Boston Celtics Need to Take These 5 Steps to Return to Glory
For the Boston Celtics, one of the so-called elite franchises in the NBA, a second-round appearance in the playoffs isn't good enough.
But when two members of your big three are 35 and you make a mid-season trade to give away your starting center, you should expect some trouble.
Here is a five-step plan that will help the Celtics return to glory.
No. 1: Sign a Big Man
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No. 1 Sign a big man.
After trading Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston showed they couldn’t stop anything down the middle.
This summer, several talented big men will be available, such as Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin.
The Celtics would do themselves good to pick up one of these stars.
No. 2: Make Use of the 2011 NBA Draft
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No. 2 Make use of the 2011 NBA Draft by selecting the 25th pick Ohio State guard, David Lighty, and the 55th pick University of Washington guard, Isaiah Thomas.
While Lighty hasn’t been projected as a first-round pick, Danny Ainge may want to go out on a limb and pick him a little early.
He is a talented player who can easily boost the team’s success.
Lighty is a good slashing guard who can pull up and shoot, just as well as he can play lock-down defense on the other side of the ball.
He could immediately earn a spot as a role player on the team and could rotate in and out with either Paul Pierce or Ray Allen.
No. 2: Make Use of the 2011 NBA Draft, Part 2
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No. 2 Make Use of the 2011 NBA Draft, Part 2
Thomas has been under-rated his whole career.
The five-foot-nine guard has had many big plays in the PAC-10, but he has yet to garner significant national recognition.
He has proven he can hit big shots when the pressure is on.
He is also an excellent passer.
The Celtics have failed to acquire a decent backup point guard who can not only manage the game when Rajon Rondo is on the bench, but actually take control.
Expect Thomas to be a better version of Russell Westbrook at the next level.
No. 3: Develop Rondo’s Jump Shot
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No. 3 Develop Rondo’s jump shot.
Rondo has slowly been evolving into one of the league’s premier point guards, but he has yet to show improvement as a shooter.
He has gotten better at distributing and driving the basketball, but his mid-range shot is terrible. And other players know this.
At any given moment, you can find defenders giving him space all the way down to the free throw line.
If Rondo wants to become an even bigger threat, he will come into the 2011-12 season with an effective jump shot.
No. 4: Acquire Solid Role Players
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No. 4 Acquire solid role players.
Anyone who remembers the Celtics’ championship run in 2008 remembers all the role players that made that team so great (i.e., Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Eddie House, and Leon Powe).
Davis is the only one who remains with the team and he has grown significantly. But he is the only player off the bench who’s made a significant contribution to the team this past season.
Jamal Crawford, Peja Stojakovic, and J.R. Smith are among the big names that will be available this summer.
No. 5: No More Late Season Moves
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No. 5 No more late season moves.
If Ainge continues to tamper with the team right before the playoffs, they will be looking at another early postseason exit.
