3 Big Reasons To Watch The Celtics This Year | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

3 Big Reasons To Watch The Celtics This Year

With Al Horford on board and a talented young core lead by Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics will give the Cavs a run for their money this year.

12
3 Big Reasons To Watch The Celtics This Year
Wikipedia Commons

With a little more than a month to go before Opening Night against Brooklyn, the hype is building. Reloaded and ready to give the defending champion Cavaliers a run for their money, the Celtics are a team in 2016 that you do not want to sleep on.

Here's a few reasons why:

1. Al Horford

The biggest free agent upgrade made by any team this offseason was the Boston Celtics signing Al Horford. I'm not counting Kevin Durant to the Warriors because Golden State was already the best team before he decided he wanted to join the Blue and Gold. The Warriors already have two of the best shooters the NBA has ever seen, and there isn't too much room for improvement after that. They've won more games in a single season than any other team without KD. Now, he might get them two, maybe three more wins this year? I'm getting beside the point, though. What's important is that the Celtics have an All-Star big man for the first time since the Big Ticket called the TD Garden home.Al Horford might be on the wrong side of 30, but don't let that fool you.The man can ball. For two-thirds of his nine-year career, he has averaged more than 15 points a game. Horford is an experienced and dynamic pick-and-roll player that will complement Isaiah Thomas's ball skills. I also guarantee he will surprise us with some high flying dunks and putbacks. Horford is an anchor for the defense, and he will make it hard for an offense to maneuver when paired with another one of the Celtic's bigs. He's an exciting addition to a young squad in Boston that has lacked a seasoned veteran to lead the big guys in the wake of KG's departure. Horford will take Sullinger's place in the starting five come October 26th with the hope that he can elevate this team to another level.Based on what he's done in Atlanta, Horford should only find it easier to flourish in Boston:


2. The Development of Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart

Two of my favorite Celtics to watch are the third year man out of Oklahoma State, Marcus Smart, and the former Maverick turned Celtic from Marquette, Jae Crowder. Both known for their outstanding defense and toughness, this is the year that their offense will need to start to be as productive as their defense. In the past, both players' jump shots have been questionable at best. At times last season, however, it seemed like when they needed a three the most, Crowder or Smart was most likely going to hit it.

However, with a wide open look and the game not on the line, it seemed as if Crowder and Smart would only chuck up bricks. It was confusing, to say the least, because we know the potential is there. Both Smart and Crowder could be first team all-defense this season. The only thing holding them from being All-Stars is a more consistent jump shot. Both men have proven they have what it takes to guard the best that the NBA has to offer. They consistently leave it all out on the floor, and the repercussions are evident. The Celtics defense ranked in the upper-half of the NBA this past season in opponents' points per game and was second in the NBA in steals per game. That statistic largely has to do with the heart of these two players. A large part of Boston's success in Brad Stevens' first three years as head coach has been due to his team's ability to dictate game speed with defense. With the sting of another first round playoff departure still fresh, Crowder and Smart are ready to start the 2016 season off with a vengeance.


3. Jaylen Brown

The rookie small forward out of the University of California will be a difference maker for the Celtics this year. What jumps out the most from his scouting report is his high basketball IQ. It's something that will make his transition into the NBA easier for him compared to other rookies. Brown also runs in transition very well-- something the Celtics love to do when they get rolling. Brown plays with a high motor and should be able to guard the two and three right away. All of these factors will immediately pay off as Brown should prove to be a valuable asset off the bench when Crowder needs a breather.

Some Celtics fans wanted to trade the pick we used on Brown for Jimmy Butler or another scorer as the deadline approached. In the end, I think the Celtics are better off with the selection they made rather than adding another guard to an already congested backcourt. The Celtics' depth at the wing was a bit of a question mark before we drafted Brown. Now, the second unit looks fast and aggressive, and should always be capable of picking up where the starters left off.

Brown's up-tempo style of play will only make the Celtics more fun to watch, and harder for defenses to keep up with.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

4772
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments