Celtics '19'20 - Turning over a New Clover Leaf

[buckalis]

Good win for the Celtics, the question is, if this was a 7 game series, do they have enough fire power to win that series?

If it could happen, yes they would... I would even predict a 4-1 for the Celtics...

Reason is that before what you call "firepower", it is the tactics on the basketball court that matter...

The Lakers game is too predictable for any (good) coach with a (good) roster to beat and coach Stevens is one of the better coaches and does have a good team...
The Lakers are practically uncoached, the system is "Lebron handles the ball and either scores, or assists it to AD and he scores, or looks for an open shooter"... Defense is all relying on AD's (undeniable) ability to protect the rim (all learned when in N.O.)... For any good coach with a good roster, the Lakers (circus) tactics is the 1st "tactics" in which he becomes a master to answer upon...

The Question should therefore rather be "can it happen ?"

Personally, I would give the Celtics 10% chances to pass through the Bucks in order to reach and win the ECF and for the Lakers 15% chances to reach and win the WCF...

If the finals could be Bucks vs. Lakers, I would say that a sweep would be the most probable scenario for the Bucks to achieve... In fact Giannis recently said in an interview for a Greek site that he prefers the Lakers over any other team among the "contenders" in the West to be in the finals, after he was asked which team of the West would be the weaker for the Bucks to beat in the finals...

Giannis also said that the he expects the ECF to be a tougher nut for the Bucks to break this season, than the NBA finals... He counts the Heat as being 2nd to the Bucks in the East and then the Celtics...

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

In fact Giannis recently said in an interview for a Greek site that he prefers the Lakers over any other team among the "contenders" in the West to be in the finals, after he was asked which team of the West would be the weaker for the Bucks to beat in the finals...

Giannis also said that the he expects the ECF to be a tougher nut for the Bucks to break this season, than the NBA finals... He counts the Heat as being 2nd to the Bucks in the East and then the Celtics...

Link? Or are you full of shit again?

 

[Gman]

Yeah, it would be a great series. The Lakers biggest advantage over the C's is their size. The C's biggest advantage is on the wings.

Whichever team did the better job of asserting that advantage would take the series.

But, there's also the Lebron factor. We've seen him absolutely lose his damn mind in the finals.

He does that and the Lakers would be damn hard to beat.

The Lakers are an interesting team... in any given game and in any given series, they arguably have the best 2 players on the court. In the NBA, that's almost always enough to win a playoff series.

But the rest of the roster is flawed to say the least. Not without virtue all together, just flawed.

Anyway... this Lakers/Celtics talk is all academic... the Lakers deserve Finals talk, the Celtics don't at this point in the season... we'll see if the C's can get past the Bucks and 76ers of the world first.

 

[buckalis]

The Lakers are an interesting team... in any given game and in any given series, they arguably have the best 2 players on the court. In the NBA, that's almost always enough to win a playoff series.

But the rest of the roster is flawed to say the least. Not without virtue all together, just flawed.

Anyway... this Lakers/Celtics talk is all academic... the Lakers deserve Finals talk, the Celtics don't at this point in the season... we'll see if the C's can get past the Bucks and 76ers of the world first.

With Lebron being the coach and the captain and the playmaker and the GM of the Lakers, they are a sitting target for any decent coach who has a good enough roster to oppose the most predictable floor tactics in the universe...

Against the Lakers, all a coach has to do is to play a 17-18 Cavs video from the playoffs on the TV and he has all the info to set the team against today's Lakers he will ever need...

 

[flyerhawk]

Link? Or are you full of shit again?

He also said in the same interview that there is no way he would ever leave Milwaukee and that they are about to make a trade to get Kawhi Leonard for Sterling Brown. He would send you the link to the interview but it is in ancient Greek.

 

[LogicMan]

The Lakers are an interesting team... in any given game and in any given series, they arguably have the best 2 players on the court. In the NBA, that's almost always enough to win a playoff series.

But the rest of the roster is flawed to say the least. Not without virtue all together, just flawed.

Anyway... this Lakers/Celtics talk is all academic... the Lakers deserve Finals talk, the Celtics don't at this point in the season... we'll see if the C's can get past the Bucks and 76ers of the world first.

I am with you GMan. I need to see more

primarily consistency

 

[LogicMan]

Frank Vogel was brought in, largely to improve the Lakers defense. The Lakers are currently 7th after finishing something like 28th or 29th last year.

They managed to put together a decent roster despite waiting on Kawhi, but no one saw this roster having the best record in the West and 2nd best in the NBA at this point in the season.

Coaching has proven to be the least of the Lakers very few problems.

AD is 26. Kyle Kuzma is 24.

Those are a couple of nice pieces to build around and attract other top FA's with.

It was one game against a team that was playing at home and was desperate for a win (they had lost 3 in a row and 6 of their last 8).

As usual, you are a proven to be a deepshit moron.

trojan happy new year

btw I took nothing from the game

it’s was one game

 

[Gman]

Pretty good win for the short-handed Celtics last night @ Orlando. I know it was just the Magic... put the C's were without Tatum, Brown, Kanter and RWIII.

