Tag Archives: GORDON HAYWARD

Three Takeaways: Celtics 105, 76ers 87

Boston Celtics basketball is back.

The first game of the regular season for the Boston Celtics did not disappoint. Both teams got off to a slow start, but Boston was able to pull away heading into the fourth quarter and didn’t look back. By the end of the game, the entire team was firing on all cylinders.

Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly from game 1 of 82.

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics during a game on October 16 2018 at TD Garden in...

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1. Kyrie Irving off to a slow start

Though the Celtics pulled off the win, Kyrie’s absence on the offensive end was notable. In the first half, Irving didn’t score a single point, going 0-8 from the field. He finished going just 2-14 from the field for 7 points. That included one two, one three, and two free throws. Fortunately, the rest of the team was able to pick up the slack on the offensive end. Hopefully, Kyrie can get his scoring swagger back in time for Friday’s tilt.

However, he did finish with seven assists, and was also a +9 plus/minus, so his performance wasn’t poor. It’s unlikely this scoring relapse will carry over into the next games.

2. Jayson Tatum leads the charge

While Kyrie struggled from the field, Jayson Tatum was the leader on the offensive end of the court. He finished with a game-high 23 points on 9-17 shooting from the field. He also looked at times to be the commander of the court, often times serving as the primary ball-handler.

Tatum had a number of sweet pull-ups, and a beautiful drive and dunk, as well. Near the end of the game, he also took Joel Embiid to school on a free throw line jumper. The NBA sophomore looked confident on the court, and it showed in the box score.

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 16 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston Massachusetts NOTE TO...

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3. Defense looks as strong as ever

The staple of the Boston Celtics looks to be the same as ever: defense. Boston was able to hold Philly to just 87 points in the opener. They also forced 16 turnovers, including 10 in the first half alone. Leading the defensive effort was Al Horford, who had 5 blocks and affected multiple other shots at the rim.

It’s obvious that the defense won’t be an issue this season, as if that were ever a question.

Bonus: Gordon Hayward!

The forward made his Celtic debut at the TD Garden, playing 24 minutes and scoring 10 points. While it wasn’t the greatest performance, it was most certainly encouraging to see him back on the court scoring buckets.

Gordon Hayward high fives Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics during a game against ethics's Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on October 16 2018 in...

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An emphatic performance in the season opener was surely an awesome sight for Boston Celtics fans. They’ll look to keep the momentum going on Friday against the Toronto Raptors in Canada.

I’m Concerned About the Gordon Hayward Injury – You Should Be Too

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Gordon Hayward is supposed to return to the Boston Celtics this season after missing all but five minutes of last season with a broken ankle. The former Utah Jazz star is expected to be a major part of this offense as the number two scoring option on the court.

Hayward appeared in three of the team’s four preseason games, playing 59 minutes and scoring just 21 points. He shot .250 from the floor, and .100 from deep. Now, reports have surfaced that he is dealing with a back issue, some “minor” pain in his back.

As much as some Celtics fans want to downplay this, this is an important issue that is concerning. Come on, John, you guys must be saying. You’ve been saying it’s just the preseason! Just relax!

While the stats don’t cause my concern, they help prove my concerns are legitimate. Here is why I am concerned about Gordon Hayward’s back injury, and why you should be too.

Gordon Hayward’s ankle injury

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I’m certainly not trying to sound like a broken record, but this ankle injury Hayward suffered last season was absolutely brutal. Not only was his ankle broken, the muscles were twisted, snapped and contorted. Gordon Hayward didn’t walk for two months after the injury.

When an individual suffers an injury to that extent, they have to learn to walk again. Hayward had to retrain himself to walk, run, jump and shoot a basketball. The injury forced him to restart his career, and that’s the reality of the situation.

Confidence is critical

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Confidence is indeed very crucial. It’s hard for a player to perform at the same level he did before when he is worried about how one of his legs will hold up. It’s not out of the ordinary to say that Gordon is worried about his ankle. You see him when he takes a shot. He doesn’t go up and command the shot like we are used to seeing him do. He looks timid and frightened.

