BRUINS TEXT BY SARAH HAGMAN

CELTICS TEXT BY MATT MARTINELLI

GROOMING: LIZ WASHER / ENNIS INC.; BRUINS STYLING: ROBIN REILLY / ANCHOR ARTISTS; CELTICS STYLING: SABRINA STRELITZ / ANCHOR ARTISTS

Marcus Smart

Smart sheds the rookie label this season, but he’s expected to take on a new label: starting point guard. The Celtics have historically had great point guards, and the 21-year-old will now have a chance to join those ranks and showcase his All-Star potential. There are almost no questions about his defense, but it’s the addition of ball-handling duties that provides the most intrigue—and an opportunity for Smart to break out.

Off the Court

Your celebrity crush?

Natalie La Rose

Most-played song in iTunes?

Anything from the Weeknd

Superstition?

If I step on someone’s heel, I have to tap them three times on the shoulder.

Favorite family recipe?

Peach cobbler

Larry Bird or LeBron James?

Larry Bird

Favorite charity?

Children’s Hospital pediatric cancer unit

Favorite emoji?

Drake or Meek Mill?

Drake

Favorite Kardashian?

Khloe

If you weren’t a professional athlete, you’d be…

A dancer

One word to describe your mom?

Life

Favorite pizza topping?

Hamburger

David Krejci

As the league’s top postseason producer during the Bruins’ two runs to the Stanley Cup Finals, Krejci ups his game when it matters most. But thanks to an injury-filled year, he never got that chance in 2015 as the Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. The center will be asked to replicate his playoff magic during the regular season so that the Bruins don’t go home in April once again.

Off the Ice

Your favorite city on the road?

Nashville

Gameday routine?

Taking a nap

Favorite sports movie?

Space Jam

Favorite emoji?

Favorite thing you did with the Cup?

I drank Slivovitz; it’s like a homemade moonshine, but stronger.

Twitter or Instagram?

Instagram

Favorite pizza topping?

Ham and sausage

Favorite charitable cause?

Animals

Least favorite workout?

Dieting

Go-to drink order?

Cabernet

David Lee

Prior to last season and going back before the Obama administration, Lee had mostly been a starter. He made his bones with the New York Knicks before landing a six-year, $80 million deal with the Golden State Warriors in 2010. But the two-time All-Star took a bench role last season during the Warriors’ championship run. Traded to Boston during the offseason, the 32-year-old forward might not always crack the starting lineup, but he should get a chance to reverse last season’s statistical slide.

Off the Court

Your least-favorite workout?

Long-distance cardio

Favorite Kardashian?

Kendall

Favorite charity?

St. Jude

Favorite sports movie?

He Got Game, featuring Walter McCarty

If you weren’t a professional athlete, you’d be…

A poker player

Twitter or Instagram?

Instagram

Favorite pizza topping?

Cheese

Favorite city on the road?

LA, because it’s warm

Drake or Meek Mill?

Drake

Describe Deflategate in one word.

Hmm, I’m in Boston now, so “Minor.”

Larry Bird or LeBron James?

Larry Bird

Brad Marchand

The team’s top goal scorer last season was also frequently the first to put the B’s on the scoreboard, and he’s no stranger to coming through when the stakes are high, with a bevy of shorthanded goals and overtime winners. But his key for the upcoming season is consistency. If Marchand can finish all of his opportunities—even outside clutch situations—he’ll cement himself as a much-needed offensive leader on a team that’s sometimes struggled to score.

Off the Ice

Your favorite charity?

The Children’s Wish Foundation

Favorite sports movie?

Youngblood

Celebrity crush?

Pamela Anderson, when I was younger

Least-favorite workout?

Leg days

Favorite thing you did with the Cup?

Eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch out of it

Favorite family recipe?

My mom’s chicken casserole

Drake or Meek Mill?

Drake all the way

Describe Deflategate in one word.

Embarrassing

If you weren’t a professional athlete you’d be…

A cop

At 50 years old you’ll be…

Drunk

Avery Bradley

The longest-tenured Celtics player broke free of the injury-prone label last season and proved his steady offensive game is no fluke. But it’s the 24-year-old’s defensive prowess that has stood out to most observers—except for the voters of the All-Defensive team, who snubbed him last season. Bradley was always a menace for opponents, so imagine how good he can be when he’s got a chip on his shoulder.

Off the Court

Your favorite city on the road?

Portland

Favorite emoji?

Morning drink?

Smoothie or fresh juice from Whole Foods

At 50 years old, you’ll be…

The best dad in the world

If you weren’t a professional athlete, you’d be…

A schoolteacher

Favorite sports movie?

Remember the Titans

Least-favorite workout?

