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Post by Don Caballero on Sept 26, 2017 12:26:29 GMT -5
Hard to believe that after being the #1 seed in the East, yes by default, that the C's totally revamped their lineup. Although it was rough to watch IMO that team really didnt have the talent to really compete for a championship. This one might not either but in the long run they will be better and closer to getting there. It will be interesting to see how this team gels and develops together as the season goes on. Maybe with some luck and fast development of the young guys they can be better than most of us think. A lot depends on contributions from Tatum and Brown but a slimmed down Smart could be the key to how good they are this year. They need one of Tatum, Brown or Smart to be good or really good. That's a smart bet. What worries me more about their ceiling is the big man rotation. Al is getting old and everyone else kind of sucks, they need a good big. I would love if Danny took a shot at Alex Len some point during the season, obviously if the price is low as it should be for a rental. While I don't think they need an elite big, they need someone better to just play stout out there. Baynes helps but I mean come on lol. |
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Post by texs31 on Sept 26, 2017 14:40:01 GMT -5
According to the NY Post, Knicks might consider trading a big with Hernangomez, Kanter, Noah and Quinn competing for minutes (and KP could get time as well).
Hernangomez is the likely starter and I NYK might have a tough time moving Kanter and Noah given their contract/contribution. I'd be up for O'Quinn.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 27, 2017 13:07:06 GMT -5
Hard to believe that after being the #1 seed in the East, yes by default, that the C's totally revamped their lineup. Although it was rough to watch IMO that team really didnt have the talent to really compete for a championship. This one might not either but in the long run they will be better and closer to getting there. It will be interesting to see how this team gels and develops together as the season goes on. Maybe with some luck and fast development of the young guys they can be better than most of us think. A lot depends on contributions from Tatum and Brown but a slimmed down Smart could be the key to how good they are this year. They need one of Tatum, Brown or Smart to be good or really good. That's a smart bet. What worries me more about their ceiling is the big man rotation. Al is getting old and everyone else kind of sucks, they need a good big. I would love if Danny took a shot at Alex Len some point during the season, obviously if the price is low as it should be for a rental. While I don't think they need an elite big, they need someone better to just play stout out there. Baynes helps but I mean come on lol. I like the chances that they will all be good to some degree. If one is really good that will put this team very close as long as the others gel. A big would be very nice and DA still has the assets to make it happen. This could be a very good team and a really good big could put them over the top. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Sept 27, 2017 16:00:50 GMT -5
So it seems Danny will not add a 15th player right now. Will see how team looks in training camp and go from there. At this point even the Gerald Greens and Thomas Robinsons are off the market. So a trade would seem like the only option to add a decent player. If no trade add a Vet like David Lee. At the very least you can use his contract to make a trade later in season.
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Post by texs31 on Sept 27, 2017 18:02:31 GMT -5
Obviously, we won't know what comes of Marcus Smart's offseason regimen for a while but I can't think of any other former player that I'd rather have him spend the offseason with than Chauncey Billups.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Sept 28, 2017 2:56:49 GMT -5
Obviously, we won't know what comes of Marcus Smart's offseason regimen for a while but I can't think of any other former player that I'd rather have him spend the offseason with than Chauncey Billups. Smart reportedly dropped 22 pounds in the off-season. That's a really great sign for the Celtics. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Sept 28, 2017 7:42:40 GMT -5
Hard to believe that after being the #1 seed in the East, yes by default, that the C's totally revamped their lineup. Although it was rough to watch IMO that team really didnt have the talent to really compete for a championship. This one might not either but in the long run they will be better and closer to getting there. It will be interesting to see how this team gels and develops together as the season goes on. Maybe with some luck and fast development of the young guys they can be better than most of us think. A lot depends on contributions from Tatum and Brown but a slimmed down Smart could be the key to how good they are this year. They need one of Tatum, Brown or Smart to be good or really good. That's a smart bet. What worries me more about their ceiling is the big man rotation. Al is getting old and everyone else kind of sucks, they need a good big. I would love if Danny took a shot at Alex Len some point during the season, obviously if the price is low as it should be for a rental. While I don't think they need an elite big, they need someone better to just play stout out there. Baynes helps but I mean come on lol. I don't disagree with anything here (except maybe Len), but I do think Baynes could really surprise people by fitting a strong role for the team. Theis is the major wild card. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Sept 28, 2017 13:11:01 GMT -5
Baynes is a good player in the Johnson mold. He can defend and is an ok rebounder.
