POLL How many games will the Celtics win?

How many wins?


  • Total voters
    155
  • Poll closed .

lovegtm

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Saying 48-49--can't shake the feeling that the offense will be better than expected, and the defensive liabilities won't be as game-plannable during the regular season.
 

Manramsclan

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I feel strong Ewing theory vibes with Kyrie leaving. A step forward for Jaylen and Tatum. Better ball movement and team basketball.

Still likely a first or second round playoff exit, but Portland Trailblazers esque 54 ish win season, a competitive playoff series then out at the hands of Sixers or Bucks
 

lovegtm

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I feel strong Ewing theory vibes with Kyrie leaving. A step forward for Jaylen and Tatum. Better ball movement and team basketball.

Still likely a first or second round playoff exit, but Portland Trailblazers esque 54 ish win season, a competitive playoff series then out at the hands of Sixers or Bucks
The bolded sounds right to me for the overall feel of the team, even if I think the win total is high.
 

bigq

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I said 45-50 in the other thread. To be consistent here I am going with the middle of that range with 47-48.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I said 48-49, reflecting a little bit of optimism. (Although it is weird that both 47-48 and 48-49 were poll options). I recognize that the frontcourt looks like an open wound, but there's a lot more talent here than for the last pre-Al Celtics team or last year's Charlotte team).
 

ifmanis5

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I feel strong Ewing theory vibes with Kyrie leaving. A step forward for Jaylen and Tatum. Better ball movement and team basketball.
This is where I'm at plus Hayward takes another big step forward. The team will enjoy having fun again- just watching the Summer League squad the enthusiasm level will be more like the IT years. So, 50.
 

lars10

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This is where I'm at plus Hayward takes another big step forward. The team will enjoy having fun again- just watching the Summer League squad the enthusiasm level will be more like the IT years. So, 50.
I think (or hope) that Tatum and Brown don't feel like they're liberated or something and return to form..as well as Hayward feeling better and maybe taking a bit more control of the offense or his own offense at least. I also think that Kemba, while being a lesser player than Irving is a better fit for this team.. and will also hopefully slot in better.

I feel like they'll miss Horford more on offense..since he spread the floor a bit more and was a good passer. I feel like his defense and rebounding is definitely in decline, but perhaps there's something about his rotations that I wasn't seeing. His defense down low especially didn't seem to be particularly dominant, but again I may be wrong. I'm not sure why they didn't re-sign Baynes...but his injury history may be part of it. He seemed like a good fit.
 

benhogan

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I think (or hope) that Tatum and Brown don't feel like they're liberated or something and return to form..as well as Hayward feeling better and maybe taking a bit more control of the offense or his own offense at least. I also think that Kemba, while being a lesser player than Irving is a better fit for this team.. and will also hopefully slot in better.

I feel like they'll miss Horford more on offense..since he spread the floor a bit more and was a good passer. I feel like his defense and rebounding is definitely in decline, but perhaps there's something about his rotations that I wasn't seeing. His defense down low especially didn't seem to be particularly dominant, but again I may be wrong. I'm not sure why they didn't re-sign Baynes...but his injury history may be part of it. He seemed like a good fit.
Aron opted in. The Celtics wanted him but Danny had to trade him in order to create cap space to sign Kemba
 

lars10

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Aron opted in. The Celtics wanted him but Danny had to trade him in order to create cap space to sign Kemba
Ah..I see. I've been a bit out of it the loop/not totally understood all of the moves that have gone on.
 

Koufax

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42. Too many question marks, Al will be sorely missed, Gordo is never coming back all the way and Tatum will disappoint.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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As I said in the other thread I'm going with 50-51. They might not have the top of the line talent needed to win a title but they're still a very talented group and I think the theme this year will be to play hard every night in order to wash away the stink of last season and prove they're still a dangerous team. Those groups win a bunch of regular season games.
 

lexrageorge

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As in the other thread, I picked 44 wins, mainly because I prefer to set expectations low and be pleasantly surprised. While I feel that they replaced Morris with Kanter, and I don't consider Rozier any great loss, the loss of Horford will be a problem that is not so easily solved. Barring injury, however, there is a lot more room above that win total than below if certain things break their way. Given that Charlotte won 39 last year, there is no way the Celtics win fewer than 42. On the upside, 50 is a reach in that it seems too many things would have to go right, but it's not out of the question either.
 

