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Three Issues Facing The Celtics As The 2018/19 Campaign Approaches

By Robert Phaneuf

BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics looks on during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics looks on during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics on May 27, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With NFL training camps in full swing, basketball fans know that NBA training camps are just around the corner. With one of the most exciting offseasons in recent memory, Boston Celtics fans are eager to get the season started. As LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard found new homes, it is time to see how the organization stacks up against its foes.

Depth   

As a new season approaches Celtics fans anxiously await to see a full season from Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. Shortly after the tipoff, last season Hayward suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

Sixty games later Kyrie went down with a season-ending knee injury. Both injuries devastated both fans and teammates alike. But with head coach Brad Stevens the team prevailed to the Eastern Conference finals despite a game seven loss at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If the Celtics hope for any homes of an NBA championship then they will need a healthy Irving and Hayward. In any serious injury, the question is endurance. Can either player regain their endurance and lead the team to the NBA finals. Only time will tell.

Clutch Shooting

Whenever an organization loses a player like Uncle Drew the coach turns to the bench for immediate contributions. In the Celtics case, Stevens turned to Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin. Rozier had a remarkable season filling in for Kyrie. Also, the club got excellent performances from guard Marcus Smart before he suffered a broken hand injury late in the season.

The playoffs, on the other hand, the team suffered in the shooting department. Rozier shot a dismal .347% from 3-point land and a .406 field goal percentage.  Both Larkin and Smart didn’t perform much better. Marcus shot a poor 33.6% from the field while Shane wasn’t much better posting a shooting percentage of 45.7 %.

On the positive side, the team got valuable performances from Jayson Tatum and Al Horford. Reserves Marcus Morris and Greg Monroe contributed but not enough to defeat LeBron and the Cavaliers. If there’s any hope of getting to the finals, the Celtics need balanced scoring from both starters and reserves.

Playoff Confidence

The Celtics have qualified for the past five years under Brad Stevens. If Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward can play at full strength, then it should be a very interesting season. And if Marcus Smart can improve his field goal shooting along with his 3-point shooting the Celtics will be that much better.  Every successful team that wins in the postseason possesses a well-balanced scoring group that also defends at a high level.

Next. Why the Boston Celtics are one piece away from another championship. dark

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