During their recent string of poor play, this is exactly the type of game that Boston would have lost.

The difference boils down to effort on the defensive end. When this Celtics team plays with focus and energy on defense, they legit look like one of the best teams in the NBA.

Dare I say it... I think this team is a legit championship contender as is. If healthy, of course.

Why? Because we're not just a team that is "tough" or "feisty" anymore... we're not just 'overachievers' when we play with energy.

Rather, look at the string of top-notch, versatile defenders that the C's boast:

• Marcus Smart
• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum (his defense has been a revelation this year)
• Grant Williams (yeah, I'm including him too)

There just aren't that many teams in the NBA that have that kind of quality and quantity of top defenders... Philly is the only one that comes immediately to my mind, maybe Toronto too. Additionally, the Celtics have a roster filled with good defenders behind the top guys... Theis, Wanamaker, Ojeleye, and Green can all play some D.

This Celtics team (at its best) can switch on D as well as any team in the NBA, and can get in the passing lanes and cause steals/disruption.

Combine the defense with the potential we have on offense when fully healthy (which hasn't been often this season)... and yeah: I'm saying it. A healthy Celtics team is a championship contender right now.

 

[buckalis]

Pretty good win for the short-handed Celtics last night @ Orlando. I know it was just the Magic... put the C's were without Tatum, Brown, Kanter and RWIII.

During their recent string of poor play, this is exactly the type of game that Boston would have lost.

The difference boils down to effort on the defensive end. When this Celtics team plays with focus and energy on defense, they legit look like one of the best teams in the NBA.

Dare I say it... I think this team is a legit championship contender as is. If healthy, of course.

Why? Because we're not just a team that is "tough" or "feisty" anymore... we're not just 'overachievers' when we play with energy.

Rather, look at the string of top-notch, versatile defenders that the C's boast:

• Marcus Smart
• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum (his defense has been a revelation this year)
• Grant Williams (yeah, I'm including him too)

There just aren't that many teams in the NBA that have that kind of quality and quantity of top defenders... Philly is the only one that comes immediately to my mind, maybe Toronto too. Additionally, the Celtics have a roster filled with good defenders behind the top guys... Theis, Wanamaker, Ojeleye, and Green can all play some D.

This Celtics team (at its best) can switch on D as well as any team in the NBA, and can get in the passing lanes and cause steals/disruption.

Combine the defense with the potential we have on offense when fully healthy (which hasn't been often this season)... and yeah: I'm saying it. A healthy Celtics team is a championship contender right now.

You are not yet up to the level required in order to seriously challenge the Bucks...

You do have lots of future potential though... but the Bucks and the Heat also have a bright future ahead of them following their present status...

It should be exciting to watch how the competition develops after this season in the East...

 

[Wamu]

Pretty good win for the short-handed Celtics last night @ Orlando. I know it was just the Magic... put the C's were without Tatum, Brown, Kanter and RWIII.

During their recent string of poor play, this is exactly the type of game that Boston would have lost.

The difference boils down to effort on the defensive end. When this Celtics team plays with focus and energy on defense, they legit look like one of the best teams in the NBA.

Dare I say it... I think this team is a legit championship contender as is. If healthy, of course.

Why? Because we're not just a team that is "tough" or "feisty" anymore... we're not just 'overachievers' when we play with energy.

Rather, look at the string of top-notch, versatile defenders that the C's boast:

• Marcus Smart
• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum (his defense has been a revelation this year)
• Grant Williams (yeah, I'm including him too)

There just aren't that many teams in the NBA that have that kind of quality and quantity of top defenders... Philly is the only one that comes immediately to my mind, maybe Toronto too. Additionally, the Celtics have a roster filled with good defenders behind the top guys... Theis, Wanamaker, Ojeleye, and Green can all play some D.

This Celtics team (at its best) can switch on D as well as any team in the NBA, and can get in the passing lanes and cause steals/disruption.

Combine the defense with the potential we have on offense when fully healthy (which hasn't been often this season)... and yeah: I'm saying it. A healthy Celtics team is a championship contender right now.

We should enjoy whatever success the Celtics have this year. Pretty sure Brown, Smart & Tatum will be playing in Milwaukee on team friendly contracts in the future.

 

[Wamu]

@Mecca

We need to start an official Lakers Haters club here on SportsHoopla.

 

[Gman]

You are not yet up to the level required in order to seriously challenge the Bucks...

Since you bring it up, the Bucks and Boston are 1-1 head to head this season.

In the game the Celtics lost, Jaylen Brown didn't play and the Celtics were on the second game of a back-to-back. The C's only lost by 5.

Those facts don't scream "not a serious challenge".

You do have lots of future potential though... but the Bucks and the Heat also have a bright future ahead of them following their present status...

It should be exciting to watch how the competition develops after this season in the East...

 

[buckalis]

Since you bring it up, the Bucks and Boston are 1-1 head to head this season.

In the game the Celtics lost, Jaylen Brown didn't play and the Celtics were on the second game of a back-to-back. The C's only lost by 5.

