Celtics '24'25 - REIGNING NBA CHAMPIONS

[Gman]

Well... they did it. Finally. (that's how it feels)

It has been a looong time since that monster Garnett/Pierce trade that was supposed to set up Boston for an era of success. Yet year after year, season after season, one of the most (if not the most) talented rosters in the NBA fell short.

Until last season. With the help of newcomers Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics stormed through both the regular season and the postseason on the way to Banner #18.

A dominant starting 5, gobs of versatility, very few weaknesses, and a total embrace of the 3 ball were the secrets to success.

Now the real challenge begins. Doing it over and over and over again. Making that "era of success" talk come true. In other words: creating a dynasty.

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

Strengths

• The Starting 5 - When healthy: the combination of talent, experience and versatility that Boston boasts at the top of their roster is formidable.
• Versatile Defense - We're in a time period of the NBA where seemingly the #1 offensive strategy, especially come playoff time, is dictating switches and going to work against an opponent's weak link(s). There is perhaps no better roster in the NBA at minimizing the damage of this strategy.
• Depth - Recently, it hasn't been the case that the Celtics entered a season with above average depth... but it sure seems that way this season. Horford, Pritchard, Hauser, Tillman, Kornet, Walker IV... these are all real, viable NBA role players.

Weaknesses

• Injury Concerns - It very well might be the case that the only thing which can stop these Celtics is a big injury or injuries.
• Reliance on the 3 Ball - We lived pretty well by the 3 ball last year... but as we all know: you live by the 3, and you die by it. Our '23'24 team had just enough balance (especially when we had a healthy Zinger) that it worked, but will it work again?
• Are We Satisfied? - A danger of winning the big one is that you get satisfied and lose the edge. It's yet to be seen if we have the drive to earn repeat(s).

First regular season game is October 22nd vs the new-model Knicks.

Let's do it one more time.

 

[Gman]

Unofficial Depth Chart:

PG (1) - Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, J.D. Davison, Jaden Springer

SG (2) - Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Lonnie Walker IV, Jaden Springer, Baylor Scheierman, Drew Peterson

SF (3) - Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, Lonnie Walker IV, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman

PF (4) - Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Jordan Walsh, Anton Watson

C (5) - Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta

 

[Gman]

Archive:

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

Celtics '20'21 -The Young and the Restless

Celtics '21'22 -The Jay's Team

Celtics '22'23 -Championship Expectations

Celtics '23'24 -Are We Topped Out?

 

[Gman]

@The Q
@BigKen
@Wamu
@LogicMan
@redseat
@redskinsfan1963

 

[The Q]

Unofficial Depth Chart:

PG (1) - Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, J.D. Davison, Jaden Springer

SG (2) - Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Payton Pritchard, Lonnie Walker IV, Jaden Springer, Baylor Scheierman, Drew Peterson

SF (3) - Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, Lonnie Walker IV, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman

PF (4) - Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Jordan Walsh, Anton Watson

C (5) - Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta

Wild in a league that done so much impossibly Stupid ducking bullshit that it’s become affirmative action for short people that the Celtics will have 5/14 of their roster be centers