5 Eastern Conference players that will cause the Boston Celtics problems

By Jake Finnen | Oct 13, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 06: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Jayson Tatum #0 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 6, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images /

DeMar DeRozan

One of the main knocks that used to keep DeMar DeRozan from the “super-elite” echelon of players was his performance in the playoffs. Last year he swept those hater-bugs under the rug and is still improving every year.

Well, isn’t that frightening for everyone who is not a Toronto Raptor? The Raptors have a very well-balanced team around them, and the chances the Celtics defense gets to focus solely on DeRozan is very unlikely.

This is where players like Gordon Hayward come into play. When DeRozan is on the court, Hayward will have to play him, regardless of his actual impact. DeRozan hits shots over any outstretched hand, no matter who it might be. This is his calling card: hetting to his spots and hitting very difficult shots. If the Celtics are properly spaced out by Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka and Norman Powell/C.J. Miles, DeRozan will always get the opportunity to work in isolation.

DeRozan is not the best defender at his position, but his frame and the Raptors’ team defense allows him to get away with it. With Ibaka and Valanciunas in the paint, DeRozan has support on defense.

Shifting back to offense, the Celtics have very few interior pieces that will be able to halt DeRozan in the paint. When the Celtics face the Raptors on Nov. 12, expect a “feeling out” period in which DeRozan dissects the defense and highlights the Celtics’ defensive gaps.

Home/Boston Celtics