NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics

price per head online The NBA preseason is in the books, and the Boston Celtics are ready to begin Year 2 of the Brad Stevens era. As you count down the final hours until tipoff, take a spin through our season preview to find out what to expect from this year’s Celtics squad.

The level of comfort with which Brad Stevens handles his responsibility as Celtics coach is higher, especially when compared with his first season.

As the Celtics enter their second season of the post-Big Three Era and Stevens cements himself as an NBA coach — not a college coach with an NBA job — the organization is becoming more of a reflection of him and his preparation.

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The Celtics are a roster of evenly talented players, but five of those players will see little action in Wednesday night’s opener against the Brooklyn Nets. Stevens will go with a 10-man rotation, having to massage a few egos and stress that however minutes are distributed, it will be for the good of the team, and that is not always an easy message to convey.

But Stevens’s honesty with his players has ensured that while every player won’t be happy, there won’t be the dissension there was early last season when Gerald Wallace expressed dissatisfaction with his bench role and Keith Bogans left the team because he was disgruntled with his minutes.

It took weeks for the team to trust Stevens’s methods, but the fact the Celtics played so hard throughout the season was a testament to the coach’s upfront approach. His style has drawn raves from fellow coaches, who believe Stevens officially has assumed control of the organization after nine years of Doc Rivers’s influence.

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The Nets advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, before falling to the Miami Heat. Despite the success, the team underwent several key changes in the offseason.

First-year head coach Jason Kidd attempted a power play for more control over personnel. He was turned down with prejudice and allowed to seek other employment, which he did, with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Paul Pierce was acquired before last season in one bid for an NBA title in Brooklyn. It didn't work and Pierce is now a member of the Washington Wizards, trying to get them over the hump.

Lionel Hollins was hired to replace Kidd and his most recent stint as a head coach was a successful one. He guided the Memphis Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago and will preach defense.

Joe Johnson remained overpriced, but effective. Last season he made the All- Star team. Brook Lopez should be ready for opening night after a second major foot injury last season and a setback earlier in the month. Kevin Garnett elected to play this season, his 20th, instead of retiring.

However, the most important piece might be point guard Deron Williams. The former All-Star was hampered by ankle injuries in recent campaigns, but declared himself ready for the season.

The Nets won three of four meetings last season with Boston.

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