Hoops Habit
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

A Defensive Juggernaut

As mentioned earlier, the addition of Horford makes this dangerous defense even scarier. The biggest hole with the Celtics has been a frontcourt presence, and now they have it.

Jae Crowder was common denominator in what seemed like every rumored trade involving the Celtics throughout last season and this offseason, simply because the 25-year-old has become one of the premier 3-and-D players at his position.

Crowder will continue to blossom into an All-Star caliber player in 2016-17. Under Stevens, there has been continued improvement from 9.5 points per game in 2014-15 to 14.5 points per game last season.

The addition of Horford may limit his shot attempts, but there is no question that his defensive prowess will be alive and well.

Avery Bradley was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team last season. He will be entering his seventh season, all of which he has played in Boston. But ever since Stevens arrived, he has improved significantly to the point where he could easily be considered as a top-10 shooting guard.

The duo of Bradley and Crowder alone is suffocating to opposing wing players. They don’t take any possessions off and now with Horford as their anchor and communicator, the rotations will be even more precise than before.

Notice player such as Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas and Amir Johnson haven’t even been mentioned. Those are three more reasons to add to the list of why the Celtics could very well be the league’s best defense in 2016-17.

Related Story: 10 NBA Players On Their Last Chance In 2016-17

Opponents shot just 33.6 percent from three against the Celtics last season, which ranked fourth overall. They slacked a bit in opponent field goal percentage at 44.1 percent, good enough for eighth overall.

It can’t be stressed enough that Horford’s presence will drastically improve that number. He did so last season with Atlanta and led them to the top-ranked defense in opponent field goal percentage at 43.2.

Next: Brad Stevens Wins C.O.Y.

Home/Boston Celtics