Boston Celtics Individual Report Cards

It was a tough series for the Celtics against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as Boston was unable to slow down Lebron or Kyrie, although they did destroy their future teammate.

We probably all knew deep down that it was unlikely the C’s would advance. The Cavs are just an overall better team. So what does the team have to do in order to make a run deep into April and May next season? In order to answer these questions, let’s review this season for the Celtics and the individual players, and decide who should get more playing time, who should see more of the bench, and what the C’s should do in the offseason.

Report Cards

Marcus Smart, G: B

 

 

Overall, it was an impressive rookie campaign for Smart. In 67 games this year, the playmaker from Oklahoma State led the Celtics with 1.5 steals per game and flashed serious potential on both offense and defense. He still has a lot to learn and has to be able to control his temper in crucial moments of the game, but expect Smart to grow rapidly and provide more for the team. Under the guidance of Stevens, this kid could become a well-known player within a few seasons.

Avery Bradley, G: B+

Bradley continued to be a lockdown perimeter defender this season for the Celtics. He has a knack for getting a hand on the ball and disrupting his opponent’s flow. On top of stellar defense, Bradley scored almost 14 points a game, good for second-best on the team. He also shot 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from the 3-point line. The problem with Bradley is that he did not show much progress from last season to this season. He needs to be able to continue to develop and get better in aspects like passing and free throws. If he already reached his peak in only his fifth year, then the C’s are in trouble at the shooting guard position. For now, however, expect Bradley to continue to get good playing time for Boston and hope he progresses a little more.

Evan Turner, G/F: B-

Turner played every game for the Celtics this year, often starting games in the small forward position. Turner is a nice player, as he shot 43 percent from the field and averaged five rebounds and assists per game. However, I just do not think he fits with this team. The 6’7, 220 pound player from Ohio State plays much more like a guard than a small forward, as he has struggled guarding bigger players in the past. I believe the Celtics should look for a true small forward in this years draft, and stop using Turner as something he really is not. He should be able to provide quality minutes in a different uniform.

Brandon Bass, F: B+ (I know I’ve only given out B’s so far, bear with me)

You got to love a guy like Brandon who hustles night in and night out. The former LSU ballplayer has fit in nicely with the C’s, as he played every game this season, averaging 10 points and 5 rebounds. Bass will be 30 next year, and he is a bit on the short side as a power forward, only being 6’8. Despite his age and height, however, Bass will still play valuable minutes for Stevens’ squad, as he provides veteran leadership for this young team.

P.S. I wonder if there is another NBA player we could get to start over Bass…

Tyler Zeller, C: C+

Zeller proved to be a solid starting option with the Celtics, providing height for a team that struggled to rebound and leading the team in shot percentage with 54 percent. He is only 25, and hopefully will be able to polish his post moves with the Celtics. He could possibly have some competition for his starting job once the draft is over, but for now, Boston will be happy to have Zeller in the opening tip for each game.

Isaiah Thomas, G: A

Bless our holy savior Isaiah Thomas. Danny Ainge knew just what the Celtics needed back in February, and it was this guy. Since coming to Boston right before the trade deadline, Thomas has been our best player, averaging 19 points in 21 regular season games with the Celtics. He is the main reason the Celtics snuck into the playoffs, and should have snagged the 6th man of the year award over Atlanta’s Lou Williams. Thomas will likely continue to come off the bench next year while still playing a good amount of minutes, as he brings to the team what the rest of the guys can not: Pure scoring.

Jared Sullinger, F: C+/B-

I have never been too crazy about Sully. Sure, he did lead the team in rebounds per game, and chipped in 13 points per game in 58 regular-season appearances. That being said, I hate how he shoots 3-pointers so much. 28 percent from deep does not mean you should be shooting from there when you have Thomas, Bradley, and Olynyk out on the court. Overall, he is not a great offensive weapon and is slow on defense. I believe that Stevens should add a big man for next season and either cut Sully’s minutes, or move on. It’s not likely he will get much better.

Kelly Olynyk, C: C+

The big man from Gonzaga played in 64 games or the C’s this year, averaging 10.3 points while shooting nearly 48 percent. He shows flashes of great play on both ends of the court, but he is still far too raw to be given more playing time. Wait another year or two, and Olynyk will hopefully be a dominant inside presence.

Jae Crowder, F: B-

Crowder really stepped it up in the Cavaliers series, as he did as well as you can guarding Lebron and was able to spark the Celtics on offense when they need a spark. When you look at his 57 games in the regular season, however, the Marquette graduate averaged only 9 points a game and shot 28% from 3-point land. Crowder seems to be remarkably average; unless he steps up his game all around, he will likely continue to play around 24 minutes per game like he did this year.

As for the rest of the guys, including Jerebko, Datome, and Pressey, they did a decent job stepping in when necessary, although I would assume they are all very replaceable. They did not play enough to earn a grade.

So there you have it. The Celtics made a great run at the end of the season, having one of the best records in the last two months. Most of the pieces are there, but Stevens and the Celtics just need one more piece, a piece that can score 20 a game and prevent the Celtics from losing big leads. I bet you know who I think that player should be.

