Gang Green - Boston Celtics

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2015/2016 Preview

2015/2016 Boston Celtics
#	NAME	POS	AGE	HT	WT	SALARY
4	Isaiah Thomas	G	26	5'9"	185	$6.91M
7	Jared Sullinger	F/C	23	6'9"	260	$2.27M
8	Jonas Jerebko	F	28	6'10"	231	$5M
11	Evan Turner	F/G	27	6'7"	220	$3.43M
12	Terry Rozier	G	21	6'2"	190	$1.82M
13	James Young	G/F	20	6'6"	213	$1.75M
21	R.J. Hunter	G	22	6'6"	185	$1.15M
36	Marcus Smart	G	21	6'4"	227	$3.43M
41	Kelly Olynyk	C/F	24	7'0"	238	$2.17M
42	David Lee	F	32	6'9"	240	$15.49M
44	Tyler Zeller	C	25	7'0"	250	$2.62M
55	Jordan Mickey	F	21	6'8"	235	$1.17M
90	Amir Johnson	F/C	28	6'9"	210	$12M
99	Jae Crowder	F	25	6'6"	235	$6.8M

The Boston Celtics enter the 2015/2016 NBA season looking to take the next step after securing a playoff berth last season only to be swept in the first round. Much has been made about the stockpile of assets GM Danny Ainge has to work with, with many hoping this will be the year we finally see some fireworks propelling the franchise back to contention.

Players like last years first round draft choices Marcus Smart and James Young will look to turn the corner and create a bigger impact this year. Smart is an interesting piece as we try to imagine how this roster shakes out. Last season he showed a lot of potential, especially as a perimeter defender, but struggled offensively and needs to improve his handle. If he can improve on his shooting from range he could be a huge spark off the bench impacting the game with his energy. Questions remain about the future of Jared Sullinger as he tries to fit into Stephen's system in a contract year, and many speculate he may be used as ammunition to fuel a trade at some point this season.

One of the new faces is Amir Johnson who projects to have an immediate impact and slot straight into the starting line up. Amir is not a player known for his counting stats, but the coaches are excited for what he brings to the table as an interior defender and rebounder as well as his ability to work well in the pick and roll with Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics are banking on Thomas to continue where he left off last season after acquiring him in a trade from Phoenix. Thomas averaged 19 PPG and changed the entire complexion of the team, providing a much needed go to scorer. Brad Stephen's has named Thomas the starter going into the season and many have doubts as to whether the 5'9" guard will be able to hold up on the defensive end against starters. Evan Turner is another interesting name as the 27 year old veteran looks to show he belongs on this team. He brings much needed flexibility in terms of length and the ability to handle the ball. He could help to take a lot of pressure off Marcus Smart and the second unit and can defend multiple positions, but he doesn't come without his own problems. His jumpshot is very inconsistent and he creates spacing issues, turnovers are also a concern.

In the first round of the 2015 draft the Celtics selected Terry Rozier, a guard out of Louiseville. This was a huge surprise as many did not have Rozier rated as a first round prospect, although there was not a large number of options available after failing to trade up and Danny Ainge has been quoted as saying "Rozier was the best player available". It is unknown how much we can expect to see Rozier play this season. Many fans are actually much more excited about the later selections of RJ Hunter and Jordan Mickey who look to possibly have a faster path to the floor. Hunter could provide much needed shooting on the perimeter and Mickey is an intriguing prospect with great length and athletic ability but still very raw.

Sources have told us that Brad Stephens is very excited heading into the opener, saying that they finally have a roster that can implement his "Pace and Space" philosophy while scrapping on the defensive end. This is a young and exciting roster that should compete for a playoff spot in the East, but no one is expecting them to contend for conference finals. The key to this season will be developing the youth while finding a way to best package their assets into a superstar whether that be through a trade or the draft.