Yoga

Drake or Meek Mill?

Drake

Larry Bird or LeBron James?

LeBron James

Describe Deflategate in one word.

Everybody, as in everybody would do it.

Matt Beleskey

The Bruins’ priciest acquisition this summer finished last season in Anaheim with a slew of career-high stats. Out of his 22 goals, eight were game winners, and he notched an additional eight scores in 16 postseason games—a repeat performance would contribute to a successful offense. Plus, if the 27-year-old can build on last season’s statistical surge, the hardnosed left winger might just do the impossible: make Bruins fans forget about the beloved Milan Lucic.

Off the Ice

Your coffee order?

Strong, black

Favorite family recipe?

My mom’s chocolate cake

Best locker room prank?

Shaving cream in the shoes

If you weren’t a professional athlete you’d be…

A guitarist

At 50 years old you’ll be…

Hopefully fishing somewhere

Twitter or Instagram?

Twitter

Favorite pizza topping?

Mushrooms

Favorite city on the road?

It used to be Boston. I would say New York.

Most played song in iTunes?

Kip Moore’s “Wild Ones”

Least favorite workout?

Running

Jae Crowder

During his time in Boston last season, Crowder stood out on the court—and not because of his thick ponytail of dreadlocks. His toughness made him an instant fan favorite (he’s just as intense on Twitter, posting in all caps), and his ability to play and defend multiple positions endeared the 6-foot-6-inch forward to the coaches despite his dip in shooting efficiency. With a new five-year, $35-million contract, he’ll get plenty of opportunities to further unlock his offensive potential.

Off the Court

Celebrity crush?

Oprah Winfrey

Go-to drink order?

Hennessy on the rocks.

Drake or Meek Mill?

Drake times two.

First person you told about re-signing with the Celtics?

My dad

Who has better hair than you?

My daughter

Favorite emoji?

The laughing face

Best locker-room prank?

In Dallas, we gave a car seat to JJ Barea.

Most-played song in iTunes?

Drake’s “Blessed”

Pump-up song?

Future’s “Stick Talk”

Least-favorite workout?

Beach workout

Favorite family recipe?

Mom’s mac-n-cheese

Describe Deflategate in one word.

Irrelevant

If you weren’t a professional athlete, you’d be…

A rapper

Larry Bird or LeBron James?

Larry Bird

Jimmy Hayes

The Dorchester native’s return to Boston is all most fans can talk about. But if they just focus on his hometown, they’re missing the whole story. Hayes is coming off a career-high 35 points with the Florida Panthers. The 6-foot-5-inch BC alum often used his large frame to force the action in front of the net, racking up a number of goals near the crease. He doesn’t necessarily need to use his size to level every opponent he sees, but if he can use it to score, he’ll stay in the headlines for more than his local ties.

Off the Ice

Your favorite charity?

The Jimmy Fund

Superstition?

I put everything on my right side first.

Celebrity crush?

Jennifer Aniston

Most-played song in iTunes?

Anything by Drake

Favorite emoji?

Least favorite workout?

300-yard shuttles

Drake or Meek Mill?

That is so mean. That’s my number one and two…Drake.

Describe Deflategate in one word.

A hoax

If you weren’t a professional athlete you’d be…

A lawyer

At 50 years old you’ll be…

Sitting on a boat somewhere in Florida

Isaiah Thomas

The littlest guy on the team made the biggest impact on the Celtics offense after he was traded to Boston in February. Thomas led the Celtics in scoring during his 21-game stint, but he’s not content with piling up stats. With bravado to match his boxing buddy Floyd Mayweather, the 26-year-old says he wants to make his first All-Star team this season. That goal might be on the money if he ups his defense, thus earning enough playing time to show off his All-Star-worthy offense.

Off the Court

Your pump-up song?

Anything from Nipsey Hussle

Superstition?

I pray before every game.

Go-to drink order?

Grey Goose and Red Bull

If you weren’t a professional athlete, you’d be…

In the FBI

Best thing about being 5 feet, 9 inches?

I can blend in with people since I look normal.

Twitter or Instagram?

I just got Instagram, so Twitter.

Favorite emoji?

Celebrity crush?

Beyoncé

Best locker-room prank?

In Sacramento, people put kettle corn in Ben McLemore’s and Ray McCollum’s cars. It took them hours to get it out and get back home.

Most-played song in iTunes?

Dr. Dre’s “It’s All on Me”

Morning drink?

Something from Jamba Juice

Go-to alcoholic drink?

Grey Goose and Red Bull

Favorite family recipe?

My mom’s French toast and eggs

Drake or Meek Mill?

Meek Mill in a club, but Drake when you’re in a house

Larry Bird or LeBron James

Larry Bird