The Architects

[Gman]

It's a dream a long time coming. And that dream was/is a wing heavy roster that emphasizes versatility, shooting and 'switch-ability' on defense. "Positionless Basketball", it was often called.

Every team strives for it in the modern NBA. And this is how it actually happened for one team:

Danny Ainge:

• 2013 - Traded aging Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the Nets for a bevy of draft picks
• 2016 - Drafted Jaylen Brown with the #3 pick (considered by many to be a reach at the time)
• 2017 -Traded back in the draft and drafted Jayson Tatum with another #3 pick

Brad Stevens:

• 2021 - Traded declining Kemba Walker for Al Horford
• 2022 - Traded trash, a 1st rounder and a pick swap for Derrick White
• 2023 - Traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis in complex deal
• 2023 - Traded Brogdon, RWII and picks for Jrue Holiday

The resulting roster is a triumph. Multiple offensive line-ups that are "5 out" featuring guys that can all shoot, drive and pass... and multiple defensive line-ups that can credibly switch everything. No real weaknesses.

And that's the magic "secret sauce" in the modern NBA that every team strives for. In today's game: seemingly every game plan of every team... (especially in the playoffs)... is to create mismatches and then exploit them. But you can't make a living doing that against these Celtics, nor can you cheat off any guys on the other end.

I suspect this '23'24 Celtics team will be somewhat undervalued in the pantheon of Championship teams... the story will be the relatively easy playoff path they faced, mainly due to opponent injuries. But it has to be remembered that the Celtics were not at full health either more often than not... so we were robbed of seeing their best version most of the time.

Anyways... kudos to these two... they deserve most of the credit:

 

[redskinsfan1963]

joe is the youngest coach to win a championship since bill russell in 68 with Boston.

 

[Gman]

joe is the youngest coach to win a championship since bill russell in 68 with Boston.

Tough to give a complete evaluation of Joe... an undeniable variable is that he was blessed with a team with gobs of talent and experience.

But I like Mazzulla. The players seem to genuinely like and respect him.

On a side note... Udoka gotta be kicking himself. Was fooling around with an exec's wife worth it?

 

[redskinsfan1963]

Tough to give a complete evaluation of Joe... an undeniable variable is that he was blessed with a team with gobs of talent and experience.

But I like Mazzulla. The players seem to genuinely like and respect him.

On a side note... Udoka gotta be kicking himself. Was fooling around with an exec's wife worth it?

and being exiled to Houston.smart is pissed too I bet.

 

[Mebert]

Tough to give a complete evaluation of Joe... an undeniable variable is that he was blessed with a team with gobs of talent and experience.

But I like Mazzulla. The players seem to genuinely like and respect him.

On a side note... Udoka gotta be kicking himself. Was fooling around with an exec's wife worth it?

It is tough to give an evaluation, but to his credit he went from a clear liability to at the very least a solid coach.

He was clearly outmatched at first.

 

[Gman]

It is tough to give an evaluation, but to his credit he went from a clear liability to at the very least a solid coach.

He was clearly outmatched at first.

It's tough to tell in the NBA. And there are different types of coaches, too... one can be "good" or "great" and have different strengths.

Phil Jackson was great at managing personalities... Erik Spoelstra is great at making adjustments and maximizing talent... both are great coaches.

We gonna need more time to really evaluate Joe... but I agree that he does seem perfectly competent, and he does seem to be able to relate to players and earn their respect (not an easy task).

 

[DJ Fieri]

They both deserve a lot of credit.

Especially, Stevens. Trading Smart was a risky move. That guy is a dog on the court and somebody who was viewed as the heart and soul of their defense.

But, it clearly paid off big time.

 

[The Q]

It's a dream a long time coming. And that dream was/is a wing heavy roster that emphasizes versatility, shooting and 'switch-ability' on defense. "Positionless Basketball", it was often called.

Every team strives for it in the modern NBA. And this is how it actually happened for one team:

Danny Ainge:

• 2013 - Traded aging Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in the Nets for a bevy of draft picks
• 2016 - Drafted Jaylen Brown with the #3 pick (considered by many to be a reach at the time)
• 2017 -Traded back in the draft and drafted Jayson Tatum with another #3 pick

Brad Stevens:

• 2021 - Traded declining Kemba Walker for Al Horford
• 2022 - Traded trash, a 1st rounder and a pick swap for Derrick White
• 2023 - Traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis in complex deal
• 2023 - Traded Brogdon, RWII and picks for Jrue Holiday

The resulting roster is a triumph. Multiple offensive line-ups that are "5 out" featuring guys that can all shoot, drive and pass... and multiple defensive line-ups that can credibly switch everything. No real weaknesses.

And that's the magic "secret sauce" in the modern NBA that every team strives for. In today's game: seemingly every game plan of every team... (especially in the playoffs)... is to create mismatches and then exploit them. But you can't make a living doing that against these Celtics, nor can you cheat off any guys on the other end.

I suspect this '23'24 Celtics team will be somewhat undervalued in the pantheon of Championship teams... the story will be the relatively easy playoff path they faced, mainly due to opponent injuries. But it has to be remembered that the Celtics were not at full health either more often than not... so we were robbed of seeing their best version most of the time.

Anyways... kudos to these two... they deserve most of the credit:

View attachment 365152

you have to be fair

It was Kemba and Alperin Segun for Horford.

Short term W.

Long term.....tbd.

But banners hang forever, so you take the short term W and figure it out later.

 

[Gman]

you have to be fair

It was Kemba and Alperin Segun for Horford.

Short term W.

Long term.....tbd.

But banners hang forever, so you take the short term W and figure it out later.

Segun looks like a good player.

But is he a core piece on a championship roster?

Meaning: can he play defense well enough that he's not a target, especially come playoff time?

 

[The Q]

Segun looks like a good player.

But is he a core piece on a championship roster?

Meaning: can he play defense well enough that he's not a target, especially come playoff time?

That’s why my post is structured the way it is….

 

[shopson67]

Segun looks like a good player.

But is he a core piece on a championship roster?

Meaning: can he play defense well enough that he's not a target, especially come playoff time?

How much longer do you think Horford can play at this level? Celtics will be limited as to how they add his replacement due to cap restraints. They are already over the 2nd apron for 2025/26 and pending a Porzingis extension will be over for 2026/27 and 2027/28 as well.

It's a future problem to be addressed, not an issue as of yet (but Horford is 38).

 

[Gman]

How much longer do you think Horford can play at this level? Celtics will be limited as to how they add his replacement due to cap restraints. They are already over the 2nd apron for 2025/26 and pending a Porzingis extension will be over for 2026/27 and 2027/28 as well.

It's a future problem to be addressed, not an issue as of yet (but Horford is 38).

I think this is Horford's last year... win (a Championship) or lose.

 

[Shanemansj13]

 

[broncosmitty]

Just learned the other day that George Raveling was a bodyguard for that MLK event. As a college kid.

He asked Dr. King for the written speech afterwards. And Dr. King gave it to him.