Boston Celtics Will Give Brooklyn Nets Problems
Winslow Townson-USA Today Sports
They’ve got a new coach in Lionel Hollins. They’ve lost Brook Lopez once again. They’ve got to adjust to life without Paul Pierce – the list goes on.
The Brooklyn Nets were well aware that they were facing quite a few challenges when they opened their 2014-15 season on the road against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. They just weren’t aware that this Atlantic division rival would also show up on the list and make it clear that they intend on staying there for quite some time.
After trading Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn during the 2013 draft and hiring former Butler coach Brad Stevens to take the reins for his first NBA gig, there was no doubt that the Celtics, 17 championship banners and all, were embarking on a rebuilding project. And after a remarkable display of dominating basketball against the Nets that resulted in a 121-105 victory on opening night for both squads, Boston does not appear to have a second consecutive 25-57 season in the making.
Granted, Brooklyn will need time to reach his expectations, but no coach ever imagines surrendering such an outpouring of points. The Celtics were downright relentless. When second year center Kelly Olynyk wasn’t controlling the paint with his team-high 19 points, veteran forward Jeff Green and guard Avery Bradley were combining for another 32 of their own.
Much of Boston’s success also was a result of Rajon Rondo (13 points, 12 assists), who many never dreamed would even be here by this point. It’s the visible growth of Rondo’s supporting cast that gave the Nets many unexpected problems, and those will continue as long as he can remain healthy.
Whether or not the Celtics are prepared to make the leap to a playoff team remains to be seen. In only year two of this process, the likelihood is that they simply strive to be in the mix as a contender throughout the season. But even if that’s the case, combine that with a team this young, athletic and talented led by one of the top point guards in the league, and that will be enough to give the Nets headaches every time they meet from here on out.
Mike B. Ruiz is a Brooklyn Nets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebruiz and “Like” him on Facebook.
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