[CruzingToVictory]

ISAIAH THOMAS COMES UP BIG IN CELTICS SEASON OPENER

Boston Celtics (1-0) at Philadelphia 76ers (0-1)
Oct 28, 2015 1 2 3 4 Final Boston 29 16 29 25 99 Philadelphia 16 20 24 30 90 Top Performers Boston Celtics I. Thomas 34 PTS 4 AST 6 REB 1 STL E. Turner 10 PTS 5 REB 6 AST 1 STL Philadelphia 76ers J. Okafor 18 PTS 6 REB 3 AST 2 BLK I. Smith 12 PTS 6 REB 6 AST	Team Stats Comparison BOS PHI FG Made-Att 38-81 30-76 3PT Made-Att 8-21 5-16 FT Made-Att 15-17 25-39 Rebounds 50 47 Assists 25 25 Turnovers 16 15 Steals 5 7 Blocks 8 7

The Celtics open the season on a high note behind the performance of Isaiah Thomas as his 31 points carry them to a road victory over the 76ers. Boston got off to a fast start leading to a 29 point first quarter paired up with suffocating defense. In the second quarter the 76ers began to make a push as Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder couldn't seem to find the bottom of the basket and Okafor started to assert himself down low proving a problem for both Sullinger and Olynyk, he would finish with 18 on 7-10 shooting. Philadelphia continued to pound the ball down low scoring nearly half their points in the paint and forcing multiple Celtics players into foul trouble but were unable to capitalize at the line. With a nine point lead Boston came out of the half firing, with Smart and Thomas both heating up from three. Smart would finish 3-8 from the field with all of his field goals coming from deep. Avery Bradley and Crowder looked lost throughout and were the only Celtics to finish with a negative +/-.

Isaiah Thomas was interviewed after the game and asked about how it felt to be named the starting PG for the season. "All my life I've been doubted and counted out because of my size and it motivated me to work harder, to be the first guy in the gym and the last one to leave. I was the last guy drafted in my class, then when I felt I could help my team I was traded.... twice. Now I'm part of an organization that believes me and I'm going to make sure I prove them right."

Brad Stephens on Isaiah and possible defensive limitations, "Obviously he's a guy that's got a lot of heart. Right now we aren't worried about that, we feel like Marcus and AB can really bring it on that side of the floor and always having one of those guys out on the perimeter allows Isaiah to gamble a little bit more. My concern was the damage we took on the inside and we'll have to get in the film room and get it fixed."

Boston will have a day off while they head to Toronto for what should be a good matchup with the Raptors on Friday.

[CruzingToVictory]

AROUND THE LEAGUE

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Stephen Curry leads the Warriors over Anthony Davis and the Pelicans GSW 132-NO 101
Stephen Curry 31PTS 8REB 8AST (5-17 3PT)
Clay Thompson 23PTS 4 AST
Draymond Green 11PTS 7REB 10AST 2STL 3BLK
Anthony Davis 36 PTS 14REB 2STL 2 BLK

Kyrie Irving too much for Chicago CLE 118-CHI 116
Kyrie Irving 36 PTS 8 AST 5 REB
Lebron James 21 PTS 9 AST 7 REB
Pau Gasol 22 PTS 13 REB
Jimmy Butler 21 PTS 2 STL

D'Angelo Russell shines in rookie showdown vs Karl Anthony Towns and Minnesota MIN 115-LAL 123
D'Angelo Russell 19 PTS 5 REB 7 AST 2 STL
Kobe Bryant 22 PTS 8 AST
Karl Anthony Towns 14 PTS 2 REB 6 TO
Andrew Wiggins 15PTS 5 REB

[CruzingToVictory]

KYLE LOWRY TOO MUCH FOR BOSTON AS THE CELTICS FALL IN TORONTO

Boston Celtics (1-1) at Toronto Raptors (2-0)
Oct 30, 2015 1 2 3 4 Final Boston 16 26 26 21 89 Toronto 35 25 26 23 109 Top Performers Boston Celtics I. Thomas 28 PTS 1 AST J. Sullinger 16 PTS 11 REB Toronto Raptors K. Lowry 26 PTS 6 AST 2 STL D. DeRozan 21 PTS 4 AST	Team Stats Comparison BOS TOR FG Made-Att 31-75 35-74 3PT Made-Att 7-23 6-18 FT Made-Att 20-25 33-42 Rebounds 43 47 Assists 22 19 Turnovers 17 12 Steals 8 6 Blocks 4 5

The Celtics came up short in Toronto on Friday night marking their first loss of the young season. Toronto came out and imposed their will early on and led throughout the entire game. Kyle Lowry proved to be a problem for Boston all night long on the defensive end, forcing Isaiah Thomas into six turnovers while only registering one assist. On offense the Raptors guard was able to chip in with 26 points, 11 coming from the free throw line as he willed his way into the paint time and time again. Thomas would finish with 26 PTS on 9-16 shooting, but the inability to get others involved would cost the team. Avery Bradley continues to struggle with his offense coming out of the gate shooting 2-8 while allowing Demar DeRozan to score an efficient 21 PTS on 11 shots. It's back to the drawing board for Brad Stephens as they prepare for a major test in their home opener against the San Antonio Spurs Sunday.

