Celtics: Vitor Faverani
Countdown to camp: Resetting depth chart
POINT GUARD: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jordan Crawford, Phil Pressey
Analysis: With Rondo expected to be sidelined for the start of the regular season, new coach Brad Stevens has hinted that Bradley is the early frontrunner to handle point guard responsibilities. The diminished on-ball pressure early in the season and Stevens desire to be a running, up-tempo team could alleviate concerns after Bradley struggled to quarterback the team at times during a Rondo-less postseason. Pressey, the undrafted free agent out of Missouri, is the only pure ball-handler on the roster beyond Rondo and will get a chance to show he's ready for the NBA level after a strong summer performance. With a logjam at the shooting guard spot, slick-passing Crawford can initially carve out a reserve ball-handling role if he shows he can throttle his shot attempts and be a pass-first guard.
SHOOTING GUARD: Courtney Lee, MarShon Brooks, Keith Bogans
Analysis: Stevens can get all sorts of creative at the 2 and noted we might even see Jeff Green play there at times early in the year. Lee and Bradley comprised the starting backcourt during some of Boston's most inspired ball last season, but Lee must show more consistency at both ends of the floor after an underwhelming first season in green. Brooks is an intriguing scoring option off the bench, while Bogans provides a steady veteran presence in a coach-on-the-floor role. When Rondo is healthy, Bradley is likely the starter here and makes this a crowded field. Crawford and Brooks must distinguish themselves from one another to carve out consistent playing time.
One highlight from the latest interview, which the site has roughly translated to English from a podcast, is from a question posed to Faverani about developing chemistry with point guard Rajon Rondo:
VF: Well, I have not had the opportunity to work with him because he is recovering from his knee injury. I had a first contact, not with the head coach [Brad Stevens] but with his top assistant, who is training me and was with Rondo this week. Every time they talk about Rondo [it] is amazing, spotting his pick-and-roll play. I love setting screens, you can ask my former teammates, because they stopped me last year because it was almost hurting them. So if he is the player I believe he is, we will get along very well. He loves sharing the ball and has incredible passing skills, and I love setting screens to free him, so that he can decide to finish with a shot or a pass. It is up to him.
There's a lot of good stuff in there about Faverani's new jersey number (38), his early workouts with Boston, and his transition to the United States. Hop HERE to read more on CelticsSpa.
Faverani ready to work like 'an animal'
Q: Boston is in full reconstruction after [trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and] you are part of those players called to create the new Celtics. What goals [have] you set yourself personally [for next] season?
Faverani: My goal personally is the same as I [had] in Murcia or Valencia, which is work, work and work. Prove to them that I... want to play and give me minutes to demonstrate what I'm doing there... I wish I could say that I will score 20 points and grab 10 rebounds, but right now it's impossible to know... So the main thing is work hard, work [like] "an animal" to see that I'm eager and able to play there.
Faverani also discusses talking with new coach Brad Stevens via phone and his decision to wear No. 38 (suggesting there's a tattoo involved). There's also a bunch of his basketball journey from Brazil to Spain to Boston and it ends with Faverani offering, "a hug for everyone."
PODCASTS
Play Podcast TBS' Dennis Eckersley previews Rays-Rangers and talks about one-game playoffs, the path to Fenway Park, the performance of the Red Sox and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton gives his takes on Dolphins-Saints, Vince Wilfork's injury, the Buccaneers' treatment of Josh Freeman, Geno Smith's struggles, the scrutiny of Matt Schaub and more.
Play Podcast "Spanning the Globe" features ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, ESPN LA 710's Mark Willard and ESPN New York 98.7 FM's Ryan Ruocco.
Play Podcast FOX's Brian Billick talks about Bears-Lions, Reggie Bush's performance, the Patriots' success despite injuries, how Mike McCoy has influenced Philip Rivers' development and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NFL analyst Trent Dilfer dishes on the Patriots' new-look offense, Chip Kelly's style of play, Geno Smith's potential, the criticism of Matt Schaub and more.
Play Podcast ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski weighs in on Peyton Manning's dominance, Tom Brady's performance during the Patriots' 4-0 start, Geno Smith's struggles, the criticism of Matt Schaub and more.
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rajon Rondo
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | J. Sullinger | 5.9 | ||||||||||
| Assists | R. Rondo | 11.1 | ||||||||||
| Steals | R. Rondo | 1.8 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | J. Green | 0.8 | ||||||||||







