Celtics in 18-19

[amarshal2]

Why? Because when the ball isn't in Kyrie's hands the offense usually runs through Horford's in a motion offense where Tatum and Jaylen will also get their touches. It's a far different role than what he had in Utah when the offense ran through him almost exclusively. Just as Ray Allen's usage numbers took a big hit without the offense running through him as it did in Seattle (high 20's to 18-21) I expect a similar dropoff in Hayward's raw numbers due to a similar reduced usage as his role changes.

Remember what Kyrie and Al looked like playing together when they were in sync last year? Just the movement of both guys and the ball was next level vs what everyone else on the team can do. Hayward is the other guy who can do that. He has a chance to complete the puzzle and make them look more like the Warriors with the way they move and sling it around the court.

He’s not going to be tops on the team in usage with Kyrie, everyone knows that. But he’s not going to be limited to being a catch and shoot guy. He’s not even top 2 on the team at that skill (11 & 0) and it’s just a waste of his talent to isolate him like that. At that point you might as well trade him for Danny Green or Covington.

When they trot out the top 5 opposing defenses are so screwed. Leave your man at your peril. This is going to be fun.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Isn't the second unit set with Rozier, Smart, Morris, Baynes, and Theis? Of course there will be injuries but I don't expect to see Hayward getting any more run with that unit as Tatum or Jaylen. The other obv factor on that unit is Rozier and Morris entering their FA summer......they will be getting up a ton of shots off the bench.

Well, it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out, but I think it would border on silly to play the 5 bench guys as a single unit, while having starters whose usage dips out if necessity. Maybe the answer is that second unit offense Hayward should largely run through Hayward, with Rozier and Morris getting to bomb away as off ball shooters.

 

[Montana Fan]

As a general note, if the assumption is Baynes will play roughly 20 minutes per game, whether he starts is not a relevant factor in whether he plays most or all of those minutes against the other teams starting 5 since those guys play 30+ mpg.

I agree that it's not relevant whether AoA (All of Australia) starts or not. Baynes' 20 MPG will be spent on the court battling Drummond, Embid, etc. He doesn't need to start to be on the court versus the strong bigs and thereby relieving Al of fighting these guys all game.

As for Hayward, I woke up early and watched the 3rd qtr of Sunday's game and while GH's timing is a bit off, he made a lot of nice plays in the quarter. Whether it be playing team defense, getting the ball to the right guy, nifty passes or the block of Lamb's breakaway layup, he's going to be a great add to this team. Once his shot starts falling... Speaking of which, outside of Kyrie and MaMo, nobody has been shooting that well to start the season. But they're getting a lot of open looks.

Lastly, a comment on Charlotte. I like the way they are playing. Always thought they should be better than they were and I see an EC playoff team when I watch them. In practice they've been playing with a 12 second shot clock. They have a good combo of athletes and shooters. Nice little team.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Got it, I see your point of view now. Yeah, we disagree on the shots Hayward will get when he plays with Morris and Rozier. My guess is that it will look like a standard NBA offense, where you have the clear center of attention (Hayward), the secondary creating guard (Rozier), and a spot-up/attack switches guy (Morris). Generally the lead guy in those lineups gets quite high usage, and this wouldn't be that different from when Hayward played with George Hill.

You may be right though: we'll know in a few weeks.

I've watched 6 preseason quarters and MM and Rozier aren't being shy about jacking up shots given their limited minutes.

I will be very interested to see how shot distribution works out. Hopefully, they'll be blowing out enough teams that everyone will get their chance AND they realize that they have so many scoring options, they don't have to resort to hero ball to get a good look (well, except for Kyrie, who's going to do that no matter what's going on).

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I agree that it's not relevant whether AoA (All of Australia) starts or not. Baynes' 20 MPG will be spent on the court battling Drummond, Embid, etc. He doesn't need to start to be on the court versus the strong bigs and thereby relieving Al of fighting these guys all game.

