Boston Celtics: Breaking Down The 2013-14 Shooting Guards
With the 2013-14 NBA season just around the corner, the Boston Celtics appear to have finalized their new roster and one position at a time we will break down the depth chart on this young, rebuilding team. At first look, the shooting guard situation in Boston is probably the most interesting. With a wide range of skill sets and experience, the five players vying for minutes at shooting guard will give incoming coach Brad Stevens plenty to think about. Let’s break down how we think things will shake out in 2013-14 for the Celtics at the 2 position.
Avery Bradley returns as the starting shooting guard for the Celtics. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule
Starter
The 2013-14 season is a big one for Avery Bradley. The Celtics’ starting shooting guard enters the last year of his contract before he hits free agency for the first time and the Celtics front office has put a great deal of faith in the young man they selected 19th overall in 2010. A shoulder injury caused Bradley to miss a significant chunk of the start of last season and once he returned to the court his offensive efficiency struggled. While he registered career highs with 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, it was his ferocious defense that saw his reputation skyrocket throughout the league. Bradley was named on the 2012-13 All-Defensive second team for his tenacious full-court pressure, ability to read the passing lanes and has become one of the league’s elite perimeter defenders. Bradley will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders this season and the team will look to determine whether he is a key building block of the Celtics going forward. In a crowded backcourt, Bradley may not see more than the 28 minutes a game he played last season but should be able to lift his scoring to around 11 to 12 points per game if he improves his percentages.
Backups
One of the more interesting aspects of the blockbuster trade with the Nets in the offseason was the acquisition of shooting guard MarShon Brooks. The 24-year-old Brooks, who was originally drafted by the Celtics in 2011 before being traded on draft night, had a down year in 2012-13 and will be looking to re-establish himself on a young Celtics roster. He played just 12.5 minutes per game last season and scored 5.4 points, a disappointing outcome after what was a promising rookie campaign the year before. As a rookie he scored 12.6 points per game to go along with 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists, showing his ability to score and create his own shot. At times a streaky shooter, Brooks has the offensive arsenal to really make an impact on a team that may, at times, struggle offensively. With a consistent role and significant minutes, Brooks could have the best season of his short career, seeing his number jump back up closer to his rookie year, but hopefully with more effort defensively and better shot selection.
MarShon Brooks has a chance to redeem himself after a disappointing 2012-13.(Flickr.com/Shinya Suzuki)
One of the more experienced players on the Celtics’ roster this season, 27-year-old Courtney Lee was brought to Boston primarily at the request of former coach Doc Rivers and his long-term future appears to be a question mark. Lee is locked into a contract that will pay him more than $5 million per season through 2015-16 and his contract would seem to hamper the rebuilding efforts of the Celtics. Lee is useful contributer who is active defensively and can shoot from the outside. He was reliable last season, playing in 78 games for Boston averaging 7.8 points, 1.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds, which are all down from his career averages. Lee has proven in the past he is capable of a bigger role, scoring in double digits for two separate teams, but is unlikely to find the minutes or opportunity to replicate that this season in Boston. Many playoff teams could use the outside shooting and reliable free-throw stroke of a player like Lee and the Celtics are likely to be actively shopping the veteran right up to the trade deadline. Lee will likely struggle to reach his numbers from last season with the crowded shooting guard position and may dip to six points a game until he is moved.
The Celtics traded for Jordan Crawford midway through last season when veteran guard Leandro Barbosa went down with injury. Crawford was solid offensively for the Celtics in limited minutes, which is no surprise, but struggled to give the effort defensively that the Celtics are used to. A volume shooter and scorer, Crawford’s 9.1 point average in Boston was well down from his career average of 12.7 per game. With the depth in the Celtics backcourt, Crawford is unlikely to see much time unless the team is struck down with injuries. While he can contribute on the scoreboard, Crawford generally shoots a low percentage and those shots may be better off taken by other developing players. If Rajon Rondo is unavailable to start the season Crawford, who has good handles, could see some spot minutes at the point guard position but don’t expect much more than six to seven points and little else from Crawford this season whenever he is given minutes.
Keith Bogans received the biggest payday of his career at age 33. Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule
The elder statesmen on the Celtics 2013-14 roster, veteran swingman Keith Bogans could play a key role on the team despite the likelihood he rarely sees the court. Bogans is a defensive role player who is a capable outside shooter, but his experience will be of most value to the young Celtics. Bogans has been around the league a long time, spending time with eight different teams, and has seen the highs and lows of the league first hand. He has battled in the playoffs but also endured long, losing seasons and will be able to advise, guide and council the young Celtics during what could be a long year. Usually veterans on a young rebuilding team could become unhappy, but that is unlikely to be the case for Bogans, who will receive the highest contract in his career this season by almost double, as the Celtics and Nets needed to inflate his deal in order to complete their offseason blockbuster trade. Bogans should be able to contribute with his 3-point shooting and defense when called on, but it won’t be for more than spot minutes if everyone is healthy.
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