7 Former Celtics Boston might have to face in the playoffs
By Tyler Watts
1. Jae Crowder, Milwaukee Bucks
Crowder was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, but he broke out with the Celtics after being traded in the infamous 2014 deal that send Rajon Rondo to Dallas. The 6’6 forward transformed into that sturdy defender and league-average 3-point shooter during his two-and-a-half seasons with the Celtics. He averaged 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 29.8 minutes each night over his 202 career games with Boston.
The Celtics traded Crowder to the Cavaliers in the deal that brought Kyrie Irving to Boston. They could not pass up the chance to acquire a superstar, and Crowder was part of the cost. The 6’8 forward has played for six different teams since leaving the Celtics, and he is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks.
How the Celtics can face the Bucks in the NBA Playoffs:
Everybody is expecting the Cs and Bucks to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals this year. It will be a marquee matchup that Boston survived in seven games in last year’s second round. The two teams have played in the playoffs three times since 2018 with the Celtics winning two of those three matchups.
Jae Crowder would love to defeat Boston to get back to the NBA Finals, but both teams will have to win two playoff series before squaring off in the conference finals.
Next. 9 Players Celtics gave up on too soon. dark
How many former Celtics will Boston face in the 2023 NBA Playoffs? Will they be back in the NBA Finals for the second straight year? Can Jayson Tatum win his first NBA title? Stay tuned to find out.