ggreene

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I'm going with 48-49. Not championship contenders but still a very good team. I think Hayward will come back but not all the way, some improvement from both jays, and Kemba is a slight upgrade against Kyrie. Hoping Brad can somehow devise a defensive scheme to minimize the defensive issues of the bigs. I like Kanter's rebounding just hope he's under the basket to get them and not roaming the perimeter. Not a fan of the new NBA where everyone has to shoot three's. Be nice to have low post offense too.
 

lovegtm

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Kyrie may be a jerk and may have helped derail the Celts season, but by nearly every single measure, Kyrie is a decently better basketball player than Kemba.
True--the thing is that the first part of that sentence is getting close to "other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?" territory. Kemba also did rate higher offensively by RPM (lower defensively) than Kyrie.
 

ggreene

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Jul 23, 2019
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I just think Kemba will run the team better then Kyrie. Other then working with Al he didn't really work well with any other player and became one dimensional especially in the second half of the season. The one on five hero moves got tiresome.
 

NomarsFool

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I just think Kemba will run the team better then Kyrie. Other then working with Al he didn't really work well with any other player and became one dimensional especially in the second half of the season. The one on five hero moves got tiresome.
One of the many big question marks will be how a ball dominant PG fits into CBS' offensive scheme. It didn't work last year, but I'm highly suspicious of how much CBS' guidance was listened to by Kyrie. All indications seem to be that Kemba is more coachable. I expect CBS will be spending a lot of time over the summer figuring out how to do it better.
 

bakahump

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Do you really think the problem was a PG Dominated offense?
It worked fine with IT, and Kyrie Year 1.

I just think Kyrie and quite possibly others/everyone were being pricks last year.

That seems like a bigger issue then Suddenly CBS unable to coach a PG dominate offense.

That said I think your right in that CBS is a good enough coach to know that he needs to be better and is working on all aspects of his performance to do so.
 

ggreene

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One thing I really hope CBS does better this year is being more flexible with substitutions. It looks way to time scripted to me and not based on what is actually happening in the game. If you have a good matchup and taking advantage of it don't sub out the "hot" player just because of some time maintenance you are doing. Continue to take advantage of it until the opposing coach responds. Obviously an injury time restriction is another matter.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Kyrie may be a jerk and may have helped derail the Celts season, but by nearly every single measure, Kyrie is a decently better basketball player than Kemba.
One where Kemba is better: getting to the line, a Celtics weakness last year. But over all I think we are looking at a worse player but better fit - for both personality and basketball reasons.
One of the many big question marks will be how a ball dominant PG fits into CBS' offensive scheme. It didn't work last year, but I'm highly suspicious of how much CBS' guidance was listened to by Kyrie. All indications seem to be that Kemba is more coachable. I expect CBS will be spending a lot of time over the summer figuring out how to do it better.
I don't worry about this at all. The Celtics have had ball-dominant PGs running Brad's system for 4+ years now. (Since the trade for IT). By all accounts, Kemba is a bit more like IT than Kyrie in terms of his ability to work off-ball. There some good video of him here showing some of the stuff he can do for the Celtics.
One thing I really hope CBS does better this year is being more flexible with substitutions. It looks way to time scripted to me and not based on what is actually happening in the game. If you have a good matchup and taking advantage of it don't sub out the "hot" player just because of some time maintenance you are doing. Continue to take advantage of it until the opposing coach responds. Obviously an injury time restriction is another matter.
I think we'll definitely see that in the frontcourt, where the Celtics have a bunch of rookies and role player types guys vying for minutes. It will probably be les true with their 5 guard/wings: Kemba, Smart, Brown, Tatum, Hayward, who will probably have more of a set rotation.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I just think Kemba will run the team better then Kyrie. Other then working with Al he didn't really work well with any other player and became one dimensional especially in the second half of the season. The one on five hero moves got tiresome.
Despises hero ball.
Can’t wait to watch Kemba play.

What could possibly go wrong?
 

benhogan

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50 wins, a lot has to go right, so put me down on team Green Goggles
1. Jays' step up.
2. Healing Gordon is much better than last season.
3. Brad devises schemes/matchups to hide a weak frontcourt for the first half of the season.
4. Rookies add value.
5. EC is worse
6. Kemba is 2nd coming of healthy IT
7. Danny makes upgrades at the trade deadline

2/3s of the folks around here are below 49.5, skeptical movement alive and well in the Port Cellar
 
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Reverend

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I said 50. Looks like a team that will run around and bring lots of energy to overachieve and steal some games in the regular season before getting walloped in the post season.
 

benhogan

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Results will be public, you will be mocked.
We should all be mocked for not demanding a 60-win category

Everything has gone right with regard to the summer checklist.