Those facts don't scream "not a serious challenge".

Exactly like the season before, the Bucks lost their 1st game against the Celtics this season too... (albeit by blowing up a huge lead they had for most of the game this season). It all ended up with coach Stevens confessing after the postseason match up, that "we lost to a better team"...

Both the C's and the Bucks had a very difficult off season in trying to preserve what they had and built upon it... The Bucks ended up being significantly better than the season before, the Celtics ended up overcoming most departures of key players and still being competitive but with the gap towards the Bucks widening a bit more...

I honestly hope it will decrease back because I love competition and can't see any of the West circuses being able to compete against the best of the East teams and the Cs certainly have built a culture and know-how into being contenders...

But for this season, being competitive against the Bucks can only be an overoptimistic approach a fan of a team (any team) may have...

 

[LogicMan]

Pretty good win for the short-handed Celtics last night @ Orlando. I know it was just the Magic... put the C's were without Tatum, Brown, Kanter and RWIII.

During their recent string of poor play, this is exactly the type of game that Boston would have lost.

The difference boils down to effort on the defensive end. When this Celtics team plays with focus and energy on defense, they legit look like one of the best teams in the NBA.

Dare I say it... I think this team is a legit championship contender as is. If healthy, of course.

Why? Because we're not just a team that is "tough" or "feisty" anymore... we're not just 'overachievers' when we play with energy.

Rather, look at the string of top-notch, versatile defenders that the C's boast:

• Marcus Smart
• Jaylen Brown
• Jayson Tatum (his defense has been a revelation this year)
• Grant Williams (yeah, I'm including him too)

There just aren't that many teams in the NBA that have that kind of quality and quantity of top defenders... Philly is the only one that comes immediately to my mind, maybe Toronto too. Additionally, the Celtics have a roster filled with good defenders behind the top guys... Theis, Wanamaker, Ojeleye, and Green can all play some D.

This Celtics team (at its best) can switch on D as well as any team in the NBA, and can get in the passing lanes and cause steals/disruption.

Combine the defense with the potential we have on offense when fully healthy (which hasn't been often this season)... and yeah: I'm saying it. A healthy Celtics team is a championship contender right now.

GMan what is Danny doing at the deadline

 

[bksballer89]

GMan what is Danny doing at the deadline

Acquiring Capela

 

[Gman]

GMan what is Danny doing at the deadline

What up, Logic!

First of all: I don't think the Celtics need to do anything... (aside from get and stay healthy). I think a healthy Boston team is a legitimate contender already.

That said, Capela is interesting... at the right price.

If the C's can get him for something like Kanter, a late 1st and maybe a Romeo Langford (who is a luxury on our wing-laden team)... that's something that should be considered.

Gotta get a medical checkout on Capela before pulling the trigger, of course.

 

[The Q]

What up, Logic!

First of all: I don't think the Celtics need to do anything... (aside from get and stay healthy). I think a healthy Boston team is a legitimate contender already.

That said, Capela is interesting... at the right price.

If the C's can get him for something like Kanter, a late 1st and maybe a Romeo Langford (who is a luxury on our wing-laden team)... that's something that should be considered.

Gotta get a medical checkout on Capela before pulling the trigger, of course.

I think they’re short and kind of stuck based on how top heavy their salaries are.

Using frenchy, Romeo, and some picks to land a shooter is the ideal move. But even then I’m not sure they have it. The missing piece they need is a superstar. they don’t have one to get in their cap situation.

 

[Gman]

The missing piece they need is a superstar...

Superstars are kinda a tough get, of course.

We'll see. Obviously, it would great to have a Giannis or AD on the trade block or on your team... but the Celtics have something interesting going on (when healthy):

4 guys (!) who on the next tier below superstar level... Kemba, Tatum, Jaylen and Hayward. That's a lot of quantity and quality. Tatum and Brown have really stepped up this year.

I think the C's mix can even potentially win out over a Milwaukee this season.... and a Lakers or Clippers after that.

Yeah.

 

[The Q]

Superstars are kinda a tough get, of course.

We'll see. Obviously, it would great to have a Giannis or AD on the trade block or on your team... but the Celtics have something interesting going on (when healthy):

4 guys (!) who on the next tier below superstar level... Kemba, Tatum, Jaylen and Hayward. That's a lot of quantity and quality. Tatum and Brown have really stepped up this year.

I think the C's mix can even potentially win out over a Milwaukee this season.... and a Lakers or Clippers after that.

Yeah.

they are not on that next tier below.

only kemba is.

 

[LogicMan]

What up, Logic!

First of all: I don't think the Celtics need to do anything... (aside from get and stay healthy). I think a healthy Boston team is a legitimate contender already.

That said, Capela is interesting... at the right price.

If the C's can get him for something like Kanter, a late 1st and maybe a Romeo Langford (who is a luxury on our wing-laden team)... that's something that should be considered.

Gotta get a medical checkout on Capela before pulling the trigger, of course.

The only move I see besides small bench stuff is a Big name for Hayward.

BTW, is Capela the missing piece? I don't have a good feeling.