Boston Celtics 2016-17 Season Preview And Predictions
By Adam Nazzaro
New Additions “Key Departures”
G Gerald Green F Jared Sullinger
F Jaylen Brown*
For what Celtics fans been waiting for since the “Big 3” left, finally a “max-contract” player with the recent C’s signing of C Al Horford. In July, Horford signed a four-year max deal with the Celtics, worth $113 million, his agent, Jason Glushon, told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. The 9-year veteran who has played every season with the Atlanta Hawks comes with size that the green desperately need, and the experience and the leadership that will truly propel this team close to the top.
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Horford, the 4-time All-Star in 9 seasons has never missed a postseason. You’ve seen the Celtics in the last two postseason’s struggle because of lack of rebounding, and terrible defense guarding big man. Horford will be a great candidate to fill that role, and then some. At age 30, and still without a ring, Horford came to Boston to win a championship and isn’t going to settle for anything less.
With the 3rd overall selection in this year’s NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected F Jaylen Brown, out of the University of California, Berkeley. Brown looks like a great fit for the C’s, with his defense first attitude, along with his SportsCenter Top 10 slam dunks to erupt Boston faithful.
When drafted, many people questioned the Celtics for selecting Brown, but when you see what he’s done in training camp and summer league you have to put in your mind that he could be the “steal” of the draft. Their aren’t a lot of NBA prospects who come off with as much as maturity and physicality that Brown brings to the table. Overall, I think come playoff time you will see Brown getting “crunch-time” minutes and Celtics Nation will be thanking Danny Ainge for his rightful choice.