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Celtics Future Dynamic Duo Already in Beantown?

By Jordan Tekelis

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Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the fourth quarter against the Cavaliers in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Russell and Bob Cousy. John Havlicek and Dave Cowens. Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Throughout the last 60 years, the most storied franchise in NBA history has had its fair share of basketball legends and dynamic duos. These greats have helped give the Celtics an astonishing and league-leading 17 championships.

But in the summer of 2013, after trading away Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets (along with losing Ray Allen the previous year in Free Agency), the Celtics’ future wasn’t looking too good. The city of Boston whimpered as the team was set to start another era of rebuilding.

Fast forward two years, Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics have acquired a plethora of valuable assets to use and bring the leprechaun back to the top of the mountain. After making the playoffs last year, the young C’s have shown a lot of promise under up-and-coming head coach, Brad Stevens. To add to last year’s success, the C’s also added four draft picks to the team this offseason, and traded for all-star big man, David Lee.

Everyone (including myself) is waiting to see what Danny Ainge will do next with his stockpile of draft picks, guards, and power forwards. Everyone wants to see if we can trade for some big name players to possibly start a new dynamic duo in Beantown. But what if I told you they were already here? Yes. Although still young and very inexperienced in a couple of years, the Celtics will hopefully be competing for championships while two players in green will be getting most of the spotlight. Who are those two players you might be wondering? Marcus Smart and Jordan Mickey.

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    • Yes, I know what you are thinking,”How many times has this writer been dropped on his head as a baby? They’re so young and haven’t show anything.” Well yes, they haven’t but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stars one day in the NBA. The potential is certainly there.

    Marcus Smart was drafted 6th overall in an over-hyped 2014 draft and he certainly has had his nice moments in a C’s uniform last year. To add to last year’s success for Marcus, he has shown his great leadership skills, improved shooting touch and increased-aggressiveness in summer league action that should have every Celtics fans looking to buy a #36 jersey.

    During summer league, he showed he’s a man playing amongst boys. He dominated the Utah Summer League, averaging 24.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 7.5 apg, 2.5 spg, and 1.0 bpg while shooting 44% from the field.  Those incredible numbers just show the improvement Smart has made after one season and shows the enormous potential he has to be an NBA great. He has drawn comparisons to Miami Heat-star, Dwayne Wade, and we are finally starting to see some of the similarities. After being very hesitant and settling too much for long distant shots in his rookie campaign, it’s nice to see Marcus use his strength to get to the basket, and finish through all that contact.

    LSU Tigers forward Jordan Mickey (25) blocks the shot by North Carolina State Wolfpack forward Lennard Freeman (10) during the second half in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

    Then for Mr. Jordan Mickey the same can be said for his potential to be great after leading the NCAA in blocks last year and showing his nice moves around the basket to go along with his smooth jumper he’s shown in the Vegas Summer League. His game resembles that of Golden State’s PF Draymond Green and that is quite the compliment. Although Mickey isn’t as good at passing as Green right now, he is an excellent shot-blocker and a mobile big who can shoot from the elbows. That is a scary combination for any big man in the NBA.

    Mickey is also a very underrated rebounder – and if he adds some muscle – he would dominate the paint at the next level. And just like Smart, the potential for this kid is incredible. For a rookie, he did fantastic in the Las Vegas summer League with averages of 12.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.3 spg and an astonishing 3.5 bpg while shooting 55% from the field, while only getting 29 minutes per game. Those are some pretty impressive numbers for a second-round rookie. If he continues to improve and fulfill his potential, the sky’s the limit for Mickey and he can be a face to this franchise for many years to come.

    Both guys are still very young with lots of room to grow. Between what they’ve shown so far, star potential is there. Why can’t Marcus Smart and Jordan Mickey add their names to the list of great Celtics Dynamic Duos? Will they be the next Duo to lead this team back to the promise land? They certainly have the potential to do so, but only time will tell.

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