NBA Preview: Boston Celtics
30 teams, and the fifth and final team out of the Atlantic division in the NBA is the Boston Celtics. Although last season was not a major rise in the win column, it was an important season showing that the Boston Celtics are young, improving, and most importantly "back" and ready to take the next step into the tier of teams that can "challenge" the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference crown. A 48-34 record was nice, getting the third overall pick courtesy of the desperation of Brooklyn Nets' owner Mikhail Prokorov was even better, and signing perhaps the biggest impact player to change teams outside of Kevin Durant in Al Horford was a bonus. The Celtics now have two stars, and are ready to move forward.
ADDITIONS: C Al Horford (Atlanta), SF Gerald Green (Miami), SF Jaylen Brown (draft), PG Demetrius Jackson (draft), PF Ben Bentil (draft)
SUBTRACTIONS: F/C Jared Sullinger (Toronto), G/F Evan Turner (Portland)
RESIGNED: F/C Tyler Zeller
Despite a churning rumor mill including names such as Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor, nothing of that sort seemed to happen for the Celtics. Still, Boston only got better over the offseason, and adding Al Horford is a big reason why. He provides post defense, rebounding, scoring and is even an outside threat. Not only that, but he was pried away from the Atlanta Hawks, the team that beat them in the first round of the playoffs. The third overall selection in the draft was Jaylen Brown, and he should start off as a bench player and could wind up seeing significant playing time depending on how well he does this season. Gerald Green also helps as a depth signing, and could see anywhere from 10-30 minutes per game depending on the night, etc. As far as losses go, Jared Sullinger going to Toronto hurts, but only because he is remaining in the conference. Outside of that, Al Horford is a massive upgrade. Evan Turner going to Portland is the bigger loss, but PG Marcus Smart hopefully will play the whole season and PG Terry Rozier did a nice job against Atlanta in the playoffs.
PLAYER TO WATCH: I'm going to go with a group of players here: SG RJ Hunter, F/C Jordan Mickey, PG Terry Rozier and G/F James Young. All of these players are former draft picks within the last 2-3 seasons, and to this point have played relatively minimal roles. Hunter, Rozier and Young are all former first round selections, and their development is crucial to helping Boston prove its' strategy of drafting and developing works. Every first round selection made is for a player that you hope will be able to contribute at most within two full seasons, so the time is now for James Young, and improvement from Hunter, Rozier and Mickey are all vital. One of these guys is bound to have a moderate breakout of a season, my bet is on Rozier, but it will be interesting to see how these guys perform and if they can solidify their role in the future of the Celtics (or somewhere else).
BIGGEST CONCERN: Figuring out how to divide the minutes between these guys is essential. Boston has a moderate logjam at every position, and getting these guys the right amount of playing time and a good workload is essential to the success of the team. The biggest logjam is at guard, and despite losing Evan Turner, guys like Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart are all starting caliber guards, yet there is only room for two at a time (on most occasions). Finding a way to get all of them 30 minutes a game, plus making time for Rozier, Hunter and Young is a good problem to have, but it is still a problem. Where the frontcourt is concerned, it is more of a matter of who earns playing time alongside Al Horford and Jae Crowder. Kelly Olynyk, Jaylen Brown, Tyler Zeller, Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko and Gerald Green all could play big minutes on other teams, but they can't all play.
BIGGEST UNKNOWN: Jaylen Brown. A lot of people say the Celtics made a mistake by drafting Brown with the third pick when players such as Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn and Dragan Bender were still on the board, but the Celtics made their decision and now is the time to prove what Brown can do. How many minutes he will play this season is relatively uncertain, as well as how productive he will be in that time since he does not turn 20 until October. It may take him a year or two to grow up and be ready to play, or he may be ready right now. That's why he is an unknown, but hopefully for Celtics fans he becomes a good player down the road.
STARTING FIVE: C Al Horford, PF Amir Johnson, SF Jae Crowder, SG Avery Bradley, PG Marcus Smart
ROTATIONAL PIECES: PG Isaiah Thomas, C Kelly Olynyk, SF Jaylen Brown, F Jonas Jerebko, C Tyler Zeller, G/F Gerald Green
ROUNDING OUT THE ROSTER: PG Terry Rozier, SG RJ Hunter, G/F James Young, PF Ben Bentil
PREDICTION: I know Isaiah Thomas is on the bench, but I believe he is more suited for that role, especially with Smart's defensive capabilities. Plus, it will give Boston more of a boost on the bench with Evan Turner gone. I really like this Celtics' team overall, and I believe that they are a team that can make a run for the East Finals this season, and 50 wins is most certainly within reach after getting 48 last season. My ballpark for a win total is 53, and a #2 overall seed is within reach. It is them or Toronto in my mind, and it could come down to the end of the season for that to be figured out. Ultimately, Cleveland or Toronto will knock them out of the playoffs before reaching the Finals, but it is another stepping stone to putting up the 18th championship banner in the TD Garden.
