Post by DERRENMATTS on Mar 13, 2015 16:20:21 GMT -5
We started the season with Rajon and Jeff Green -- guys who didn't always show up with their "A" game night in night out. Since they've been shipped out, our overall team play, chemistry, and win-loss record, have seen marked improvements. Adding in hustle / energy guys like Jae "Chowdah" Crowder and Jonas Jerebko, and a playmaker like Isaiah Thomas, has helped to this effect. And leading the way are Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley -- our backcourt bulldogs.
The recent comments from Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas only strengthen this positive observation. Paraphrasing, they're saying that guys are playing hard for each other, and the experience is like that of college basketball (every man is hustling, no hero ball).
This team has taken on Coach Brad's personality, and they believe in what he's preaching.
Quite frankly, I think many fans, including those who are not Celtics fans, are buying into what Brad is doing also. What he's been able to do at Butler -- take a team of no-name players (non-NBA prospects, aside from Gordon Hayward) and compete for NCAA championships, against the big time college programs (Duke in 2010, UCONN in 2011) -- Brad is beginning to do in Boston. He's established this hard working culture in the lockerroom and on the court, and these non-star players he has have fully bought into it.
Whether we finish we a .500 record this year, or fall just a tad short of it, we have a lot to be optimistic about. Even without a legit All-Star and only a team full of hard working guys, we'll at least compete in most games.
If Ainge can do his part and bring in a few key stars, without messing up the young core too much, we may see a few more championship banners added to the crowded rafters.
The recent comments from Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas only strengthen this positive observation. Paraphrasing, they're saying that guys are playing hard for each other, and the experience is like that of college basketball (every man is hustling, no hero ball).
This team has taken on Coach Brad's personality, and they believe in what he's preaching.
Quite frankly, I think many fans, including those who are not Celtics fans, are buying into what Brad is doing also. What he's been able to do at Butler -- take a team of no-name players (non-NBA prospects, aside from Gordon Hayward) and compete for NCAA championships, against the big time college programs (Duke in 2010, UCONN in 2011) -- Brad is beginning to do in Boston. He's established this hard working culture in the lockerroom and on the court, and these non-star players he has have fully bought into it.
Whether we finish we a .500 record this year, or fall just a tad short of it, we have a lot to be optimistic about. Even without a legit All-Star and only a team full of hard working guys, we'll at least compete in most games.
If Ainge can do his part and bring in a few key stars, without messing up the young core too much, we may see a few more championship banners added to the crowded rafters.