Hoops Habit
Fansided

7 moments in recent NBA history in need of a documentary

By Daniel Lubofsky

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs puts pressure on Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 30, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs puts pressure on Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 30, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

7. The 2018-19 Boston Celtics

Expectations were high for the Boston Celtics heading into the 2018-19 season after a run to within one game of the NBA Finals the year before came in the absence of their two All-Stars, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

In their presence, along with the further development of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Boston had the roster to trot out one of the most potent five-man lineups in the league. One expected to make the Golden State Warriors sweat.

On their way to a disappointing 49 wins, every step was met with the assumption that things would click into place. The roster was simply too talented, although that may have been part of the problem.

Five players got at least 10 shot attempts per game. Not included were Terry Rozier on the eve of unrestricted free agency and Gordon Hayward attempting to work his way back to All-Star form.

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Keeping Rozier happy but committed to winning was a challenge. As was balancing the need to reintegrate Hayward with the knowledge that his game simply wasn’t where it needed to be on a team already with limited minutes to spare.

The Celtics needed a leader to guide them through the extra obstacles pursuing a championship brings. Kyrie Irving might have experienced that ride as a Cleveland Cavalier, but he wasn’t fit to drive the ship. Something Irving himself admitted the following September.

It’s difficult to explain what exactly went wrong because nothing seemed to bubble too close to the surface to unearth. A year-long camera presence and documentary would do just that for one of the most underwhelming seasons for a team in recent memory.