Baynes played 18.3 mpg last year with many rotation players missing significant time. Horford (10 games), Theis (19), Morris (28), Jaylen (12), Smart (28), and Kyrie (22). Stevens has spoken openly about the backcourt/wing injuries preventing him from his preferred method of playing small which is what I'd expect much more of this season assuming we are more healthy than last year. I'd expect Baynes to return to his 15-16 mpg or even less this season......he played 14 min or less in 26 games last season (nearly 1/3) and that was WITH all of the injuries. I expect this number to be in that 50-60% range as his role is reduced due to Stevens preference of playing small and switchy.

I've watched 6 preseason quarters and MM and Rozier aren't being shy about jacking up shots given their limited minutes.

I will be very interested to see how shot distribution works out. Hopefully, they'll be blowing out enough teams that everyone will get their chance AND they realize that they have so many scoring options, they don't have to resort to hero ball to get a good look (well, except for Kyrie, who's going to do that no matter what's going on).

This is what I expect to continue with each in a contract year plus it is really what they do best.....being aggressive and scoring the ball. It is also why I'm not an advocate of us needing to design second-unit minutes for Hayward. ​

 

[the moops]

Every year there is some sort of "player A is in contract year" or how are all these guys going to to get their touches, etc. This year does feel a little different because of how talented they are, but these things always have a way of working themselves out. Morris could be traded. Tatum struggles in his sophomore year. Smart punches something that punches back, etc.

 

[lovegtm]

Every year there is some sort of "player A is in contract year" or how are all these guys going to to get their touches, etc. This year does feel a little different because of how talented they are, but these things always have a way of working themselves out. Morris could be traded. Tatum struggles in his sophomore year. Smart punches something that punches back, etc.

Watching Morris in the preseason, he seems to be more focused on spotting up from 3 than previously. It's very likely his agent told him that he gets paid a lot more next year if he can market himself as a 3 and D guy with a bit of shot creation

 

[Jimbodandy]

Watching Morris in the preseason, he seems to be more focused on spotting up from 3 than previously. It's very likely his agent told him that he gets paid a lot more next year if he can market himself as a 3 and D guy with a bit of shot creation

Thank God. We can do without the 19-20" shot off the dribble.

Not worried about guys buying in.

 

[mcpickl]

I agree that it's not relevant whether AoA (All of Australia) starts or not. Baynes' 20 MPG will be spent on the court battling Drummond, Embid, etc. He doesn't need to start to be on the court versus the strong bigs and thereby relieving Al of fighting these guys all game.

Well if Baynes doesn't start, he comes in when Horford goes out I assume right? Wouldn't the starting center on the other team go out right around the same time?
It's not like the opponents starting center is going to play the whole first quarter so Baynes will be able to sub in against them.

If Baynes comes off the bench, he's guaranteed to play a lower percentage of his minutes against the strong bigs than if he starts.

 

[Kliq]

Ehh...rotations are very fluid. It isn't just always starters vs starters and bench guys vs bench guys. I'm sure that in the few games where Horford is playing a bruising big man that Baynes will see some more minutes, just like how Baynes will see less minutes against teams that prioritize small ball.

I don't agree with the notion that Horford is a bad rebounder who gets killed on the glass. If you purely look at the RPG total that might be what you think, but as HRB points out above, with Horford on the floor the Celtics rebound at a strong rate, even if it's not exactly Horford gobbling up the rebounds.

The reality is that I believe Horford is penalized for being a versatile defender that can attack guards on switches and hold his own on the perimeter. There is a reason that earlier in his career, when the game was different, he averaged over 10 rpg per game each season. There is also a reason why lumbering guys who lack the defensive versatility that Horford does (Jordan, Drummond, etc.) are the leading rebounders in the NBA. Horford ends a lot of defensive possessions on the perimeter and away from the basket, which hurts his rebounding total, but in today's NBA it's way more important to have a switchable Center than someone that can't guard anyone outside 10 feet of the basket, but can grab boards.

