3 players of the Boston Celtics expected to deliver big in the 2021-22 NBA season

The Boston Celtics look sharp ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season, but undoubtedly need to fine-tune some areas of their game. There have been a few changes at the management level. But it will come down to the players to put in spectacular performances to maintain the Celtics' status as one of the big teams in the Eastern Conference.

Finishing in the play-in spot last season was less than ideal for the Boston Celtics, but they made sure to secure their playoff berth. An emphatic win over the Washington Wizards helped the Cs clinch the No.7 seed in the East.

The Boston Celtics made bold moves in the offseason to improve the quality of their roster. While many could argue that they have lost more impactful players, Kemba Walker's injury concerns may have been a factor that led to his trade.

Dennis Schroder and Josh Richardson are additions the Boston Celtics hope would make a significant impact in the upcoming season. While they are not super effective scorers, their effort in defense is noteworthy.

Big things will also be expected from the veteran Al Horford. The Boston Celtics' front office and fans alike will expect the big man to contribute significantly at both ends of the court. At the same time, they'll also expect Al Horford to act as a leader, given his experience in the NBA.

On that note, here are three Boston Celtics players expected to deliver big in the 2021-22 NBA season.

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#3 Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart (#36) of the Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart, the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, has been a delight to watch because of his defensive prowess. He is an absolute terror on the perimeter, as he does a great job staying in front of his opponents or fighting over screens.

More recently, Smart has started to improve his shooting game, knocking down three-pointers on occasion and aggressively attacking the rim. He has often received praise from the Boston Celtics' new head coach Ime Udoka. Even with All-Star-caliber players in the team, Udoke believes Smart is an invaluable piece of the Celtics' foundational pillar.

With such high praise comes greater responsibility, which is why Smart is expected to deliver big for the Boston Celtics in the upcoming season. He will have to improve on his 13.1 points and 5.7 assists averages of the 2020-21 campaign. Smart's work rate defending the perimeter is unmatched, but scoring at a more efficient clip will be a welcome development.

#2 Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown (#7) of the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have an elite second-scoring option in Jaylen Brown, who is, undeniably, a cornerstone of the franchise.

Brown recorded career-high averages in points (24.7) and assists (4.4) while alternating as a wing and shooting guard last season. A wrist injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season and also the playoffs, though.

The Brooklyn Nets, the favorites to win the NBA championship last season, started their postseason with a 4-1 win over the Boston Celtics. However, the Celtics fans could argue that the series could have ended differently had Brown been available.

Pulling off unimaginable upsets is not beyond the Boston Celtics. They swept the Philadelphia 76ere in the first round of the 2020 playoffs before proceeding to defeat the defending champions in seven games.

Although they lost to the Miami Heat in the conference finals, they put up a good fight. In all those runs, Brown maintained his spot as the Boston Celtics' second scoring option, averaging 20+ points in each of those series.

For the Boston Celtics to have a successful 2021-22 NBA season, Brown will need to make significant contributions at both ends of the court. He is an incredible two-way player, so he needs to stay locked-in throughout the season.

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#1 Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum (#0) of the Boston Celtics

The burden of leading the Boston Celtics to a deep playoff run and perhaps their 18th championship rests with Jayson Tatum. He has been a bright spot for the 's in the last four years, and will be, as long as he continues to hoop for the franchise.

Tatum made his first All-Star appearance last season, which was well deserved. He went on incredible scoring runs in the season to lead the Boston Celtics to a 31-31 run at the end of the campaign.

One performance worthy of note is the Celtics' inspired comeback against the San Antonio Spurs, thanks to Taum. Down by 32 points in the second quarter, Tatum (60 points) led the Boston Celtics to a 143-140 overtime win.

The Boston Celtics will be looking at him for that type of performance every night. While recording 60 points every night is a big ask, Tatum has shown that he is willing to improve areas of his game that can make him a more efficient scorer. His production could make all the difference for the Boston Celtics in the upcoming NBA season.