The Celtics Future Is Looking Bright…. For Now
While the Boston Celtics season doesn’t begin until late October, it’s never too early to start looking towards next season. What better way to predict the future of a team than by watching a bunch of kids who probably won’t make it into the NBA play their hearts out off for a few weeks. The NBA summer league just wrapped up and the Celtics were tearing up the Las Vegas strip with four wins in a row at one point. I can’t think of a better time than now to think about what the scrubs playing now show about the future of the team. The… Continue Reading
2015-2016 NBA Atlantic Division Preview: Boston Celtics
Preview number three of the five teams of the Atlantic Division in the NBA: Take a look as i preview the upcoming season for the Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics
2014-15: 49-33, 4th in Eastern Conference
Coach: Brad Stevens
Major Losses: Rajon Rondo (Mid-season Trade), Jeff Green(Mid-season Trade), Gerald Wallace (Off-season Trade),Brandon Bass (Free Agency, signed with LAL)
Key Additions: Amir Johnson (FA Singing), David Lee(Off-season Trade), Terry Rozier (1st Round Draft Pick),R.J. Hunter (1st Round Draft Pick), Jordan Mickey (2nd Round Draft Pick)
We are now entering the third year of the Brad Stevens Era and for the first time since his hiring, the Celtics have legitimate playoff expectations. After backing their way into the playoffs last season, the Celtics are in the realm of the “good, not great” teams in the NBA. With a mix of some veterans finding their place and young studs waiting for their chance, the Celtics are slotted to be a playoff team for the future.
The major problem with the current roster? There are no superstars!
The Celtics traded away their top two players, Rondo and Green, in mid-season deals last season. This had now allowed Brad Stevens to run his system the way he wants, without long term Celtics players getting in his way. The Boston Celtics team and fans are in good hands with one of the best young coaches in the game, as well as with the team’s General Manager Danny Ainge, who is not afraid to make moves to do what it takes to win.
To read the rest of my Celtics Season Preview click here.
2015-2016 NBA Atlantic Division Preview: Philadelphia 76ers
Preview number two of the five teams of the Atlantic Division in the NBA: Take a look as I preview the upcoming season for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philadelphia 76ers
2014-15: 18-64, 14th in Eastern Conference
Coach: Brett Brown (Third Season)
Major Losses: Michael Carter-Williams (Mid-season trade), K.J. McDaniels (mid-season trade), JaVale McGee, Luc Mbah a Moute, Thomas Robinson.
Key Additions: Jahlil Okafor (1st round draft pick), Nik Stauskas (Offseason Trade), Carl Landry (Offseason Trade).
Time and time again, you will hear about “the process.” For the 76ers, it has been many years in a row of processing players through and testing out which players will work out and this season looks to be no different. A team that has not made the playoffs in the past three years and hasn’t won the Atlantic Division since Allen “The Answer” Iverson won the league MVP in the 2000-2001 season, Philadelphia is coming off of what was tied for their second worst season in team history, finishing with an 18-64 record for the second time since the team moved to “the city of brotherly love” in the 1963-64 season. The only season the team has won less than 18 games was the 1972-73 season, when the team only won a total of nine games.
This year, the team is looking to be just as bad. Even though, according to the Sixers hype video this year, “We lose more sweat, more sleep, more hours, more sanity.”
They forgot to mention that they lose more games than anyone else too…… but anyways, here is the 2015-16 team outlook.
To read the rest of my 76er’s Season Preview click here.
2015-2016 NBA Atlantic Division Preview: Toronto Raptors
Preview number one of the five teams of the Atlantic Division in the NBA: Take a look as i preview the upcoming season for the Toronto Raptors.
2014-15: 49-33, 4th in Eastern Conference
Coach: Dwane Casey
Major Losses: Amir Johnson (FA Signed With Celtics), Lou Williams (FA Signed with Lakers), Grevis Vasquez (Traded to Bucks)
Key Additions: DeMarre Carroll (FA signing), Cory Joseph(FA signing), Luis Scola (FA Signing) Bismack Biyombo(FA signing), Delon Wright (1st round draft choice).
The Toronto Raptors have now won the Atlantic Division two years in a row (back to back), much to the pleasure of Toronto superfan and Toronto Raptors Ambassador, Drake.
Finishing the last two seasons with 48 and 49 years, respectively, the Raptors have been at the top of the division, even though there is no real superstar on the team. The Raptors had a quiet summer overall, saving money and preparing for this upcoming season with the possible needs to resign DeRozan and other top free agents.
To read the rest of my Raptors Preview click here.
UMass Journalism 300 