Danny just needs to add something small at the trade deadline

50 wins, a lot has to go right, so put me down on team Green Goggles
1. Jays' step up.
2. Healing Gordon is much better than last season.
3. Brad devises schemes/matchups to hide a weak frontcourt for the first half of the season.
4. Rookies add value.
5. EC is worse
6. Kemba is 2nd coming of healthy IT
7. Danny makes upgrades at the trade deadline

2/3s of the folks around here are below 49.5, skeptical movement alive and well in the Port Cellar
 

Koufax

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My prediction will require a plane crash with no survivors.
 

Imbricus

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I said 54 in some thread. Never dreamed I might be 6 or 7 wins too low, at least the way they're going.
 

bankshot1

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I was chalkish (48-50) pre-season. I was good with the Kemba for KI swap. but had doubts about the loss of Al, what Gordo would bring and whether there were enough adults in the room to bring it together. This team is better than I thought it would be. I don't think 60+ is crazy.
 

ggreene

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I was fairly cautious but so far they are clearly outperforming most expectations. Walker, Brown, Hayward, and Tatum are a heck of a foursome. Kudos to Danny for drafting and trading this team into this position. He somehow finds a way.
 

Big John

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Could it be that some prognosticators underestimated the positive effect of Kyrie's departure? Just sayin'.... And Horford's departure hasn't had the negative effect that some NBA media types predicted.
 

amarshal2

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Could it be that some prognosticators underestimated the positive effect of Kyrie's departure? Just sayin'.... And Horford's departure hasn't had the negative effect that some NBA media types predicted.
I’m not surprised by improved chemistry with Kemba. I’m not surprised by Brown’s leap. I’m not surprised Hayward has looked better. I’m not surprised Tatum has improved. I watched them play in USA bball and read up all summer; I was pretty optimistic these things would happen to boost the offense and overall team effort.

I’m really surprised they don’t miss Al more. I’m really surprised they’re able to look like a 60 win team without him. I’m really surprised they’re a better defensive team this year. I didn’t see that coming.

I feel like if they brought Baynes and Al back they’d be even better. It has to be true, right? But is it?

Certainly the media would say so. If you added those guys to this team over Kanter etc. and gave them the exact same actual results to date everyone would be talking about them as a real threat to come out of the east. Perhaps they are without those guys. I don’t see anyone they can’t beat 4/7.
 
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wade boggs chicken dinner

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I feel like if they brought Baynes and Al back they’d be even better. It has to be true, right? But is it?
Actually, bringing them both back would be diminishing returns because Brad isn't taking two of GH, JB, JT, KW, and MS off the court for those two for any important stretch within a game.

While Baynes or Horford might help in certain matchups, I have to say that the The Is / Kanter / TL rotation has been pretty interesting to watch. Just between The Is and Kanter, the C position is averagin 15.1 points / 13.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. There's a video about the Cs offense posted in (I think) the general thread that shows that The Is really knows how to run the offense and he's still 12th in the league in blocked shots per game.

As for Kanter, I know how everyone rags on him but he's posting his highest DBPM in his career and believe it or not (or useless stat or not), he's leading the team in WS/48. Plus, as others have noted, it's great option to have to be able to dump the ball down to him to generate offense when needed.

One other note. Not having to pay Al this year really helps out ownership. Hopefully it's not an impediment in the playoffs but from a financial and developmental perspective, the Cs are better with the guys they have than with Horford and maybe even with Baynes.
 

Jimbodandy

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Actually, bringing them both back would be diminishing returns because Brad isn't taking two of GH, JB, JT, KW, and MS off the court for those two for any important stretch within a game.

While Baynes or Horford might help in certain matchups, I have to say that the The Is / Kanter / TL rotation has been pretty interesting to watch. Just between The Is and Kanter, the C position is averagin 15.1 points / 13.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. There's a video about the Cs offense posted in (I think) the general thread that shows that The Is really knows how to run the offense and he's still 12th in the league in blocked shots per game.

As for Kanter, I know how everyone rags on him but he's posting his highest DBPM in his career and believe it or not (or useless stat or not), he's leading the team in WS/48. Plus, as others have noted, it's great option to have to be able to dump the ball down to him to generate offense when needed.

