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The Boston Celtics will enter the 2019-20 NBA season trying to figure how to get this right. Just two seasons and an injury removed from missing the NBA Finals, the team has done a major roster facelift. Gone is high-profile Kyrie Irving and replaced with ex-Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker. Even their top 10 defense took a hit with the departure of Al Horford.
Now the Celtics must deal with a title favorite in the Philadelphia 76ers and the new-look Brooklyn Nets and that's just in the Atlantic Division. If they can find chemistry, the Celtics could put on one heck of a show this coming season. The talent is there with Walker, Brown, and Tatum, but will they be exposed as an average rebounding and weak defensive team?
Here are 5 Bold Predictions for the Boston Celtics for the 2019-20 Season
Gordon Hayward Will Average 20 Points Per Game
Since coming to Boston, Gordon Hayward has not had the best of luck. In his first game, he broke his ankle, missed the entire season and watched as his team almost made the NBA Finals. In his second season, the once leader of the Utah Jazz had to listen to harsh criticism as his game declined. But was that due to issues within himself or with the team? Now that Irving and Horford are gone, Hayward should see more shot attempts which should boost his confidence.
Hayward can get to the basket off the dribble, hit the open perimeter shot, and is a pro at coming off screens. Those traits should work well in building chemistry with Walker. Hayward will enter the 2019-20 season with a chip on his shoulders to prove that his 2018-19 averages of 11.5 points were attributed to the way the dynamic of the Celtics were set up last year.
Celtics Will Rank Near The Bottom Of League In Defense
Last season, the Celtics finished the year ranked 8th in points allowed. This coming season, they will fall. It's not for a lack of effort, but not having the right personnel. For all his scoring and dribbling, Kyrie Irving was also a great defender. He knew the level of commitment it took on both ends of the court to get to that championship level. Kemba Walker is not there. Another thing to consider is the defense in which Al Horford provided. Enes Kanter is a defensive liability and the Celtics will pay dearly for the departure of both players.
While they can lean on the athleticism of Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Jayson Tatum, it's just not enough to offset the other weak links on the team. To beat the Celtics, teams will have to force the ball inside. This will be a dream scenario for Joel Embiid, DeAndre Jordan, and Marc Gasol. And those are just the teams in their division.
Celtics Will Finish As No. 4 seed for Playoffs
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The Eastern Conference is top-heavy. The Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites to win the Conference. The Celtics have the talent to challenge both teams but will the chemistry be an issue? Kemba Walker is a SG in a PGs body and he will need to learn to be a better facilitator if the Celtics are to leapfrog the Bucks, 76ers or Nets.
While that seems doable, they just don't have enough on the defensive end to challenge either team. The Toronto Raptors won't threaten the Celtics, so the 4th seed is theirs for the taking. The Knicks are nowhere near contending but the main dog fight will be between the Celtics and the Nets. Both teams appear equal, but the Nets have a little more in terms of experience. Plus, if Durant makes it back, it's not even close.
Enes Kanter Will Make All-Star Game
Brad Stevens loves to play his starting big man heavy minutes and this is the chance Enes Kanter has been waiting for. Over his career, Kanter has averaged more than 30 minutes just once. While under-used, he has managed to average 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. If Stevens elects to play Kanter 30+ minutes per game, an All-Star nod is not out of the question.
With the retooling the Celtics did over the summer, Kanter will see touches. Kemba Walker loved to dish it inside when he had Dwight Howard in Charlotte. With Kanter's size, he will be able to haul in extra attempts with his offensive rebounding. While not the best defender, he can put the ball in the basket with an array of moves. Kanter can easily reach averages of 20 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Danny Ainge will Make A Move At The Deadline
The Celtics were molded in the eyes of GM Danny Ainge. From trades to free-agent signings, Ainge has always kept his fingers on the pulse and ears to the phone. Ainge is looking a for that one deal that would put the Celtics over the top. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened. Ainge has made some good trades and some risky ones. If the Celtics start slow out the gate, by the time the trade deadline comes, someone will be on the move.
Jayson Tatum has been mentioned in trade rumors last season. He's a good young player but maybe he has hit his ceiling in Boston. If a team calls with a good package of a starting PF and draft picks, Ainge may be tempted to pull the trigger. His other option is begging someone to take Hayward off his hands. If Hayward struggles again, Ainge will have to admit his signing was a huge mistake. But the issue here is, who's willing to take on that large of a contract for a player who may have played his way from starter to reserve? Ainge wants to win and is always in search of a good deal. If the struggles continue, expect Ainge to be on the phone.
