- 1. Marcus Smart’s Shot: Much ado was made about his new shooting mechanics, but early returns show the same paltry shooting percentage from the 3-point range. If he never fixes his jumper, he risks becoming a defense-only player. He’d still be valuable, but he’d never quite reach the All-Star upside he possesses.
2. Tuning out Trade Rumors: One constant in recent years has been trade rumors, with the Celtics reportedly eyeing superstars such as DeMarcus Cousins and Blake Griffin. That can be a bit disconcerting for the players rumored to be leaving town in those theoretical trades. But the Celtics, under the guidance of Brad Stevens, have been great at ignoring those rumors, and they’ll have to keep doing that in a season that will again be full of them.
3. Developing the Youngsters: On a team with championship aspirations, finding enough NBA playing time for rookie Demetrius Jackson and youngsters Jordan Mickey and James Young will be tough. And without playing against NBA-caliber competition, it’s even harder for those guys to develop before their original contracts expire.
Game Plans: Your Celtics Season Preview
By Matt Martinelli | Photo Credit: Brian Babineau | Oct. 28, 2016
Dream Lineup
Marcus Smart/Avery Bradley/Jae Crowder/Jaylen Brown/Al Horford
Defense! Dee-fense! This lineup’s primary strength is defense, with all five of these guys able to guard multiple positions, and some—like Marcus Smart—able to defend all five positions. This lineup has the Celtics’ three most well-rounded players in Bradley, Crowder and Horford, so it shouldn’t sacrifice offense for defense. It also has Brown, the Celtics’ highest draft pick in two decades and a player fans can’t wait to see in action.
By Matt Martinelli | Photo Credit: Brian Babineau
Player to Watch
Terry Rozier
Mr. Rozier was born to play for the Celtics. Need proof? He was born on St. Patrick’s Day. Need further proof? Just watch his game. In limited minutes at the end of last season, he was a defensive waterbug, hounding opposing guards. Now entering his second season, the 22-year-old appears to have made offensive strides and is being counted on to replace Evan Turner, who left for Portland. If he can prove to be an effective ball handler and a good 3-point shooter, he might end up being the team’s best all-around guard. Bonus: He’s under team control for many seasons to come.
By Matt Martinelli
Hottest Ticket
Feb. 5 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The most in-demand ticket will be the Nov. 18 game against the NBA’s latest (and greatest) superteam: the Golden State Warriors. But the Warriors will be the hottest attraction at every arena in the league this season. The Clippers game, however, will be Paul Pierce’s final regular season game in Boston, where he played 15 seasons, winning one title and finishing second on the franchise’s scoring list. The tears will flow, the Jumbotron tributes will roll and it will be an “Only in Boston” moment.
By Matt Martinelli | Photo Credit: Brian Babineau
Mr. Dependable
Isaiah Thomas
He’s only played 103 games in his regular-season Celtics career, but you know exactly what you’re getting from the 5-foot-9-inch guard. He led the Celtics in scoring last season, and you can pencil him in for a team-leading 20-plus points per game again this season. On a team that often lacked for any offense before he arrived, he’s been a perfect fit.
By Matt Martinelli | Photo Credit: Brian Babineau
New Guy on the Block
Al Horford
Consider the myth debunked: The Celtics can sign a big-name free agent. The 30-year-old is a four-time All-Star who has been among the league’s best defenders and scorers during his nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. His credentials are unmatched on this Boston team, and he fills a need for the Celtics as a guy who can play center and power forward. But really, what team doesn’t need a big guy who can shoot from long distance and thrives in the pick-and-roll? Every team in the NBA could use a guy like Horford.
By Matt Martinelli
Numbers Game
33.5%
That was the Celtics’ 3-point shooting percentage last season, which ranked third worst in the NBA. If the Celtics harbor any hopes of challenging the league’s elite teams, they need to improve their long-distance shooting. Connecting on 37 percent of three-pointers would’ve landed them in the league’s Top 5 last season. Consider it a goal to shoot for.
By Matt Martinelli
Three Biggest Challenges
2. Tuning out Trade Rumors: One constant in recent years has been trade rumors, with the Celtics reportedly eyeing superstars such as DeMarcus Cousins and Blake Griffin. That can be a bit disconcerting for the players rumored to be leaving town in those theoretical trades. But the Celtics, under the guidance of Brad Stevens, have been great at ignoring those rumors, and they’ll have to keep doing that in a season that will again be full of them.
3. Developing the Youngsters: On a team with championship aspirations, finding enough NBA playing time for rookie Demetrius Jackson and youngsters Jordan Mickey and James Young will be tough. And without playing against NBA-caliber competition, it’s even harder for those guys to develop before their original contracts expire.
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