The Boston Celtics have not let rebuilding get in the way of winning. Last season, while in the midst of acquiring Draft picks and flipping them for future assets, the Celtics under coach Brad Stevens managed to win 53 games, tops in the Eastern Conference, and advance to the Eastern Conference finals before being dispatched by the Cavaliers. This season they’ll return just four players from that squad, hoping to make that final push into the NBA Finals.
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ICYMI
Oh not much, just trading leading scorer Isaiah Thomas and a package of picks and prospects for four-time All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving … Signed free agent forward Gordon Hayward away from Utah, one of the prizes of this summer’s free agent class … Traded away defensive stopper Avery Bradley to clear salary room in pursuit of Hayward … Traded No. 1 in the 2017 Draft to move down to the third spot, where they selected Duke forward Jayson Tatum …
THREE POINTS
1. The Celtics have to figure out how to maximize Kyrie Irving’s skill set. As one of the best ballhandlers and one-on-one players in the NBA, Irving found success in Cleveland mostly playing off the ball. In Boston’s fast-paced offense where the ball moves often, Irving will be asked to adjust the way he’s been successful thus far in his career.
2. Last season Boston often found opponents trying to target Thomas, who was a defensive liability because of his size. Avery Bradley often provided cover, picking up the toughest defensive backcourt defensive assignments. Irving has similarly been a defensive liability, and Boston will look to Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown to help defensively.
3. Boston finished 27th in the NBA in total rebounds last season, which was in many ways a result of their offense’s reliance on the three-pointer and the lack of players around the basket. The Celtics will need new additions Marcus Morris, Hayward, Tatum and Aron Baynes to pitch in on the boards.
MAN ON THE SPOT
Kyrie Irving went to The NBA Finals the last three seasons in a row, teaming with one of all-time greats, LeBron James, to form the fulcrum of power for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs probably could have continued reeling off trips to The Finals as long as the big three of James, Irving and Kevin Love stayed intact, but Irving was ready to do his own thing and managed to ship up to Boston. Now the 25-year-old Irving needs to show that he’s more than just a terrific supporting player and can be the franchise centerpiece the Celtics need.
STARTING FIVE
Kyrie Irving | 25.2 ppg | 3.2 rpg | 5.8 apg
Irving averaged a career-high a season ago, and shot 40-percent on 3-pointers.
Jaylen Brown | 6.6 ppg | 2.8 rpg | 0.8 apg
In his second season, Brown will be asked to play a bigger role, particularly defensively.
Gordon Hayward | 21.9 ppg | 5.4 rpg | 3.5 apg
Coming off a career season in Utah, Hayward reunites with his former college coach in Stevens.
Marcus Morris | 14 ppg | 4.6 rpg | 2.0 apg
Morris will help shore up Boston’s interior presence while matching up against a variety of players.
Al Horford | 14 ppg | 6.8 rpg | 5 apg
Horford’s ability to shoot and pass the ball are highlighted in Stevens’ system.
KEY RESERVES
Marcus Smart | 10.6 ppg | 3.9 rpg | 4.6 apg
A multi-talented player off the bench who can score and defend.
Jayson Tatum | 16.8 ppg | 7.3 rpg | 2.1 apg (Duke)
Tatum was one of Duke’s leading scorers a season ago, and Boston hopes he can bring offense off the bench.
Aron Baynes | 4.9 ppg | 4.4 rpg | 0.4 apg
The big man will likely spell Horford and provide depth for Boston’s front line.
THE BOTTOM LINE
After collecting assets for so long, the Celtics have gone all-in with this crew. While this roster may not be as deep as the team they fielded a season ago, the ceiling for this team is higher. Stevens excels at putting his players in positions to be most successful, and now they find out if they’ve done enough to get past LeBron James and make it out of the Eastern Conference.
Lang Whitaker has covered the NBA since 1998. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here or follow him on Twitter.
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