I look at Theis as a Jerebko type player. A useful player, but not someone that will fix our biggest issue.
Without Zizic and his upside as a great rebounder, we don't have a big that can be a beast on the boards.
The wildcard for me is Yabu. If he can get in shape, he has good upside. Not sure he will ge a great rebounder though. He might be able to help fill the role KO had.
Tatum is the key. He can rebound at a high level,unlike Morris. Seems like the perfect small ball PF for us. Brown also needs to greatly improve his rebounding. He should be a beast, we saw some of that in summer league.
So we can certainly use another big that can defend centers. I think we are going to really miss KO. I also wouldn't mind a player that can score in the post. I would love Okafor. Stevens is the perfect coach to unlock his true potential. I also think he has upside to be a good rebounder. Len is another player that wouldn't be bad. Makes you wonder why Danny passed on Bell for Semi. Bell would have fixed our bigs issue and gave us everything we needed. A defensive big that can block shots, really rebound and is a very good passer.
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Post by jmei on Sept 28, 2017 16:10:20 GMT -5
Does the lottery reform proposal passed today by the NBA league of governors help or hurt the Celtics? New odds start coming into effect for the 2019 lottery, when Boston could have as many as three extra picks:
- LAC (top 14 protected in 2019 and 2020, then becomes a 2nd rounder)
- MEM (top 8 prospected in 2019, top 6 protected in 2020 and unprotected in 2021)
- If the 2018 Lakers pick does not fall between 2-5, the better of PHI/SAC (protected for #1)
Not really sure if this is better for the PHI/SAC pick odds-- it flattens out the curve, so if you think PHI/SAC are going to be really bad in 2018-19, probably hurts them, but if you think they might be more back-end lottery teams that year, it might help. Have not really thought through this fully yet. Would welcome links to more thorough analysis on this point.
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Post by texs31 on Sept 28, 2017 17:55:05 GMT -5
Brian Robb did a piece on this for BSJ (really like what they are doing btw). Short answer is that it probably helps them a bit unless Sacramento is one of the 3 worst teams next year.
Could help with Memphis pick if it pushes them into the protected area and pushes off the puck when the protection lowers.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Sept 29, 2017 0:38:54 GMT -5
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 29, 2017 6:26:11 GMT -5
Realizing that expectations should be tempered I am excited to see who will "hopefully" step up and be the big surprise this season. The C's are loaded with guys who have the potential to be good to very good. Yabu, Brown, Smart, Tatum and there are some others who could surprise like Theis and Ojeleye who was ACC POY last season. Sometimes it is the older rookies like Ojeleye who shine. I will look forward to watching him in Portland this year if the C's decide to put him in the G league.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 29, 2017 6:35:21 GMT -5
Sorry, not the ACC but the AAC.
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Post by texs31 on Sept 29, 2017 10:01:27 GMT -5
Doesn't go into place until 2019 so Brooklyn pick will be unaffected. EDIT: I guess it DOES impact the Brooklyn pick just not the one we ever had any claim to. |
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 3, 2017 4:03:31 GMT -5
Man, just watching the preseason highlights just gives me goosebumps. Even the Celtics roleplayers like Theis looked awesome.
I love the Sox and their future but the Celtics seem like they're here to stay for the next 5 years plus. What a great time to be a basketball fan in Boston.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 6, 2017 19:39:13 GMT -5
I've watched 5 mins of this game against Philly and I'm exhausted.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 7, 2017 7:01:24 GMT -5
I've watched 5 mins of this game against Philly and I'm exhausted. Whys that? |
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 7, 2017 7:04:19 GMT -5
I wasn't able to watch too much of the game but a couple things of note:
1. Kyrie and Horford are going to destroy people.
2. Kyrie is going to be awesome and Brad Stevens is going to be a big reason why he takes that next step. Kyrie shot over 46% on spot up 3s last year but the Cavs were too dumb to get him in a spot to take a lot of them. The Celtics aren't.
3. Jason Tatum is a good basketball player. Sure he's going to struggle at times and he's going to be inefficient early but man the kid can play.
