National Basketball Association

Boston Celtics 2016-17 Season Outlook: Second-Best Team In The East?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:05 p.m. ET

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With a huge upgrade during the offseason, we preview the Boston Celtics’ 2016-17 campaign where we explore whether they’re the second-best team in the East

Since the Boston Celtics relapse in 2013, there’s only been one thing on general manager Danny Ainge’s mind, and that’s winning. Because, for a team with 70 years of continued excellence, and 17 world championships, there is no other option.

And, last season was a step in the right direction.

The Celtics were a good-but-not-quite-great team last season; they certainly exceeded my expectations. In comparison to the Cavaliers, and some of the other traditional western powerhouses, the East may seem anemic. But, the conference is certainly more contentious than we give it credit for. So 48 wins and a 5th-seed playoff berth was more than a pleasant surprise.

That was in large part due to the ascension of Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas, who became bona fide leaders as the season progressed. To a lesser degree, the team’s strong defensive identity, headlined by Crowder, Evan Turner, Marcus Smart, and Avery Bradley, who earned an All-Defensive First Team nod.

Boston’s largest focus in the offseason was the prized jewel of NBA free agency, Kevin Durant. Sadly, despite the efforts of Ainge, coach Brad Stevens, Isaiah Thomas, and even Tom Brady; the Celtics were unable to lure Kevin Durant to Titletown. What’s even more disheartening is losing Evan Turner in the process, who added instant energy and valued experience off the bench.

Still, the Boston Celtics have exited free agency a much better team than when they entered it. For starters, the addition of Al Horford is great on numerous levels. Not only is he a solid scorer that the Celtics so-desperately-need, but he’s the big man the team desperately needs (*cough* Sully *cough*).

Among other intangibles, Horford can defend multiple positions, which perfectly keeps in line with coach Stevens’ squad.

On the other hand, the draft seems to have been a success thus far. I say thus far because the summer league is never a perfect indication of a player’s ability, but from what I’ve seen, the Celtics have acquired great young talent.

Using the first of three future first-round picks from the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics selected Jaylen Brown with the 3rd overall pick. Brown is young, but already wise beyond his years, and incredibly talented. In college (California), he dazzled fans with his athleticism, but it was his three-point shooting that took turned heads in the summer league.

Perhaps more importantly, though, his perimeter defense. The other intriguing selection by the Celtics is Guerchon Yabusele, a french power forward who is a little reminiscent of Draymond Green – slightly undersized, deceivingly quick, with range extending beyond the arch, and a good touch around the basket.

Plus, like Jaylen Brown, he plays defense. Although, Yabusele will be shipped back overseas until his deal with the Shanghai Sharks expires. However, for a team with years before they capitalize on all of their future draft picks, the Boston Celtics can surely wait.

Apr 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics fans react as they take on the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated the Hawks 111-103. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Depth Chart

PG: Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, Demetrius Jackson

SG: Avery Bradley, R.J Hunter, James Young

SF: Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Gerald Green

PF: Al Horford, Kelly Olynyk, Jordan Mickey

C: Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Tyler Zeller

The Boston Celtics are far from a championship caliber roster, but their unique combination of talent will surely excite die hard fans.

Over the last year, Isaiah Thomas has emerged as a premier guard in the NBA, but it was his series against the Atlanta Hawks that shocked the world. Sure, the Celtics lost in six games, but Thomas’ electric scoring exhibition in Game 4 (a cool 42-points) was a sign of the future.

Then, you pair Isaiah Thomas with the aforementioned Al Horford, who solves numerous problems that ailed the Celtics last season. For starters, the noticeable lack of big men. Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk aren’t exactly the standout superstars the Celtics need dominating the front court.

Horford, on the other hand, is one of the 10 best centers in basketball, and can perfectly replace Sullinger as a stretch-four or five. Plus, he’s an extremely versatile defender, and he can add a healthy dose of veteran leadership that the young roster is sorely lacking.

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Beyond the Celtics’ new dynamic duo, there’s my favorite player, Jae Crowder. Sadly, unlike Isaiah Thomas, he was unable to elevate his play in the postseason. In fact, he shot at an abysmal 27.8 percent from the field. Yeah, that’s pretty bad… okay really bad.

