Celtics '22'23 - Championship Expectations

[Gman]

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


But fuck eveyone else

Never change, Q.

 

[LogicMan]

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.

Pretty spot on

They can take a lot of hits and days off for some. Problem is as you say. No reliable big man meaning staying healthy

I always liked Vonleh. I hope he is hungry

 

[The Q]

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.

Pretty spot on

They can take a lot of hits and days off for some. Problem is as you say. No reliable big man meaning staying healthy

I always liked Vonleh. I hope he is hungry

This is why adding Blake was so key.

Gonna need to save Al’s legs, especially early on

Also brog should never play a b2b or even a short rest game to keep him healthy

Last time he was this much of a supplemental player he shot like 41% from 3 so I really like his fit here

Smart can switch out and guard the wings too so you can get really creative

 

[bksballer89]

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


But fuck eveyone else

Even me?

 

[The Q]

Even me?

I don’t recall if you were one of the tokenist assholes, so I guess you’re ok. Minus being a yankee fan (I am curious the story of how you got your fandoms, since they’re so spaced out and different)

 

[LogicMan]

This is why adding Blake was so key.

Gonna need to save Al’s legs, especially early on

Also brog should never play a b2b or even a short rest game to keep him healthy

Last time he was this much of a supplemental player he shot like 41% from 3 so I really like his fit here

Smart can switch out and guard the wings too so you can get really creative

They sure have a lot of flexibility

 

[The Q]

They sure have a lot of flexibility

They need it considering the age of the roster

 

[redseat]

Let's just hope they can remain healthly the entire season and do not let the off the court distractions get into their heads and screw things up

 

[The Q]

Let's just hope they can remain healthly the entire season and do not let the off the court distractions get into their heads and screw things up

They need to still improve their ball movement

Really curious if Tatum and brown just go back to being black holes again like they were the first half of the season

 

[redseat]

They need to still improve their ball movement

Really curious if Tatum and brown just go back to being black holes again like they were the first half of the season

How do they like the "iterm" coach now? It will all depend upon that if they become a black hole again

 

[The Q]

How do they like the "iterm" coach now? It will all depend upon that if they become a black hole again

They challenged udoka’s authority for like half a season

I’m not sure they can win without home court advantage again because Philly and mil both got better

 

[redseat]

They challenged udoka’s authority for like half a season

I’m not sure they can win without home court advantage again because Philly and mil both got better

Yeah they will certainly "challenge" anyones authority this year as well and it will backfire. Just shut up and play the damn game!

 

[Gman]

They challenged udoka’s authority for like half a season

I’m not sure they can win without home court advantage again because Philly and mil both got better

Boston got better, too.

Brogdon is a fantastic addition to this roster.

 

[The Q]

Boston got better, too.

Brogdon is a fantastic addition to this roster.

I’m hoping this whole crowder thing drags out and they can trade gallos contract and some 2s to somehow come away with crowder

 

[Gman]

I’m hoping this whole crowder thing drags out and they can trade gallos contract and some 2s to somehow come away with crowder

I just read this:

Report: Celtics aren't involved in Jae Crowder trade talks

Jae Crowder is still available for trade, but it doesn’t sound like the Boston Celtics have any interest in a reunion with the veteran forward right now.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Fencer]

Obligatory Celtic Crowder clip:

 

[Fencer]

Also:

How Jae Crowder's princess party brought the Boston Celtics closer

Jordan Mickey and Terry Rozier scored big points with their costumed appearance at a party for Jae Crowder's young daughter.

www.espn.com

 

[Gman]

 

[The Q]

Jackson too….

 

[Gman]

Jackson too….

Yep. I think Vonleh might actually get some real minutes, though.