No One is Expecting the Boston Celtics to Tank

Every since the Boston Celtics traded away Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers to begin their rebuild, they have gone into the regular season with rock bottom expectations. It was just last year that many were campaigning for the Celtics to continue to tank even if they had a shot at the playoffs.

The Celtics are yet to be anything close to a contender during the Brad Stevens era but the feel during this offseason has been much different. Not only is it much harder to find people who want the Celtics to tank but absolutely nobody is expecting them to tank.

Mar 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens looks on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 116-104. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The team is still very far from a finished product and still has an incredible amount of roster decisions to make but after the late season run to cap off last season is combined with the additions of David Lee and Amir Johnson the Celtics are finally expecting to make the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the Celtics are going to have a much tougher path to the playoffs this year. The Miami Heat will be getting Chris Bosh back and the Indiana Pacers will be getting Paul George back. There will be more teams contending for a playoff spot in the east and a sub .500 record will simply not cut it again.

Another important aspect of the changing expectations in Boston is the stability it will bring. Last season the players and coaches had to deal with way too many different players in the locker room and they never had an opportunity to settle into a rotation until after the trade deadline.

The Celtics will no longer be looking to trade away their top players and Brad Stevens should be able to do even more damage with more players more used to his system.

The Celtics need players that can be a part of a systematic offense and this year’s unit will finally have an opportunity to get comfortable with all the same faces for a season.

Kelly Olynyk has recently come out and spoke about the importance of continuity.

"Last year, during that middle of the season, it was kind of tough because it was like a rotating door of guys. Every game you’re playing with a new guy. It’s like you’re playing pickup every game. Now that you’ve got that continuity, you’ve played with guys, a little bit of familiarity, you can start to really take off."

Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) is congratulated by forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard Marcus Smart (36) after making a basket during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics players are finally getting a sense of security on the team and even though many players still have to battle hard in order to get a roster spot, once they secure that spot they will be given a proper opportunity to develop and grow.

The youth of the Celtics places even more importance on this continuity. Almost every significant player on the Celtics still has a lot of developing to do and they will benefit greatly from being moulded by Stevens’ great system.

The Celtics rarely have the problem of a player not fitting in because they get players young enough that they know nothing other than this system. David Lee and Amir Johnson may have a tougher time immediately getting used to the system but their styles of play are very accommodating.

Both Lee and Johnson are effective finishers on offense that have proven that they are capable of taking a step back. Both players have shown nothing to make us believe they will try to fight anything in Stevens’ system.

The Celtics are finally in a position where they have a core that can develop together and the person that will benefit the most is Stevens. He will have his easiest job yet in ensuring that every player on the floor buys into what the offense is trying to do.

Marcus Smart has also been developing faster than they expected. His three point shooting was an immediate improvement and his leadership may have become the most important aspect of his game.

Isaiah Thomas had very few games with the team last year and still managed to fit in fine. This offseason should have a tremendous impact on him and will allow him to improve and grow for the Celtics. The same can be said about Jae Crowder who was also added through a trade.

The Celtics have a lot of pieces that will finally be able to stick together and there is no doubting that they will be a stronger team next year.

Throw in a couple rookies already looking great in R.J Hunter and Jordan Mickey and the Celtics can be one of the most exciting teams in the east. The most exciting part may be how bring the future will continue to look because of how many young and talented prospects they have.

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