Random Thoughts on the Celtics and ESPN's Roster Rankings

Most Celtics fans are excited about the potential of the young players on their roster.   Young players like Marcus  and James Young have teased with glimpses of their talent, but they have been inconsistent.   New players like Jonas Jerebko and Isaiah Thomas and Gigi Datome have talent and are finding ways to fit into the Celtics system.



They also have veterans like Brandon Bass who has been the model of consistency, bringing a steadying force every night.  And we still aren't sure what we have in Evan Turner.  Like Jeff Green before him, he has been rather inconsistent.  He can be great on one night and put up a triple double and then be a turnover machine and unable to hit the broad side of a barn the next.

Other young players like Tyler Zeller, Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger,  and Jae Crowder have been having great years and seem to have the potential to be very good.    As a team, they have played very well together and have beaten Atlanta but then, they have also played very poorly and lost by 30+ to the Cavs.

As a young team, a degree of inconsistency can be expected.   And let's not forget that Danny has kept them on their toes by making trades every other week all season.  The fact that 22 players have taken the floor at one time or another says a lot.  How can a team build chemistry with that many different players shuffling in and out.

But, they have had a certain degree of chemistry and they have been able to pull together in spite of the uncertainty and the turnover of players.  Much of that credit has to go to Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who has them playing hard every night.  That brings me to ESPN Insider's roster rankings, where the Celtics roster is ranked at #22

22. Boston Celtics
Are the Celtics trying to make the playoffs or not? It can be hard to tell, as they've had great moments (like beating Atlanta at home, Phoenix on the road and pushing the Warriors) and head-scratching losses (Sacramento, Lakers) and trading for Isaiah Thomas.

They rank just 8 rosters below the Celtics:

23. Sacramento Kings
24. Utah Jazz
25. Denver Nuggets
26. Orlando Magic
27. Philadelphia 76ers
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
29. Los Angeles Lakers
30. New York Knicks

Since it says that they are rating them "based on talent, coaching, health, and expected productivity between now and June" they may have a point. But the Celtics have several young players who have the chance to become stars in this league and so on potential, I would rank them higher. It is quite satisfying to see the Lakers ranked #29 and I wouldn't rank them a bit higher, ever.

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