As 2014 comes to a close, it is only fitting that we review the year that was for the Boston Celtics. You can look at the year in one of two ways: Through the lens that the year was a disappointment or that it is an important step in the beginning of the journey back to prominence.
Truthfully, the answer likely lies somewhere in between the two. Whichever way you see it, recognizing who the Celtics impact players were in 2014 is a helpful way to gain appreciation for what this year means to Boston’s rebuild.
MVP: Avery Bradley
Quite frankly, this is a hollow award. Being the Celtics team MVP in 2014 doesn’t exactly mean much. Interestingly enough, there were also numerous candidates to pick from.
Jeff Green has the highest ceiling of anyone on the current roster. This season, he has become a more consistent scorer and is even developing a post up game.
Kelly Olynyk is thriving in a role coming off the bench. He is growing into exactly the type of big man that Brad Stevens wants. One who is active without the ball and can stretch opposing big men to the three-point line, creating space for players such as Green and Marcus Smart, who thrive off of penetrating into the paint.
If it weren’t for his knee injury, there is a good chance that Rajon Rondo would have won this award. Even his trade may have brought about more value than Boston ended up getting.
In today’s game, you need a three-and-d perimeter player. In Bradley, the Celtics have theirs. 2014 saw Bradley evolve from a player who could only consistently hit three-pointers from the corners to someone who shot 44.6 percent from above the break, per NBA.com.
Bradley hasn’t had nearly the same success from above the break this season, shooting a paltry 25.4 percent. However, part of that can be attributed to the reckless abandon that he is taken these shots with. Bradley has attempted 63 of these shots this season. That is just 11 less than he took all of last season. As the roster around him improves, he figures to be less callous about his shots.
In the meantime, Bradley remains the same dogged defender that he’s always been. And despite being six-foot-two, he is still able to capably guard players much taller than that.
Most Improved Player: Kelly Olynyk
Again, there is more than one worthy candidate. For example, Green becoming a more consistent scorer is a significant development. However, the leap that Olynyk has made is a greater one.
As a rookie, the Gonzaga product scored 102.9 points per 100 possessions. In his second season, that figure has jumped to 107.4. Olynyk’s field goal percentage has risen from 46.6 percent to 51.8 percent. His three-point percentage has gone from 35.1 percent to 37.8 percent.
And while that may be the most significant development in Olynyk’s game, there is also noticeable improvement on the defensive end of the floor. His defensive rating has gone from 105.1 points per 100 possessions to allowing 104.3 points per 100 possessions.
That may seem insignificant, but for a player who was a defensive liability last season, finding appropriate match ups for Olynyk on defense is a big step and one that allows him to stay on the floor longer.
Most Important Player: Marcus Smart
It is crucial that the Celtics correctly evaluate their current assets. Knowing the market for each of their players and how each individual projects if he is to stay with the team is a critical part of the team’s rebuild.
It was well-understood that when Rondo was dealt to Dallas, Smart was handed the keys to the team. He figures to be the point guard of the future. The floor general who the organization hopes will lead Boston when it emerges from the rebuild and is once again competing for championships.
Like Bradley, Smart is a tenacious defender. One who can harass opposing guards and has already earned a love-tap from Kevin Garnett.
His jump shot has a long ways to go but the rookie could develop into a consistent shooter within two years. He is already beginning to recognize that he is more effective from inside the arc than beyond it.
What the future holds for the Celtics is not something that anyone can predict. But saying that Smart’s future is bright certainly seems like an educated guess.