 

[mcpickl]

This is way overthinking lineups imo. We aren't talking about 3 bricklayers on the floor together or even two with Baynes being a perimeter and yes even a solid 3-point threat. Not to mention we have actual evidence of Baynes and Smart playing together on two of our most successful per-minute 5-man units last season.
http://www.82games.com/1718/1718BOS2.HTM

Another way to look at these small sample numbers is the worst lineup of the bunch that Baynes is in on that list also has Smart in it. And by a mile the worst offensive lineup even though the other three players were Kyrie, Tatum and Horford.

And Baynes isn't a perimeter, and no not even a solid 3 point threat. Percentage isn't all that matters, volume matters just as much if not more.

 

[mcpickl]

Ehh...rotations are very fluid. It isn't just always starters vs starters and bench guys vs bench guys. I'm sure that in the few games where Horford is playing a bruising big man that Baynes will see some more minutes, just like how Baynes will see less minutes against teams that prioritize small ball.

I don't agree with the notion that Horford is a bad rebounder who gets killed on the glass. If you purely look at the RPG total that might be what you think, but as HRB points out above, with Horford on the floor the Celtics rebound at a strong rate, even if it's not exactly Horford gobbling up the rebounds.

The reality is that I believe Horford is penalized for being a versatile defender that can attack guards on switches and hold his own on the perimeter. There is a reason that earlier in his career, when the game was different, he averaged over 10 rpg per game each season. There is also a reason why lumbering guys who lack the defensive versatility that Horford does (Jordan, Drummond, etc.) are the leading rebounders in the NBA. Horford ends a lot of defensive possessions on the perimeter and away from the basket, which hurts his rebounding total, but in today's NBA it's way more important to have a switchable Center than someone that can't guard anyone outside 10 feet of the basket, but can grab boards.

I don't think Horford is a bad rebounder, though I think he's just OK at best.

It's not just about Baynes being better on the defensive glass. It's Baynes/Horford as your bigs being much better than Horford/whoever your 3 masquerading as a 4 is.

And of course it's not always starters vs starters and bench vs bench. But guarantee that if Baynes comes off the bench, his first time checking in for the first and third quarters would be mostly vs bench guys because the starter has already played the start of the quarters. Those two stints will likely be more than half of Baynes minutes, used against the lesser opponents bigs.

 

[benhogan]

I don't think Horford is a bad rebounder, though I think he's just OK at best.

It's not just about Baynes being better on the defensive glass. It's Baynes/Horford as your bigs being much better than Horford/whoever your 3 masquerading as a 4 is.

And of course it's not always starters vs starters and bench vs bench. But guarantee that if Baynes comes off the bench, his first time checking in for the first and third quarters would be mostly vs bench guys because the starter has already played the start of the quarters. Those two stints will likely be more than half of Baynes minutes, used against the lesser opponents bigs.

Mcpickl, I agree with you on every one of your points about Baynes starting.

Baynes D + Horford D at the 4 + less beating on AL + more shots for Tatum/Brown/Kyrie/Al > having 1 extra efficient scorer (Hayward) while playing with 4 other scorers

BUT the Board isn't buying it and more importantly, Brad doesn't seem to be buying it. I'm getting a sense, from the pre-season SSS, that Brad really wants to emphasize a 'small' ball line-up (as HRB has pointed out several times) And use Baynes off the bench.

Its a long season, players will get injured/need rest and rotations will shift around. But we'll know on opening night against Philly (Embiid) how Brad feels about committing to a small ball starting line-up.

 

[the moops]

Baynes is only playing 15-20 minutes. He can find those 15-20 minutes against the opposing big regardless if he or the opposing dude is starting or not

 

[benhogan]

Baynes is only playing 15-20 minutes. He can find those 15-20 minutes against the opposing big regardless if he or the opposing dude is starting or not

I usually don't get hung up on who starts, but starting Baynes is strictly due to matchups.
I think you will find the most offensively skilled BIG starting and playing the first 6-8 minutes of the 1st and 3rd quarters for the opposition. That would be the most effective time to use Baynes girth and defensive skill set.

