NBA season preview: 5 big questions for the Boston Celtics

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 15: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Miami Heat during a preseason game at FTX Arena on October 15, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 01: Jayson Tatum #0 and head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Five of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 01, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. /

The Celtics want to get back on top of the Eastern Conference this season. To scale that mountain, Boston needs to answer these five big questions.

The Boston Celtics were widely considered to be a team on the ascendancy in the Eastern Conference just a few seasons ago. Now Boston has big questions to answer if they’re going to belong in the same tier as either Milwaukee or Brooklyn in the East this season.

That doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare in Beantown. The roster sports two of the best young wings in the game in the form of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The scarcity of talent on the wing around the NBA gives Boston a massive advantage over their competitors in the fact that they have two All-Stars at their disposal.

There are serious questions elsewhere on the roster. Boston has a lot of things to figure out before they can call themselves legitimate title contenders once again. The first big question they need to answer this season is on their sideline.

5. How will the Celtics coaching change alter things?

Brad Stevens’ decision to make the move upstairs to the front office will give Ime Udoka his first chance to be an NBA headman. He’s widely respected around the league but it’s impossible to know for certain how he’ll handle the pressure of being a first-time head coach.

Celtics fans shouldn’t expect a radical tactical departure from what Stevens gave them, but Udoka’s subtle tweaks will be crucial to the team’s hopes of taking a step forward this year. It’s a big issue to watch as the regular season unfolds.

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