What do the Boston Celtics need to do to make the NBA playoffs?

The load on Jeff Green:

Jeff Green will have his task cut out on the offensive end leading the Celtics till Rondo’s return

This was his first season with team after failing a physical with them the previous reason when he was diagnosed with aortic aneurysm. He took some time to find his groove and exploded out of the gates post the All-Star break. He averaged 17.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 2.7 assist while shooting 49.3% from the field.

His performance in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, got analysts across all channels agreeing that the coming season could be his breakthrough year with him being the centre of offense for the new look Celtics.

In the playoffs he averaged 20.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg with 2.3 apg while shooting 43.5% from the field. For a man measuring 6 foot 9, he impressed all with his shooting beyond the arc in the season with 3-point field goal percentage of 45.5%.

However impressive his game was, it is believed that his talent is capable of producing bigger number keeping in mind he averaged 43 minutes in 6 games of the playoffs against the Knicks. His play especially on the offensive end is crucial to the Celtics till Rondo makes his return.

Play on the court:

The number of turnovers the Celtics recorded in the post-season was highest amongst all teams: 17.3 and 13.9 for the regular season. They have to handle the orange better in order to reduce empty possessions.

Another point they need to focus on is their offense. Despite a ranking sixth in the league in shooting percentage, they average only 96.5 point per game ranking 18^th in the league under this category.

Another point Stevens would put focus on is their rebounding. Boston averaged 39.3 rebounds per game as a team. Those stats take them as high as 29^th in the league and an 8.1 offensive rebound average ranks them right at the bottom.

However, Stevens is known to focus on offensive rebounding with his team and this problem could be addressed during the course of the season.

Playoff hopes:

Looking at their roster, everybody would say there is no debate about the fact they are not going to make the Playoffs. In their best case scenario, I certainly beg to differ with that argument. If Rondo makes his return in December, we could see his pre-injury self by mid-January. Keeping in mind that the Celtics are not a total lost cause, even if they could muster up a sub .500 record of 39-43 they can set their eyes on the last playoff spot in the east just like the Milwaukee Bucks grabbed it this season.