Which Celtic has the most to prove in the playoffs?

[kozlodoev]

Everyone. They all need to prove that they're something more than a good regular season team, that they can beat good teams consistently, and that they can win away from the Garden.

[Fafnir]

IT4. 

It's his team right now.

Yeah Thomas for sure, I'd also add Crowder. He's seen an assent in his stature this year, now the playoffs can either damage or confirm that.

[LilRip]

Gotta be IT4. Right now, he strikes me as a regular season allstar. But once the defense hones in on him, he can be stopped effectively. He's gotta prove that he can take it up another level once the playoffs begin, much like many stars in this league do come playoff time.

[sofutomygaha]

Everyone has a lot to prove, but the player I'm most interested in is Marcus Smart. Opinions of him are all over the board, but the pro-Smart take is that he does amazing stuff in all other respects to make up for how bad a scorer he is. Smart has to be a difference maker in the playoffs to be able to plausibly back that up.

[Ilikesports17]

They all kinda have to prove themselves outside probably Amir Johnson.

ET and Sully are playing for contracts, but they already earned a lot of $$ this season. The playoffs will influence that number, but I dont see it as crucial for them.

Youd love to see Smart have a coming out party, but no one is giving up on the guy (at least in the Celtics FO) based on a tough playoff series

AB has struggled in the playoffs in years past. Hes either been hurt(2012 I believe) or largely ineffective (2015 and 2013). This year hes shown tremendous improvement in terms of returning to that stud on ball defender from his early years, while also extending his range to 3pt territory and improving his handle and finishing abilities to the point where he is a subpar shot creator as opposed to a nonexistent one. exorcising those playoff demons would go a long way for his rep and place as a leader and long term fixture within the Cs but ultimately he is so well thought of in the Cs organization a tough playoff stretch isnt a big deal I dont think.

Like any breakout player Crowder will look to add legitimacy to his season, but with the ankle and his performance last year in the playoffs I think he has the least to prove.

Isaiah THomas has the most. He has been doubted at every stage, and at every stage he has proved his doubters wrong except for the playoffs. ISaiah has been there once, and when he got there he was terrible. This is likely because he was the only quasi competent scorer on the team and the Cavs just completely focused on him, but it doesnt matter. When you are 5'9" you dont get the benefit of the doubt. If he wants to be a star in this league, he has to prove it in the playoffs. This is his shot. He has a lot to prove.

[greece66]

IT (has to prove he is an All Star) and Sully (has to prove he is a legit talent before hitting FA).

[droopdog7]

IT and it isn't close.  Is the teams star and had a terrible playoffs last year.

I think you are being a little too tough on Isaiah. The majority of the team played like **** last year, which didn't help IT given the attention that he got from the Cavs defense. I think IT's performance will somehow depend on how Bradley is going to play as he could take away some attention from IT if we keeps hitting his shots.

A star is supposed to lift those around him.  Not the other way around.

[alldaboston]

Isaiah
Jae
Marcus

[hpantazo]

CBS. He has to prove to Horford , and anyone else watching, that they want to leave their teams and play for him.

[Greyman]

CBS. He has to prove to Horford , and anyone else watching, that they want to leave their teams and play for him.

Heartily agree. A lot weighs on CBS being able to motivate/prepare the team to play at their best. I think those players who most need to perform for the team to do well and for their reps; IT, AB, JC, Sully and Turner. There is really a lot of pressure on everybody though and I just realised I left Smart of that list.

It is difficult to narrow down. If I was DA I really want to see Crowder at this level. With good performances he could cement his spot at the Celtics.

[dreamgreen]

Gotta be IT4. Right now, he strikes me as a regular season allstar. But once the defense hones in on him, he can be stopped effectively. He's gotta prove that he can take it up another level once the playoffs begin, much like many stars in this league do come playoff time.

This.

[billysan]

CBS. He has to prove to Horford , and anyone else watching, that they want to leave their teams and play for him.

Heartily agree. A lot weighs on CBS being able to motivate/prepare the team to play at their best. I think those players who most need to perform for the team to do well and for their reps; IT, AB, JC, Sully and Turner. There is really a lot of pressure on everybody though and I just realised I left Smart of that list.

It is difficult to narrow down. If I was DA I really want to see Crowder at this level. With good performances he could cement his spot at the Celtics.

Or dramatically change his trade value. Strike while the iron is hot and all you know.

[SHAQATTACK]

IT

[2short]

All
Bradley and Isaiah need to step up to their better games
Sully and Turner are playing for contracts
Amir is an X factor, he doesn't need to prove anything but he plays at his top level it's huge
Kelly and smart, two X factors

If our team can hit 3's and play at our best level for a series we can beat ANYONE

[BornReady]

young = he needs to show his value or he may face the trading block

but more likely thomas as he'd have more chances to play= he needs to show that he is a top PG in the league and be considered for all-nba team