Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics had a disappointing 2020/21 season in the NBA, experiencing a first-round elimination in the playoffs at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets.
It was a sliding doors moment for the franchise. Their trade with the Nets in 2013 to cast off Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce handed the Celtics the capital to select Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the draft and cap space to acquire potential superstars.
However, their bid to sign the supreme free agents on the market, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, eluded them over a seven-year spell. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, and Kemba Walker failed to deliver the NBA Championship that the city craved.
Boston Rebuild
Whereas the Nets were forced into a dramatic rebuild, Brooklyn has surpassed the Celtics as one of the top contenders for the Eastern Conference crown after signing Durant, Irving, and James Harden. The Nets’ defeat at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals was a disappointment, but there is optimism the franchise can bounce back and take the next step to the NBA Finals.
Boston’s defeat to the Nets prompted changes in the front office. Danny Ainge, who was heralded for his achievement of stocking up draft capital in his deal with the Nets, left the Celtics after 18 years with the franchise. He failed to secure a second NBA Championship during his tenure following their lone triumph in the 2008 campaign.
Brad Stevens was widely regarded as one of the finest coaches in the league, but his inability to drive the team over the line was deemed not good enough to remain on the sideline. Stevens was elevated into Ainge’s role in the front office, while the Celtics hired former San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Nets assistant Ime Udoka to become their new head coach.
Looking Ahead
In their 75th season, Boston are one of the most recognizable franchises in the NBA. No team has won more championships than the Celtics. Therefore, the team have a huge following across the globe, especially after the NBA has increased its reach to the borders of Asia, notably India, where it has a steady platform of coverage on television and streaming services.
As one of the storied franchises, the Celtics are particularly poignant. This is especially true for those with a betting interest, with many fans trawling through the basketball betting sites, such as 10cric and Betway, to reach the NBA Finals. There may be yet more fans wagering in support of their team as there could be hope if the newer players can carry the fortunes of the roster. Basketball fans who bet on their favorite player will receive bonuses; the site not only reviews the finest betting sites but also provides advice and information. After all, Brown and Tatum have been the All-Star caliber players that the Celtics required, selecting the duo with the third selections of the NBA Draft in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Brown has been the model of consistency and the heartbeat of the franchise after a slow start to his NBA career. Tatum displayed the raw potential in his early days and has become a dominant shooter, but still requires rounding to take his game to the level of the other superstars in the game. Make no mistake, Tatum and Brown are star talents, but they need to be on the level of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Durant to guide the Celtics towards the NBA Finals and to end their 14-year title drought.
Support
The problem for Boston has been the overall performance of the team. They have been plagued with misfortune such as Hayward’s devastating leg injury in his first game for the franchise. Who knows how effective he could have been having he remained healthy. It’s clear that Irving was not the player the Celtics needed to lead the team on the court. The point guard was inconsistent and a disruptive influence in the locker room. Walker was the perfect leader, but his knees could not stand up to the wear of driving the Celtics to success over the course of an 82-game season and the playoffs.
It was left to Tatum and Brown, but they were just not ready in the early years of their career. Now in their mid-twenties, both players have to take on the responsibility of leading the locker room and delivering outstanding performances on the court.
Boston have made solid additions in the off-season by acquiring Dennis Schroder and Josh Richardson along with securing the return of Horford and Enes Kanter. They will also be banking on the improvement of prospects such as Payton Pritchard, Romeo Langford, and Aaron Nesmith to ease the pressure on Brown and Tatum.
If it is forthcoming in the campaign, then the Celtics could be an under-the-radar team in the Eastern Conference. If not, then Boston fans will endure yet another season of disappointment.
