The Boston Celtics are coming off a disappointing season but after another summer of roster turnover, they are still very much in championship contention.
The NBA is in flux right now after much of the noise from the much-anticipated summer of 2019 has died down. The Celtics parted ways with two All-Stars, with Al Horford going to the Philadelphia 76ers and Kyrie Irving jettisoning to the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics also lost backup point guard Terry Rozier to the Charlotte Hornets, and forward Marcus Morris, who signed with the lowly New York Knicks.
In response, Boston signed Hornets star Kemba Walker to a max deal after trading Aron Baynes to Pheonix on draft night. They also signed Enes Kanter and signed their four draft picks from draft night as well as signing 7-foot-6 sensation Tacko Fall.
Many in the national media are already counting the Celtics out, but is that the smartest idea? Boston is in the top-heavy Eastern Conference, with only Philly and the Milwaukee Bucks to contend with, because Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo are sidelined with injuries.
Brad Stevens is a top-tier coach that is known for getting more done with less, and Boston swapped out their egotistic star in Irving for the calmer, more team-oriented Walker. The Celtics under Stevens have always been built around guard play, and second-round pick Carsen Edwards and Walker should definitely be able to replace most of Irving and Rozier.
The biggest x-factors with the Celtics are their young guns. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are eyeing massive extensions, with Brown in the final year of his rookie deal and Tatum having just two left on his. General Manager Danny Ainge gave these two the keys to the franchise and it’s time for them to deliver. Both players need to make a jump this year in order for the Celtics to contend for a title, but that isn’t exactly a stretch. It was just two years ago a team led by Brown, Tatum, and Horford had a lead on the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers in Game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s time for these players to take the mantle from the dysfunctional leadership style of Irving.
Gordon Hayward finally has a regular offseason coming off his terrible ankle injury. But the Celtics success will be led by the young guys. The Boston big man situation isn’t great, but Stevens has never needed talented big men to succeed. Fans should sleep on the Celtics at their own risk because they might just surprise a few people.
