The NBA season is just around the corner – time for the annual Division Previews! We introduce all teams, look at the respective Best and Worst Case and venture a prognosis. Today: The Atlantic Division.
Coach Brad Stevens lacked fit players especially in last season’s playoffs, but that’s not an issue this time. The Celtics roll through the season with a full band and can’t be stopped by Philly or Toronto in the playoffs either. Gordon Hayward comes through the season injury-free and almost reaches the level of old jazz days.
As Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum continue to grow, this Boston team is bursting at the seams with talent. The Celtics, including Stevens, will have five representatives at the All-Star Game and will win the Eastern Conference. In the finals the Celtics even have a home advantage because of the best balance of the Regular Season and beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
The 18th banner is thus pulled under the hall ceiling and Kyrie Irving extends his contract in Beantown on a long-term basis. Somewhat surprisingly, however, Al Horford withdraws from his contract (he had a player option of 28.3 million), but only to return to reduced pay a little later. This helps the Celtics enormously in their future planning. It seems that this team could found the next dynasty after the Warriors.
The Offseason Analysis of Boston Celtics
The team is peppered with top players, but too many cooks spoil the broth. Stevens can’t find enough litters for everybody. Irving is not a real playmaker and rarely makes perfect use of his fellow players. Especially Jayson Tatum feels too little appreciated after his strong playoff performances.
To make matters worse, Hayward can’t shake off his rust and is the dominant theme throughout the season. But also in the second row it rumbles. Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and above all Marcus Morris complain publicly about too little playing time. Morris, who wants to recommend himself for a new contract for improved pay, looks too closely at his stats and always fires at the basket when he receives the split thing.
This toxic mixture is not enough in the playoffs. Already in the second lap the disappointed Celtics have to cancel the sails. In the off-season it gets even fatter: Irving, who claimed to want to stay before the season, prefers to join the New York Knicks.
Forecast: 1st place in Atlantic Division
Page 1: Boston Celtics
Page 2: Brooklyn Nets
Page 3: New York Knicks
Page 4: Philadelphia 76ers
Page 5: Toronto Raptors