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Gman
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These Boston Celtics have been a 'good team' for what seems like a looong time. They have a certain amount of star power. They are seemingly always towards the top of the Eastern Conference. They are seemingly always in the discussion as a possible Championship contender.
But things also always seem to end like they ended last season... with a Boston team that's seemingly less than the sum of their parts getting out-classed and out-competed when it matters most. Seeing Jimmy Butler put a lesser team on his back and just will it to victory against a better (on paper) Celtics squad in the ECF was.... incredibly frustrating (to say the least).
It's impossible to see last season as anything more than a disappointment. We have 2 veteran, star wings in the heart of their prime years... but the question ominously hanging over both of them and this team is...
... is this it? Good but not great? Stars but not superstars? Playoffs but no Championship?
Enter new hope in the form of Kristaps Porzingis. It took a major roster shake-up to bring in the Zinger (longtime core identity piece Marcus Smart was traded out), but everyone seemed to know that this team needed a new angle. I would characterize this as a moderate risk, moderate reward type move... if it works out, Porzingis might be the missing piece of the puzzle that finally puts a good team over the top... if, OTOH, injury woes strike... the Unicorn will amount to a pretty expensive folly and another lost opportunity.
Can the pair of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead a team to a Championship? That's (still) the biggest question of all.
Here are my annual strengths and weaknesses for the Boston Celtics:
Strengths
Let's F'n win it this year... now is the time.
But things also always seem to end like they ended last season... with a Boston team that's seemingly less than the sum of their parts getting out-classed and out-competed when it matters most. Seeing Jimmy Butler put a lesser team on his back and just will it to victory against a better (on paper) Celtics squad in the ECF was.... incredibly frustrating (to say the least).
It's impossible to see last season as anything more than a disappointment. We have 2 veteran, star wings in the heart of their prime years... but the question ominously hanging over both of them and this team is...
... is this it? Good but not great? Stars but not superstars? Playoffs but no Championship?
Enter new hope in the form of Kristaps Porzingis. It took a major roster shake-up to bring in the Zinger (longtime core identity piece Marcus Smart was traded out), but everyone seemed to know that this team needed a new angle. I would characterize this as a moderate risk, moderate reward type move... if it works out, Porzingis might be the missing piece of the puzzle that finally puts a good team over the top... if, OTOH, injury woes strike... the Unicorn will amount to a pretty expensive folly and another lost opportunity.
Can the pair of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead a team to a Championship? That's (still) the biggest question of all.
Here are my annual strengths and weaknesses for the Boston Celtics:
Strengths
- 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.
- Versatile Defense - Even after the exit of Marcus Smart, the C's boast a bevy of strong individual defenders (White, Brown, Tatum, RWIII) and a very switchable overall roster. Theoretically, this end of the court should be a strength of the team.
- Veteran Roster - The Celtics are no longer a young roster looking to overachieve. Rather, they're a veteran team that should be Championship or bust.
- Potential Injury Concerns - The C's have a lot of guys who are significant injury risks... Brogdon, Horford, RWIII, and Porzingis come immediately to mind.
- Pedestrian Depth - With Jaylen Brown securing his bag and the addition of Porzingis, Boston now has a ton of their cap $$$ concentrated at the top of their roster. This leaves less money left over to round out the roster... which could be huge concern if the potential injury concerns outlined above come to life.
- Coaching - I don't hate Joe Mazzulla or anything like, but we still don't know what we have in him. He has inherited a pretty strong team. Can he coach it to a Championship, though?
Let's F'n win it this year... now is the time.
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