addByline("Taylor C. Snow","Celtics.com","taylorcsnow"); addPhoto("https://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/celtics/sites/default/files/160912crowder300350.jpg", "Jae Crowder", "Maddie Meyer/Getty Images", "crowder"); addPhoto("https://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/celtics/sites/default/files/160912brown.jpg", "Jaylen Brown", "Bart Young/NBAE", "brown"); addPhoto("https://i.cdn.turner.com/drp/nba/celtics/sites/default/files/160912jerebko.jpg", "Jonas Jerebko", "Maddie Meyer/Getty Images", "jerebko");
The Boston Celtics begin training camp in less than three weeks, so it’s time we break down the roster and provide an idea of what the team’s depth chart will look like heading into the 2016-17 season.
Coach Brad Stevens divides his team into four positional categories, as follows:
- Ball handlers – Typically played by the 1.
- Wings– A hybrid between the 2 and the 3.
- Swings – A hybrid between the 3 and the 4.
- Bigs – A hybrid between the 4 and the 5.
There are currently 16 guaranteed contracts on the C’s, meaning Boston must shave its player total by one by the end of the preseason. Regardless, this should give a solid indication of each member’s projected role with the squad.
So far in our roster breakdown series, we’ve analyzed Boston’s ball handlers and wings. Today, we cover the most versatile group – the swings. Offensively, a swingman should be capable of shooting well, driving to the lane and occasionally posting up in the paint. On the defensive end, they should have lateral quickness and strength so they can transition from guarding the 3 to the 4, and sometimes the 2.
The swing was Boston’s weakest position heading into last season, but, while it still lacks depth there, it has a much-improved outlook heading into the 2016-17 campaign.
The Swings
Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder was Boston’s breakout performer last season on both ends of the floor.
The Celtics slid him into a full-time starting role for the first time in his career, and he responded by averaging the third-most points on the team – 14.2 per game – which nearly tripled his career scoring average of 5.8 PPG heading into the season. He was also the C’s most reliable clutch shooter, posting a 43.5 percent clip from 3-point range during the final five minutes of games in which there was a five-point differential or less.
Defensively, he was Boston’s top ball hawk (1.7 steals per game) and became one of the most feared defenders in the league. His efforts nearly landed him on the All-Defensive Second Team, though he fell just one vote shy of the honor.
With Crowder’s skill sets aside, his greatest asset has proved to be his contagious energy. Boston discovered last season that Crowder’s morale is irreplaceable. When he sprained his ankle during March, the team struggled to find a stable spiritual spark and went 4-4 during his absence.
With just two other swingmen behind Crowder heading into this season, it’s vital that the 26-year-old maintains his health so that he can continue to be Boston’s emotional leader on a nightly basis.
Jaylen Brown
Backing up Crowder will be one of Boston’s most intriguing young prospects –Jaylen Brown. The Celtics raised some eyebrows when they selected the 19-year-old with the third overall pick in June’s draft, because he was coming off of a somewhat quiet freshman season at Cal-Berkley. His potential, however, is undoubtedly through the roof.
Brown could make the case as the most athletic prospect from this year’s draft. He’s a fearless slasher on the offensive end – one of Boston’s biggest needs – and he’s a solid defender on the other end of the floor.
Celtics fans quickly jumped on Brown’s bandwagon when he displayed his high motor and his rim-rattling dunking ability during Summer League. He could soon earn league-wide recognition if he can just improve his shooting and limit his turnovers on drives to the basket, which are the only obstacles in his way to becoming a high-volume scorer.
Jonas Jerebko
The impact of Crowder’s energy on the starting unit is similar to what Jonas Jerebko has brought to Boston’s second unit during the final stretches of the last two seasons.
The 6-foot-10 Swede runs the floor on every possession and his sharpshooting expertise allows him to swing momentum in Boston’s favor when needed. Since joining the C’s at the 2014-15 trade deadline, Jerebko has posted the highest 3-point percentage on the team with a 40.1 percent clip.
One of Jerebko’s most valuable assets is his ability to guard multiple positions on the defensive end. This was on full display during Boston’s first round series in April against Atlanta, when the forward used his lateral quickness to switch onto and shut down smaller guards like Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder.
Coach Brad Stevens raved about Jerebko’s hustle and versatility throughout the Playoffs, and it even earned him a starting role during the final four games. Though he likely won’t be starting this season because of Boston’s bolstered frontcourt, he still should be able to secure some solid minutes because of his unique skill set.