Things did not go anywhere close to plan for the Boston Celtics during the 2018-19 season. What is next after the star player and the coach had a very public rift?
The Boston Celtics are coming off what is arguably their most disappointing season in the history of the franchise, in 2018-2019. We all thought the team was built for an NBA Finals appearance, led by Kyrie Irving and ran by Brad Stevens, but the turmoil of the season brought many issues to light for the Celtics, the two biggest being the ‘silent’ feud between Irving and Stevens.
As fans, it has left many wondering if Stevens needs to change his coaching style and the way he approaches his rotating units. Moving forward to the 2019-2020 season, it’ll be interesting to see the direction Coach Stevens takes with this season in regards to the point guard position.
The team was put together with a bunch of versatile players who all wanted to be “The Star” of the team, and it was easy to see. Coach Stevens said in an interview with Jackie MacMullen of ESPN “the bottom line is that we had seven perimeter guys who were all very good players, and all of them brought something different and unique to the table. If you ask any one of them, they’ll tell you it was hard to find all they wanted this season.”
Knowing a change needs to be made, and with all signs showing a possible free agent signing of Kemba Walker, can almost assure us that the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving are going to be parting ways come the start of free agency. Walker is coming off a career season in points (25.6ppg) and is eager to be part of a winning organization, as he has spent his entire eight year career with a Hornets franchise that never appeared close to making a deep playoff run.
While there are many differences between Irving and Walker, who were both part of the same 2011 draft class, the position comparison can still be made. Walker is proven to be more durable and reliable than Irving over the course of a season Walker has six seasons of playing in 70+ games, while Irving only has three. Over both of their NBA careers, Walker has played in 97 more games than Irving (per basketball-reference).
Walker can be the player that Ainge was hoping he was getting with Irving since the original blueprints of what Ainge was trying to build by acquiring him did not pan out so well. The history of the Boston Celtics has always had a point guard who controls the floor and is a team oriented player, which has led to their 17 world championships. Walker has shown to be that guy, while Irving made it clear that his true colors are not green.
Walker was able to average 25.6 points and six assists, while carrying the Hornets on his shoulders with no real complimentary pieces around him, and not complaining once. Irving had all the necessary pieces to make it to the NBA Finals in Boston, but he would tell you his teammates were too young for the feat.
Any team in any sport needs to be patient with their core, especially when their young and have high expectations coming into the season. Coach Stevens needs time for his system to prosper with his young talent. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are evolving into super stars and appear ready to take the next step in their careers to help lead this team to the NBA Finals.
If the Celtics do land Walker, I believe he will take a completely different approach to his new team, unlike what Irving just put Celtics Nation through. The future is brighter than ever for the Boston Celtics, as they are just two key pieces away from completing their unfinished puzzle, which this team has been.
Kemba Walker is an immediate game changer and brings this team to the Conference Championship, en route to the NBA Finals. I’d even go one step further and say that if Walker was on the Celtics last season; they would have made it past Milwaukee. The need for Walker, along with a solid big man, will complete the everlasting puzzle, which has been the Boston Celtics.
Farewell Irving. Its the Walker era in Boston now.