If my ankle had busted the way it did less than a year ago, I would be too! Don’t think I am ragging the man, it’s natural to feel that way. However, the reality of this is that he won’t be a star if his confidence isn’t there. He will end up being an odd man out that Boston is overpaying.

He needs to feel comfortable on his ankle and have some confidence in it holding up before he can return to top form. I can almost promise you that his ankle doesn’t feel like he remembers. That’s because it is different, it’s completely rebuilt.

How does the back pain factor in?

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Ah, yes. The back pain.

Have you ever played basketball for a few hours without stopping? If you have, you probably remember that it was fun until you drove home, plopped down on the couch and watched a movie or read a book, then tried to stand back up. Your legs become very sore. In your ankles probably, your calves for sure. Your legs might somewhat resemble jello.

Did your back ever hurt?

When players suffer back pain, there’s normally a reason for it. Maybe he fell on his back during a practice or a game and needs to get his spine realigned a little. Maybe he pulled a muscle and was just sore.

Or maybe something is wrong with his ankle.

Doctors perform these type of surgeries all of the time. However, you don’t really know how well the procedure went until it’s over and the patient is walking. Did something go wrong? Is his ankle not feeling right?

Any foot issues that an individual deals with usually affects the individual’s back. If someone is experiencing back pain, a doctor normally prescribes foot inserts for their feet. The way we walk, stand, run, jump and move on our feet impact the health of our back.

If something isn’t right in his ankle, it would explain why he is experiencing back pain.

Final Thoughts

I’m not saying that this speculation is fact, it could just be that Gordon Hayward has pulled a back muscle or maybe he just fell victim to a bad fall on his back in practice. I think people trying to downplay this as nothing aren’t looking into the situation enough. We all want Hayward to be healthy. So far, he has been everything but with the Celtics.

Teams like to downplay injuries all of the time, and it very well could be what the Celtics are doing. I am concerned, and you should be too.

Anthony Davis to Celtics is Inevitable

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The future of Anthony Davis is uncertain. He is currently under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans through the 2019-20 season with a player option for 2020-21. In six seasons with New Orleans, Davis has made two playoff appearances compared to the Celtics’ five.

With the departure of DeMarcus Cousins, Davis is not expected to exercise his player option. Rather, he will be traded prior to the 2019-20 trade deadline or will enter free agency prior to 2020-21.

Unfortunately due to stipulations around the “Rose Rule”, trading for Davis may be difficult.

That said, let’s look at why Anthony Davis to the Boston Celtics is inevitable.

Celtics as a Trade Partner

The Celtics have more assets than they can handle. General manager and president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, has been compiling resources since 2013. Boston currently owns four first-round picks in the 2019 draft: Boston’s own, Sacramento’s (Top 1 protected), Memphis’ (protected 1-8 in ’19; 1-6 in ’20 and unprotected in ’21) and the Clippers (protected Top 14 in ’19 and ’20). If Ainge trades for Davis, a combination of picks will surely be exchanged.

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Due to Davis’ contract, players must also be traded to ensure teams are salary cap compliant. This means that Al Horford ($29M), Gordon Hayward ($20M), or Marcus Smart ($11M) must be included in the deal. Other trade chips for Boston include Terry Rozier, who is a restricted free agent at seasons end, and Jaylen Brown, who has a club option for 2019-20.

The Celtics must be favorited to land Davis if New Orleans is to trade the superstar.

Boston as a Free Agent Destination

If Davis wants to win an NBA Championship, then Boston will be his destination.

He will likely enter free agency prior to the 2020-21 season. Boston will have ample money to sign Davis, as Al Horford and Marcus Morris will be off-the-books. Joining the Celtics would mean many things for the former first overall draft pick.

Smiling Jayson Tatum, right, and Jaylen Brown, seem to feel right at home during Celtics mini-camp, Friday, June 30, 2017, in Waltham. (Herald Photo by Jim Michaud)

Led by head coach Brad Stevens, the Celtics posses a young core destined for multiple deep playoff runs. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown look as promising of a duo as Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. Them, along with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, can allow Davis to reduce his field goal attempts, making him a more efficient scorer and willing passer.

