NBA News: Boston Celtics Roster for the 2016 – 2017 Season; Can Free Agency Bring Back a Championship?

Boston Celtics Look to Make a Deeper Playoff Run in 2016

By Allen Marcon, CP Contributor Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Boston Celtics are one of the oldest teams in the NBA, and as such are one of the most decorated teams in the league's history. The team itself has won an NBA championship as lately as 2008 with a big three consisting of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

However it has been a few seasons since that big three has played their last game together and the Celtics have struggled to get out of the first round of the playoffs the past two seasons. But the current Celtic team is young and with the signing of free agent Al Horford, Boston looks to make another deep playoff run once again.

Isaiah Thomas (point guard)

Since picking up the young point guard from Phoenix late in the 2015 season, Thomas has been spectacular for the Celtics. In his first full season with the team, Thomas averaged 22.2 points per game along with 6.2 assists.

Thomas was also named to his first all-star game during the 2015-2016 season; if he can stay healthy it seems that the Celtics have found their point guard for the foreseeable future.

Avery Bradley (shooting guard)

Avery Bradley is one of Boston's home grown talent, being drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft. Bradley has been a good scorer for the team averaging 15.2 points per game last season.

However, it seems that Bradley is also a defensive specialist as well being named to the NBA First All-Defensive Team last season. Bradley's presence on the court is greatly missed when he is injured, which unfortunately he has been often in his career.

Bradley's hamstring injury was one of the main reasons the team lost their first round series against the Atlanta Hawks in last year's playoffs.

Jae Crowder (small forward)

Picked up in the Rajon Rondo deal from Dallas Jae Crowder has been an above average scorer for the Celtics. In his first full season with the team Crowder average 14.2 points per game.

Crowder is known for versatility and all around play style, he is one of the silent cornerstones of the Celtics frontcourt.

Kelly Olynyk (power forward)

To compensate the signing of Al Horford the Celtics will likely move Kelly Olynyk from Center to power forward allowing the team to play with two big men underneath the basket. The seven foot tall Olynyk has been a good defensive presence for the Celtics last season which led to Boston being one of the top rebounding teams in the league.

Olynyk will most likely also share time with Horford at center.

Al Horford (center)

The big free agency signing by the Celtics this season is signing Al Horford from Atlanta during the offseason. Horford brings in a veteran mentality to a young Celtics team that will be looking to him during clutch time.

Horford brings his scoring and rebounding skills to an already talented team. Many will look to him if the team does not play up to expectations.

With all the pieces in place it looks like the Celtics are just young enough and stacked with enough talent to make a deep run into the playoffs and perhaps in the near future a championship.