate their performance when it truly counts.
Following the acquisition of Xavier Tillman at the trade deadline, Brad Stevens revealed that the Celtics’ primary focus was enhancing frontcourt depth and finding a player who could complement Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford, serving both as a partner and a standalone big.
About a month earlier, the team’s president of basketball operations emphasized the importance of players who can contribute meaningfully without necessarily being in constant action. Tillman perfectly aligns with this philosophy for Boston, serving as an insurance policy this season with an expiring $1.9 million contract. There’s potential for the 25-year-old to be a cost-effective long-term replacement for 37-year-old Al Horford.
In his brief stint with the Celtics, the former Michigan State Spartan, Tillman, expressed admiration for star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. On Gil’s Arena, Tillman highlighted their consistent understanding of what is required from them each day, emphasizing their efficiency and lack of wasted energy in their production. According to Tillman, when the team needs to give its all, Tatum and Brown have the ability to elevate their performance significantly.
Additionally, Tillman shared his perspective on Tatum’s MVP candidacy, recognizing his well-rounded impact beyond scoring. Acknowledging Tatum’s defensive prowess, passing skills, and rebounding ability, Tillman asserted that Tatum deserves to be in the MVP discussion, especially considering the Celtics’ current top position in the league.