The Boston Celtics aren’t expected to be a very successful basketball team this season this season. Some believe they won’t be a whole lot of fun to watch, either.
In fact, USA Today ranked the Celtics second-to-last in its 2014 NBA Watchability Rankings, ahead of only the Philadelphia 76ers.
“Coach Brad Stevens’ second year probably won’t feature too much improvement,” USA Today’s Adi Joseph writes. “The roster is largely the same, though healthy (Rajon) Rondo could be a boon if they don’t trade him quickly.”
The newspaper predicts a two-win bump up from last season’s 25-57 record.
So, yes, the Celtics might be bad. But unwatchable? We don’t think so.
The ongoing Rondo saga will be a constant storyline — maybe the only one that garners national attention — and the transition of Marcus Smart from controversial college stud to NBA point guard apprentice will be intriguing to follow, especially given the rave reviews Smart garnered over the summer.
And, perhaps most importantly, all the “tanking” talk should subside this season. There’s no Andrew Wiggins-level prospect awaiting in the 2015 NBA draft, so trying to lose 70 games just to nab the next can’t-miss player really isn’t an attractive option.
It might be a long season on Causeway Street. But it should at least be an entertaining one.