According to Bovada Official, on September 28, 2018, the Lakers were favorites to land Davis in free agency. Though, by joining the Celtics, Davis will become the top title contender in his conference. Something he cannot do in the West while the Golden State Warriors dynasty remains in-tact.

Expect to see Davis in Celtic green soon.

Key Dates for 2018-19 Boston Celtics

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The 2018-19 NBA regular season is approaching. Here are a handful of dates to mark on your Boston Celtics calendar:

Tue, Oct 16 vs Philadelphia 76ers

The Celtics open the season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, the Sixers will be a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

The two teams faced off on nine occasions in 2017-18, though the Celtics won seven, with four coming in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Fri, Nov 9 @ Utah Jazz

Just 12-games into the season, Gordon Hayward will make his return to Utah. Hayward chose to join the Celtics in free agency after seven seasons with the Jazz. Fans and teammates were understandably upset, though the backlash Hayward received from the decision was shocking.

Watching Hayward respond on the court will be must see television.

Tue, Dec 25 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Boston and Philadelphia face off once again on Christmas Day. This will be their second of four games. With a playoff rematch looking likely, it will be important to get the edge in the regular season.

Sat, Jan 26 vs Golden State Warriors

The defending champion Warriors will come to Boston in late-January for what may be an NBA Finals preview. In their last six head-to-head matchups, both have a 3-3 record, with two of their wins coming away from home.

This will be an important test for Boston, as they look to defend home court against the most talented team in the NBA.

Thu, Feb 7 vs Los Angeles Lakers

After joining the Lakers in free agency, LeBron James managed to change to landscape of the entire NBA. He not only opened the door for the Celtics in the Eastern Conference, but also amplified the NBA’s greatest rivalry. Don’t forget to pull out your “Beat LA” shirts when LeBron and the Lakers come to Boston.

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Fri, Feb 15 – Sun, Feb 17 All-Star Weekend

The Celtics are sure to have multiple representatives during All-Star weekend. Last season, both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford represented the Celtics in the All-Star game, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the Rising Stars game, and Horford in the Skills Challenge.

With the amount of talent in Boston, I would not be surprised if all five starters were voted to the All-Star game.

Thu, Feb 21 @ Milwaukee Bucks

This will be the third and final regular season matchup between the Celtics and Bucks in 2018-19. The two faced off in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs last season. The Celtics would win the series, though they would lose all three road games. Winning in Milwaukee will be an important hurdle for Boston to overcome.

Tue, Apr 9 @ Washington Wizards

The Celtics conclude their regular season in Washington, D.C. A rivalry with the Wizards sprouted after the Celtics eliminated Washington in seven games in the 2016-17 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Wizards will surely be a playoff team once again in 2018-19, making this final regular season game more significant than most.

Three Takeaways: Celtics 115, Hornets 112

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The Celtics came out with a win in their 2nd preseason game.

The team returned to the TD Garden to take on the Charlotte Hornets. Boston was without Al Horford for the game, who was dealing with a wrist injury. The team, having faced the Hornets on Friday, jumped out to a 64-57 halftime lead. After a mediocre first quarter, the Celtics went for 40 points in the second. The game stayed competitive through the third quarter, with the Celtics unable to pull away. The Hornets took the lead with around 6 and a half minutes remaining the game, and the score remained neck and neck until the very end, when Boston was able to pull away. Here are some key takeaways from Sunday’s game.

1. Boston turns it around from deep, succeeds on free throws

After a poor first game in terms of three-point shooting, the Celtics were able to flip the script. On Friday, the team shot an atrocious 9-47 from deep, for just 19%. Sunday night, however, was a much different story. The team finished with far fewer attempts from deep, going 13-31 on the night. The much higher percentage (42%) was a welcome sight. Also notable was the success from behind the free throw line. Boston converted 18 of 21 attempts from the stripe, a great sign for the regular season.

