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Following Loss, Celtics Season Still Promising

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Boston Celtics' Jason Terry (4) tries to block Miami Heat's Ray Allen (34) during the NBA basketball game in Miami, Oct. 30, 2012. (AP)
Boston Celtics' Jason Terry (4) tries to block Miami Heat's Ray Allen (34) during the NBA basketball game in Miami, Oct. 30, 2012. (AP)

The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in their season opener on Tuesday, 120-107, possibly setting the tone for the season.

Between former Boston shooting guard Ray Allen's trade to the defending NBA champion Miami, the Celtics' aging superstars, and the addition of eight players to Boston's roster, concerns about the future of the Celtics franchise remain.

Comcast SportsNet New England anchor and reporter Kyle Draper says Boston fans have nothing to worry about.

"When you look at the East, especially, there's Miami, the defending champion, and then Boston is right there," Draper told WBUR Morning Edition host Bob Oakes. "To me, they are clearly the number two team in the east right now."

According to Draper, much of the credit goes to former Celtics player and current executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge for his moves during the off-season.

"Last year ... they didn't have any depth at all. Now, Doc Rivers can go nine or ten deep," Draper said.

Like any major roster change, though, the new players are going to need some time mesh with the existing team.

Despite this, Draper believes the Celtics are contenders for the NBA finals, "but the road is going to be tough."

"Just think about it, the Celtics team of a season ago came within one win of advancing to the NBA finals and, comparing this year's team with that year's team, the Celtics have more depth and more talent," Draper said.

The Celtics tip off against the Bucks in their home opener on Friday, Nov. 2 at the TD Garden.

The online version of this interview was produced by Cole Chapman. 

This program aired on October 31, 2012.

Headshot of Bob Oakes

Bob Oakes Senior Correspondent
Bob Oakes was a senior correspondent in the WBUR newsroom, a role he took on in 2021 after nearly three decades hosting WBUR's Morning Edition.

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