[CruzingToVictory]

CELTICS DROP HOME OPENER TO THE SPURS IN BLOWOUT FASHION

San Antonio Spurs (3-0) at Boston Celtics (1-2)
Nov 1, 2015 1 2 3 4 Final San Antonio 26 32 24 34 116 Boston 20 22 30 11 83 Top Performers San Antonio Spurs L. Aldridge 24 PTS 11 REB K. Leonard 16 PTS 7 REB Boston Celtics I. Thomas 19 PTS 6 REB 3 AST 3 STL E. Turner 7 PTS 6 AST 3 REB 4 STL	Team Stats Comparison SAS BOS FG Made-Att 47-89 28-81 3PT Made-Att 4-11 8-25 FT Made-Att 18-22 19-24 Rebounds 55 44 Assists 31 20 Turnovers 13 22 Steals 8 15 Blocks 6 2

Sunday the Boston Celtics got their shot at one of the few elite teams in the NBA currently, and it showed just how far this team has to go. Boston was held to a miserable 35% shooting while allowing San Antonio to go 53% on the other end. The Spurs newly acquired all star forward Lamarcus Aldridge posted a solid line leading the team in scoring with 24 PTS on 10-18 shooting and chipped in with 11 boards. Isaiah Thomas had a hard time getting it going and finished 7-24 from the field and 1-7 from three point range. The team will look to avoid dropping three straight as they prepare for Indiana in their next matchup of the season.

[CruzingToVictory]

SMART FINDS HIS STROKE AS BOSTON BOUNCES BACK IN INDIANA

Boston Celtics (2-2) at Indiana Pacers (2-3)
Nov 4, 2015 1 2 3 4 Final Boston 32 26 30 21 109 Indiana 16 22 27 27 92 Top Performers Boston Celtics I. Thomas 24 PTS 2 AST 2 STL M. Smart 20 PTS 6 AST 5-7 3PT Indiana Pacers P. George 24 PTS 13 REB 7 AST M. Ellis 21 PTS 4 STL	Team Stats Comparison BOS IND FG Made-Att 40-93 26-81 3PT Made-Att 13-41 5-24 FT Made-Att 16-22 35-42 Rebounds 55 58 Assists 26 18 Turnovers 14 19 Steals 4 12 Blocks 7 4

The Celtics got back to their winning ways defeating the Pacers 109-92 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The effort that seemed to be lacking against San Antonio definitely was on display tonight in Indiana, as Boston swarmed the perimeter and took their oppenents out of their gameplan early. After a miserable effort on the defensive end last time out Brad Stephens team held Indiana to 32% shooting and really broke the momentum of the Pacers offense. Any rhythm Paul George was able to build while he filled up the stat sheet was broken as Jae Crowder harassed the versatile guard every time he touched the ball. George would finish with 24-13-7 on 7-23 shooting as he continues to take his game to another level after recovering from his horrible injury with team USA.

Marcus Smart earned 27 minutes off the bench with a masterful effort on both ends of the floor. He would finish with 20 points and really got the three point shot falling hitting five of his seven attempts. As the rotations start to shape up and we get a picture of what this team really looks like there has to be some excitement for the way Smart and Turner have meshed when on the floor together. Turner's ability to start the offense and handle the ball allows Smart to do what he does best, harassing his matchup on the perimeter and denying the ball. If Smart can continue to knock down the three point shot it will go a long way towards convincing his critics he can be a real impact player in the NBA. It will be interesting to see how the rotations shape up as we move forwards in the season.

[Tekkonkinkreet]

Great read. I'm following. What do you use for the box score graphics?