Kyrie shows off the handle then hits Morris for the open trey! https://t.co/cMmTyIQOAE

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 30, 2018

2. Tatum, Irving shine

Both Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving stood out in Sunday’s game. After a scoreless first quarter, Tatum caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 13 points in three minutes. That spurt included 3 three-pointers and a ferocious alley-oop jam from Terry Rozier. He finished with 16 points and 4 boards in 19 minutes of play.

Irving also had a standout game against Charlotte. He contributed his usual scoring total and made multiple eye-catching passes to set up scores for others. He’ll benefit this year from not always having to be the team’s number one scoring option. It’ll leave him more room to make plays and facilitate the offense. Irving finished with 20/4/3 in 29 minutes.

Tatum throws down the fast-break oop! 😳 https://t.co/7F1vhseVhu

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 30, 2018

3. Williams shows flashes of potential

The rookie Robert Williams showed a lot of intriguing play in the game on Sunday. Williams had a nice dunk inside and was extremely active on both ends of the floor. Most notably, he set a lot of good screens on offense and freed up a lot of space on that end. Williams also had a clutch block in the closing seconds of the game to secure the win. He finished with 5 points, a board and an assist, as well as the aforementioned block. Though the numbers aren’t the most gaudy, it was certainly a nice performance that could help redeem him in the eyes of some fans.

Sweet pass by Dozier to Robert Williams for the first of what we hope are many, many dunks in the Garden pic.twitter.com/f2WZB7qksA

— John Karalis 🇬🇷 (@John_Karalis) October 1, 2018

Bonus: Marcus Smart is back

Good to see ya, buddy.

Boston will take the floor next on Tuesday night, when the Lebron-less Cavaliers come to the Garden. Horford is hopeful to return to action that night against the new look Cleveland team. The NBA season keeps getting closer and closer!

Comparing 2018-19 Celtics with 2007-08 Championship Team

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Expectations are through the roof for the 2018-19 Boston Celtics. They have appeared in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals, though both times falling short to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With James moving to the Western Conference, as well as superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning from injury, the Celtics are favored to reach the NBA Finals. That being said, lets compare the 2018-19 starters to the 2007-08 NBA Championship team to see if they have what it takes.

Point Guard – Kyrie Irving vs. Rajon Rondo

Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the hoop against Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Irving and Rondo have converse playing styles. Irving is a high volume efficient scorer, who takes about 20 shot attempts per 36-minutes. Whereas Rondo is a pure playmaker, who has led the league in assists three times since 2011-12.

Rondo was a perfect fit for the 2007-08 Celtics. His playmaking ability and defensive impact made him an ideal “true” point guard. Through 9 seasons in Boston, Rondo averaged 12.0 points, 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds, while having .127 win-shares per 48-minutes.

In contrast, Irving is the primary scorer as well as the primary playmaker. In his first season in Boston, he averaged 27.3 points, 5.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds, while having a win-shares per 48-minutes of .222. He may be the most talented guard in Celtics history and will surely have a major impact on the franchise.

Shooting Guard – Jaylen Brown vs. Ray Allen

Brown’s shooting was criticized early on. In his rookie season, he shot only 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from the 3-point line. In year two, Brown improved those numbers to 47 and 40 percent respectively. When comparing his first two seasons with Allen, the similarities between their per 36-minute statistics might shock you.

Name	G	3PA	3P%	2PA	2P%	TRB	AST	STL	PTS
Ray Allen	164	4.1	.377	9.6	.451	4.5	3.5	1.2	16.7
Jaylen Brown	148	4.5	.379	8.1	.507	5.8	1.8	1.1	15.8

Per 36-minutes (first two seasons)

Through their first two seasons, Brown was a slightly more efficient shooter than Allen, but overall their statistics are remarkably similar. Making this comparison after Brown’s rookie season would have been insane, but after his sophomore campaign, I believe the comparison is warranted.

