Celtics' second unit one of the best in the NBA

The reserves have been dubbed "Bench With Attitude'' by forward Marcus Morris, one of the key substitutes coach Brad Stevens will have to spell his starting five.

BOSTON – The nickname, which came courtesy of Marcus Morris, has already found its way onto T-shirts that are being sold.

“Bench With Attitude’’ is what the Celtics' forward has dubbed his team’s aggressive and experienced second unit that will be together for the 2018-19 season.

The group is led by Morris and Marcus Smart, who definitely play the game with an attitude, to go along with defensive-minded Aron Baynes and Terry Rozier, who filled in so capably for an injured Kyrie Irving last season.

Add in Daniel Theis, who found a role in his rookie year before suffering a knee injury, and Semi Ojeleye, who was in the rotation for a good part of his first season, and the Celtics have one of the most impressive benches in the NBA.

“You’ve definitely got a lot of guys on the bench that could start in this league,’’ said Morris. “For opposing teams, if your bench is not ready, it could get real ugly. That’s the approach we’re taking. When we get out there, we’re going to try to separate every time. That’s going to be our main focus.

“We’re all veterans. We’re in a unique situation to have as many guys as we have. We can change a lot games once our second unit comes in. I don’t care who they’ve got on their team, there’s no second unit that’s better than ours from top to bottom.’’

With one of the best starting lineups in the league, consisting of Irving, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Celtics have players behind them pushing for minutes.

Coach Brad Stevens can keep players fresh because of the depth that has been built, and the reserves figure to play key roles in what promises to be a productive Celtics’ season.

“I love that (second unit),’’ said Stevens, whose team hosts the Charlotte Hornets in a preseason game tonight at the TD Garden (6:05, TV: NBC Sports Boston; radio: WBZ-98.5 FM). “You’ve got a bunch of guys who have already proven they belong, already proven what they’re capable of.

“It’s a responsibility of all the players in the game at one time to play as hard as they can. There’s no reason for us to have to get into a rhythm in a game because we’ve got guys that’ll be itching to get in. That mindset off the bench is going to be really important. I trust those guys. Those guys are really competitive guys.’’

Morris, Smart, Rozier and Baynes were called upon to do more last season due to the injury situation with Irving and Hayward.

Baynes started a career-best 67 games with Horford sliding over to power forward while Rozier took over as the starting point guard after Irving exited on March 11. Rozier was one of the top players for the Celtics during a playoff run that reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Now, their roles are going to be adjusted with minutes being reduced, and it will be an adjustment.

“At the end of the day, winning (supersedes) everything,’’ said Morris. “The more successful as a team you are, the better it’ll be for everybody in their careers. We’re very fortunate to have a lot of guys who can actually play and be starters on other teams.

“This will be my eighth season in the league and I’m an established veteran who knows how to win. Whatever my role is I’m approaching it with everything I’ve got, continue being a leader on this team and doing what I need to do.

“We’re just fortunate to have a team of this caliber. If anything we should be grateful that we have a special chance here. We know there’s some type of sacrifice that you have to take for the betterment of the team.’’

It will be up to Stevens to make it all work, getting proper rest for Irving and Hayward as they return from absences and having the bench get plenty of time to stay sharp together.

“They all know. They get it,’’ said president of basketball Danny Ainge of the bench players. “I think everybody has enough respect for the rest of the players on the team that it’s easier to accept a role when the guys that you’re playing behind are really good.’’

Depth will not be a problem for the Celtics, now with the “BWA’’ waiting in the wings behind one of the best starting lineup in the league.

“We have the toughest team, the toughest bench, the toughest coach,’’ said Smart. “I definitely have a lot of attitude, I know Morris has some attitude, I know other guys have some attitude. I’m rocking with the name.’’

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.