One other note. Not having to pay Al this year really helps out ownership. Hopefully it's not an impediment in the playoffs but from a financial and developmental perspective, the Cs are better with the guys they have than with Horford and maybe even with Baynes.
While I agree with you completely, I too am surprised that both the defense and the offense didn't take a bigger hit with Al's departure. Especially the defense.

Theis is defending the rim better than I expected, and the team defense holds up just fine even when he's not out there. They're doing a fantastic job staying connected and making multiple efforts.

I hate to be a one trick pony, but defensively there's some addition by subtraction going on. It's another part of the answer. Yeah, leaps by the Js, Theis improvement, Kanter better than advertised--all true. But to my eyes, the amoeba effect is real. Rotations on D are better, guys staying home, building out to shooters, better switches, etc. 5 guys with a plan. Love it.
 

chilidawg

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Actually, bringing them both back would be diminishing returns because Brad isn't taking two of GH, JB, JT, KW, and MS off the court for those two for any important stretch within a game.

While Baynes or Horford might help in certain matchups, I have to say that the The Is / Kanter / TL rotation has been pretty interesting to watch. Just between The Is and Kanter, the C position is averagin 15.1 points / 13.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. There's a video about the Cs offense posted in (I think) the general thread that shows that The Is really knows how to run the offense and he's still 12th in the league in blocked shots per game.

As for Kanter, I know how everyone rags on him but he's posting his highest DBPM in his career and believe it or not (or useless stat or not), he's leading the team in WS/48. Plus, as others have noted, it's great option to have to be able to dump the ball down to him to generate offense when needed.

One other note. Not having to pay Al this year really helps out ownership. Hopefully it's not an impediment in the playoffs but from a financial and developmental perspective, the Cs are better with the guys they have than with Horford and maybe even with Baynes.
I was definitely in the camp of thinking we would miss Horford the most.

i'm not a fan of DBPM or WS, but other advanced stats are showing the same for Kanter. RPM, PIPM and On-Off numbers are excellent as well, even the defensive side of them. He still looks terrible defensively, but somehow it's not affecting team results. I give Brad a lot of credit for utilizing Theis and Kanter wisely.
 

benhogan

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I was definitely in the camp of thinking we would miss Horford the most.

i'm not a fan of DBPM or WS, but other advanced stats are showing the same for Kanter. RPM, PIPM and On-Off numbers are excellent as well, even the defensive side of them. He still looks terrible defensively, but somehow it's not affecting team results. I give Brad a lot of credit for utilizing Theis and Kanter wisely.
agreed

Someone around here recently referred to this phenomena as "the Brad Machine", which is apt and kind of funny.

We shouldn't underestimate losing MaMo's horrendous help defense in the frontcourt.... Replacing him with one of those Markelle Fultz practice chairs would have helped improve the Celtics' D
 

Smokey Joe

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I was definitely in the camp of thinking we would miss Horford the most.

i'm not a fan of DBPM or WS, but other advanced stats are showing the same for Kanter. RPM, PIPM and On-Off numbers are excellent as well, even the defensive side of them. He still looks terrible defensively, but somehow it's not affecting team results. I give Brad a lot of credit for utilizing Theis and Kanter wisely.
As was I until I noticed that the Celtics were getting top 10 defensive ratings before Horford showed up. And that was with Zeller, Sullinger and Olynyk manning the middle.
 

benhogan

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As was I until I noticed that the Celtics were getting top 10 defensive ratings before Horford showed up. And that was with Zeller, Sullinger and Olynyk manning the middle.
for what its worth, Horford putting up the best off/def net rating amongst the 76ers starters

https://stats.nba.com/players/advanced/?sort=TEAM_ABBREVIATION&dir=1
This summer I really hated the idea of losing Al Horford, but in hindsight, it hasn't been that crippling and really helps the Celtics salary structure moving forward.
file this under Danny luck

Multiple cheap 5s rotating on short minutes in the Brad Machine continues to be my binky.
 
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wade boggs chicken dinner

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wade boggs chicken dinner

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for what its worth, Horford putting up the best off/def net rating amongst the 76ers starters
But FWIW, I would have to attribute this to Horford playing against a lot of second units. PHI's second unit is way better than most everyone else's. For example, I finally got to watch some of the MIL-PHI game and as the rotations are currently set, PHI's second unit would kill MIL's second unit in a seven-game series.