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The Boston Celtics drastically exceeded expectations final season, surging to the NBA Finals after floundering round .500 till January.
However as a result of they did not finish the season as champions, Marcus Smart has nonetheless hung out questioning why they fell brief to the Golden State Warriors in six video games.
Sensible’s reply: an absence of depth that positioned an excessive amount of of a burden on the starters to hold the group down the stretch and into the postseason.
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“I believe depth was one of many huge issues that damage us,” Sensible told The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. “You had me, Jayson (Tatum), Jaylen (Brown) and our starters taking part in, clawing (up the standings) and we did it to ourselves.”
Boston’s starters certainly carried a heavy load final season, with the bench contributing simply 28.5 factors per sport through the common season (twenty sixth within the NBA). Tatum, who ranked fourth within the NBA in complete minutes in 2021-22, appeared fatigued at instances through the Finals and likewise was battling a wrist damage.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made a concerted effort to bolster Boston’s depth this offseason by buying and selling for level guard Malcolm Brogdon and signing huge man Danilo Gallinari. Whereas Gallinari is anticipated to overlook most or the entire season due to a torn ACL, Sensible believes this new roster is better-equipped to run the marathon that’s the NBA season.
“We put ourselves in that scenario early on (final season), having to struggle again via accidents and stuff,” Sensible mentioned. “With the ability to have that depth of fellows who’re skilled and perceive the sport similar to Gallo and Brogdon positively will assist us with that.”
Gallinari’s damage will check the Celtics’ depth proper off the bat. The group appears unlikely to sign veteran free agent Carmelo Anthony and will see what it has in internal options like Sam Hauser or Mfiondu Kabengele. The Jap Convention additionally must be extra aggressive with Donovan Mitchell joining an upstart Cleveland Cavaliers squad.
The C’s had been a juggernaut after final season’s All-Star break, nonetheless, and if they will begin this season by taking part in the best way they did down the stretch, they’re going to be in nice form.
