I wrote on this subject in the middle of the 2019-20 season. Celtics boss, Danny Ainge, voiced his concern about his team having "equal depth" and no ":clear hierarchy" That issue was partially solved through the disappearance of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward from the Celtics landscape. The two stars clashed, with each wanting a top role in the team's fate.
Some analysts argue that Jaylen Brown should be traded since he and Jayson Tatum on the same is redundant, that is, they have similar skills and size. I disagree. The only real issue here is the question of who leads this team. Brown is a year older than Tatum and has an extra year under his belt in the League and with the Celtics.
But thus far, it seems quite certain that Jaylen is the Alpha-best-player. That is the only dilemma. Ainge saw no drastic signs of any power struggle among his comrades in the 80's, with Larry Bird the top dog. Not so with the 2008 Championship crew.
Paul Pierce had most of the control, while newly-acquired Kevin Garnett served as "Alpha-2", directing the defense. Veteran Ray Allen felt left out of many goings-on, and young Rajon Rondo refused to sit back and have no say. Even Sub, Tony Allen, following his departure from Boston, voiced that he felt overshadowed by Pierce and Ray. And Coach Doc Rivers was never known for his laid-back, docile attitude. Things got hot at times.
So Ainge's "hierarchy" concerns partially solved themselves with the departure of Kyrie and Gordon. What remains is the question of fit with two young All-Stars trying to make a name for themselves on the same team. Stay tuned for that one.
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