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Boston Celtics: Why Jalen Rose is a believer in 2019-20 Celtics squad

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 17: Kemba Walker (L) and Enes Kanter (R) are introduced as members of the Boston Celtics by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge during a press conference at the Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters on July 17, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 17: Kemba Walker (L) and Enes Kanter (R) are introduced as members of the Boston Celtics by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge during a press conference at the Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters on July 17, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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While most NBA experts are writing off the Boston Celtics as Eastern Conference favorites, one former NBA player is not writing them off.

The NBA is in for a surprise when it comes to the Boston Celtics.  That is what former NBA star and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose predicts for the 2019-20 NBA season.

When it comes to depth and talent, the Celtics may be worse after the departures of Kyrie Irving, Al Horford, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier and Aron Baynes.  But, with the additions of Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter and high character draft picks, the team Danny Ainge has restocked with may actually perform better.

While the expectations are for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to take the next step and Gordon Hayward to return to All-Star form, the main reason Rose sites for his high expectations of the team is Kemba Walker becoming an even better player in Boston under a bigger spotlight and surrounded by better players.

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He’s not Kyrie Irving, but his impact may be bigger.

Check out what Jalen Rose said last week on ESPN’s “Get Up”:

"“I think Kemba Walker is now going to introduce himself to the masses as one of the top players in the game at his position.  He’s a 20-plus point scorer, he’s led Charlotte to the playoffs, he’s been an All-NBA player.  He can get his own shot off the dribble, he can put you on skates as well as anybody in the league, whether it’s making the three-point shot or mid-range shot, he can finish at the hoop.  His percentages are going to go up from three and from the field now that he’s playing with better players around him.”"

It is hard to disagree with Jalen Rose.  There is no doubt that Kemba Walker will thrive playing under Brad Stevens in the same tradition as both Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving.  Actually, he may be the perfect combination of both as he will look to get his teammates involved and take over the game offensively only when he needs to.

Add to the fact that he has a passion to win and his overall impact should propel the Boston Celtics to at least be a legitimate threat in the East.

While the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers are forecasted as the top teams, Rose went on to acknowledge Boston’s group of perimeter players as the best in the conference.  For that reason, the Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart led Celtics squad will surprise people.

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If someone emerges in the front court, then there is no reason to believe the Boston Celtics couldn’t challenge those teams for Eastern Conference supremacy.  With less expectations, they certainly have nothing to lose.  That actually makes them more dangerous.

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