Also, the high-flying 21-year-old is a force on the defensive end. His 3.2 defensive win shares ranked fourth on the Celtics last season, ahead of defensive minded players like Marcus Smart (2.5), Aaron Baynes (2.5) and Marcus Morris (2.2). The emergence of Brown as a star should not surprise anyone, as he is capable of playing highly efficient and effective basketball on both ends of the court.

Allen played a pivotal role for the Celtics during their Championship run. Celtics fans can expect Brown to do the same.

Small Forward – Gordon Hayward vs. Paul Pierce

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots against Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The similarities between these two are uncanny, as well. Pierce stands in at 6-foot-7, weighing 235-pounds and Hayward at 6-foot-8, 225-pounds. Each of them are all-around players adept at padding the stats sheet. Both are versatile, capable of playing the wing, two-guard or primary ball handler roles effectively. From ages 24-26, the two players share a very similar stat line per 100 possessions.

Name	G	3PA	3P%	2PA	2P%	TRB	AST	STL	PTS	ORtg	DRtg
Paul Pierce	241	7.1	.342	18.6	.451	9.1	5.6	2.3	33.0	105	100
Gordon Hayward	229	7.3	.370	15.3	.488	7.7	5.7	1.8	30.5	113	106

Per 100 Team Possessions (Ages 24-26)

According to the numbers, Hayward is more efficient and effective than Pierce on both sides of the floor. His all-around skill set will be key for Boston, as they pride themselves on versatility and efficiency.

Power Forward – Jayson Tatum vs. Kevin Garnett

Despite their difference in size, Garnett standing 6-foot-11, weighing 245-pounds, Tatum at 6-foot-8, weighing 225 pounds, I felt comparing the two would be fair as they both made their NBA debuts at 19-years-old, and are versatile on the offensive end.

Garnett began his career by receiving 1995-96 All-Rookie honors after averaging ten points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks over 29-minutes per game. Tatum would have similar success, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block across about 31-minutes per game, while also receiving All-Rookie honors.

Garnett was one of the greatest defensive players of his generation. His nine All-Defensive First team honors are tied for most in NBA history. Despite the difference in their stature, Tatum possesses a similar defensive edge. In 2017-18, Tatum’s defensive win shares of 4.0 ranked first among Celtics players. His length and athleticism allow him to guard nearly every position on defense, which Garnett did seamlessly.

Back to the offensive side of the ball. Both Garnett and Tatum are capable shooters, although Tatum was significantly better in his rookie season. Each averaged over nine field goal attempts per game, although Tatum’s effective field goal percentage of .538 was significantly better than Garnett’s .497.

Name	Season	FGA	eFG	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	OWS	DWS	VORP
Kevin Garnett	1995-96	11.5	.497	7.9	2.3	1.4	2.1	13.1	1.8	2.6	2.1
Jayson Tatum	2017-18	12.3	.538	5.9	1.9	1.2	0.9	16.4	3.0	4.0	1.8

Per 36-minutes (Rookie Season)

Overall, I believe Tatum will have a similar impact as Garnett on both sides of the floor, despite the differences in their size and play styles.

Center – Al Horford vs. Kendrick Perkins

Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots a jump shot against Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Once again, we have ourselves two opposite playing styles. Perkins was a bruiser in the paint, whereas Horford is used as a pivot atop the key.

Perkins acted as the team’s primary rebounder and rim protector in 2007-08. Since the team was filled with stars, he fit the enforcer role perfectly.

On the contrary, Horford is used as an offensive catalyst. The 32-year-old is one of the most versatile offensive big-men in the NBA. His ability to drive, post up, and shoot make him lethal on the pick-and-roll.

In 2017, he shot 43 percent from the 3-point line on a career high 97 3-point shot attempts. Also, his playmaking ability cannot be overlooked, as his 676 assists since 2016-17 rank second among big-men behind only Nikola Jokic (817).

Although he gets criticized for his inability to corral boards and block shots, it is clear Al Horford is an indispensable offensive cog in the machine that is the Boston Celtics.

