On a different topic, I think I saw a statistic that the Celtics are winless against the 5? best teams in the NBA. I don't have the statistic, but I feel like they have also played pretty poorly against the cellar of the NBA as well (although there is a lot of parity so to speak after the top teams). If that's the case, it's interesting that they have somehow managed to do well against the mid-tier NBA teams for some reason.
It's almost like they are a mid tier team themselves. The C's really aren't in that great of a position going forward either. We have Tatum and Brown. Maybe TL. We can hope and pray on Romeo and Aaron.
A team like the Bulls have Carter, Lauri, LaVine, Williams and White. The Hawks have Hunter, Collins*, Young, Huerter, Reddish. The Hornets have Washington, Monk, Ball, Bridges.
It's never as bad as it looks though, because 1 player can swing everything. If TL evolves into a 30 minute 2 way player putting up 14/12/3/2/1, that moves the needle a bit. Romeo and/or Aaron turning into 25-30 minute rotational players would also do the trick.
They also have the TPE that is probably their best option to add the 3rd piece to the Jays. If that doesn't pan out, it should net at least a rotational player or two but it puts the C's in a terrible position. They'd have to either get very lucky in the draft or pray RN or AL make the leap.
Someone on this board yesterday said they could envision TL scoring 20 a night, or at least 20.0 per 36.. I'm guessing in a universe where TL scores 20 points a night that more than 1/3 of his FGs aren't dunks, that he's getting to the line 5-6 times a game, that he''d be racking up assists, and that some plays would be drawn for him. His range would have expanded some too. I'd guess he'd be putting up something like 20/12/4/2/1 shooting 60-65%. I don't see him ever scoring 20 points a night anyway, but especially not getting to the line 2.7 times per 36. Even at 70% FG%, he'd need 13 FGA a night. He's averaging 9.6 FGA/36 this season. At a 65% FG% and 6 FTA/G at 70% FT%, he'd need 12 FGA. All this assumes no 3s. Either way, it means he's a legit threat and 3rd scoring option. Add in great defense and he's a top 20 player. Arguably the best player on the C's. That would move the needle from H to F. That version of TL also gets paid a lot more than 4/40-4/60. Maybe the max. Add that to the Jays and they compete for the title year in, year out. May as well give TL a 3 point shot while we are it.
I like TL and think as soon as next year he'll be averaging something like 25.0 mpg, 10/10/2/2/1. I'd like the C's to lock him up soon for 4/48 or so. I see him more like Marcus Smart than Tatum or Brown though.
Long story short, the team's future outlook isn't nearly as bright as it was a few years ago and other teams have caught up/surpassed us in that regard. But it's the NBA. It only takes one player to change everything. Right now, the team is kind of in NBA no mans land. Not good enough to win a title without a lot of injury luck, not bad enough for the lottery. They've lost a lot of talent to FA over the years and very little to show for the last 3 drafts to date. TL is starting to look like a get but he's also in his 3rd season and has played a total of 1223 minutes in his career. For comparison sake: Semi played 1150 his rookie year. RL has less than 400 in more than 1 1/2 seasons, AN is at less than 300. Grant Williams played but from a box score stand point, he was invisible. The box score isn't everything but it does matter. I thought he was bad last year but a lot of people think he has regressed this season. PP has looked like good value too.