Boston Celtics 2016-17 Season Preview And Predictions
By Adam Nazzaro
Returning Players
G Avery Bradley C Tyler Zeller
G Marcus Smart F Kelly Olynyk
G Terry Rozier F Jonas Jerebko
Returning guard play is going to be huge for the Celtics down the stretch, as the only All-Star on the C’s last year in Isaiah Thomas is the “nucleus” of what this team does, and where it truly wants to go revolves on his shoulders. The 5-year veteran out of the University of Washington career numbers, averaging 22.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, along with 3.0 RPG.
Thomas is the Celtics main scoring threat, and makes them a true contender for the Eastern Conference title conversation. According to Thomas, he’s going to be shooting for the stars this year, the 5-9 guard said when asked about elevating his game, “Damn. I gotta be Allen Iverson, bro, you know what his career average is? He averaged 28 points a game for his whole career. That’s not even real. I gotta get better bro. I gotta get better … I averaged 22 [points] and six [assists]. That’s not a good year. I gotta go for 25 [points].” Expect to see Thomas have another All-Star caliber season, and to lead the Celtics deeper into the playoffs then recent past.
Right next to Thomas, is the longest tenured Celtic on the roster, Avery Bradley who is also coming from one of his best years yet. Already being known as a top defender in the league, being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, also turned it up last season on offense and has the capability to be an All-Star two-way player for the Celtics. Bradley averaged a career high in points last season (15.2 PPG), and if he continues to improve his game it will be tough for the NBA to keep him out of this years NBA All-Star game.
Bradley worked a lot on his ball-handling game this offseason, “I worked on my ball-handling a lot,” the 6-year veteran said. “Instead of doing all the Kyrie (Irving) stuff that trainers have people do, I tried to focus on just one or two moves, just perfecting a few moves that I can put into my game.”
Bradley being one of the main leaders on this team, promotes that this is to only help his teammates, “I’m able to make plays for my teammates because I’m a lot more confident in my ball-handling, in my play-making and my decision-making,” said the 25-year-old Bradley. “I feel a lot more comfortable out there.” Bradley said.
Then we have one of the key contributors from last year in Celtics F Jae Crowder. The 4-year veteran out of Marquette made a big jump last year in his game, averaging 14.2 PPG along with 5.1 RPG. Without a doubt the MVP of the team the first-half of last season, found himself with injury problems that slowed Crowder down in the second half of the season and was a complete no-show in the playoffs.
Despite the successful season offensively last year, Crowder’s game has been all about defense. Being able to guard big athletes such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony when healthy. When talking on media day, Crowder shared his thoughts on doubters and “disrespect” by the league. “I have guys like you on my back, talking bad about me, not giving me that one vote I needed to be (all-defensive team),” Crowder said. Look to see Crowder make a big impact on both sides of the floor, he looks to continue to improve and be recognized as one of the top defensive forwards in basketball.