Boston Celtics: 5 obstacles to contending in 2017-18

1. Moving on from Isaiah Thomas

Moving on from a franchise player and superstar is never easy. That is the case in Boston, although it may be an even bigger issue for the Celtics when everything is said and done.

Thomas was the star that helped bring the Celtics back to contention. He was the star that put everything he had on the line for them, including playing in a game after losing his sister in a tragic car accident. Not only did he play after losing his sister, he also played with a painful hip injury.

Boston is losing a star that loved the city and the fans. It is losing a star that brought winning back to town. Stevens is losing a point guard that was capable of scoring nearly 30 points per game, while also getting his teammates involved and making them better around him.

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Irving and Hayward are both leaders, but they are nowhere near the leader that Thomas was for the Celtics. Moving on from Thomas and figuring out who will take his role moving forward is going to be tough for Stevens and the Celtics.