NLL Insider - Team by Team: Boston Celticsby vt, updated on Friday, October 02 2015, 04:21 pm EST 2014-15 Finish: 61-21Season HighlightIn Week 3, on December 16th, the Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks in their newly acquired star's best game of the season with his new team. He dropped 44 points in that win, to go along with 11 boards and 4 assists. From that date through Week 12 of the NLL season the Boston Celtics went on a 38-4 tear, including a spectacular 30 game win streak. They were unstoppable and looked like the unquestioned favorites to win the NLL title. Pau Gasol was dominant, OJ Mayo was playing his best beasketball since his rookie campaign, Vucevic was averaging a double-double, and even Lance was playing well as he held down the PG positon for the team. Then, tragedy struck... Season Lowlight
Best TradeThe Celtics did not need to make too many big moves in the way of trade last season as they used free agency to bolster their roster. However, the one big deal they did make was a great one for their team. While they did give up good value, the team got better in the process. The Celtics were able to exchange an aging center in Samuel Dalembert, an average stretch four (Thaddeus Young), and a good point guard (Ricky Rubio) for an elite rebounder in Nikola Vucevic. Not only is Vucevic a great rebounder but he is young and improving steadily in each season he plays in the NLL, much unlike any of the talent the Celtics traded away to get him. And if all that wasn't enough, Vucevic is set to sign one of the most cap-friendly deals in the NLL. A stud at a bargain is one of the most valuable assets you can attain in this league, and the Celtics got one of the few here. Worst TradeThere weren't too many other trades and not many one would consider "bad," but I suppose this one was the "worst." Trading away six GM points for a guy who will never play for you is definitely not a good move. At the time the risk was worth the price of acquiring Kirlienko, but now that the season is over (and hindsight being 20/20) many can point to this deal and say with absolute certainty that it was the worst trade made by jmac and the Celtics this past year. Other Notable TradesThe Celtics officially decided to call their Lance Stephenson experiment quits after just one year with this deal. Consummated just this past offseason, right after the draft, neither player has had the opportunity to suit up for their new teams yet and so we cannot yet evaluate how well each team did in this deal. But everyone loves a little speculation, right? Jefferson is a big-time offensive player, but is now on a team now loaded with talented big men. Do the Celtics need another big? Or even another scorer? While Jefferson has the ability to score upwards of 20 PPG there is no way he can reach that potential playing beside Pau Gasol and Nikola Vucevic as his playing time will most certainly be limited. Playing alongside one of the best scoring wings in the game will not help either, as his socring opportunities will be limited even when he is in the game. Will Jefferson really have an impact on this squad? Stephenson, though, was considered a bust by many this past year. Grabbing a talent like Jefferson for a player the league has proclaimed a "bust" must be a win, right? We shall see! Best Free Agent Signing
Worst Free Agent Signing
The Star
Surprise
The Goat
Draft Report CardThe Celts sent their only draft pick (Tyus Jones, 24th Overall) to the Brooklyn Nets to tie up all the loose ends on the P.J. Tucker made trade earlier in the year. As of today the Celtics will have no rookies coming into camp this year. For a team looking to win it all this season (which they should be!) this does not seem to be a big issue. Looking to the FutureIt's championship or bust this year for the Celtics! Pau Gasol will return and there is little doubt he will continue to produce like he did this past year. O.J. Mayo will also return and bring some additional scoring punch, just like he did last season. Al Jefferson will come in to provide another body and even more scoring. A year of improvement from K.J. McDaniels could go a long way as well. Although he may not be called upon as often as last year, it will be nice to know the kid can step in and provide even more when he does get his chance. Vucevic will also come back, and should see some slight improvement as well. His rebounding ability alone will help shore up the rare misses their talented offensive players put up. But there are two players whose fates I believe will be pivotal next year. One of them you all may know and his health alone will ensure success for the Celtics. But Boston also acquired a point guard as well. Playing much of last year without a real one, Mario Chalmers will have a chance to really make a difference for this team. Many may remember that Chalmers teamed up with another current Boston player when they both played in Toronto and were able to win a championship while there. Let's see if they can win another together in Boston! |
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