 

[ifmanis5]

By no means am I actually worried but Brad is right- they look entitled and I'm glad that Brad sees it too and is trying to get on it now before it gets worse...
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/10/02/lebron-less-cavaliers-dust-celtics/n0IhnDBjmXMFFWkkmpsIdP/story.html?__twitter_impression=true

“I couldn’t be more unimpressed after our first three exhibition games,” he said.
Stevens said that his team’s defense has been “a sieve.” When he was asked what areas he would like to see improvement defensively, he replied: “Pretty much everything. I mean, we’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s pretty clear.”

“No shot do we dominate off talent alone,” Stevens said. “No team does that. You have to play together and play the right way.”

Exactly right. Hayward isn't right yet and no Kyrie last night but the defense and overall effort level hasn't been there. They deserved to be yelled at.

“We’re not as good as advertised right now,” Stevens said. “At least we know that one week in.”

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

By no means am I actually worried but Brad is right- they look entitled and I'm glad that Brad sees it too and is trying to get on it now before it gets worse...
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/10/02/lebron-less-cavaliers-dust-celtics/n0IhnDBjmXMFFWkkmpsIdP/story.html?__twitter_impression=true


Exactly right. Hayward isn't right yet and no Kyrie last night but the defense and overall effort level hasn't been there. They deserved to be yelled at.

Not that worried about the offense. As JB points out (via Abby tweet below), they have a lot of guys who do the same kinds of things and occupy the same areas of the court. Also, JB pointing out that they aren't helping each other is correct - I'm seeing a lot of one-on-one moves in the first three preseason games. But given their collective BBall IQ, I think they will figure it out so long as they are unselfish.

Defense though was really bad last night. Even it was preseason.


"Asked Jaylen Brown about disjointed offense. He says: We have a lot of guys who do the same things. Me, Jayson and Gordon... we have to find a better chemistry and rhythm to help each other excel. Nobody wants to step on each other’s toes, but we’re not helping each other either."

 

[DJnVa]

Hayward still getting his sea legs:

Game 1: 2-7, 1-5 from three
Game 2: 1-7, 0-2 from three
Game 3: 2-6, 0-3 from three (although 1 was late in shot clock heave)

Total is 5-20, 1-10. We know that will improve.

 

[the moops]

I usually don't get hung up on who starts, but starting Baynes is strictly due to matchups.
I think you will find the most offensively skilled BIG starting and playing the first 6-8 minutes of the 1st and 3rd quarters for the opposition. That would be the most effective time to use Baynes girth and defensive skill set.

Well as you said, it depends on the matchup. He shouldn't be starting against small ball center lineups though. So while he may play the start of the 1st and 3rd against the Embiids and the like, I would expect him to be sitting for the start of the 1st and 3rd against someone like Capela

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Not that worried about the offense. As JB points out (via Abby tweet below), they have a lot of guys who do the same kinds of things and occupy the same areas of the court. Also, JB pointing out that they aren't helping each other is correct - I'm seeing a lot of one-on-one moves in the first three preseason games. But given their collective BBall IQ, I think they will figure it out so long as they are unselfish.

Defense though was really bad last night. Even it was preseason.


"Asked Jaylen Brown about disjointed offense. He says: We have a lot of guys who do the same things. Me, Jayson and Gordon... we have to find a better chemistry and rhythm to help each other excel. Nobody wants to step on each other’s toes, but we’re not helping each other either."

There is such a thing as having too much talent. We've seen many times over how important limited skilled role players are to a teams success and while we look awesome on paper that doesn't always translate into results of similar equity on the court. Of course I don't root for injuries but this team may be better off in the long run without a couple guys in the current rotation and I'm not sure it really matters which two they are. There is a ton of redundancy on this roster and as I've mentioned, several players entering key contract seasons who are looking at their own numbers......Rozier, Morris, Jaylen knows he needs to maintain his usage, and even Kyrie.....with pressure from their representation to best position themselves individually moving forward.

