With a nine-game winning streak under their belt, the Celtics are the hottest team in the NBA and are cruising to the top of the Eastern Conference. Let’s start by talking about potential additions for the Celtics and how they can best prepare for the postseason, given that Boston still has unanswered issues about their roster before of a crucial deadline in the buyout market. For inquiries on the Celtics or the NBA, send an email to [email protected] or send a tweet to @briantrobb.

Brian

Tatum has been complaining after almost every shot he makes if he doesn’t get called for a foul since his rookie season. He frequently spends so much time berating the refs that the Celtics lack defensive players down the court. Additionally, this year has witnessed several occasions where he has earned following a no call, a technical foul. Over the course of his career, Tatum’s game has greatly developed, but in one particular area, he still behaves like a child, which occasionally affects the team. Do you believe Tatum will grow past this and understand it, or is this just the type of person he is? — Sean, Seattle, Washington

Actually, I believe Tatum has improved a little bit this year in this regard. He currently shares the club record for technical fouls with Kristaps Porzingis with nine, although some of those seemed to have been called by officials in a hurry. Considering that this group’s puzzle pieces have come together over the course of the year, I do believe Tatum’s emotional regulation has improved. It’s difficult to recall a situation from the past several months in which he either persisted in harping on something that was bothersome for an extended period of time or failed to return to defense promptly enough when contesting a foul call. Stars are constantly fouled without receiving calls, thus that issue will never completely go away. But it’s crucial for him to not allow that affect the team in any way, or other aspects of his game, and I believe Tatum and the rest of this squad have improved in that area. Having accumulated a number of technical fouls at the start of the season, Porzingis has now calmed down. Nobody else on the group has held the top spot on the leaderboard

not just for techs. Whilst it is undoubtedly a part of this group’s overall maturity, winning helps.

Hello

In response to the recent Truth inquiry on playoff rotation, you believed that eight deep was the limit. Tatum played 43 minutes against the Knicks in front of a thinly stocked squad. 54 out of 57 games have seen him play. It seems like the main concern for the C’s this season is whether they are hungry enough, as everyone knows the playoffs are a totally different animal. And will JT have enough gas if we get it to June if they demonstrate that they are?I appreciate your insights.Peter

on your observation on Tatum’s minutes in the Knicks game, it seemed more like an anomaly this season than a norm. Given that it was a national game, it appeared Joe Mazzulla allowed him to stay out here a little longer than was necessary considering the winning margin. Tatum’s season average of 35.9 minutes per game is a full minute less than it was during the previous year. When the Celtics win the East next month, I anticipate that total to drop and the amount of nights off to increase in order to make sure Tatum is rested for the postseason. There will be a tight line to walk between getting the best possible playoff preparation and getting enough rest because Boston hasn’t had that luxury in almost any year during Tatum’s career. For the last month, Boston’s training staff will probably be on top of it.

Brian, hello. Do you believe they will not have any problems extending White and Holiday? Would it be better to pursue Patty Mills or Otto Porter Jr.? Is it appropriate to switch Queta to a regular contract? —CsFanMan66

In particular, if this club wins the title this year, I think an extension for both of those men is likely this summer (or sooner for Holiday). If the Celtics lose, the expensive roster may need to face more difficult choices sooner rather than later. In any case, if the organization intends to stick with the same starting five, it’s difficult to see both of those players playing out their entire contracts in Boston. If that’s the case, the luxury tax payments would rise to previously unheard-of heights by the summer of 2025. Otto Porter Jr. really piques my attention.