Grousbeck: Celtics 'Up To The Challenge' Against Cavaliers
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Celtics are back in the playoffs, and owner Wyc Grousbeck couldn't be happier for his team.
No one really knew what to expect from the Celtics at the beginning of the season, and the outlook changed significantly when stars Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green were traded away during the campaign. But Brad Stevens, in just his second year on the bench, got the most out of his players despite not having a star on the roster. Guys like Evan Turner, Jae Crowder and rookie Marcus Smart stepped up, and the offense got an instant spark with the deadline-day acquisition of Isaiah Thomas.
Boston has won 23 games since February 3, and now have a date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs after a one-year absence from the postseason. For Grousbeck, his expectations for the team shifted throughout the season, but he's glad they're back where they belong.
"I sort of thought in the middle of the year we were pretty flat, to be charitable about it. We traded away Rondo and Green, and it really looked like a new crew of guys and a young coach. We just didn't know what was going to happen," Grousbeck told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman on Wednesday. "Watching them the last couple of months, really catch fire and bring energy, play defense and share the ball, you have to give Brad credit. He changed my expectations through the year."
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While a meeting with the two-seeded Cavs, a title favorite, doesn't bode well for Boston, Grousbeck knows he'll see the same fire the Celtics showed every night during the regular season.
"I'm just glad to be in the first round," he said. "You can't feel good about a series with Cleveland; those guys are as talented as anyone in the league. I don't know anybody who can match up with Cleveland, so it's going to be tough for us. But we're up to the challenge.
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"I don't want to predict anything, I just want to predict we'll play hard," he said. "I can't wait, I love playoff games. Win or lose, it's where you are supposed to be this time of the year."
Grousbeck also talked about his favorite player (or players) to watch on a given night, and further dove into Boston's rebuild. Listen below: