Additions: Amir Johnson, Perry Jones, David Lee
Despite the Celtics’ perceived overload at the power forward position, I have every reason to believe that Amir Johnson will be starting and ending most games for the Celtics. Over Johnson’s six seasons with Toronto, he shot 57.2% from the floor. Johnson is by most accounts a better rebounder than his 6.1 RPG last season would reflect. He also has the potential to score much more than he ever did in Toronto. Some are assuming that Johnson will attempt to expand his game to beyond the three-point arc, but I have yet to see any evidence suggesting this is a good idea. If the C’s are going to implement a stretch four, I would certainly advise using Jonas Jerebko or even Jarred Sullinger over Johnson. Johnson’s a solid defender and a decent shot blocker and known to do all of the “little things” on defense. His grit and hustle should quickly endear him to Boston fans.
Much like Johnson, the Celtics are paying David Lee a lot of money… $15.5 million to be exact. Yet unlike Johnson, his role on the team is still uncertain. Despite arguably being the best player on the roster, Lee may not play much more than 18 – 22 minutes per game. Amir Johnson will start at the four, and Jarred Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk can be viewed as either integral parts of the C’s future, or at the least, solid trade assets. We can all assume that Lee will get much more burn than Gerald Wallace got in 2014/15, but does he have any role in the Celtics future? Perhaps this season will be the litmus test. To David Lee’s credit, he was a consummate professional with Golden State last season, accepting his heavily reduced role on a championship level team and supporting the younger players who were essentially pushing him out of Oakland. Nonetheless, Lee remained ready to play and eventually made a meaningful impact on the Dubs’ playoff run. Although he might not ever return to his previous All-Star form, perhaps Lee can match the 18/10 mark that he achieved for five consecutive seasons (2009 – 2014) or just a shade below (playing time permitted).
Losses: Brandon Bass, Luigi Datome, Gerald Wallace
RIP to Gerald Wallace! At his peak, Wallace was incredible—a total energy guy who embraced a reckless style of play that helped him become a solid scorer, excellent rebounder, and superior defender. In 2005/06, Wallace averaged 2.5 SPG and 2.1 BPG making him the third player EVER to average two steals and two blocks per game over a season (David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon are the others). But those Charlotte days are long gone. Most notably, in 2012, Portland traded him to the New Jersey in a head-scratching deal in which the Nets gave up the 7th overall pick that became Damian Lillard. Much like the contracts of Keith Van Horn or Theo Ratliff, Wallace’s contract has outlived his NBA lifespan. It was almost inevitable that it would end up in the hands of the Sixers.
Rookies: RJ Hunter, Jordan Mickey, Terry Rozier
Admittedly, I was quite surprised when the Celtics reached for Rozier at #16 of the 2015 draft. Not only because Rozier wasn’t projected as a first round pick for the majority of the summer, but I was STUNNED that they took a point guard – isn’t that Marcus Smart’s job? I guess the C’s weren’t pleased with the remaining eligible bigs so they went a different direction with things… Undoubtedly, the Celtics added a top-notch perimeter defender to a backcourt that already boasted the likes of Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. Despite standing just 6’2”, Rozier has a 6’8” wingspan and will guard both guard positions. Rozier is also an excellent rebounder and possesses a lightning quick first step but he’s a streaky shooter and not a great finisher in the paint. Nonetheless, he’s very athletic and plays aggressively. Rozier’s success next season depends mainly on how many minutes he receives and how quickly he can adjust to NBA defenses.
Most likely, R.J. Hunter will always be remembered as the guy who hit a 30-foot shot to advance Georgia State past Baylor while his coach and father fell out of his chair. But it doesn’t have to end there; Hunter has the tools to become a solid player in this league. He’s a lights out shooter. Although he struggles to create his own shot, he can come off pick and rolls, get open off screens, or spot up from deep three. However, Hunter takes A LOT of jumpers; it would be nice to see him get to the rim. Some have questioned his shot selection, but I think that’s most likely just a product of Hunter playing in such a small conference and on a team that needed him to take on the bulk of offensive duties. He’s also a very gifted passer with excellent court vision. Defensively, he has good size at the SG position (6’5” with a 6’9.5” wingspan), though at just 180 lbs. he will need to bulk up to defend stronger guards. Due to the Celtics depth in the backcourt, Hunter might not get a lot of burn to start, but I could envision him passing James Young on the depth chart before the All-Star break.
