With the Boston Celtics standing pat at the trade deadline there are still key concerns to be addressed to mount a strong challenge in the East.
As is almost customary in today’s NBA, the Boston Celtics are front and center of trade rumors whenever deadline day approaches and this season was no different. Over the last few seasons, Celtics GM Danny Ainge has done an enviable job of stockpiling young assets and draft picks, highly coveted by rival GMs.
While rival franchises would love to get a hold of these assets, Celtics loyalists are still pining for a big name player to join the fold. Isaiah Thomas is a bona fide All Star and Al Horford is an All Star caliber player but the winning NBA formula tends to be the possession of at least a Big 3.
Perennial All Star wings and franchise players, Jimmy Butler and Paul George of the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers respectively, were the most bandied about names leading up to the deadline but neither player changed zip code. The Celtics’ failure to acquire either player and overall lack of activity has left team enthusiasts divided on what could and should have been. Whatever the case, this is the existing team and the Celtics have to be ready to maximize its full potential.
There are some things to consider before unnecessary panic sets in. With the current roster the Celtics managed the Eastern Conference’s second best record – fifth overall in the league – by the All Star break, so it’s very evident that Coach Brad Stevens mans a very capable team. The quest is how to make the leap to great.
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While the goal is to catch and better the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Celtics’ main adversary has been Atlantic Division rivals, the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors had been in free fall of late, falling behind the Washington Wizards into fourth place in the East but the neighbors from the great white north were one of the busier and more strategic teams on the trade market.
Quality two-way big man, Serge Ibaka was acquired from the Orlando Magic with Terrence Ross and a 1st Round pick going the other way, while the Phoenix Suns‘ 3-point shooting wing defender, P.J. Tucker was also acquired in exchange for injured ex-Celtic Jared Sullinger and second round picks. The Raptors have gotten better and also beat the Celtics in the first game after the break, securing a crucial tie-breaker with the victory. The game also featured playoffs level intensity as a possible preview to a potential second round match up.
The Cavaliers didn’t make any deadline moves either and key players Kevin Love and J.R. Smith remain sidelined but they are still the team to beat. Also, if rumors are anything to go by, the reigning champions are monitoring the situations of the Philadelphia 76ers recently acquired center, Andrew Bogut and veteran point guard, Deron Williams, recently waived by the Dallas Mavericks. The Sixers are expected to reach a buyout with the Australian soon.
And this brings us back to the Celtics. Toronto has improved and Cleveland is working on doing the same. Recently, the Cavs’ LeBron James was in the news for venting his frustrations on his team’s lack of a reserve playmaker. This is what makes the potential Williams acquisition the more intriguing pursuit for the East leaders. Love’s injury is a concern but the All Star forward is expected back before the end of the season. Second unit playmaking remains the Cavaliers’ main sore spot. For the Celtics, it’s rebounding and interior defense.
The Celtics and Sacramento Kings are tied for 28th in league rebounding (41.1 per game). Only the Mavericks do worse at 38.2 per game. The recently traded Bogut, in his 26 games played, was responsible for 8.3 of those rebounds (22% of the team’s total) in just over 22 minutes a night, to go along with a block per game. It shows that the 32 year old still has a lot left in the tank, to go along with a fiery personality and valuable championship experience. Think of P.J. Brown when the Celtics signed him late in 2008 en route to Banner 17.
To put things in perspective, the Celtics’ leading rebounder is Avery Bradley (6.9 per game), a 6’2″ guard who has missed 22 games this season. That is a credit to his abilities but worrying for the Celtics who have a long list of bigs – Horford, Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, Jonas Jerebko, Tyler Zeller, Jordan Mickey – who can’t seem to get it done. Horford has been solid for Boston but his 6.6 RPG is below his 8.7 career average. Bogut’s defense and rebounding immediately ease the Celtics’ burden and helps fill a big void in team output. It is not a lasting solution but a low risk-high reward move like this is worth exploring.
In reality, only the most optimistic of believers would have pick the Celtics to go all the way this season. Even if a move for George or Butler had materialized, it would be the most confident of gambling men to pick the Celtics over the Cavs. The current roster with Kevin Durant and Bogut? Maybe but let’s not dwell any longer on what could have been with KD in TD. The more realistic approach would be to see how far this squad can go and how valuable that added experience will be.
IT continues to grow as a star and leader, while Bradley and Jae Crowder have vastly improved so the Celtics are on their way. The team can build further through the draft come June or use their assets to go after that third star when draft positions and prospects will be known to all. For now, a second round appearance should count as a good season for the Celtics while a Conference Finals berth would be a true success.
The Celtics need to focus on what they can improve on now as they go into the home stretch and Bogut would be an effective but inexpensive option. Even if he would sign just for the remainder of the season, it should help highlight how good these young Celtics can be and paint a clearer picture of what needs to be done in the off season.
Next: The Celtics Need to Stay Healthy
The Celtics rebounded from the Durant disappointment; they rebounded from an early season slump; they rebounded from losing Bradley and they will rebound from the loss to the Raptors. However, where the Celtics need key rebounding is on the basketball court. A rebounder from down under may be able to help with that situation down low .
Paging Danny Ainge.