Playoff Picture: Boston Celtics

Why They’ll Fall Short

This is a bottom 10 outfit in both rebounding and effective field goal percentage. Pairing those two stats together and coming out with a negative outcome in both areas is not ideal. The Celtics don’t score at a terribly efficient rate, and they’re usually not able to collect the rebounds for second chance opportunities as well.

There’s clearly no star on this team either, a big concern come playoff time. Thomas is the closest thing they have, and he’s not even a starter. Smart could be in time and his defensive skills are valuable. But who do they have to really take over a game? Again you’d look to Thomas, but when matched up with other rosters and the considerable talent they have, that’s unlikely to be enough.

They’re a middle of the pack team in most statistical categories. While that’s enough to make the playoffs in the East, it’s not enough to go much further. Another more long-term concern is that the foundation with which to build upon for this team doesn’t look to be in place yet.

With all those incoming picks and some moveable pieces of their own, this team will probably look completely different next year. That’s a good thing when you consider the clear ceiling this roster has together. But it makes continuity difficult. Making the playoffs for a team like the Milwaukee Bucks has greater importance to their long-term psyche as the core of that team looks in place and can grow together. Still though, Celtics fans will be happy to see their team back in the postseason.

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