The NBA has finally returned and on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics will open up their 2014-15 season at home against the Brooklyn Nets. After the Celtics managed just 25 wins last season in Brad Stevens’ first year as coach, the team has looked energized and refocussed in the preseason, playing smart yet free-flowing basketball that they hope to carry over to the regular season.
It will be a tough start to the season for Boston, the Nets are just one of 16 playoff teams that the Celtics will face in their first 21 games. That stretch also includes two games against the Phoenix Suns and a visit from the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers.
So as the Celtics look to wipe the disappointment of last season from memory, what should we look for on opening night that would signal a much more enjoyable season for the Boston faithful?
The Rotation
The Celtics may not have the top-end star talent of some rosters, but the team certainly does have depth and it raises a lot of questions when it comes to Stevens’ rotation. Last season, 12 different players started for the Celtics.
They experimented with Gerald Wallace and Jeff Green together at the wing positions, rotated through every possible big man combination and played point guard by committee in the absence of Rajon Rondo. However, as Jay King from Masslive found out, Stevens plans on having much more continuity in 2014-15.
"“I’ve really made a commitment to myself, as much as anything, that I was going to make those decisions (on roles) earlier than I did last year,” he said before Tuesday’s practice. “Just because I thought, fair or unfair, mixing and matching just doesn’t help the team. The first four (preseason) games, I think it’s been good. I’ve got a great feel moving forward.“Whether that means a guy’s starting or he’s the sixth or seventh guy, those are harder calls right now. But as far as getting an idea of who the 10 or 11 guys are that have got the best chance of being in the rotation, I have that idea.”"
It is going to be very interesting to see how Stevens manages what is somewhat of a logjam at both the guards and in the frontcourt. With veterans battling young talent for minutes the competition for playing time will be fierce all season.
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Who will start alongside
Jared Sullingerin the front court? What will the versatile
Evan Turner’s role be? Will the new guys like
Marcus Thorntonand
Tyler Zellerfind a role immediately? Many of these questions will be answered on opening night as we find out what Stevens has planned for the Celtics’ rotation.
Is Sullinger Now “The Man”?
We’ve mentioned Jared Sullinger a number of times in recent weeks, as the big man appears set for a breakout year in Boston. Sullinger has looked fantastic in preseason action, shooting the 3-pointer with confidence and efficiency, while maintaining his dominance on the glass.
He led the team in both points and rebounds in preseason and it looks as if he could be about to emerge as one of the most productive young big men in the league.
The question now, is how much the Celtics will focus their offense around Sullinger’s expanded game. He is capable of establishing deep post position and finishing around the rim, while his extended shooting range looks here to stay as he suddenly becomes one of the tougher big men to cover on offense.
The Celtics could look to Sullinger early and often offensively, establishing an inside-out game and making him the focal point of the offense. Jeff Green led the team in scoring last season, however the erratic Green never looked comfortable as the primary option and Sullinger has shown in his NCAA career he is more than capable and willing to become the man.
Brook Lopez is questionable for opening night, but either way Sullinger should have a big night against the Nets’ frontcourt and could put out an early warning signal to the rest of the league if the Celtics’ focus on feeding their big man.
Does The Preseason Ball Movement Continue?
The biggest positive coming from the Celtics’ preseason performance was the obvious focus on ball movement. Brad Stevens seemingly had the entire roster locked in during the preseason as the ball moved freely and the constant passing led to countless open shots.
Without Rajon Rondo, who is one of the NBA’s great floor generals, in the lineup, the Celtics shared the load offensively and the ball did not stick in the hands of players trying to create for themselves. The Celtics’ big men like Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk are excellent passers in the frontcourt and their ability to play inside-out led to a number of open 3s.
If the Celtics can keep up the exceptional team play when the regular season starts and more importantly when Rondo returns to action, not only will they be far more successful than last season but they will also put out a more inspiring, entertaining brand of basketball for the fans.
Whether or not Rondo is in the line-up come Wednesday night, the Celtics will be hoping the passing and ball movement they displayed in preseason carries over once the grind of the regular season kicks in.
Will Rondo Play?
Rajon Rondo has been his usual cryptic-self when answering the media in relation to his hand injury. All signs point to Rondo being just days away from a return but neither Rondo or the Celtics have committed one way or another.
The unquestioned leader and best player on the roster, if Rondo is there to run out on opening night it will be a huge boost to his teammates, the fans and the chances of the Celtics taking out an opening night victory over the Nets.