Celtics 2019-2020 depth chart and roster

[mcpickl]

That’s puts us pretty close. I hope G W is good enough to play the type of minutes you expect

I honestly don't know if he is. The just need another guy that can play basically bigger than a wing, and smaller than a center.

He's pretty much all they got. (I consider Semi just a muscle bound wing, all the other bigs as centers only)

My hope is he can just play as a glue guy, not do anything spectacular and not make any huge mistakes.

I wish they had one more veteran guy to do that, but I think it's his job for now. Give him the chance to earn it and if he can't, try to find someone in the trade/buyout market later.

They shouldn't have to worry too much about getting a decent playoff spot, they can afford to see if he's ready to help right away.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

My guess is these nine play every night

Kemba 33
Tatum 33
Hayward 32
Brown 31
Smart 30
Theis 22
Kanter 20
GWill 18
Edwards 15(basically every minute Kemba isn't in, never with him)

That leaves about 6 minutes for one of Poirier/Williams to grab as the 4th big, or a smaller guy like Semi/Wanamaker if they play crazy small depending on matchups

There's always considerably more minutes to go around because every night means 75 games, not 82 and because injuries.

 

[NomarsFool]

I hope they play a shorter rotation, but it hasn't appeared to be Stevens' way of doing things. Especially since it appears that he values Wannamaker and Semi more than the fans. Those two seemed to be consistently off the bench early in the pre-season, but of course that is the pre-season.

Opening night against Philly will be an incredibly interesting challenge as they've got to be one of if not the biggest team in the league, and very different from the teams the Celtics played in the pre-season. I think we'll see a lot of Semi and the other bigs, and less of our smaller guys. But, then again, maybe Stevens will utilize the Celtics mismatches and drive Philly crazy trying to chase Walker and Edwards around the court.

 

[RedOctober3829]

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/gordon-hayward-boston-celtics

 

[lovegtm]

Predictions for tonight?

I'm going to say Philly blows us out with stifling defense, but that the Celtics have figured out a lot of things when the teams next meet in December. I just think Philly's length is going to be too hard to beat without a lot of offensive familiarity and rhythm, which the Celtics won't have for a couple months.

 

[DJnVa]

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/gordon-hayward-boston-celtics

Cool article. A lot of it is what you'd expect, but this was interesting:

(And while we’re here, let me say this: Anyone expecting us to “fall off” this year defensively? They might be in for a little shock.)

 

[ggreene]

Predictions for tonight? I'm going to say Philly blows us out with stifling defense

I don't know, it's hard for me to see this team getting blown out very much. They seem very motivated after last year and their effort level has been high so far. I'd be disappointed if they wilted in Philly. I'm hoping for a competitive game with the Sixers pulling it out at the end at home.

 

[lovegtm]

I don't know, it's hard for me to see this team getting blown out very much. They seem very motivated after last year and their effort level has been high so far. I'd be disappointed if they wilted in Philly. I'm hoping for a competitive game with the Sixers pulling it out at the end at home.

I think they're motivated and I don't think they'll wilt, it's just that the whole league is going to take some time to figure out how to attack Philly imo.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Make Horford and Embiid chase guys around the perimeter. Done.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

99-98 final. Boston will struggle with the Sixers size and length while Philly will struggle with flow and lack of spacing. Should be a tactical chess match that won’t be very pretty.

 

[ggreene]

I'd like to see them stay aggressive and drive the hoop even against Embiid/Horford. Force some calls and maybe get either of them in early foul trouble.

 

[Big John]

I want to see them run. Make the game a helter skelter test of Embiid's conditioning and Hortford's 33 year-old legs. Stevens needs to channel his inner D'Antoni.

Let me add that the guy I'd focus on is Simmons. Pressure him. Throw in a half court trap. Make him give up the ball.

 

[lovegtm]

I want to see them run. Make the game a helter skelter test of Embiid's conditioning and Hortford's 33 year-old legs. Stevens needs to channel his inner D'Antoni.

Let me add that the guy I'd focus on is Simmons. Pressure him. Throw in a half court trap. Make him give up the ball.

Yeah, I think this will be doable once the current group has more games/reps together. In this opener I think it's a tall order.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I expect a cmfortable but not blowout loss. PHI has the 2 best players on the court, and present some significant matchup issues (who do we have to defend Embiid and/or Horford , who does Kemba cover, etc.) Celtics will play hard, keep it to single digits probably. Only way I see us winning is if it's just a bonkers night from 3.

 

[Devizier]

I'll go with Sixers by the score of 104-98.

Celtics denied the paint and end up with a lot of late-in-the-clock jumpers.

 

[lovegtm]

I expect a cmfortable but not blowout loss. PHI has the 2 best players on the court, and present some significant matchup issues (who do we have to defend Embiid and/or Horford , who does Kemba cover, etc.) Celtics will play hard, keep it to single digits probably. Only way I see us winning is if it's just a bonkers night from 3.

I agree with everything except the 2 best players on the court part. That’s really only relevant on offense imo, since that’s where superior players generate mismatches. On offense, Kemba is clearly superior to Simmons—I just don’t expect it to matter enough in this game.

