The Boston Celtics come into the 2021-22 season with one thing on their mind — redemption.
After enduring their worst regular-season record since 2014-15 (36-36) and their first Quarterfinals exit since 2015-16, the C’s front office took matters into their own hands this summer and aggressively made shakeups to the rotation.
Now, with a new-look squad, fans and media alike are rather excited to see what Boston can do this year in this revamped Eastern Conference.
Though it’s hard to predict just how well the Boston Celtics will play as a whole, there are 3 players that many expect to take big jumps this coming campaign:
Boston Celtics player No. 1) Dennis Schroder
2020-21 was a season to forget for Dennis Schroder for a multitude of reasons.
From his decision to turn down an $84 million contract extension back in March to his overall underwhelming play whilst serving as the starting point guard for the defending champion, Los Angeles Lakers, the eighth-year veteran disappointed mightily during his 61-game stint in La La Land and, as a result, was forced to settle on a mere one year, $5.9 million deal.
That said, despite his lackluster production last season, many believe that the Boston Celtics landed the steal of free agency with Schroder.
The consensus opinion is that Ime Udoka will use him as the team’s go-to offensive spark plug off the pine, a role that he proved to excel in whilst suiting up for the Oklahoma City Thunder back in 2019-20.
Through 65 games played during this aforementioned season, the guard went on to post stellar per-game averages of 18.9 points, four assists, and 3.6 boards on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep.
Now seemingly heading back to this kind of role, likely accompanied by a personal drive to re-build his status within the league to earn a larger payday come the summer of 2022, expect a highly productive bounce-back season for Dennis Schroder.