Conclusion

After the analysis, it seems the 2018-19 Celtics roster rivals the talent of the 2007-08 Championship team. Only time will tell their fate, but fans will surely have an exciting season ahead.

Kyrie Irving Avoids Minutes Restriction to Begin the Season

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Injuries Plagued Boston All Season

The major story line from the Celtics’ 2017-18 season was injuries. Recently acquired Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome ankle injury to begin the season. Kyrie Irving would miss the final 15 games of the regular season and all of the playoffs after undergoing another knee surgery in mid-March.

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 2: Gordon Hayward #20 and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics talk before the game against the Charlotte Hornets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Irving’s procedure involved the removal of two screws which were implanted in his left patella after his knee fracture in the 2015 NBA Finals. The time-table for his return was originally set at four-five months. Luckily, he was cleared for basketball activities in late July.

Rising stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier all shined during their absences. They performed admirably but were not enough to dethrone LeBron James in the Eastern Conference. Now with LeBron out West and a healthy Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, the Celtics have a great chance to reach the NBA Finals.

Irving Avoids Minutes Restriction

According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, Irving will be under no minutes restriction to begin the year, which is a great sign. It is interesting when you consider Irving’s injury history, as well as the Celtics’ depth, which includes Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis.

Kyrie Irving (11) of the Boston Celtics dribbles up the floor. (Photo from CelticsLife.com)

In 60-games last season, Irving reached career highs in field goal percentage (.491), 2-point field goal percentage (.541), and true shooting percentage (.610). His per-36-minute average of 27.3 points per game was also the highest of his career. This figure ranked fifth among qualified players behind only James Harden, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. Also, Irving’s win shares per-48-minutes (.221) ranked equal to that of former teammate LeBron James (.221). This shows how significant of an impact the 26-year-old can have.

Boston is Better With Kyrie

With Irving in the lineup, the Celtics record was 41-19. Without, the Celtics would go 9-6 in their remaining 15 regular season games and 11-8 in the playoffs. It is clear the Celtics are a superior team with him in the lineup. Avoiding a minutes restriction to begin the season is enormous. Irving’s health remains key for the team’s success moving forward. He will be a major player on their journey to banner number eighteen.

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Which NBA teams should Celtics fans keep an eye on?

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The Boston Celtics will be must-see TV with superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning. It will be important for Celtics fans to pay attention to other NBA teams as well because they will determine the placement of Boston’s draft picks at the end of the year.

In order to make mid-first-round draft picks sound exciting, the following is a list of notable Boston Celtics first-round draft selections outside of the lottery: Terry Rozier (No. 16 – 2015), Avery Bradley (No. 19 – 2010), Gerald Green (No. 18 – 2007), Al Jefferson (No. 15 – 2004), Rick Fox (No. 24 – 1991), Reggie Lewis (No. 22 – 1987)

Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Conley (11) of the Memphis Grizzlies flexes during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo from TheCommercialAppeal.com)

In 2015, the Celtics, Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans orchestrated a three-team trade sending forward Jeff Green from Boston to Memphis in exchange for Austin Rivers, Tayshaun Prince, and a protected future first-round pick. Rivers would eventually be traded to the Clippers for a second-round pick. Prince went to the Pistons in a three-team deal involving Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics still hold the Grizzlies’ draft pick, which will be protected if it falls in between No. 1 and No. 8 in 2019 or No. 1 and No. 6 in 2020, and will be unprotected in 2021.

Last season, Memphis finished 14^th in the Western Conference with a 22-60 record. With the return of Mike Conley from injury, as well as the emergence of former Celtic MarShon Brooks, the Grizzlies may improve. If that is the case, the Celtics may get their hands on a draft pick in the back half of the lottery. Although if the Grizzlies are to struggle, it may be another season or two until the Celtics see any further return on Jeff Green.

Los Angeles Clippers

During the 2016 NBA Draft, the Celtics traded picks 31 (Deyonta Davis) and 35 (Rade Zagorac) to the Memphis Grizzlies for a future 2019 first-round pick from the Clippers. Boston still owns the Clippers pick, which is lottery protected in both 2019 and 2020. If Los Angeles has not conveyed the pick by then, they will instead convey a 2022 second-round selection.