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Post by Don Caballero on Oct 7, 2017 10:04:05 GMT -5
2. Kyrie is going to be awesome and Brad Stevens is going to be a big reason why he takes that next step. Kyrie shot over 46% on spot up 3s last year but the Cavs were too dumb to get him in a spot to take a lot of them. The Celtics aren't. Agreed and I think that people are really downlplaying this. Stevens is a much better coach than Lue and the Celtics run an offense that isn't entirely based on "get the mismatch" or "let Lebron bull rush everyone". Just like people are missing that Hayward was a much better defensive player than both Bradley and Crowder last season. If anything the Celtics had a way underrated offseason. |
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 8, 2017 5:51:01 GMT -5
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Post by texs31 on Oct 8, 2017 6:02:48 GMT -5
I've watched 5 mins of this game against Philly and I'm exhausted. Whys that? In a good way. It was a frantic pace. Smart diving on the floor (typical). Back and forth. Not perfect ball mind you but fun. |
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 8, 2017 6:24:50 GMT -5
Yeah I'm so glad Kyrie Irving was available. I'm surprised no one wanted to give up more then the Celtics gave up after that whole drama with the second round pick and failed physical with Thomas. He is the perfect point guard and the best player on the Celtics by far.
Watching him play basketball and dribble is like watching an artist paint a masterpiece.
This roster is so young and talented. They're the Houston Astros of basketball. Just an up and coming monster that should be here for years to come.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 8, 2017 11:15:24 GMT -5
Should Tatum start? I'm thinking maybe he should. Having him and Brown start next to Kyrie - Hayward - Horford would take a lot of pressure and attention off of them. They also fit well and it could be a really effective lineup. The other advantage is you put Morris and Smart on the second unit giving it more experience.
Smart - Rozier - Morris - Theis and Baynes could be a solid second unit. It lacks a go to scorer that Tatum could theoretically bring but I think that's a lot to put on him.
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Post by voiceofreason on Oct 9, 2017 10:25:30 GMT -5
Should Tatum start? I'm thinking maybe he should. Having him and Brown start next to Kyrie - Hayward - Horford would take a lot of pressure and attention off of them. They also fit well and it could be a really effective lineup. The other advantage is you put Morris and Smart on the second unit giving it more experience. Smart - Rozier - Morris - Theis and Baynes could be a solid second unit. It lacks a go to scorer that Tatum could theoretically bring but I think that's a lot to put on him. IMO the C's have to have Baynes start and hopefully play close to 30 minutes/gm. It will be very important for him to be a surprise in regards to being productive on both ends. He is the only true big that likes to bang inside, that is not Horfords game and he doesnt like having to do it. he would rather play PF. Baynes being productive and earning the minutes is one of the most important things for this team being successful as it will have a direct affect on Horfords play. From what I have seen so far I also think Theis could get 15+ minutes, he is still learning the NBA and the C's but I think his experience, size and physicality will get him some minutes. Sorry to say but one guy I was hopeful for who doesnt look ready is Yabu, looks like he will be down in Portland for at least a while. One way or another this team should have a very good bench when you consider how strong that group of 10 names above is. Should be fun to watch also as they have more athleticism than I can remember in the past. |
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 9, 2017 11:05:12 GMT -5
I liked what I've seen from Yabu in the one preseason game I saw. I don't if Semi Ojeleye is better then him at this present time though. If he is, then I could see Semi getting more minutes. That'll be a really good dynamic to watch. Which prospect the Celtics like between those 2 players and who gets more minutes between the 2 players.
As for the Tatum starting discussion, I think he'll come off the bench for most of the season. If he earns his way to start in the postseason and going forward, I could see that happening. It'll be interesting to see if Brad can put all three of Hayward, Brown, and Tatum on the floor together. Tatum would have to be the guy that guards the Power Forward position in this case, and I don't think he's strong enough to do it yet. They can probably do it on occasion and live with the defensive problems though. That unit could score at will, so many options to shoot there. I like Tatum off the bench for now. Give the second unit a go to guy to score in Tatum and isolate him and give him the ball. Smart and Tatum would be a awesome combo off the bench.
I see Theis getting a lot of time at the backup center position this year behind Baynes too. Just another thing I've seen in preseason that I wanted to add. Theis could of been the reason why the Celtics didn't go get another big man center to fill the last roster spot.
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