Will the Boston Celtics’ depth be a hidden treasure or a land mine for Brad Stevens? A. Sherrod Blakely, Jimmy Toscano and Kyle Draper discuss in the latest installment of Celtics Talk TV.
“[The depth] gives you the luxury of knowing whoever you put in understands you better play well, because if you don’t you’re going to be [on the bench] in a hot minute,” said Blakely. “It puts a greater premium on guys on the floor and being efficient at whatever they do well.”
Toscano added, “They’re not very top heavy, but they have a lot of depth in the sense that a lot of guys are kind of equal talent. Anytime you have healthy competition, whether it’s in camp or the beginning of the year, you can’t help but want to better yourself, whether it’s staying longer in the gym or putting up extra shots.”
But with a rising salary cap in 2016 that’s expected to reach nearly $90 million, and multiple pending free agents, will players be able to swallow their pride if they’re receiving limited minutes?
“If the team is winning, I think it’ll remain quiet,” Toscano said. “But if the Celtics come out of the gates a little slow, maybe they’re below .500 for a while, you might start to hear some whispers.”
The Celtics will play 25 games with less rest than their opponent, per ESPN, and travel the fifth-most miles over the duration of the season. With fatigue and injuries always a possibility, their depth could come in handy, especially with such a competitive group of players.
In the fight for playing time, Blakely says, “It’s going to be like ‘Celtics Island.' It’ll be the last man standing.”