With the Clippers returning to mediocrity, it seems unlikely the Celtics will receive compensation any time soon. Last season, the Clippers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. With the departures of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan, not one of their remaining players has ever appeared in an All-Star game.

When the Clippers inevitably struggle, it will be detrimental for Boston. Their best-case scenario would be to receive a first-round pick outside of the lottery. Celtics fans should be rooting for Doc Rivers once more, because the more the Clipper lose, the longer the Celtics will have to wait for a return.

Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) dribbles up court during an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, Danny Ainge made a bold, but brilliant trade, moving the No. 1 draft pick (Markelle Fultz) to the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 3 overall pick (Jayson Tatum) and a future first-round pick in 2018 from the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston would only receive the Lakers pick if it was between No. 2 and No. 5, which it was not, however. So, Philadelphia will send Boston the better of their own or the Sacramento Kings 2019 first-round picks.

Celtics fans should not expect to receive the 76ers pick, as they finished third in the Eastern Conference last season and have two of the NBA’s brightest young talents in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Rather, Celtic’s fans should expect to receive the Kings pick, as they are clearly the inferior team, finishing 12^th in the Western Conference last season. It will be important to keep an eye on De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings, as they could have a dreadful season, which would drastically assist Boston come draft day.

The Celtics With the Most to Prove this Season

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Who’s got the most to prove going into the 18-19′ season?

The Celtics enter the new season with an intriguing mix of players on the roster. They have a collection of established stars, developing contributors, long term projects, and unknowns. In this article, I’ll take a look at who on the roster has the most to prove to fans and the organization come October. Let’s get started.

Robert Williams, F/C

This one is a no brainer for most Celtics fans who have been paying attention this summer. Williams has a well-documented history of laziness. Two incidents specifically come to mind- the first where he overslept his introductory conference call. The other is when he missed his plane flight to the first summer league practice of the summer. There are certainly motivation problems here, and he needs to be whipped into shape.

The other major concern is his play style. Williams is a defensive minded player, and more than holds his own inside the paint on both ends. But his shooting is a major concern. He seems to be the only player on the roster who can’t make a shot from outside the paint. Williams has a lot to prove this season if he wants to silence his doubters.

Terry Rozier, G

I know it seems like Scary Terry has nothing left to prove after his emphatic showing at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs last year. However, this is the year where Rozier really has to show what he’s got. This is a contract year for him, and he’s got to keep up the production if he wants to get his money.

Rozier won’t get as many minutes as he got in the postseason last year, but it’s what he does in the minutes he plays that counts. It’s not like Rozier doesn’t have areas to improve in, either. A big improvement spot that comes to mind is consistency (Remember that horrendous game 7 of the ECF?). It’s time for Rozier to show out if he wants to get paid.

Gordon Hayward, F

Yes, Gordon Hayward has a lot to prove this season. After All-Star campaigns in Utah, Hayward only appeared in a Celtics uniform for five minutes this year. After Boston’s run of success, Hayward’s value became more and more downplayed as the year went on. He needs to show Boston fans the superstar player that the C’s signed last summer. He doesn’t need to post the same numbers that he was posting with the Jazz. However, he does need to show the fans that he can still play at a high level after the devastating injury that he suffered. Can he come back from it? Signs point to yes, but he needs to come out and shove it in our faces that he’s a top-tier talent.

Got any you felt were left off the list? Any you think shouldn’t have made it? Tell me on Twitter: @jackbuffett_

Are the Boston Celtics Too Deep?

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I’m sure the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings among others would love to be in the position the Boston Celtics are in. The franchise hasn’t missed the playoffs since the 2013-14 Season, yet lottery picks continue to pour in due to Danny Ainge’s brilliancy in the trade market. They boast three perennial All-Star talents in Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford. Oh, and the ‘other’ two guys in the starting lineup aren’t too bad, either. Boston has the potential to send five guys to the All-Star game this season. In more ways than one, this team stacks up relatively well to the likes of the juggernaut Golden State Warriors. They also happen to be younger.

