Boston Celtics Season Preview

Boston Celtics

2014 record: 40-42

2015 O/U 42.5

Who are their stars?

Can we name head coach Brad Stevens their star? I mean this guy is turning hay into gold and making the playoffs by trading Rondo, and Jeff Green was one impressive feat. He actually brings back an improved roster compared to what he had in their loss to the Cavaliers, so this team has a lot to be excited about in 2015. On the court, their star, who will be scoring the clutch points in crunch time is Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is small, and is going to come in off of the bench, but he can put it up with some of the best of them. Stevens is the wizard at setting him in lineups in which they can succeed and IT has taken advantage. Playing beside Marcus Smart helps, and Smart has the most star potential on the current roster, even over Thomas. Smart is already an elite defender as a guard, and if he can get a bit of a better shot, and be a bigger concern on the offensive side of the ball, they are going to have one of the better guards in the NBA. Either way, having a great scorer and a great defender as your two go to guys is not the worst way to look.

Who are the glue guys?

Until Smart develops a better offensive game he comes pretty similar to Avery Bradley in his player description. Bradley is a great wing defender, and can easily play next to Thomas. He can play next to Smart, in what is one of the better defensive back courts in the NBA, but they do not create the scoring that is needed from a scoring guard position. In all that is where Stevens comes in to mix and match these three with other pieces to find the right combination.

Who are the rotational players?

Aside from the three guards who will be leading this team, they have rookies and first round picks RJ Hunter and Terry Rozier to add to the mix. James Young may also see time at guard, but I would expect him to be playing the small forward position in relief of Evan Turner and Jae Crowder. Turner is a veteran and probably more well rounded at this point, but Young is still a guy who can become a scoring at that position, while Crowder is mainly used for defensive purposes. As far as the frontcourt it will be a mix and match, Stevens jumble of players to fit the lineups assorted for them. Amir Johnson will be the guy to watch, because if the Celtics wanted to go big he has played a small forward and can defend that position. He also is more than likely their most talented player over 6’6. David Lee, Jarad Sullinger, Tyler Zeller, Kelly Olynk, and Jonas Jerbko is mainly a mix of guys who can play both positions, are decent shooters, but none are elite in any area, or great overall. It will be fun to see what Stevens gets out of them, as well as whether or not he brings another rookie, Jordan Mickey into this rotation as a defender. In all I expect fifteen guys to play most nights, and I expect the rotations to be endless.

Where do they rank? Over Under? How far can they go?

The Celtics should be right back around where they were in the playoff hunt. This team has depth at every position, and while the big time talent isn’t there, the depth as well as lineup creativity will keep the Celtics winning games they may not have been expected to. Overall I see them pegged about right, and sitting right around .500 in a fight for the 8 seed.

Over 42.5 wins, 8th in the Eastern Conference, 17th in the NBA