2019-20 Boston Celtics Season

The Celtics were a bad team for about 1 or 2 years at the start of the 2010's decade (after Pierce and KG left predictably). They got porked out of Kevin Durant (which screwed up everything about this rebuild and was really frustrating).

Then they traded for Isaiah Thomas and it completely trashed the rebuild (because he was too good). They virtually stalled for about 2-3 years, while having zero ceiling at the time.

They completely remade the team and eventually drafted Brown and Tatum brilliantly (traded down to get Tatum). They have to wait until Brown and Tatum get to the mid 20's to get stronger and turn into better players. They traded for Kyrie. He didn't fit. They sign Hayward. He breaks his leg first ten minutes playing.

It's just been a extremely long and frustrating process. Meanwhile, the Lakers (the Celtic's biggest rival) who haven't also been relevant for a while (I'm sure LA fans are frustrated by this too), just get elite talent to fall in their laps and are closer to winning without having to really do anything but to smile and wait for players to want to go there.

I know there are fans who post here who have been watching this rebuild for about 2 years almost and just throw it fans faces like mine, but I've watched this entire rebuild from the start. I remember Smart's first year here. Just too long man. A decade is a long time for not being really too relevant. They had SO MANY unlucky breaks along the way too. I just pointed 10 of them out (exaggerating).

Yeah, I don't disagree with that. Isaiah Thomas was probably the most entertaining player the Celtics have had the last 10 years, winning games in the 4th quarter a ton. The rise of Tatum and Brown should be fun if it breaks right.

I was simply answering the question though. This rebuild has had a lot of speed bumps along the way and it's been longer than it needed to be.

Most teams think a rebuild ends when you make the playoffs and espically when you start winning playoff series. Have we not won a bunch of playoff series over the last 10 years?

Some how we are still in a rebuild what because we still have extra picks? We are still building, but I don't see how we are rebuilding.

The Lakers blew up a young team I really liked and ended up with an older LeBron and Davis. I'll take the Celtics approach and the fact we should be very good for the next decade. Davis could still leave next year, the long-term Outlook is rather bleak. LeBron has been super human, but everyone ages and he likely only has a few Superstar type seasons in him.

So I have zero issues and really enjoy watching this team. 2018 was the most enjoyable playoff series to watch and Tatum/Brown are just getting started. I love that we drafted them and I get to watch them grow. It's like watching Paul Pierce, yet we have two of him. Along with a ton of talent and a legit chance to win this year. That's as good as it gets in my book.

LOL

This team is so careless with the basketball lately, you’d think they were being coached by Steve Kerr.

Actually this is exactly what I was expecting from Kanter, he has a good history except for D which can improve. Perfect for 20-25 minutes with the 2nd unit as a go to guy in the paint and he always gets OReb. Seems like he is settling in to a groove that fit's a need.

I remember the days of the Bus in Pittsburgh and the Pats would always keep him under control while winning, the old take away what they are best at. I am hoping for the same this weekend with Henry and should be confident in the defensive ability to do so but for some reason I am not. That might be a good thing because most of the times I have doubted the Pats they have been victorious and proving me wrong.

For a good laugh go back and read the comments at the beginning of this thread. I would say we were all a bit giddy as they were looking like a possible undefeated team for a while, that seems like a long time ago.


edit. obviously this belongs in the Pats thread.

 That is Smart and he is the heart and soul of this team.

Did you here them say tonight that Kanter has more double doubles off the bench, 70, than any other player. Not sure if that was active or all time but either way I will take it and his D is much improved. Defense is contagious, not to mention the coach demands it, so all of these guys are playing with intensity on that end.

Could have been a bad loss but they pulled it out.

The wing depth and switchability on defense would take a massive hit with this trade. You just traded the two best 3/4 switch guys and your second best play maker for KAT. It’s a tough one. Tatum is 21, you may regret trading him for a long long time. KAT May be great but he needs other players to get him the ball. He doesn’t just create. He’s not an end of the game just go to work guy. Tatum could be and should be that guy and that’s hard to find.

That being said, I am a bit behind on where KAT is as a player. I’d need to know more about him. Especially; What’s his drive and motor like? Does he play great defense now?

 Kat is not known for his D, if he was a true 2 way player I might be ok with this but it is too much given who Kat has been. Jimmy Butler forced his way out of Minn because they lacked the level of intensity he wants to play with. Who has a better roster on paper Miami or Minn? 

If the C's made the ECF it would be the third time in 4 years with very different teams each time. The one year they didn't is when they had that "superstar", Kyrie. JS And we don't know yet what JT and JBs ceilings are going to be yet and as time goes on their ceilings seem to be rising, patients is a virtue.

edit. in fact Kanter is a + 1.47 while Kat is a league low for C at -3.19 on their real +/- defensive stat.

Yeah, the wing part is the biggest reason why you'd be hesitant to do this deal. I think you take the chance on his drive and personality and motor if you could do the deal.

It's a tough trade, but there's reasons for and against it.