They have been talking the talk regarding sacrifice but I haven't yet seen it and of course this is only the preseason but my alert has gone off early and is something to keep an eye on at the start of the season. That's been my takeaway after these first 3 preseason games.

 

[the moops]

That's been my takeaway after these first 3 preseason games.

Find it interesting that you refer to Celtic games as preseason games, but in the Fultz thread, you call them exhibition games

 

[bsj]

Hayward still getting his sea legs:

Game 1: 2-7, 1-5 from three
Game 2: 1-7, 0-2 from three
Game 3: 2-6, 0-3 from three (although 1 was late in shot clock heave)

Total is 5-20, 1-10. We know that will improve.

I only watched the first exhibition game. He looked, unsurprisingly, VERY tentative. Has he looked more relaxed since? Clearly the shot isnt quite there yet.

 

[DJnVa]

I only watched the first exhibition game. He looked, unsurprisingly, VERY tentative. Has he looked more relaxed since? Clearly the shot isnt quite there yet.

Still getting legs under him...

 

[saintnick912]

He seemed to be "chasing the game" any time I noticed him in the second Charlotte game. The five fouls matched my impression.

 

[DJnVa]

He seemed to be "chasing the game" any time I noticed him in the second Charlotte game. The five fouls matched my impression.

Yeah, and I think that will click as he gets more and more minutes. Not worried at all.

 

[Big John]

Well, I am worried and so is Stevens. Hayward looks a step slow at both ends, and his shot isn't falling. Tatum has not played particularly well either.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Well, I am worried and so is Stevens. Hayward looks a step slow at both ends, and his shot isn't falling. Tatum has not played particularly well either.

Maybe it takes time to, I dunno, readjust to the NBA after playing 0 games for almost a full calendar year.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Well, even more than that. It's a full year essentially.

 

[ifmanis5]

I don't expect Hayward to be up to speed for months and I'm not surprised he looks like this. Coming back from that kind of injury there's a lot of mental work to do. His confidence has to be built up over a long period of time before he can be truly comfortable and not thinking about it all the time. Overall the team looks complacent and too streetball. Brad will get them there eventually.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Well, even more than that. It's a full year essentially.

Right, aside from the first 5 minutes of opening night, the last truly competitive full-go ball would've been the spring of 2017.

 

[BaseballJones]

Long story short, Celtics fans shouldn't panic if they get off to a slow start. This team will gel. Too much talent and quality coaching for it not to. But it might be a bit of a rough beginning to the year. No worries, Celtics fans. They've got this.

 

[nighthob]

Not to mention that Marcus Smart will kill someone if they aren't busting tail on the court.

 

[BigSoxFan]

Long story short, Celtics fans shouldn't panic if they get off to a slow start. This team will gel. Too much talent and quality coaching for it not to. But it might be a bit of a rough beginning to the year. No worries, Celtics fans. They've got this.

So....80-2?

Due to Hayward's injury, they still haven't played together much as a unit and now we're working out how to integrate Jaylen 3.0 and Tatum 2.0. I'm not concerned in the least. They'll be purring by the spring, which is all that really matters.

 

[DJnVa]

Well, I am worried and so is Stevens. Hayward looks a step slow at both ends, and his shot isn't falling. Tatum has not played particularly well either.

Stevens job is to worry, but you're not seriously suggested there's an issue right?

 

[Big John]

Stevens job is to worry, but you're not seriously suggested there's an issue right?

Yes, I am suggesting it. They look to me like a group that got carried away with its own press clippings and assumed that winning would be easy.

Issues:
1. Hayward. He's understandably rusty but right now they are a better team when he's on the bench. Wins and losses in October count the same as the ones in April for purposes of playoff seeding. How many losses will it take for Hayward to get his timing back?
2. Shooting. Except for Morris and Rozier, their jump shooting as been terrible. I lost count of the number of airballs.
3. Defensive rotations. They are a step slow as a team, which is why they are fouling so much. It's one thing to get burned by players like Antetokounmpo or Embiid. It's another to bet torched by scrubs and rookies. Miles Bridges and Colin Sexton looked like favorites for ROY after playing the Celtics.

