of boston celtics Two wins away from winning the NBA Championship last season. After an eventful offseason, will this team have a great year or a disappointing year? Let’s break down this season’s preview by answering a few questions. Sho (Courtesy SBNation).
What is your team’s “best case scenario” this season?
The best case for the Celtics is always another banner hoisted in the rafters. If they can get as close to the title as they did in Boston last season and keep the same core players, that’s not just a goal, it’s an expected result. How they get there is a little more fun to think about.
At least a few of these scenarios could have occurred if this team were looking to make the most of their talent and experience.
- Jayson Tatum is in the top 3 of MVP voting (and could even win outright)
- Jaylen Brown is All-NBA
- Marcus Smart named Defensive Player of the Year (or top 3 in polls)
- Malcolm Brogdon is the 6th Man of the Year (or one of the most voted people).
- Robert Williams returns to full health and will stay fit through playoffs
- Al Horford continues to defy age, offering elite defense, playmaking and shooting.
- Sam Hauser Joins The NBA’s Best Shooter Debate
- Supporting players such as Derrick White, Grant Williams, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet continue to add to the game, providing valuable contributions in their respective roles.
- Interim coach Joe Mazzurra learns quickly on the job, relying on team continuity to overcome early-season learning curve issues. By the end of the year, he will have made his own mark on the team and is ready to lead this franchise for years to come.
After all, the only thing that matters is the title. If the team can block out the outside noise and come together as a team, they are more likely to achieve that goal, just like any other team in the league.
What is the ‘worst case’ scenario for your team this season?
I always hate this question. i’m a little impatient The answer is always “everybody gets hurt, lakers win the title. ’ However, assuming some reasonable state of health, we get a more nuanced answer.
The most obvious issue concerns the position of head coach. As a rookie head coach, Ime Ukai has given this team a winning identity of accountability, which has worked admirably last year. Can the Celtics expect him to catch two lightnings in the bottle, or will rookie (interim) head coach Joe Mazzura struggle to find the right combination?
With Robert Williams III not expected to return until near 2023, will the Celtics League’s leading defense lose its identity and effectiveness? It does not make you feel the fear of Small skewed lineups put pressure on guards and force some players to guard positions.
On the attacking side of the ball there is always the danger of bad habits sneaking back. Just look back a calendar year and you’ll find examples of stationary iso balls, lack of ball movement, predictable sets, and poor shot selection. And oh, so many sales figures. Attacks last as long as Tatum and Brown carry them, with Tatum in particular having a habit of starting slow.
Thankfully, I don’t think this scenario is all that realistic. It gives us…
What is the ‘most likely’ scenario for your team this season?
Starting with a best-case scenario and dialing it back in with some realism, a new head coach, a new sixth man (Brogdon), and a big man spot until Robert Williams returns to the treadwater.
Last year’s team ended the year scorching a good stretch of the earth following a lousy start. That didn’t seem sustainable over a full season and may have led to the team’s stars feeling exhausted by the end of the playoffs.
I pick the Celtics and have 53 wins, which is a two-game improvement from last season. I don’t think they have the wild swings from last season and should benefit from continuity in their core group of players. But the top of the East is as good as ever, and the team may not be under the pressure to win every game like it did last season.
What are you most excited about going into this season?
I can’t wait to see how Malcolm Brogdon joins the attack. should be able to lead What’s interesting is how he blends in and accentuates the stars when he’s on court with them. In last year’s final, this team had a very difficult time managing the ball and starting attacks. The Brogdon brings these elements together with excellent outdoor shooting. He should also be a positive defender who takes nothing away from the elite defense.
Predict a team’s win-loss record during the season
53-29
Predict your team’s meeting seed
Second – Bucks or Sixers After finishing the year with the best record in the conference, the Celtics need to contend for one of the top three seeds in the East.
Add Roster
Malcolm Brogdon, Danilo Gallinari (injured, likely out of season), JD Davison (2-way), Mfiondu Kabengele (2-way), Blake Griffin, Noah Bonley
roster loss
Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Nick Stauskas, Malik Fitz, Juwan Morgan
Last season’s team results
51-31
Last season’s conference rankings
2nd place
Last season’s offense and defense ratings (per basketball referee)
- Offensive Rank 6th (115.37)
- ERA 2nd (107.71)
- No. 1 net rating (7.66)