Though, to play devil’s advocate, he was still suffering from an ankle injury that he received in March. Prior to that injury, Crowder was a surprisingly effective two-way player, who excelled defensively thanks to his unique combination of size, speed and technique.

In terms of role players, the Celtics are a surprisingly deep team. Jaylen Brown could become a solid bench player for the Celtics, capable of stretching the floor for spot up jumpers, and strengthening their core of wing scorers.

Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley are already premier perimeter defenders, and as young as both of them are, expect marginal improvement. Then, there’s the team’s center Amir Johnson, who is a far cry from the big man the Celtics need, but he’s certainly serviceable – solid on the boards, highly efficient around the basket, and a reliable defender down the stretch.

All in all, this is by far the most impressive roster the franchise has put forth in years. Sure they’re still a long ways away from a contender, but the Boston Celtics have greatly improved every season thus far, and I don’t expect them to become complacent anytime soon.

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

Strengths

The greatest strength going into the 2016 season is continuity. For the first time in Brad Stevens tenure with the Boston Celtics, he has the majority of his cast returning, mixed with a healthy dose of added firepower. And, the longer the same guys are on the floor together, the better.

To get into the nitty-gritty though, the Celtics greatest advantage is their defense. Specifically the teams’ stout perimeter defense, thanks to Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, and Jae Crowder. And, in a guard oriented league that’s a paramount skill to have.

Just look at the Celtics’ regular season series against Golden State last year, where they lost to the Warriors in double-overtime, and won in their second meeting (in the Bay Area). And, that was all thanks to Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley’s ability to pressure the Splash Brother.

Following them off screens, running them off their prefered spots, forcing them to take ill-advised shots, pressuring them into poor passes…if you can do that to the duo of Dell Jr. and Klay Thompson, you have a good chance against any backcourt the league can throw at you.

Weakness

In today’s league, being undermanned is generally the difference between a contender and a team that’s just going through the motions, earning a participation trophy along the way.

Thanks Golden State.

I think it goes without saying though that the roster just lacks star power. Isaiah Thomas has greatly improved, and Al Horford is an All-Star several times over, but they aren’t superstars.

Maybe that’s where Jaylen Brown comes in. Or, maybe that franchise player will manifest in the form of the Celtics future first round picks, courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets. Maybe the team will acquire three-franchise-players, a-la the Oklahoma City Thunder. Maybe that’s wishful thinking.

Regardless, it’s definitely something the that Ainge will have to eventually address.

Just focusing on the roster itself would be the easy way out on my part though. What about the team itself? What are they missing to become a fully-fleshed out unit?

For starters, cohesiveness. I know, I know, I just said that continuity is a strength. And, in the Eastern Conference where practically every team has acquired new pieces, or lost old ones, the Celtics are incredibly lucky to only have one new starter.

Just look at Indiana, New York, Chicago, or Atlanta. They’ve had complete roster shake ups, and in some cases coaching changes. Still in the grand scheme of things, the Celtics are still a few years away from playing basketball on a subconscious level, if ever.

The second thing I’m worried about is a lack of shooting from beyond the arch. I understand not everyone has to be Golden State from beyond the arch, but floor spacing is the key to running a modern-frenetic offense in today’s league. They just don’t have that reliable weakside threat, or corner three-point shooter that can contort zone defenses.

Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Win-Loss Prediction: 52-30

The landscape of the Eastern Conference has completely shifted. The only upper-echelon team that I expect to see suffer a steep-decline is Atlanta, but the rest of the conference has greatly improved.

The Pacers have added Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson and Thaddeus Young. The Raptors are still a surefire contender for the second seed in the East. And, of course the Knicks and Bulls made huge moves in the offseason.

Regardless, I expect the Boston Celtics to be battling with all of those teams for the second seed. That may be a lofty prediction considering the Celtics have been a first round exit over the last two seasons, but the Celtics have two things on their side. One, more experience under their belt. And, two, the addition of Al Horford.

Plus, when you have a coach like Brad Stevens, you don’t have to worry about a grace period for Horford to adapt to the team. So considering the team won 48 games last year, I think 52 wins is a highly realistic goal to set.

More importantly, though, I think they can surely make the second round, if not even an Eastern Conference Finals berth.

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