If there is one thing that the Boston Celtics already know, it is that they will need more than just Rajon Rondo to win games in the 2013-14 season. For the past three seasons, fans and betting experts have been predicting that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett would be leaving Boston to either retire or find new teams. But the two Celtics’ big men stayed to try and make one more run at a title. After the 2012-13 season, Garnett and Pierce left for Brooklyn, leaving a Boston team in shambles.
It wasn’t bad enough that the Celtics lost their two marquee players, but Boston also watched Doc Rivers leave for the bright lights of Hollywood and the Los Angeles Clippers. But there is still plenty to be hopeful for in Boston as the team has taken to building around its young and talented players, along with a few key veterans as well. The Boston rebuilding project has been going on all summer and there have been some very interesting moves made by what should be a desperate Boston team.
2013-14NBA Title Odds: 33/1
Notable Change #1: The hiring of Brad Stevens.
There were a million different ways that the Boston Celtics could have gone for a new head coach, but they decided to hire 36-year-old Brad Stevens. The move immediately drew praise from Phil Jackson who called Stevens “a composed leader.”
Stevens was a good move for a lot of reasons. He is stubborn when it comes to dealing with players, but he is also fair. He is young, which will help him to reach out to the young players that are coming into the franchise. His youth will also help him to grow and develop along with his players. Brad Stevens was a find choice as head coach for the Boston Celtics.
Notable Change #2: Not signing Rajon Rondo right away.
There is nothing wrong with Rajon Rondo and he is signed through the end of the 2014-15 season. But the Celtics are in a rebuilding phase with young players and an unhappy Rondo may be more distraction than he is worth. There are rumors that general manager Danny Ainge is trying to trade Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries. Those are the two veteran players that Boston received in the Pierce/Garnett trade to Brooklyn. It is smart for Boston to consider dumping its high-priced veteran talent to completely start over with rookies. It will clear the way for Stevens to build his own team and it will allow Boston to build a winner in much the same way Denver did.
Notable Change #3: Building Up Draft Picks.
Let’s face it, the Boston Celtics are going to be rebuilding with youth over the next few years and it is smart to hold onto their draft picks to get the best possible players. The Celtics also managed to pick up a couple of draft picks from Brooklyn as well, which will give Boston even more to work with over the next few seasons.
Click here to get a full list of NFL futures for the 2013-14 NBA season.
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