New-look Boston Celtics no longer the Eastern favorites
By Adam Taylor
Storyline No. 1: Battle of the bigs
Rebounding has been the Achilles heel of the Boston Celtics for what seems like an eternity. Many players have passed through TD Garden in an attempt to solve the issue — none have succeeded.
That is set to change this year, having obtained one of the best rebounders in the league in Enes Kanter, a board-eating machine on both ends of the floor with nifty post moves on offense to boot. Add to that the addition of the reigning EuroLeague rebounding leader in Vincent Poirier and the team no longer looks light on the glass.
Robert Williams will be keen to stake his claim this year, following an uninspiring rookie season in which he spent large portions in Maine with the Red Claws. Williams is an athletic specimen capable of chasing down opponents for the swat or blocking anyone brave enough to enter the paint when he is occupying it.
But is he too raw still? Can he provide solid minutes and solidify the rotation at the center position?
Life can be cruel sometimes though, it can give you everything you have been asking for while simultaneously taking away something you have taken for granted. In Boston’s case, this is exactly what has happened.
Finally able to end opposing offensive plays or keep their own alive, they now find themselves without the interior defense which has provided them with a platform for success in recent years.
Kanter is notoriously suspect on defense, especially when showing on opposing ball handlers in the pick-and-roll. While Poirier is untested at this level, Williams has displayed an eagerness to jump at the slightest feint. The question marks surrounding this position are intriguing, to say the least.
Grant Williams and Daniel Theis will also see some time at the center position this year due to their ability to stretch the floor on offense, but neither of them project to be the answer on the defensive end.
With minutes available both at the starting spot and bench roles, there will be a dog fight between the aforementioned list of players. Coach Brad Stevens will be confident he can coax some defensive efficiency out of this group, while the competition between the players should provide a platform for improvement.
One thing is for certain though, the starting center position is far from cemented as the season draws near.