 

[the moops]

Well, I am worried and so is Stevens. Hayward looks a step slow at both ends, and his shot isn't falling. Tatum has not played particularly well either.

Man, the sky is falling.
Stevens is likely not very worried at all, just you know, he is the coach, and is trying to motivate his players.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Yes, I am suggesting it. They look to me like a group that got carried away with its own press clippings and assumed that winning would be easy.

Issues:
1. Hayward. He's understandably rusty but right now they are a better team when he's on the bench. Wins and losses in October count the same as the ones in April for purposes of playoff seeding. How many losses will it take for Hayward to get his timing back?
2. Shooting. Except for Morris and Rozier, their jump shooting as been terrible. I lost count of the number of airballs.
3. Defensive rotations. They are a step slow as a team, which is why they are fouling so much. It's one thing to get burned by players like Antetokounmpo or Embiid. It's another to bet torched by scrubs and rookies. Miles Bridges and Colin Sexton looked like favorites for ROY after playing the Celtics.

How many wins and losses count right now?

 

[Salem's Lot]

Yes, I am suggesting it. They look to me like a group that got carried away with its own press clippings and assumed that winning would be easy.

Issues:
1. Hayward. He's understandably rusty but right now they are a better team when he's on the bench. Wins and losses in October count the same as the ones in April for purposes of playoff seeding. How many losses will it take for Hayward to get his timing back?
2. Shooting. Except for Morris and Rozier, their jump shooting as been terrible. I lost count of the number of airballs.
3. Defensive rotations. They are a step slow as a team, which is why they are fouling so much. It's one thing to get burned by players like Antetokounmpo or Embiid. It's another to bet torched by scrubs and rookies. Miles Bridges and Colin Sexton looked like favorites for ROY after playing the Celtics.

You realize these games don’t count right?

 

[DJnVa]

Yes, I am suggesting it. They look to me like a group that got carried away with its own press clippings and assumed that winning would be easy.

I honestly think you're trolling.

You think a team led by consummate pro Al Horford, Jaylen effing Brown, and 2 stars coming back off big injuries got carried away?

 

[Big John]

How many wins and losses count right now?

On October 16th the games start to count, and this team does not look ready. Maybe they fix it by then, maybe they don't.

 

[The Talented Allen Ripley]

This is why sports radio in Boston does such big numbers despite being 98% utter bullshit.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

This is why sports radio in Boston does such big numbers despite being 98% utter bullshit.

I thought it was because SJH needs something to fuel his white hot rage on his commute home.

 

[Gash Prex]

Wow if this is how we are going to react to pre-season losses where the starters play 15 min, this will not be an enjoyable season for anyone. I'm shocked that so much value is being placed on pre-season basketball - I can't even remember the last time anyone cared about pre-season basketball.

 

[InstaFace]

Man, the sky is falling.
Stevens is likely not very worried at all, just you know, he is the coach, and is trying to motivate his players.

His remarks seem quite Belichickian.

"We’re not as good as advertised right now. At least we know that a week in.”

“I couldn’t be more unimpressed after our first three exhibition games”

“No shot we dominate off talent alone,” he said. “No team does that. You have to play together. You have to play the right way. If you have really good players and they all do that, then you can have a special year.”

“We have to play better,” he said. “Certainly, overall, the first week has not been effective. … I think obviously we’ve done a lot of work up to this point. It hasn’t translated, so it needs to be taught better.”
​

That's right, all three phases, Brad. Offense, defense, special handshakes.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Yeah Stevens himself said before game 3 or right after game 2 that they have barely put in any of their actions on offense. Any of this "looks like streetball" or comments about being directionless on offense are entirely accurate. He hasn't installed the offense yet. That's also why worrying about their sluggishess there is foolish.