Guards: While acknowledging the Celtics have some quality guards, they all seem to have deficiencies—perhaps that’s why the C’s used their first two picks in last year’s draft on guards. Isaiah Thomas is the most seasoned guard, and despite his role as a sixth man, he will most likely see the most minutes. He’s a proven scorer but his lack of size makes it difficult for him to guard anyone straight up. Marcus Smart is a good defender, who could easily play alongside Thomas in an effort to defend bigger guards, but he’s a dismal shooter from everywhere on the floor (36.7 FG%, 33.5 3PT%, and 64.6% FT% last season). Although just one year ago, Smart appeared to be Rajon Rondo’s successor and the Celtics’ future at the position. But since drafting Smart, Boston added Thomas and combo-guard Terry Rozier from Louisville. The backcourt is rounded out by defensive stopper Avery Bradley, the highly underappreciated but often inefficient Evan Turner, and James Young, a second-year guard who spends most of his time with the Maine Red Claws.
Forwards: As previously stated, the Celts acquired David Lee this summer in a deal with Golden Sate for Gerald Wallace. There’s really no way that deal can backfire. Even if Lee is a complete flop in the Bean, his expiring contract will be worth something to someone next February. There are a lot of people who believe in Jarred Sullinger’s potential; I am not one of them. There was a reason he fell from potential lottery pick to 21st overall in the 2012 draft. Granted, over the past three seasons, he’s averaged a respectable 11.4 PPG and 7.4 RPG, but he also missed 69 games. Call me a skeptic but there’s something I don’t trust about a guy who’s consistently out of shape with a bad back, sore knees, and foot problems. If I was Danny Ainge, I would find the first GM that believes in Sully’s potential and make a deal. As I previously stated, I like the addition of Amir Johnson. Although I certainly don’t consider $12 million a year a bargain, it’s only a 2-year deal that shouldn’t hamstring the Celtics if the team develops like Ainge and Stephens hope it will. I do like Jonas Jerebko, as he played possibly the best basketball career after being traded to Boston last season and should see an uptick in minutes this season. Jae Crowder was a revelation for the Celtics last season, and in hindsight, might have been the best player involved in the Rajon Rondo to Dallas trade last season. At just 25, his potential is limitless… kinda. Jordan Mickey won’t get much burn but he’s certainly has more potential defensively than every forward on the roster with the exception of Amir Johnson. Lastly, Perry Jones won’t be on the team very long, so he doesn’t matter.
Centers: It’s a down era for Celtics centers. Robert Parrish isn’t walking through that door…. Tyler Zeller will though. Every day. In all fairness, Zeller exceeded everyone’s expectations after being acquired (along with a future first round pick and Marcus Thornton) for a trade exception and a future second-rounder. He played in all 82 games scoring 10.2 PPG on 54.9% shooting from the field and grabbing 5.7 RPG. One year removed from teetering on NBA bust, Zeller appears to have a solid NBA career in front of him. Expect his 21.1 minutes per game to increase significantly. I always considered Kelly Olynyk a stretch four, but he may have to play some stretch five this season. While he’s an above average 3-point shooter for a big, he doesn’t have much of an inside game or a mid-range jumper. He’s also not the world’s greatest defender. If you’re not from the Boston area, you may know him best for injuring Kevin Love in the first round of last season’s playoffs. He logged more minutes than Zeller last season, but that will most likely change this season. If the C’s decide to move one of their young bigs, I would be least surprised if it’s Olynyk.
Final thoughts: As an admitted Celtics hater, I was displeased with the progress they made last year. They took an often-injured and supremely overrated and immature prima donna (and Dwight Powell) and tricked the Dallas Mavericks into sending them Brendan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, and draft picks. You saw what happened to the second half of Dallas’s season? Everything I hoped that would happen to the second half of the Celtics’ season! Good job, Danny! You made Dallas look as foolish as you made Brooklyn look in 2013… Evan Turner is supremely underappreciated. Yeah, he was a #2 pick, and from that perspective he failed to live up to expectations, but he’s an excellent rebounder for his position and a solid on-the-ball defender. He’s a steal for the C’s playing for just $3.4 million and if he didn’t have such a rocky tenure in Indiana, I think he could’ve received both a longer and bigger contract… The Celtics have solid guards but none of them are stars… I like Isaiah Thomas’s contract but I don’t think I’ll ever understand Avery Bradley’s… I despise hearing about Perry Jones’ “potential.” It’s over for this dude. The same thing goes for Jeremy Lamb and Thomas Robinson. Please, if your squad picks one of these guys up, DO NOT talk to me about his “tremendous upside.” Those days have passed… I think R.J Hunter can be a good NBA player; I don’t think James Young can be a good NBA player… Brad Stephens has done an excellent job with this team. I couldn’t cite a team who “overperformed” more than last year’s Celtics… The C’s will do the same thing they did last year: visit the playoffs, and then get sent home.
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