Illness Continues to Circulate in Boston

The Boston Celtics are currently enduring some sort of spreading illness and it keeps getting some of the bigger players on the team. First, Amir Johnson was forced to miss the game against Real Madrid and now Marcus Smart is going to miss the first NBA action of the preseason against the Brooklyn Nets.

Maybe someone got them at media day or maybe there was something in the air in Europe. Either way, the Celtics will be glad to finally rid themselves of whatever is spreading around the players and, even more importantly, they are glad it is happening before the season begins.

Both Johnson and Smart could certainly use any time on the court. The Celtics are looking to establish a much higher degree of chemistry in their lineup this year and it starts in preseason. Missing the likes of Johnson and Smart may hold off that chemistry progress but it will be ever so slightly. With what Brad Stevens worked with a season ago, a couple missed preseason games is nothing to worry about.

Jan 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (right) speaks to guard Marcus Smart (36) during the second half of a game against the Houston Rockets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Had the Celtics caught this illness just a couple weeks later it would be a lot more detrimental. The Celtics are expected to be in a tight battle for a playoff spot and, if they exceed expectations, a battle for the division. Any games missed by the likes of Smart of Johnson in the regular season will hurt those playoff chances.

Even at the beginning of the season, the Celtics will never be in a position where they can afford to lose games. Throw in that the pressure is mounting with playoff expectations and the Celtics need to do everything to ensure that this illness does not spread into the regular season. While trades were the number one obstacle a season ago, health is the only thing that will hold back the Celtics’ continuity this season.

The flip side of Smart missing the Nets game is that many fans will finally get what they have been begging for as Isaiah Thomas will start the game. This will also give Evan Turner an opportunity to make up for the time he missed as he will be getting the start alongside Thomas with Bradley also missing the game.

There have been no indications of any serious threat with this illness and the regular season is far enough away that it should have absolutely no impact. In the mean time, some of the fringe players will get a bigger opportunity to show case their abilities. The Celtics have too many guards and with Smart, Bradley and Rozier missing the Nets game, some of the lesser players can make their claim at a roster spot.

More from Hardwood Houdini

Home/Celtics News