Celtics '22'23 - Championship Expectations

[Gman]

Last season was a large success. The Celtics won the Eastern Conference Championship but fell short in NBA Finals to a title-tested Golden State squad.

The off-season started off phenomenally with the trade for Malcolm Brogdon in particular. If he can stay healthy, this is a giant addition. Not only is Brogdon a veteran who is in his prime years, but he can run an offense and fits in perfectly with Boston's switchable defense. Beyond Brogdon, the Celtics also signed sweet shooting big Danilo Gallinari.

But then things soured somewhat... Gallinari is lost for the season with a major injury, and head coach Ime Udoka ignited a sex scandal within the Boston organization that earned him a year suspension that will likely mean we'll never see him our sidelines again.

Still... this is a very strong, super-versatile roster that should have the mindset of 'Championship or Bust'.

Here are my annual strengths and weaknesses for the Boston Celtics:

Strengths

• Versatile, Tough Defense - Just like last year: we should have a top 5 defense, period. Our sheer quantity of versatile guards and wings who can guard multiple positions at a high level and switch on command are ideal for the modern NBA.
• Guard Play - The Celtics have an embarrassment of riches at the guard position... with Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard all having the ability to play the traditional 1 or 2 at a solid level.
• Two Allstar Quality Wings - The backbone of this team continues to be Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. By now, these two are established veterans who are squarely in the prime of their careers. Their all-around excellence and ability to take that final step will determine Boston's title hopes.

Weaknesses

• Big Depth - Robert Williams III has established himself as a high quality 5 with plus athleticism... but he has been plagued by injury in his young career, and is currently out for at least 2 months. Al Horford is another high quality piece, especially for a potential playoff run... but he is ancient by NBA standards. Behind them are a collection of odd pieces and scraps.
• Health Management - Boston has theoretical good depth in terms of versatility, but will need to manage minutes for a number of key guys during the regular season.
• Outside Shooting - The good news is that the Celtics have a great number of guys who can shoot it from distance. The bad news is that most of the roster is streaky and below average %-wise in this regard.
• Head Coaching Situation - I'm not overly worried about this, but it's an issue. In the end, players matter a lot more than coaches in the NBA... but this Ime scandal is noise that no team needs. Veteran leaders like Smart, Brown and Tatum need to fill any void.

First game is October 18th vs Embiid and Philly.

Let's have another great season.

 

[Gman]

@The Q
@BigKen
@Wamu
@redseat
@LogicMan

 

[Gman]

Unofficial Depth Chart:

PG (1) - Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard

SG (2) - Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard

SF (3) - Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Grant Williams, Marcus Smart, Sam Hauser

PF (4) - Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Grant Williams, Blake Griffin, Sam Hauser, Noah Vonleh

C (5) - Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Black Griffin, Grant Williams, Luke Kornet, Mfiondu Kabengele

 

[DJ Fieri]

#Coachingmatters

 

[The Q]

@The Q
@BigKen
@Wamu
@redseat
@LogicMan

I’m out when the forum is run by pro tokenism assholes

 

[fightinfunbags]

Who peed in Q’s Cheerios?

 

[bksballer89]

I’m out when the forum is run by pro tokenism assholes

Y'all got beef

 

[msgkings322]

Who peed in Q’s Cheerios?

Thanos

 

[msgkings322]

I’m out when the forum is run by pro tokenism assholes

Too bad. This forum is the only one where you make any sense.

 

[The Q]

Too bad. This forum is the only one where you make any sense.

Only for the willfully ignrorant

If you use a shred of common sense and
Logic it’s pretty easy

 

[msgkings322]

Only for the willfully ignrorant

If you use a shred of common sense and
Logic it’s pretty easy

Yes we know, this is part of your schtick. Your political takes are hilarious.

 

[The Q]

Yes we know, this is part of your schtick. Your political takes are hilarious.

It’s interesting that you find facts and reality “hilarious” but do you I guess

 

[msgkings322]

It’s interesting that you find facts and reality “hilarious” but do you I guess

Yes, facts. SO many facts from you.

 

[Gman]

Say it ain't so, @The Q !

Stick around and talk C's basketball. Do it for me. The Gipper.

 

[The Q]

Say it ain't so, @The Q !

Stick around and talk C's basketball. Do it for me. The Gipper.

Sixers Waive Trevelin Queen

10:19am: Queen has officially been waived, the Sixers announced in a press release. 9:59am: The Sixers are waiving Trevelin Queen, tweets …

www.hoopsrumors.com

Someone tell Brad to sign him

 

[Gman]

Sixers Waive Trevelin Queen

10:19am: Queen has officially been waived, the Sixers announced in a press release. 9:59am: The Sixers are waiving Trevelin Queen, tweets …

www.hoopsrumors.com

Someone tell Brad to sign him

What we need with a shooting guard?

 

[The Q]

What we need with a shooting guard?

…shooting

And more wing defenders

And then wait out the other cuts for more size.

 

[Gman]

…shooting. And more wing defenders.
And then wait out the other cuts for more size.

With the depth ahead of him, he'd be wasted here... I doubt even Queen would want to join the Celtics knowing he'd never see the floor.

 

[The Q]

With the depth ahead of him, he'd be wasted here... I doubt even Queen would want to join the Celtics knowing he'd never see the floor.

I get for sure

If they don’t add another legit 4 you’re gonna see Tatum playing most of his minutes at the 4 and brown at the 3 which could open up some time. But I get it.

I’ve just been a huge fan of his since the draft

Honestly I’d take d12 and no idea who they’d take for another stretch 4. Fitted was an intriguing option and Miami can offer way more pt at the 4

But they need someone just in case hauser is pre seaosn fools gold.

Hollinger actually mentioned trading Pritchard for more size due to the guard depth, and while that makes sense, I think you need gallo’s salary to make it work for a good fit, but if you get to that point, get crowder.

 

[The Q]

Say it ain't so, @The Q !

Stick around and talk C's basketball. Do it for me. The Gipper.

You are a good dude, so I have decided it is acceptable to play with you


But fuck eveyone else