Boston Celtics: How can the ‘Big Boys of East’ launch one last charge at NBA Glory? - Part 1
Boston Celtics are a formidable team – Period.
Admittedly on the decline for the last couple of years, the Celtics are still a very serious threat to the NBA World title next season and have consistently shown a knack of coming back just when everybody thinks they are out for the count.
The current core, the Big Three trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, are past their prime that much is clear. Kevin Garnett is not the mean, untiring machine he used to be, Paul Pierce isn’t the ferocious star who used to set defences on the back foot just by stepping on to the court and even Ray Allen is showing signs of rustiness.
However, there is a belief that the C’s can still launch a final assault at NBA title glory behind the storied trio of these stars next season. They signed Doc Rivers to a 5-year multimillion dollar contract extension this offseason and are more than focused on winning title number 19th.
But, there are a number of issues that the Celtics need to address, if they want to ride out into the sunset with their heads held aloft.
The first, obviously, concerns the Big Three. The health and performance of those three is the undoubted key to the Celtics. These three amount for most of the team’s offence and Kevin Garnett alone is the linchpin around which the defence operates.
All of them, as great as they are, no longer carry the team on their own anymore. Age has caught up with the trio, as was abundantly evident in the playoffs series against the Miami Heat last season. It took a herculean effort on the part of Garnett to pull out a win for the Celtics in game-3, but the legendary forward was depleted for the rest of the series.
The same could be said for Allen and Pierce as well.
If Boston are to be successful in their title quest come next season, the Big Three will have to be managed with the utmost care. Their minutes have to be reduced, especially in the regular season so they can perform to optimum levels, when the business end of the campaign arrives. And, to do so, some of the role players will have to step up.
Doc Rivers’ is the man who has to balance the rest of the Big Three with the priorities of the side and he also has to get his bench players integrated into the side. Players like Jeff Green and JaJuan Johnson have to be trusted, and on their part, the players have to stand up and be counted. Both players have considerable talent and could serve as understudies to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett next season. Johnson has a good inside game, coupled with his rebounding ability; the player can be a very valuable asset and provide the kind of impetus that the side will need when Garnett is on the bench.
Green on the other hand, is an exciting wingman who can take considerable offensive load off of the aging Paul Pierce. His athletic ability means he can be very useful on the breaks and given the fact that he is also an accomplished scorer, the Celts can prosper with him in the mix.
What he might be lacking currently is confidence, and that is where Doc Rivers has to come in and back the player to the hilt. Green is viewed as the long term replacement for Paul Pierce at the Celtics franchise. If he is thrust into the action more and more, next season, he could be ready to play a vital role come the playoffs.
Link for Part-2: http://www.senore.com/Boston-Celtics-How-can-the-Big-Boys-of-East-launch-one-last-charge-at-the-NBA-Glory-Part-2-a84544
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