my 10 bold predictions for the Celtics 2014-2015 season

[Tr1boy]

10. Joel Anthony will come into camp in 2010-2012 form and provide improved contribution vs last season
9. AB will have his first healthy season
8. Marcus Thornton and Evan Turner will provide consistent scoring off the bench.
7. Rondo will be top 3 in the league in assists per game
6. KO and Sully will both avg 13-14 pts , 8 reb a game
5. Tyler Zeller will have a breakout year as a starting center
4. Celtics will have one of the leagues best defensive backcourt group
3. Marcus Smart will be and excel as the go to scorer in the 4th
2. Brad Stevens will be a candidate for coach of the year award
1. Celtics will make 8th place

[Eddie20]

I'm telling you you're wrong on Anthony. He's always been in shape, he's just not any good. The Heat played him out of sheer necessity and he was a good system fit for his ability to defend the pick and roll and provide energy. Once they acquired a player (Andersen) who did everything better than him, Anthony was benched.

In Anthony's career year he averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 21 mpg. The year prior he averaged 2.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 19.5 mpg.

This might be his last year in the NBA.

[Clench123]

Except number 10, I pretty much agree with everything else (fingers crossed)

[Tr1boy]

I'm telling you you're wrong on Anthony. He's always been in shape, he's just not any good. The Heat played him out of sheer necessity and he was a good system fit for his ability to defend the pick and roll and provide energy. Once they acquired a player (Andersen) who did everything better than him, Anthony was benched.

In Anthony's career year he averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 21 mpg. The year prior he averaged 2.0 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 19.5 mpg.

This might be his last year in the NBA.

He was not in good shape last season.  From the articles i been reading he has been living at the gym this offseason

2011 (slimmer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC_ae61uZhE

Vs

2014 (chubbier, little lift)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwEPFOGmIws

[jambr380]

Except number 10, I pretty much agree with everything else (fingers crossed)

Yeah, these predictions are optimistic, but realistic. I think KO will average a 2-3 more ppg than Sully (if given equal minutes), but won't reach 8 rpg.  I also think that Rondo will lead the league in assists.

[timpiker]

Thanks for the optimism.

[moiso]

I doubt that the coach of the year will be coaching an 8th placed team. 

I don't expect anything from Anthony.  I agree with the Sullinger/KO predictions. 

I expect Bradley to get hurt per his protocol.

[Kevin OConnor]

1. Celtics will make 8th place

And get swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

[manl_lui]

1. Celtics will make 8th place

And get swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

I don't think the Cavs will be #1 seed

[Tr1boy]

1. Celtics will make 8th place

And get swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Naw. At worse will win one game.  Plus dont forget about the possible explosion of playoff rondo.

Just even making the playoffs will be a huge boost for this team moving fwd

[Mazingerz]

I'll play the game:

1. The unguaranteed contracts (CJ and Babb) will be gone before the season starts
2. Bass and Green will be traded;
3. Bradley will get injured midway in the season, giving Smart his minutes;
4. Wallace will be played sparingly; James Young and Evan Turner will get his minutes;
5. Zeller will be the starting center and will excel at his position;
6. KO and Sully will average 16 pts/8 rebounds each;
7. Rondo will regain his form and lead the league in assists (12 assists per game);
8. The Cs will be a running team;
9. Rondo and Smart will average at least 12 points per game;
10. The Cs make the playoffs and will be at least a 2nd round exit;

[Tr1boy]

I'll play the game:

1. The unguaranteed contracts (CJ and Babb) will be gone before the season starts
2. Bass and Green will be traded;
3. Bradley will get injured midway in the season, giving Smart his minutes;
4. Wallace will be played sparingly; James Young and Evan Turner will get his minutes;
5. Zeller will be the starting center and will excel at his position;
6. KO and Sully will average 16 pts/8 rebounds each;
7. Rondo will regain his form and lead the league in assists (12 assists per game);
8. The Cs will be a running team;
9. Rondo and Smart will average at least 12 points per game;
10. The Cs make the playoffs and will be at least a 2nd round exit;

good list. I really hope #10 happens

[Celtics4ever]

I hope I am wrong but I think your both going to be wrong on 6.  I can see Sully doing 13/8 but KO?

[Tr1boy]

I hope I am wrong but I think your both going to be wrong on 6.  I can see Sully doing 13/8 but KO?

Did you not watch the last 10 games?

Confidence was holding him back early last season. He gained that in the 2nd half of the 2nd half.

In the SL he looked stronger, quicker , more athletic.

He is going to be a good one

[Jon]

I'd say the OP is right that some of those could happen, but it's nearly impossible for most of those all to happen. If Rondo and Bradley are both healthy and productive, there's no way there is enough PT for Smart, Thorton, and Evans to all get enough PT to actually make an impact. Similarly, there's no way that Sully and Olynyk put up those kind of numbers unless they are playing next to each other, which won't leave PT for both Zeller and Anthony to be impact players.