Now defense is another story. I am sure that the cake is half baked there as well, at best. But Brad is justifiably disappointed that the guys are not putting in many second efforts and zero third efforts (excepting Williams, Smart maybe, and the garbage time crew). Prob AB as well. Everyone else is go through the motions. Communication had been suboptimal, but thats to be expected. And again, he likely doesn't care all that much. It's not a team of children anymore. They went to game 7 of the ECF. He will get up their ass when he needs to.

Lament the utterly unsurprising lack of confidence and explosiveness from GH, if you must. But lethargic performances in preseason? As Tommy would say, give me a break.

 

[lexrageorge]

It would not surprise me at all to see Hayward's minutes, and impact, limited in the early going. Don't forget he also had a procedure at the start of the offseason. He is going to need time, and he may not return to the Hayward of old until late in the season, if then. The good news is that the team won 55 games last season with no Hayward at all, so there will be plenty of time to slowly work him back in.

To address HRB's point about "too much talent", Stevens will need to dole out minutes to players based on how well they contribute to the role they will be asked to play. The guys he most has to worry about, Rozier and Morris, can, and probably will, see their minutes slashed if they are simply chucking up bad shots without regard to who's on the floor (only Marcus Smart gets to do that). And the current bench may not be the same bench come playoff time; Ainge has certainly made his share of daring trades in the past, and will not hesitate to do it again this year in GFIN mode.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Wow if this is how we are going to react to pre-season losses where the starters play 15 min, this will not be an enjoyable season for anyone. I'm shocked that so much value is being placed on pre-season basketball - I can't even remember the last time anyone cared about pre-season basketball.

There have been studies done showing some significant predictive value to the results of the NBA preseason. Our own bowiac speaks of it each year during the prep of his projections and I recall Roland Beech at 82games confirming same back when I did some tracking for them 15 years ago.

 

[the moops]

GSW has finished at or below .500 in 3 of the last 5 years. We are all good

 

[benhogan]

It would not surprise me at all to see Hayward's minutes, and impact, limited in the early going. Don't forget he also had a procedure at the start of the offseason. He is going to need time, and he may not return to the Hayward of old until late in the season, if then. The good news is that the team won 55 games last season with no Hayward at all, so there will be plenty of time to slowly work him back in.

To address HRB's point about "too much talent", Stevens will need to dole out minutes to players based on how well they contribute to the role they will be asked to play. The guys he most has to worry about, Rozier and Morris, can, and probably will, see their minutes slashed if they are simply chucking up bad shots without regard to who's on the floor (only Marcus Smart gets to do that). And the current bench may not be the same bench come playoff time; Ainge has certainly made his share of daring trades in the past, and will not hesitate to do it again this year in GFIN mode.

Agree with the bolded

No trades are necessary. The talent and right players are on this roster. Brad is excellent and will hand out minutes based on play and match-ups

It's actually very simple. Have Gordon come off the bench and let him build up his minutes over the first half of the season.
First 5: Baynes, Horford, Tatum, Brown, Kyrie
Bench rotation: Rozier, Hayward, MaMo Sr., Smart, Theis

If the match-up calls for it and Brad wants to start small, have MaMo replace Baynes. Wait until Gordon is ready- no rush. Early season kid gloves with Gordon, Kyrie and even Horford will pay off in the long run.

 

[chilidawg]

Agree with the bolded

No trades are necessary. The talent and right players are on this roster. Brad is excellent and will hand out minutes based on play and match-ups

It's actually very simple. Have Gordon come off the bench and let him build minutes over the first half of the season.
First 5: Baynes, Horford, Tatum, Brown, Kyrie
Bench rotation: Rozier, Hayward, MaMo Sr., Smart, Theis

If the match-up calls for it and Brad wants to start small, have MaMo replace Baynes. Wait until Gordon is ready- no rush. Early regular season kid gloves with Gordon, Kyrie and even Horford will pay off in the long run.

Yup. Can't imagine Danny making a trade at this point of the year.