The Boston Celtics have made rebuilding look easy

In just three short years the Boston Celtics went from rebuilding to winning the eastern conference. How they did it is quite a story.

First there was the trade. The Boston Celtics sent two all stars to the Brooklyn Nets for picks. Lots of first round picks. It was a huge trade. Before that they traded away their coach too. The goal was to acquire assets. The Celtics were rebuilding and that can take time.

So, in 2014 they hired a new coach, Brad Stevens, and had Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green as their go to guys. A couple of trades later those two were gone, the Celtics had more first round picks, and Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder were on board.

While the Celtics were busy obtaining draft picks these two players began creating a team identity that led to victories. They were not going to play to lose, or play to improve the teams draft position.

Essentially, they kick started the Celtics rebuild. That’s pretty heady stuff for a couple of second round picks. Two unappreciated and under valued guys. When does that happen? Name me a team that has even tried this prescription. Yet those two players have been the foundation of the Celtic rebuild. They made it all look easy.

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Unquestionably, Avery Bradley was a big part of that climb, as was Marcus Smart. Players who play shut down defense and never let up. Bradley is gone now and this team that won a conference title is very different. Still there seems to be a focus on toughness. Youngsters Terry Rozier and Jaylen Brown seem to have adopted the mindset.

Last season when the Celtics brought on Al Horford they got a player who fit with the team ethos. A solid two way pro. This season it will be up to Gordon Hayward to follow his lead.

It was interesting that Boston brought in two frontcourt players, Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes, known for their toughness. This bodes well.

Also interesting is that Crowder, because of his play and his team friendly contract, was arguably the most coveted player in trade negotiations and yet the Celtics kept him. How could they not?

As presently constituted the Celtics are definitely in a win now position. Behind the above named contributors are a half dozen promising rookies. The kids that buy in, that show toughness and persistence, will find opportunities. What team in win now mode puts seven rookies on the roster? This is uncharted territory. The entire rebuilding process has defied conventional wisdom, why not the win now approach.

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One can’t imagine Thomas or Crowder giving a point less than one hundred percent. That is the level of drive and intensity that these players have helped instill in this Celtics team. It is this culture that will lead it to the next banner.

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