2015 New Year’s Resolutions For Our Boston Celtics Ownership

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; General Manager Danny Ainge talks about hiring new Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, center, as owner Wyc Grousbeck, right, listens in during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

2014 was a year full of mediocrity for our Boston Celtics. Our accomplishments for 2014 included: trading our franchise player for a bunch of role players, not grabbing a big-name free agent during the summer, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Definitely want to forget about this year.

But 2015 holds some promise. This upcoming offseason we have a lot of flexibility and a crazy GM at the helm, Danny Ainge, so anything can happen. We have expiring contracts, a coach who has implemented a team-first system, a whole lot of first round picks for the next decade, and some young talent. What I’m trying to say is that we aren’t in the worst possible position for a rebuilding team…I mean we could be that train wreck out west called the LA Lakers with Swaggy P, a washed-up Nash, and a declining Kobe Bryant.

With that in mind, I expect big things from everyone on the Celtics in 2015; whether it’s some of our younger players showing what they got, to our Coach continuing to grow a system the a Boston Celtics team has never seen before, to, all the way to our owner giving us the roster we will need to compete in the future. Check out our 2015 New Year’s resolutions for our Celtics Ownership –

Coach Brad Stevens – Preach taking care of the ball and finding a middle ground

Dec 26, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens talks with referee Scott Foster (48) during the second half of the Brooklyn Nets 109-107 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

You mention the Boston Celtics; the first thing that usually comes to mind is grind-it-out play and defensive intensity. You mention the Boston Celtics in 2014; you have the exact opposite. Since Brad Stevens has been with the Celtics in 2013, the offensive and defensive mentality has changed. On offense, Stevens runs a motion offense with a few set plays here and there. He has implemented a free-flowing offense, where nobody touches the ball for over five seconds and they only dribble to score. They also like to run-and-gun, similar to the Phoenix Suns style offense of the early 2000’s. This is unlike the Doc Rivers offense where we had knowledgeable veterans that ran set plays every time down. On defense, as a result of the fast-paced mentality and free-flowing offense, we have been giving up more points than we have ever had.

So far, at least this season, Stevens’s offense has been a success. The Celtics are currently third in the league in APG at 25.5 and every player on the court touches the ball. To be honest, I am incredibly surprised this Butler offense is working well in year two for Coach Stevens. The only issue with running this type of offense is that your defense becomes a liability. The Celtics are currently one of the worst defenses in terms of statistics, giving up 104 PPG, which is third worst in the NBA. Now, it’s not for a lack of trying. Avery Bradley suddenly didn’t get awful at defense, but because of the fast-paced play, the Celtics are giving more possessions to their opponents. They are also much more tired on defense as a result.

If there is one thing I would like Stevens to work on in terms of defense, and is finding a better middle ground with the fast-paced style of offense; that way, they will have better legs under them to play better defense overall for 48 minutes. We can’t really ask too much on defense from Brad Stevens, we have no shot blockers on the team and we are very small upfront. The best we can ask, is for a better middle ground on offense to limit the opponents’ possessions.

Also, with all the fast-paced offense and less conformity, the Celtics have been turning the ball over. They are currently tied for fifth in the league in turnovers. The presence of Rajon Rondo helped the team in turnovers: but since his departure, the Celtics are leading the league in turnovers and are an unimpressive 1-4 during the span. Turnovers will go down as long as the young players continue to get more time, but Stevens does need to stress that taking care of the ball is very important. Giving opponents’ fast break points and points off turnovers can be the difference between winning a game and losing a game.

Wyc Grousbeck – Spend That Money

Apr 7, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Wyc Grousbeck, managing partner and co-owner of the Boston Celtics looks on as the Celtics and the Washington Wizards warm up before the start of the game at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

So, we have young talent, have a whole bunch of draft picks, and have cap flexibility this offseason…Despite all that, players in free agency want to get paid, and it is up to our owner how much we can spend over the salary cap.  Now you have owner’s like the Knicks, and the Lakers, that lately have been shying away from spending.  And then you have Wyc Grousbeck, who I believe is really interested in winning again, and of course, making money(like every NBA owner).  Depending on who we go for, it might come down to us tapping into Boston Celtics funds, and if that happens, my resolution for Grousbeck is to not be shy with handing over the money.  Boston needs to return to relevancy, and we aren’t going to do it, with the current roster.

Danny Ainge – Hire Paul Pierce and Work Your Magic

Jul 5, 2013; Waltham, MA, USA; New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, right, shares a laugh with General Manager Danny Ainge during a news conference announcing Stevens new position. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

This article, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce Discussing Coaching Careers After Playing Careers, talks about how Paul Pierce is interested in returning to the Boston Celtics in the form of a coach. He said he hasn’t talked about it with Danny or anyone in Boston yet, but it sounds like he is very itneresetd in beginning his coaching career with Boston.  If Danny Ainge ever wants to earn my respect again, it would start with bringing Paul back. It would be a great PR move and make up for some of the ridiculous mistakes he has made recently.

The other task Danny needs to take care of in 2015 is to work his magic with some trades/signings.  At the end of the NBA season, he will have to first round picks and multiple first round picks in future years to play with, expiring contracts coming off the books(Wallace, Thornton, etc.), and some good young talent to build with on our roster.  If Danny Ainge can’t work with that in the offseason, then it’s time for a new direction.  My resolution for Danny Ainge is that we are becoming a little impatient with some of the moves you have been making; it’s time to get out of the rebuilding stage and the time to start it is this offseason, Danny, work your magic!