Some have contended that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will always be contenders. After watching the Boston Celtics recent moves, it is tough to see them contending with the Eastern Conference teams, not to mention the always powerful Western Conference. As we review the Celtics moves over the past couple of years, hopefully we can identify if they truly a contender for the upcoming NBA season.
It all started in the 2011-2012 season when one of the most legendary coaches of all time, Doc Rivers, decided to send the future Hall of Famer, Ray Allen, to the sidelines and replace him with a young talent, Avery Bradley. Allen didn’t appreciate the Coach Rivers’ move. Then in the 2012-2013 season, Allen was a free agent, and after Rivers’ move Allen decided to part ways with the team.
Pat Riley, owner of the Miami Heat organization, approached the veteran and basically told him that if the Heat did not have him, they would not be able to defend their title. Ray Allen took his talents to South Beach. The payoff was quick, and after Allen won a ring with the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics took notice and decided to take a step in a whole new direction.
The Celtics held on to Rivers as long as they possible could, but they eventually lost the legendary coach for a move cross-country. As we know, Rivers is now with the Los Angeles Clippers and is sure to have a great record with the dynamic duo on his team.
Amidst the fall-out, Celtics fans shed tears as Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett and the face of their franchise, Paul Pierce, were released from the Boston Celtics organization. All 3 of them went to the Brooklyn Nets, a team that already had talent, but was looking to add more of it.
However, all in all, with the Boston Celtics rebuilding they do have reason for optimism. Bringing in Brad Stevens is a great hire as he has had an outstanding record in his college coaching career. Giving him the chance to bring his coaching credentials to the NBA will be an excellent component of the puzzle. Rondo will also be returning in this 2013-2014 season, and he is without question a top-5 point guard in the NBA. And Jeff Green, who we know is a potential superstar who can shoot the lights out on any given night, is returning back to the Boston Celtics line-up. Certainly he is a great threat to any player that stands in his way.
Let’s concede that the Boston Celtics organization is rebuilding their team with young talent. Young talents, after all are inexperienced players trying to match with their more experienced counterparts. Mistakes will happen, and it is bound to be a somewhat bumpy road. It will take the Boston Celtics a little while to rebuild their organization into the franchise that it once was. Their chances of winning a title this year look blown, but things can happen during the regular season that can improve their organization and I’ve learned in sports to never say “never”.
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