Boston Boasts Arguably the Deepest Bench in the League

SOURCE: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Depth on this roster is no issue, either. Terry Rozier blew up last season as a key contributor down the stretch and throughout the playoffs. The 24-year-old point guard out of Louisville has been mentioned in the same sentence as Kemba Walker and Dame Lillard, both All-Star talents. Oh, and he isn’t even this team’s sixth man. That role belongs to $52 million-dollar man Marcus Smart. After signing a $13 million per year deal that retains his services in Boston for the next four years, Smart has now become one of the league’s highest paid bench players.

Worth it? Undoubtedly. The bulldog out of Oklahoma State won’t blow anyone away on the stat sheet, but he is the ultimate competitor and a true winner. He does all of the dirty things needed to be done to win, whether it’s ripping down a big rebound over a seven-footer to secure a big possession, or diving on the floor for a loose ball seconds after returning from a major injury.

The bench depth continues to roll on from there. Marcus Morris adds a lethal one-on-one option. ‘All of Australia’ Aron Baynes is a big body that started in 67 games for the C’s last season. Baynes is a starting caliber center that also happens to statistically be one of the best defensive players in the league. German forward Daniel Theis will assuredly compete for some quality minutes this season, perhaps against Rookie first round pick Robert Williams. Semi Ojeleye played some big minutes last season, often times tasked with locking down the opposition’s best player. Anyone remember when Semi bodied up Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Playoffs?

Believe in Brad Stevens

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 22: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics goes over the next play with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 22, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

No matter how you slice it, this team is DEEP and talented. Regardless of the position on the floor, there is a guy on this team that can step in and more than hold their own. That is just how Brad Stevens has designed this team to be. He likes interchangeability and trusts each player on his roster to perform when called upon. He gets the most out of the players he coaches because he believes in allowing them to play within themselves and refuses to limit a guy because of a weakness they may have. The trust he offers each player is returned, and that trust builds confidence. That confidence translates into production.

Now, Brad Stevens has yet another major task ahead of him. How will he find a way to manage arguably the deepest roster the NBA has to offer? Quite honestly, it’s a curious problem to have. Every team out there across any sport or level of play would love to have this ‘problem’.

Good Problem or No Problem?

Stevens, known as a bit of a playful guy with the media, had a humorous but logical response when asked about this ‘good problem’.

“I don’t think it’s any secret to anybody that there’s only 240 minutes in a game,” Stevens said. “If we all struggle with that more than just the human nature of being disappointed if you get taken out — that’s OK, that’s part of it — but if we struggle with that, then we won’t be very good. And if we don’t, we’ll have a chance to be pretty good.”

Of course, this would be an easy problem to solve if there were 240 minutes in a game. But to Stevens, it sounds like there isn’t an issue at all here. He even has the rotations written up ahead of training camp, and at this point is more concerned with ‘how’ they will play versus ‘who’ will play.

“I’m more focused on how we want to play than how we’re going to rotate,” Stevens said. “I mean, if last year’s not the best example, I don’t know what would be. Things can change. Your rotation can change in a heartbeat. So, you can work all summer on it, and you’ve got to adjust in one day. I think the bottom line is we have an idea of who will play together and who best fits together and what lineups we think we’ll try to use, but we’ll see how it all shakes itself out.”

It All Comes Down to Coach Stevens

(11/12/2017- Boston, MA) With 12 wins in a row, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has a lot to smile about during a victory over the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt West

The bottom line here is that as long as the team buys into the Brad Stevens philosophy and trusts that he will steer them in the right direction, this team will be successful. If this group of individuals can find a way to set aside their egos and personal desires for the betterment of the team there is no limit to what they can accomplish. Depth is a good problem to have, so long as the players have faith in their leader. Lucky for Boston, Brad Stevens may just be the finest leader out there.