 

[DJnVa]

I expect a cmfortable but not blowout loss. PHI has the 2 best players on the court,

 

[Nator]

Al Horford will likely be guarding a wing player all night. Al was great when switching on a pick and roll until gradually making it back to his man, but he will be chasing Jalen, Jayson and/or Heyward all night when he's on defense. He's going to get tired or in foul trouble. I think this is a close game that is there for the taking for either team going into the final minute. Fuck it. I'll predict 104-101 Celtics.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

Make Horford and Embiid chase guys around the perimeter. Done.

100% this. Sixers length is a problem but the Celtics speed and spacing is a bigger problem for them. Celtics by 8.

 

[luckiestman]

I expect a cmfortable but not blowout loss. PHI has the 2 best players on the court, and present some significant matchup issues (who do we have to defend Embiid and/or Horford , who does Kemba cover, etc.) Celtics will play hard, keep it to single digits probably. Only way I see us winning is if it's just a bonkers night from 3.

Embiid is the best player, who are you putting at 2?

We gonna smash these assholes either way.

 

[benhogan]

Interested in seeing:
1. On defense- the Celtics need to play good on the ball pressure defense. Make every pass difficult for the 76ers. Front down low.
2. On offense - run as much as possible. Move the ball. Theis set screens/picks. JT/JB/GH cut which leads to drives, layups, FTs & kick-outs for step-in 3s
3. Plenty of screens set for Carsen Edwards with the 2nd unit. Enis grabbing offensive boards. Grant playing solid minutes
4. BIGs play physical for small chunks of time and Brad rotates them

If we get that I'll be happy. If the Celtics win I'll be thrilled.

 

[benhogan]

also wouldn't be surprised to see VP start the game and play the first 4-5mins. a little curveball by Brad

 

[DJnVa]

There is an actual game thread open---maybe these recent posts could go there?

 

[RetractableRoof]

also wouldn't be surprised to see VP start the game and play the first 4-5mins. a little curveball by Brad

And have 4 fouls at the end of that time?

 

[Rich Garces Belly]

109-94 Celtics win, Celtics will run and the ball movement and defense is going to be top notch.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Embiid is the best player, who are you putting at 2?

We gonna smash these assholes either way.

I agree with everything except the 2 best players on the court part. That’s really only relevant on offense imo, since that’s where superior players generate mismatches. On offense, Kemba is clearly superior to Simmons—I just don’t expect it to matter enough in this game.

Al Horford is the second best player on either team

 

[benhogan]

I honestly don't know if he is. The just need another guy that can play basically bigger than a wing, and smaller than a center.

He's pretty much all they got. (I consider Semi just a muscle bound wing, all the other bigs as centers only)

My hope is he can just play as a glue guy, not do anything spectacular and not make any huge mistakes.

I wish they had one more veteran guy to do that, but I think it's his job for now. Give him the chance to earn it and if he can't, try to find someone in the trade/buyout market later.

They shouldn't have to worry too much about getting a decent playoff spot, they can afford to see if he's ready to help right away.

I agree. But Brad just doesn't care, they will shoehorn GH or JB or JT into that spot (4). I'm just trying to stay openminded. They got away with MaMo at the 4 last year and he was useless defensively, none of GH/JB/JT will be any worse than him. Hoping they will use their quickness to jump the passing lanes.

I do think the 2nd unit will be more traditional with Smart, Arsen, Enis, Grant & one of GH/JB/JT

 

[lexrageorge]

I agree. But Brad just doesn't care, they will shoehorn GH or JB or JT into that spot (4). I'm just trying to stay openminded. They got away with MaMo at the 4 last year and he was useless defensively, none of GH/JB/JT will be any worse than him. Hoping they will use their quickness to jump the passing lanes.

I do think the 2nd unit will be more traditional with Smart, Arsen, Enis, Grant & one of GH/JB/JT

There is zero chance Tatum, Brown, or Hayward would come off the bench for this team so they could start Grant Williams. Brad would have a team-wide mutiny on his hands, and rightfully so.

 

[benhogan]

There is zero chance Tatum, Brown, or Hayward would come off the bench for this team so they could start Grant Williams. Brad would have a team-wide mutiny on his hands, and rightfully so.

Ha. who on earth said or suggested Grant Williams should start?

I clearly stated Grant would be part of the 2nd unit. Brad will rotate one of the wing starters with the 2nd unit as he as always done.

"I do think the 2nd unit will be more traditional with Smart, Arsen, Enis, Grant & one of GH/JB/JT"


BTW starting is not the end all be all, and 2 of those guys (GH/JB) didn't start last season

 

[DJnVa]

Actual tip-off 7:45?

 

[Ale Xander]

Actual tip-off 7:45?

Should be 7:30

 

[DJnVa]

Should be 7:30

ESPN3.com says NBA Tip-Off at 7:30 and NBA game at 7:45.

 

[Ale Xander]

Yup. you're right
ESPN show had countdown at 4:xx at 7:25, and now it's 14:xx

 

[lovegtm]

Predictions for tonight?

I'm going to say Philly blows us out with stifling defense, but that the Celtics have figured out a lot of things when the teams next meet in December. I just think Philly's length is going to be too hard to beat without a lot of offensive familiarity and rhythm, which the Celtics won't have for a couple months.

Feel pretty good about this. Felt like there were actually a lot of positives from the game, and the offensive issues overshadowed them.

 

[Montana Fan]

Feel pretty good about this. Felt like there were actually a lot of positives from the game, and the offensive issues overshadowed them.

Yep, you're right on target. I saw the makings of a real good team last night. Brad the Builder is going to earn his keep this year. It's his kind of team.