Fansided

NBA Lottery 2016: 5 reasons Celtics deserve to win No. 1 pick

By John Buhler

WALTHAM, MA - JULY 5: New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (R) is introduced to the media as Team President Rich Gotham, Co-Owner Steve Pagliuca, and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge look on July 5, 2013 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Stevens was hired away from Butler University where he led the Bulldogs to two back to back national championship game appearances in 2010, and 2011. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA - JULY 5: New Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (R) is introduced to the media as Team President Rich Gotham, Co-Owner Steve Pagliuca, and President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge look on July 5, 2013 in Waltham, Massachusetts. Stevens was hired away from Butler University where he led the Bulldogs to two back to back national championship game appearances in 2010, and 2011. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Apr 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball against Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Improves star quality in the Eastern Conference

There isn’t a more storied franchise in the Eastern Conference and probably the NBA than the Celtics. While the East had arguably more depth than the West in 2015-16, the West still remains the conference with the most championship caliber teams and transcendent players.

The West has juggernauts like the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs. Even the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers were championship caliber this season. All four franchises have the marquee talent to win NBA Championships: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green with the Warriors; Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge with the Spurs, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with Oklahoma City; Blake Griffin and Chris Paul with the Clippers.

However in the other conference, the only transcendent talent resides on the shores of Lake Erie with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James. After James, who is the best player in the East: The Indiana Pacers’ Paul George? The Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry? The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade? It’s a tad lopsided to say the least when comparing star power in the East and West.

While it’s not a guarantee, the growing belief is that a transcendent star could be available with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Most draft experts envision that either the LSU Tigers’ Ben Simmons or the Duke Blue Devils’ Brandon Ingram will go first overall.

Should either Simmons or Ingram become that next great star in the league, if they go to the Celtics at No. 1, their expected growth wearing Celtic green could help the Eastern Conference improve its star quality when compared to the star-studded Western Conference.

Next: 4. Boston is really only a star player away.

Home/Boston Celtics