A few days before the start of the regular season, DNA of Sports is approaching the end of its traditional presentation, franchise by franchise, of the upcoming NBA season. Like every year, this takes the form of a countdown, from the teams expected at the bottom of the ranking to our favorite for the champion title.
Today, we conclude with the Celtics, who ended their last campaign in the conference finals, beaten by the Heat at the end of a strange seasonmarked by the suspension of Ime Udoka a few days before the resumption, the promotion of Joe Mazzulla as “head coach” and the feeling that the group had lost its bearings.
Although they were coming off a (lost) final against the Warriors and had all the weapons to win an 18th champion banner, the Celtics were shaken by the surprise dismissal of their coach, Joe Mazzulla finding himself in a very delicate situation. At the last moment, with a depleted staff (Will Hardy had been named head of Jazz, Damon Stoudamire left during the season…) and generally loyal to Ime Udoka, he displayed all his inexperience, ultimately logical, in the playoffs.
More variety, less density
The first mission for Brad Stevens, the president of Boston, was therefore to strengthen his “coaching staff”, and he did it well with the recruitment of Charles Leeformer assistant to Mike Budenholzer whom everyone sees as a potential “head coach”, and Sam Cassella former player whose profile was precisely lacking.
But the brain of Massachusetts was not content with tinkering with its framework, because he continued to shake up his squad in depth, first recovering Kristaps Porzingis, even if it means sacrificing Marcus Smart, despite being considered the soul of this team. Before to get your hands on Jrue Holiday this time letting go of Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning 6th man of the year angry with the club since he almost packed his bags following the arrival of Kristaps Porzingis.
Jaylen Brown extended with largest contract in history, Grant Williams had to be let go and that leaves four key rotation players, with only two major arrivals.
On paper, the Celtics have therefore lost density, particularly in the interior sector where the fragile Kristaps Porzingis and the aging Al Horford will have to avoid physical problems. Nevertheless, on the other hand, arrivals multiply the offensive optionsthe Latvian’s shooting skills can free Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and avoid being too dependent on 3-point skills, as in the last playoffs.
SUMMER MOVEMENTS
Arrivals: Kristaps Porzingis (Wizards), Jrue Holiday (Bucks), Oshae Brissett (Pacers), Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (Hornets), Dalano Banton (Raptors), Jordan Walsh
Departures: Marcus Smart (Grizzlies), Robert Williams III (Blazers), Malcolm Brogdon (Blazers), Grant Williams (Mavericks), Danilo Gallinari (Wizards), Mike Muscala (Wizards)
PLAYER TO FOLLOW: KRISTAPS PORZINGIS
Brad Stevens’ bet depends on the health of Kristaps Porzingis, which will be the keystone of Boston. With his blocking skills, the Latvian can be a massive weapon in the back row, with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to put pressure on opponents in the front line.
In attack, his qualities as a shooter, as well as his verticalitymake him a profile capable of blowing up opposing defenses, and allowing Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to enjoy more options because opponents will no longer be able to really anticipate the movements of the screener…
Author undoubtedly of his best career season last year at the Wizards, in the anonymity of a very average team (23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds on average, 50% shooting success including 39% at 3-points) , KP can really take the Celtics to the next leveland above all bring variety and unpredictability to their game.
The question is to know if he will be able to withstand the shock physically throughout the regular season, and the playoffs, when he will be particularly in demand in this role of main interior rotation?
Average age: 27.2 years
Payroll: $185.3 million (9th)
THE IDEAL SCENARIO
For his second season, with a full training camp to work on, Joe Mazzulla manages to reestablish a big defensive identity, the Jrue Holiday – Derrick White duo leading the charge on this side of the field.
But the whole group is in tune, while the qualities of Kristaps Porzingis offer boulevards to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, and the Boston attack becomes unplayable. The Latvian also plays his role of intimidator under the circle perfectly, helped by a first curtain which has no equivalent in the NBA.
The Celtics therefore dominated the regular season and therefore entered the playoffs with home advantage until the end, which they took advantage of to win the 18th title in their history. And once again sit alone at the top of the Great League hierarchy, leaving the Lakers with 17 titles…
THE WORST SCENARIO
Unfortunately, Kristaps Porzingis’ physical fragility resurfaces very quickly, especially since he is in high demand as he has to set a lot of screens and contest a lot of shots near the circle.
Subscribed to the infirmary, the Latvian leaves Al Horford very often very alone in the racket, and the Celtics cough, crossing their fingers to be in shape for the end of season games. Except that the miracle does not happen and, without a 100% Kristaps Porzingis, this group is not at the level of the other contenders for the title, especially with a Joe Mazzulla who still does not have the build of a “head coach” and a duo Jaylen Brown – Jayson Tatum who resumes his bad habits and isolates himself from the rest of the team.
Exiting ingloriously in the playoffs, the Celtics must also make financial choices for their future, with the upcoming extension of Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday who also becomes a “free agent”…
