Thank you to Cassidy Lessner who helped contribute to this preview. Lessner is a senior athlete at Highview Christian Academy in Charleston, where she is a starter on the soccer, basketball, and softball teams.
THE OUTLOOK- The new look Boston Celtics begin their regular season against the team that ended their playoff run a year ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics went 53-29 in 2016-17, good enough for the Atlantic Division Title and a #1 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The new season begins on October 17th on the road at Quicken Loans Arena against those Cavaliers at 8 p.m.
The Celts pulled out a six game win over the Chicago Bulls in a first round series last season, before going the distance to beat the scrappy Washington Wizards in seven games in the second round. Boston bowed out to Cleveland in the Eastern Finals in five games, including a lopsided 135-102 loss at home in the clincher for the Cavs.
ADDITIONS/DEPARTURES/RETURNERS- Two of the biggest additions to the team in the offseason came when Boston acquired Gordon Hayward from Utah on July 14, and then superstar Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers on August 22. Hayward came to Boston via free agency, while the Celts sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the rights to the Brooklyn Nets 2018 first round draft pick in exchange for Irving.
Along with the loss of two impact players and fan favorites Thomas and Crowder who joined Lebron and Kevin Love in Cleveland, the Celtics also lost the likes of Avery Bradley (Detroit) , Kelly Olynyk (Miami), Amir Johnson (Philadelphia), and Jonas Jerebko (Utah).
The Celtics do return starting All-Star center Al Horford, guards Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart who provide depth on the bench, as well as second year phenom in forward Jaylen Brown. Also new to this years squad are veteran forward Marcus Morris, and centers Aron Baynes and Daniel Theis. Rookie forward Jayson Tatum from Duke University expects to contribute right away, even into a possible starting role.
BOTTOM LINE/SEASON PREDICTION- A look at the roster and the stats would tell you the Celtics have improved over last years team that won 53 games. A true “big three” with Irving, Hayward, and Horford would give Boston the expectation to contend in the East once again.
According to our guest analyst and contributor Cassidy Lessner, she sees the 2017-18 Celtics season going like this: “The Celtics could potentially have the best season they have had since they won the title in 2008. I think the Celtics will finish first in the Eastern conference and first in the Atlantic division with a record of 59-23. I think this will be the year, with the addition of players like Irving and Hayward, that the Celtics win the finals. In the East Finals, the Celtics will beat the Cavaliers in five games. My prediction is that in the NBA Finals they will beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games. The Celtics are possibly the most versatile team in the NBA this year, because not only are they have a great starting lineup, but they also have an outstanding bench. With the addition of Duke standout Tatum and the new and improved Smart that we have seen in preseason, this Celtics team has a great chance to be something very special”.
Thank you again to Lessner for her contribution and her prediction. Just like all Celtics fans we hope she is right and that banner 18 will be raised to the rafters soon. Certainly an exciting time to be a Celtics fan, lets hope they can live up to the expectations.
