This upcoming season
promises to be an exciting year with Celtics' Magic in plentiful supply.
Some of it is knowns such as Al Horford as a steady All-Star who
does all the little things that make a team, and his teammates,
better. Some are known unknows like the rookie Brown or the
potential leap of Smart or Roier. Some are unknown unknowns like
additions before or during the season. Behind this all is Danny
Ainge poised to grab an opportunity to upgrade the roster and Brad
Stevens drawing out the best of individuals and of the group.
The last of these is
a natural progression as the team improves. Ainge, while he will
still move minor parts around for picks or exceptions or better
supporting cast, has a team and city that is alluring and will now
most benefit from bringing in a star (although another day I will
discuss just how few of today's stars I find appealing for my
Celtics). Stevens finally has the horsepower to exercise strengths
rather than conceal weaknesses. Both of our Rumplestiltskin twins
have a better grade of straw to spin into gold.
Additional knows
would include perimeter defense, Isaiah Thomas' offensive wizardry,
Avery Bradley's solid shooting, and Jae Crowder's jolts of energy and
stifling defense. Each of these players has distinctive flaws (a
column for another time). However, each of these players might also
may make a leap of improvement, although none are on their rookie
contract and as players mature, what you see is likely what you get.
Perhaps the most reasonable expectation is that they don't regress or
get hurt, and that each makes some incremental improvement. As for that perimeter defense, the addition of Horford and return of Johnson promises to lessen the need to protect the inside, and hence, the whole defense stronger.
It might be the most
promising possibility that one of our non-rookie young guys makes the leap to
spark some magic for this season. Smart and Rozier come to mind
because the most likely time for a player to break out is between
their first and second, or their second and third, seasons. Rozier
looked out-of-place in Summer League, able to impose his will at
will. Now that is only Summer League but it was similar to Smart
last year who looked dominant in the summer before the horrific break
and dislocation in his hand that stretched into the season to overlap
his bad ankle sprain. Smart has been so hampered by wheel damage
that you might consider him a second-year player also. Of course you
could say the same thing about Olynyk and the injury bug, so let's be
hopeful for his progress also. Keep in mind Avery Bradley who missed
most summers and large portions of the season during his first few
years but has come on as not only the longest tenured (at age 25??)
veteran but also the steadiest player at both ends of the court.
There are valid reasons to be hopefully optimistic about this group.
As for potential
additions during (or before) camp or the season, it seems that
Philly's urgency to thin their front court makes Noel's price dwindle
by the day. There are also a number of hopeful contenders who are
thin enough that a bad start or a key injury might prompt slapping
the reset button in a resigned panic. Picture Danny on a huge spider
web covering the entire NBA landscape, poised to wrap up an
unfortunate prey at the quiver of any strand of silk.
Did I tell you where
the magic will come from? Not exactly, but the very fact that there
are so many possibilities is encouraging. And I'm going to give you
one more, perhaps the best! The system. Brad wants to stifle
opponents on defense and run them into the ground on offense. As the
personnel improves (both skill and attitude), there are more and more
reasons to believe that Stevens' Pace and Space and his Ball and
Player Movement schemes will be an irresistible force. Minute splits
of 28-20 or even 26-22 keep a hungry, invigorated squad on the floor
from tip off to final buzzer. This only works if you have the depth
to play 10+ each game, and that all of those players are unselfish
and on board with the program. Good fresh players beat good tired
players every time, and often great tired players. Between Ainge and
Stevens they have built a culture (bye, bye Bogans), a scheme
(everybody plays hard and for each other), and a stable of athletes
to execute both strategic and tactical advantages. This magic comes
from the entire team, draws them together, and devastates opponents.
Are we there yet Danny?
[Discuss on CG Forums!]
Love that you compare Brad and Danny to Rumplestiltskins weaving straw into gold. I'm expecting a break out by Smart, Rozier AND Kelly! All are reportedly working hard this summer and I think all 3 have the tools to make a leap if they can make it through the season without a serious injury. Bradley has improved every season so far and I expect another leap this season. We are one superstar!!
ReplyDeleteI agree that some of the players are gonna have a big year. Crowder, Smart, Rozier, KO Brown all come to mind. Their have been photos of the players hanging out together this summer and thats a good sign. I agree with you big time in that the magic this year will come from the whole team. Gets me excited for this year to start already!
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