2015-16 could be the first season in Celtics history without a team captain

The Boston Celtics have been without a team captain since the departure of Rajon Rondo in December 2014, making this possibly the first complete season in which the C's have no named leader on the court.

Over the summer we discussed here at CelticsLife if Boston should name Avery Bradley captain. He's the longest tenured Celtic, is the only player remaining from the last big three era, and has become a valuable part of the teams offense. But at this point... why even name a captain?

Currently the C's are sitting third in the Eastern Conference with a handful of guys who are leaders on the court, both on the starting squad and the bench unit. Also it seems very Brad Stevens-esque to have a captain-less team.

In an article in the Providence Journal, Scott Souza asked Stevens about naming a captain:

We don't have anybody who has been here for 10 or 12 years like a Paul Pierce was. It's important that we all lead by doing our jobs well first and foremost.

Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Evan Turner, and Avery Bradley can all be thought of as guys who are leaders on the court; any of those players can be looked to for a big shot or to fire up the team when needed. Each brings their own aspect as a leader to the team too: Isaiah is a spark plug who brings so much energy, and Crowder is the defensive beast who can start a rally with a big steal or by running the floor after a turnover. Turner is a shot-creator who has thrived in big situations, and Bradley is the veteran Celtic who tutors younger players off the court.

Right now, Thomas is vying for the role, and hopes to talk to some of the best captains in other sports including New England Patriot Tom Brady. Thomas, though, has only been with Boston for a little over a year. It would be unprecedented to name him captain. With that being said, it would also be unprecedented to go a season without a captain.

Topher Lane is on Twitter, @Topher_L. Photo cred: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images