When the Boston Celtics take the court on Wednesday night, they will do so with some lofty expectations.
In the eyes of many, it's championship or bust for the Celtics this season. Boston’s offseason additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, along with a retooled coaching staff, has them considered title favorites in the eyes of the bookmakers and by many executives around the league.
But is the season only a success for C’s if it ends with a championship? According to a poll put out by Jones & Mego with Arcand, many fans believe that to be the case.
During his weekly appearance on WEEI, former Boston Celtic and current analyst for Celtics broadcasts on NBC Sports Boston, Brian Scalabrine took the side of most fans.
“I’m in the 80%. It’s championship or bust,” Scalabrine told Jones and Mego with Arcand Scalabrine in reference to the poll. “Look what they did. They went out and got the guy in Jrue Holiday. He’s the perfect fit for this team, [he’s] exactly what they need. They are going to go way into the tax, that second apron. Where they’re at in their team, you have to be thinking we gotta win it all this year. The ownership group is making that commitment.”
With some new faces in the rotation, it’s understandable to believe it could take some time for the team to get acclimated to each other on the court However, Scalabrine doesn’t expect that to be an issue as the team kicks off their quest for Banner 18 on Wednesday night.
“There shouldn’t be a learning curve. It’s just basketball,” Scalabrine said. “They space the floor very well, they make all the right decisions, they’re very difficult to guard.”
One of the big questions entering the season is who will emerge as a leader for the new-look Celtics, a role Scalabrine would you like to see assumed by Boston’s two superstars – Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“Tatum and Brown are the guys. Those guys have to give the game what it needs,” the 11-year pro said. “There are good players, and then there are good players that are unbelievable leaders. The Kevin Garnett’s, the Jason Kidd’s, the Paul Pierce’s. Those guys give the game what the game needs… They are only focused on winning the game and moving on to the next day, and that is where Tatum and Brown should be at this point.”
With Brown signing a 5-year, $304 million supermax extension this offseason, and Tatum in line for a five-year, $318 million deal next offseason, the pressure is on the Jays to step up.
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