Danny Ainge is Amassing an Army of Scrappers

(Brace yourselves for Heinsohn-esque levels of Homerism)

Enter the ‘—- you’ Celtics:

A team so devoid of star power, it’s personnel inherits this excess ego and in turn, embodies one combatant and united ego. They’re going to be chippy, they’re going to get T’s but most importantly; they’re going to get W’s.

We saw this culture blossoming after the All-Star break last year when the team earned itself an unexpected playoff berth. This new culture was unique, yet, in a way, its always been there. Ainge is re-creating a culture that was in Boston when he was a player and he’s reviving a culture that KG and Pierce instilled into the 2007-2012 Celtics. The true Celtics were gone, but now they’re back.

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To many local sports pundits (looking at you, Boston Sports Radio), this offseason has been a ‘disaster”. Our failure to land a star is perceived to be a result of Ainge’s “incompetence”, and not just the bleak reality of Boston’s attractiveness to free agents.

However, Ainge’s ability to grab under-the-radar players on such affordable deals in unparalleled. Jae Crowder‘s 5-year-$35 million deal is a STEAL, especially in comparison to many of yesterday’s max signings.

Yes, we didn’t address our need for a shot-blocker, but for a team with such an energetic and balanced roster ideal for small ball, this team has the potential to transcend the traditional roster paradigm.

Take the Warriors, who didn’t even play their starting Center, Andrew Bogut, for much of the Finals. Their ability to play undersized is what propelled them past the small ball-averse Cavaliers. While I understand different situations call for different tactics (ie: playing small against certain teams), this Celtics team now has just enough post-defense with Amir Johnson’s addition, to play a brand of small ball with such a diverse cast of personnel, that it’ll disorient opposing teams.

Fear not, Celtics fans; we’re in for a treat. The new-look Celtics team will be at the fingertips of the mastermind in Brad Stevens. One of Stevens’ tendencies is to use different lineups night-in and night-out down the stretch. One night, we’d finish the night with a frontcourt of Crowder and Tyler Zeller, while the next night it’s Jonas Jerebko and Jared Sullinger. Opposing teams can’t game plan for such unpredictability. Expect more of this with a depth chart of:

PG: Smart, Thomas, Rozier, Thornton (likely in D-League)

SG: Bradley, Young, Hunter

SF: Turner, Crowder, Wallace

PF: Johnson, Sullinger, Mickey

C: Zeller, Olynyk

In the clutch, Stevens will likely employ a front court of Amir Johnson at the five, and Crowder at the four.

In these small ball lineups, the small forward position will need to provide consistent three-point shooting. While Turner’s an exceptional point forward, the Celtics would be better served with Smart or Thomas running the offense, as Turner’s defense cannot be relied upon in the fourth quarter. Thus, there’s a spot for the taking for James Young or R.J. Hunter, if either can prove to play NBA-level defense while shooting a high percentage from three.

Crowder’s and Johnson’s jump-shots, while both warranting coverage, are a work-in-progress. However, their speed and still-serviceable floor-stretching abilities will make baskets come easy down the stretch. Isaiah Thomas’ offensive output comes at a higher rate with open lanes, which Crowder and Johnson can both help create.

Jerebko’s re-signing strengthens these lineups as well, due to his shooting and ability to play both forward postions. Jerebko’s best attribute is his propensity to out-hustle his opponents. Marcus Smart, Amir Johnson, Jae Crowder, and even Gerald Wallace, are all known scrappers as well, and it’s no accident the Celtics have such a high-concentration of such players.

Ainge is putting all his cards into this style of play. This team has the gritty team-philosophy consistent with the 80’s-era Celtics, yet, an allegiance to advanced stats, making their culture a hybrid between the traditional and the progressive.

They may not raise banner 18, but they’ll re-establish the culture necessary to do so.