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OKC Thunder vs. Boston Celtics, 2019-20 team preview

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder team previews: Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder team previews: Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Brad Stevens, OKC Thunder Award article (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics Strengths:

Coaching Consistency:

Constancy in the NBA is an asset whether it be on the roster or the coaching staff. In that regard, Stevens is in rarified territory. The triumvirate of Gregg Popovich (21-1), Rick Carlisle (7-4) and Erik Spoelstra (9-2) prove the constancy argument with a combined 37-7 record of playoff appearances in their 44 seasons and eight titles.

Just six other coaches including Stevens have been with the same team for more than four years. They include:

  • Terry Stotts: 7 seasons (6-1), one WCF, 325-249 record
  • Brett Brown: 6 seasons (2-4), 178-314 record
  • Doc Rivers: 6 seasons (6-0), 307-185 record
  • Stevens: 6 seasons (4-2), 270-222 record
  • Quin Snyder: 5 seasons (3-2), 227-183 record
  • Steve Kerr: 5 seasons 5-0 with 322-88

And while this second group hasn’t been quite as fortunate at amassing titles or reaching Conference Finals their overall record (1,629-1,241 ) speaks volumes. This includes the outlier of the Warriors three titles and five successive finals appearances although it’s offset by the 76ers four seasons of ‘the process”.

Defense:

With Stevens firmly entrenched as the main voice in Boston the one constant throughout his tenure has been the defense. The Celtics have ranked in the top tier of the league on that side of the floor in all but one of his six seasons.

Although roster constancy will help, at issue this season will be defending the pick and roll, the rim and scoring in the paint in particular. This becomes an even taller task without the services of Horford, Morris or Baynes. For that reason, this benefit could easily shift to a weakness. (see below)

Wing Depth:

Stevens has an abundance of wing depth at his disposal which is fortunate given his penchant for positionless basketball and players capable of defending multiple positions. As the league continues to adopt similar thinking this bodes well for the Celtics.

What could push the Celtics over the top is the trio of wings who all look to rebound from a season of regression. Hayward was only one year back from his horrific injury so the presumption is he should be closer to the player he was when Danny Ainge lured him to Boston. Likewise, if Taytum stops focusing on the mid-range Kobe ball and returns to the player who looked ready to ascend to superstardom in the 2018 postseason the Celtics could have two All-Stars in their midst.

Of the trio, Jaylen Brown may be the best positioned to take the biggest step on both sides of the floor. His minutes with the U.S. FIBA team offered hints this could be a breakout year for Brown.

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