#GoCeltics

 

NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round Preview

Last night, the NBA regular season wrapped up, as the NBA Playoffs officially start this Saturday, when Washington takes on Toronto at the Air Canada Centre. Therefore, it is only fitting that we preview each series of the first round, starting with the Eastern Conference.

1 Seed Atlanta Hawks (60-22) vs 8 Seed Brooklyn Nets (38-44)

Game 1: Sunday 5:30, TNT

On paper, the clear favorites are the Hawks. They finished the year fourth in the league in field goal percentage and second in 3-point percentage. They are also second in assists per game and fifth in opponents points per game. The Hawks do not have one superstar they lean on during close games; instead, they have a solid group of players in Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Paul Millsap. They have shown that they can beat anyone in the East when they’re at their best.

However, it is hard to count out the Brooklyn Nets when considering the talent that they have. Although they barely squeaked past the Pacers to get into the playoffs, playmakers like Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson should not be ignored. They are middle-of-the-pack stat wise, but Johnson can do this.

However, the Hawks are simply the better team, despite only winning five of the past ten games. Kyle Korver all day. Hawks in 5.

 

2 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29) vs. 7 Seed Boston Celtics (40-42)

Game 1: Sunday 3:00 #FeedMeBronBron

Here we go baby!!! Honestly this is what we wanted. Evan Turner is probably drooling thinking about all the ways he is gonna torture Baby BronBron in this series. The Celtics are at a Bruno Mars level of hot as of late, as they are 8-2 in the last ten games and are on a six game win streak. Most likely, Brad Stevens has written a full college paper length report on all the ways to beat the Cavs and make David Blatt look more stupid than he usually does.

Now that I have gotten my mandatory Masshole statements out of the way, the Cavs are the clear favorite here. Baby BronBron (That’s all I’m going to call him during this series) is somewhat good at basketball, and we’ll have to respect that. Kyrie Irving may give the Celtics nightmares when he has the ball; I figure Stevens will have lockdown defender Avery Bradley being Irving’s shadow. Also, future Celtic Kevin Love may give the C’s fits by his ability to drain threes as a power forward, which will force Boston to spread out their defense, giving Baby BronBron and Kyrie room to drive.

But you know what? When I look at the coaches, I see two completely different people. For the Celtics, I see a young evil mastermind who spends his Saturday nights watching basketball films on the fundamentals of the inbound pass. And for the Cavs, I see Blatt, who has as much authority over BronBron and the Cavs as Delonte West does. If this is a coaches battle, the Celtics win in a landslide.

And maybe that’s how it plays out. Stevens draws up two brilliant inbound plays to beat the Cavs in two close games, Thomas scores 25 a game, and Baby BronBron struggles throughout the series. I’m going with Dr.Stevens on this one. Celtics in 7, don’t ask me to bet on it though.

 

3 Seed Chicago Bulls (50-32) vs 6 Seed Milwaukee Bucks (41-41)

Game 1: Saturday 7:30, ESPN

 

Chicago comes into this series the hotter team, winning their last four game and locking up the third seed in the process. Tom Thibodeau’s squad is always a tough out in the postseason. The Bulls are a great defensive team and are third in the league in rebounds per game. This team has little weaknesses, as they are strong all around; their only problem is the health of Derrick Rose, their star point guard.

Rose lost both his knees a long time ago and has not been the same since. He has only been able to play 51 games this season and is always at risk to spontaneously combust. If anything happens to him early on in the series, the Bulls will be in serious trouble.

That is why I think I have to give this series to the Bucks, who are a strong offensive team and are great at passing the ball, much like their coach Jason Kidd once was. They’re 8th in opponents points per game and have 9 players who average over 20 minutes per game, which means Kidd is able to rest players when they’re tired or hurting, a crucial aspect of playoff basketball.

Rose loses all of his right leg on his first drive to the basket. Kidd finds it and hides it for the rest of the series. Bucks in 6.

 

4 Seed Toronto Raptors (49-33) vs. 5 Seed Washington Wizards (46-36)

Game 1: Saturday, 12:30, ESPN

This one is the biggest toss-up, obviously. The Wizards are one of the best shooting teams in the league, led by stars Bradley Beal and John Wall in the backcourt. They also love to share the rock, they collect boards, and can play lockdown defense.

On the other side, the Raptors light it up from 3-point land and are money at the free-throw line. While they struggle as a team with their rebounding, Toronto makes up for it by being 4th in points per game. Their offense is led by athletic swingman Demar Derozan and scrappy point guard Kyle Lowry, who average 20.1 and 17.8 points each game, respectively.

Two really good offensive teams, both with great guard play, so who comes out victorious? Let’s think for a minute.

After all of this thinking, I’m gonna go with The Truth. Pierce hits a game winning shot in game 7, and Washington survives. Wizards in 7.

The Staff’s Eastern Conference Pick:

Frazier: Bucks

Tock: Celtics

Beard: Raptors

Biggie: Cavs

Large: Cavs