Why the Celtics will be dominant this year.

[syfy9]

Our Celtics are a TEAM, where each player has their own role. We have THE go-to guy, we have a lock down defender, a spot up shooter, defensive anchor, and others who fit into a ROLE. Looking at the roster, you don't see a single chucker or guy who would not be able to play in an organized offensive and defensive system.


Rajon Rondo - The distributor and shot creator. Makes his teammates better and provides good defense while uniquely pulling down about 5 boards a game.

Avery Bradley - Lock down defender that can provide a team that edge and can increase the intensity of the defense. Has an offensive game based on amazing cuts - One of the best cutters in the league.

Paul Pierce - The go to guy down the stretch, good spot up shooter and trailer, and is a good post option. Gives you size and veteran leadership.

Brandon Bass - 2nd best mid range shooter in the league behind Dirk last year - perfect compliment to Rondo. Though undersized, works hard and is very athletic.

Kevin Garnett - The defensive anchor that covers up any mistakes made by a potent backcourt. Liable post option. Enhances the team with intensity and demeanor on the court. Has a free throw line jumper as smooth as a sky hook.


Jeff Green - Versatile combo forward that can give you size and athleticism. Can stretch the floor for you as well as give you a post option, forcing mismatches with either his speed or height/strength.

Jason Terry - Elite shooter, 4th all time in 3 pointers made. Can fill Ray Allen's role as a spot up shooter. Very fast. Can create shots of the dribble, which is something the team desperately needs.

Jared Sullinger - Best post player in college, will be a respectable if not great post player in the NBA. Can throw the ball to him and have him get to work. Amazing 260+ lb frame with legit skill. Can rebound well.

Kris Joseph - Poor man's Paul Pierce. Can create his own shot. Though not tremendously athletic, can put the ball in the basket. Can also stretch the floor.

Fab Melo - Big banger down low. Will get his fair share of oops and easy dunks playing with Rondo. Good screen setter and good shot blocker. Work in progress, but still a decent defender. 7 footer.

Add in Lee or Mayo or Pietrus as a spot up shooter and lock down defender with size; Also account for Moore and JJJ + Vet min/Possibly MLE type guy(depending on Terry and S&Ting), and you have yourselves a title contender!



 

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Wilcox- defense and rebounding

[BudweiserCeltic]

I'm really loving how our team is shaping up. I loved last year's team too, but got devastated by injuries. Knock on wood.

[MJohnnyboy]

What's funny about the 2012 Celtics was that so much went wrong for them. Had things gone right we could have had a core of:

Rondo/Bradley(Assuming Ray had still gotten hurt)/Pierce/Bass/Garnett/Ray/Green/West/Wilcox/Dooling/Stiemsma

I can't include Pietrus because Green's heart forced the Celtics' hand, and luckily Pietrus fit right into their needs.

But man. That is a TEAM.

[BASS_THUMPER]

Jared Sullinger - Best post player in college

i hope he can carry over his game in the nba
many ballas out of skool get to the nba and fall off

[syfy9]

What's funny about the 2012 Celtics was that so much went wrong for them. Had things gone right we could have had a core of:

Rondo/Bradley(Assuming Ray had still gotten hurt)/Pierce/Bass/Garnett/Ray/Green/West/Wilcox/Dooling/Stiemsma

I can't include Pietrus because Green's heart forced the Celtics' hand, and luckily Pietrus fit right into their needs.

But man. That is a TEAM.

Yeah, I agree. I think the 2012 Best case scenario Celtics are better than the 2013 Best case scenario Celtics, granted that KG/the entire team plays the way they did post all star break.

[Gilberto3]

disagree

[bfrombleacher]

disagree

i disagree with your disagreement

[j804]

What's funny about the 2012 Celtics was that so much went wrong for them. Had things gone right we could have had a core of:

Rondo/Bradley(Assuming Ray had still gotten hurt)/Pierce/Bass/Garnett/Ray/Green/West/Wilcox/Dooling/Stiemsma

I can't include Pietrus because Green's heart forced the Celtics' hand, and luckily Pietrus fit right into their needs.

But man. That is a TEAM.

That team would have made the Finals

[hwangjini_1]

disagree

i disagree with your disagreement

i disagree with one disagreement but agree with the other disagreement. so, does everyone agree or disagree that that makes me disagreeable?

[Thruthelookingglass]

Jared Sullinger - Best post player in college

i hope he can carry over his game in the nba
many ballas out of skool get to the nba and fall off

He does have his work cut out for him, but I am optimistic he has the body, the savvy and the drive to succeed.  I like the reports out of summer league so far.  Considering our other options (at the moment) and with KG so reluctant to force the issue in the paint, I think Sullinger will soon be earning his minutes as our designated banger in the post.  C's NEED Sullinger to find a way to get his game to consistent NBA level.

[celticinorlando]

Still a glaring hole at the 2...esp with Bradley out. Moore is not the answer there. Back up point maybe but not the two. Terry needs to come off the bench. Bradley showed great strides but is out and we need insurance for him

Jjj will never play. He loafs....I think jospeh can contribute at the 3 if needed.

[Boris Badenov]

What's funny about the 2012 Celtics was that so much went wrong for them. Had things gone right we could have had a core of:

Rondo/Bradley(Assuming Ray had still gotten hurt)/Pierce/Bass/Garnett/Ray/Green/West/Wilcox/Dooling/Stiemsma

I can't include Pietrus because Green's heart forced the Celtics' hand, and luckily Pietrus fit right into their needs.

But man. That is a TEAM.

In a weird way, our true "best case" team might have been worse: Rondo/Allen/Pierce/Garnett/O'Neal/Bass/Wilcox/Green/Dooling/Daniels.

I think Bradley gets spot minutes at best, and KG plays primarily at PF.

Not sure whether we sign Pietrus or not. I still see a hole at SG. But maybe we stick with Daniels.

[Surferdad]

What's funny about the 2012 Celtics was that so much went wrong for them. Had things gone right we could have had a core of:

Rondo/Bradley(Assuming Ray had still gotten hurt)/Pierce/Bass/Garnett/Ray/Green/West/Wilcox/Dooling/Stiemsma

I can't include Pietrus because Green's heart forced the Celtics' hand, and luckily Pietrus fit right into their needs.

But man. That is a TEAM.

In a weird way, our true "best case" team might have been worse: Rondo/Allen/Pierce/Garnett/O'Neal/Bass/Wilcox/Green/Dooling/Daniels.

I think Bradley gets spot minutes at best, and KG plays primarily at PF.

Not sure whether we sign Pietrus or not. I still see a hole at SG. But maybe we stick with Daniels.

If the Lee deal/signing falls through, I think any of Dooling, Daniels, Pietrus, Pavlovic are worth considering for the Wing/2-guard depth.   I've been beating the drum for Pietrus, but I still really like Daniels.

[Josh88]

It looks good on paper but there's still a lot of question marks. Will Bass be the same player now that he's gotten paid? How is Jeff Green going to look after a year off, especially with what we're paying him? How much of a drop off will there be in the aging Pierce and Garnett's games? Will Terry be the same player he was in Dallas? How will Sullinger fair against NBA post defenders? How effective will Melo really be? Will Joseph even be able to crack the rotation behind Pierce and Green at SF?

It looks like an improvement over last year on paper, but I hardly think you can say they'll be dominant yet.