2 Unsung Celtics Heroes Early In The Season

There are many reasons why the Boston Celtics are 2-0 early in the 2022-23 season.

Of course, the star duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the leaders.

In addition, new interim coach Joe Mazzulla appears to be fitting right in with this team.

So, who are the unsung heroes for him and the Celtics early in the season?

1. Malcolm Brogdon

Tatum and Brown led Boston in scoring in Tuesday’s 126-117 victory against the 76ers, but who was the third-highest scorer?

It was Malcolm Brogdon, who scored 16 points.

It was on impressive shooting as well: 7-for-11 (.636).

There is a reason why Brogdon chose the Celtics:

Malcolm Brogdon on choosing to be traded to the Celtics over the Raptors:

“I thought this team was farther along.”

(via @SiriusXMNBA) pic.twitter.com/3sOmYUaNqN

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 16, 2022

Brogdon is already contributing, and if he stays healthy, he is going to be a huge part of a successful Celtics team.

Among players who had played at least five minutes in both games, just three Celtics have positive plus/minuses in each contest.

Two of those players are Brogdon (+16 this season) and Derrick White (+10).

Brogdon is second on the team in plus/minus.

Do you know who is the top player?

2. Noah Vonleh

The top plus/minus player on the Celtics — yes, it is early on the season — is none other than journeyman Noah Vonleh (+17).

He made his presence known in Miami on Friday:

NOAH VONLEH HAS ARRIVED pic.twitter.com/5t64z9ivBq

— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) October 22, 2022

With Robert Williams out for months, the Celtics needed a big man to step up.

No one knew that his name would be Noah Vonleh though.

The fact that Mazzulla can let Blake Griffin ramp up while Vonleh plays some pretty good basketball is great news for Boston.

Both Vonleh and Brogdon are playing well for a talented Celtics team that has some very high expectations for 2022-23.