The Boston Celtics have once again come up just short of the NBA Finals. They nearly completed the first 3-0 comeback in NBA history but fell flat on their face in Game 7 at home against the Miami Heat. Pat Riley continues to be the Celtics arch nemesis. Despite another disappointing ending to their season, the Celtics are still a top 3 team in the NBA entering next season. The Boston Celtics offseason has one goal - how can they get over the hump for banner number 18?
Frontcourt Issues
One of the primary areas the Celtics need to address is their frontcourt. While the team boasts talented guards and wings, they lack a dominant presence in the paint. Acquiring a skilled and physical big man should be a priority for the Celtics in the offseason, although I have a hard time seeing Brad Stevens make too many changes. Al Horford just celebrated his 37th birthday. His defense makes a huge impact for the Celtics but his offense fell off a cliff this postseason. Horford stretching the floor made the Celtics offense reach new levels, those times seem to be gone now. A strong inside presence would provide scoring opportunities, rebounding prowess, and enhanced defensive capabilities, which are all crucial to winning games. A hard pill for Celtics fans to swallow is whether Robert Williams will ever reach his full potential. Timelord's injury history and inconsistency (Mazzulla needs to give Williams more consistent minutes) have held up his development. In order to make a move for a prolific big man, I could see GM Brad Stevens potentially moving on from Malcolm Brogdon ($22 Million per year). Recently, Draymond Green said the Celtics need to acquire players who have championship experience, experience is crucial to team locker rooms. I think his take is correct, it is something the Celtics should consider. In the 2022 Finals versus the Warriors, the inexperience showed as not a single player on that Celtics roster had be to an NBA Finals.
Revamp Coaching Staff
Brad Stevens made it known in his closing press conference that Joe Mazzulla (also Jaylen Brown) aren't going anywhere. The Celtics wasted no time adding to the coaching staff. Yesterday, the Celtics hired Sam Cassell to be an Assistant Coach under Mazzulla. Stephen Silas was another candidate but signed a deal with the Pistons this morning to be an Assistant under Monty Williams. Rumors have been swirling on Twitter that the Celtics are rumored to want former player Rajon Rondo on the staff, which would be incredible. Phil Pressey has been seen around the Celtics facility last year giving off a sense that he could be in line for an assistant coaching job, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him hired.
Balancing the Offense & Defense
Many times the Celtics offense would stall, leading to a bad amount of isolations by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. As Charles Barkley has said, the Celtics rely too much on their talent to win games which has ultimately been true. Encouraging ball movement, player off-ball movement, and fostering a team-first mindset will create opportunities for open shots and maximize the offensive potential of all players. Developing a cohesive offensive system that leverages the strengths of each player will be crucial in creating a more dynamic and unpredictable offense.
Defense wins championships, and the Celtics must prioritize their defensive efforts. Last season, they struggled with consistency on this end of the court. Establishing a defensive identity, emphasizing communication, and implementing effective schemes will be crucial for the team's success. The coaching staff should encourage a culture of accountability and ensure that every player buys into their defensive responsibilities. The Celtics seemed to have that under Ime Udoka but we all what happened with Udoka. With their young and athletic roster, the Celtics have the potential to become a formidable defensive force again.
Jays & the Supermax
Is Jaylen Brown worth the Supermax of 5 years & $295 Million? I am not too sure about that, approximately $300 million is quite a lot for a second option. I am fairly sure Brad Stevens and Wyc Grousbeck do not care about my opinion, and will indeed give Jaylen Brown the Supermax contract. Jayson Tatum on the other hand is eligible for a 5 year - $318 million Supermax contract extension. The Celtics can give Tatum all the money in the world, Tatum is the face of the Boston Celtics.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics have one of the most passionate fan bases in NBA history. Boston fans expect nothing less than greatness. 1 championship to show for in the last 37 years is pretty painful. I am confident the Celtics can position themselves for a successful season resulting in banner 18. Jaylen Brown will improve his decision-making and handles immensely in next year's postseason. Tatum is 25 years old and Jaylen Brown is 26 years old. They will get the job done at some point in their Supermax deal. With the right moves and an unwavering commitment to improvement, the Celtics can once again be NBA Champions.
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