The Boston Celtics are entering the 2015 season with increased hope that this is their year to be contenders. After ending last season on a positive note, the Celtics are confident they have talent to compete. The biggest x-factor for the unit could come at the point guard position as Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart continue to make their own cases to be the team's starter. Thomas insisted that he is not aiming to be the starter, but early praise could put him in the role.

According to head coach Brad Stevens, Thomas has been the biggest standout in training camp so far this season. The point guard served a Sixth Man role last year, but is playing so well that Stevens simply cannot ignore his ability to potentially start. The head coach praised the point guard's fitness entering camp and his ability to lead the offense.

"Isaiah is last on our team in field goal attempts through the four days of practice that we've statted, and has completely been unbelievable on offense, which tells you all he's doing for everybody else," Stevens said via the Boston Herald. "He's completely unselfish, making the right read in the right situation, and he's not forcing anything. He's played great point guard on offense the whole time."

Smart was drafted with the No.6 pick as the Celtics favored him as the future replacement of Rajon Rondo. Smart has certainly proved he can be successful as the starter as well, but Thomas' numbers are better than the second-year player. The two are showing plenty of intensity so far in training camp. Thomas made it clear that at the end of the day he simply wants to win whether that is off the bench or on the court to start the game.

"It's tough because I value myself as a starter," Thomas said, via Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee last November. "And in this organization they value me as a starter. But I've got to do what's best for this team and what's best as of right now is to come off the bench and be the sixth man and play my game when I do get in."

In the team's first preseason game, they opted to start Smart and Avery Bradley while having Thomas come off the bench. David Lee got the start at power forward as Jared Sullinger looked strong with 14 points. He has faced trade rumors most of the offseason and is quickly making his mark on the team. The injury to Perry Jones is letting Jae Crowder get the time at forward. The Celtics put up 124 points against Olimpia in their first preseason game which they would love to average the rest of the season.