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Boston Celtics: Best-Case Scenarios For 2016-17

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 4, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99), guard Avery Bradley (0) and `Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrate against the Utah Jazz during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99), guard Avery Bradley (0) and `Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrate against the Utah Jazz during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics made a splash in free agency that can bolster them into the NBA’s top teams in 2016-17. Here are the best-case scenarios.

Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after making a three point shot during overtime game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after making a three point shot during overtime game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

For the past two seasons, the Boston Celtics have been viewed as a team that was one superstar away from becoming a legitimate contender to dethrone LeBron James in the Eastern Conference.

This summer, they took the necessary actions to become that threat. Unfortunately, it wasn’t by signing Kevin Durant, who was strongly considering Boston before eventually choosing to form a superteam in Golden State. The Celtics did get the next best player available: Al Horford.

Boston hasn’t had a big man as good as Horford since signing Kevin Garnett back in 2007. Now head coach Brad Stevens has a proven All-Star center to form his offense around and make Isaiah Thomas an even more dynamic scorer and playmaker.

The NBA is just a better league when the Celtics are in contention. Boston has some of the most devoted sports fans you can find. Even with the past couple of seasons of not being realistic contenders, they still packed The TD Garden and rallied behind their team as if they were the favorites in each game.

Related Story: NBA: 15 Young Players In Need Of Breakout Seasons In 2016-17

Did the Horford move enter themselves into the conversation of not only conference contenders, but contenders for the NBA title?

Here are some best-case scenarios to help answer that question.

Next: Horford Is A Force

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