Celtics 2025-2026 Discussion

People are having fun bringing back this old tweet on X...

The Magic just annihilated the Hornets last night. This was the Magic that I thought might be a surprise team this year, but just something is just wrong with them. I don't know what it is?

From a Philly forum after the game:

Idk how I let myself expect anything less than a full-strength direct shot to the nuts. Sick of this ****.

rochrist said:

From a Philly forum after the game:

Idk how I let myself expect anything less than a full-strength direct shot to the nuts. Sick of this ****.

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Yeah I'm rewatching highlights and can't quite decide if the Cs are that good or if the Sixers are that bad

And I think it's that the Sixers are that bad - no Embiid, the 3s were not falling for anyone on the team

Maxey will have a big game at some point and that may spoil the talk of a sweep, but if Embiid is out for the series, there's no reason their fans should delude themselves.

For the Celts, if we're nitpicking we know White still hasn't been his normal self, Vooch seems like he's still getting into game shape (though they really don't need his offense and he did grab 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 17 min so he's a plus in other ways)

The highlight for me is obviously that Tatum looks physically and mentally in peak form somehow - but also that a good portion of a young bench look like seasoned veterans who would beat the Sixers on their own.

We won't have this luxury with other teams but the Cs look strong even beyond the starters

I think the C's got lucky yesterday. The Sixers shots weren't falling and the C's shots were. With this team, I just don't see that second part happening for every game. The great news was that Tatum was pretty much unstoppable when he drove to the hoop. Though Brown was their leading scorer, he did it from the mid-range, making me wonder if he's still not 100%... well, that and he, unlike Maxey, couldn't buy a foul under the hoop.

bresna said:

I think the C's got lucky yesterday. The Sixers shots weren't falling and the C's shots were. With this team, I just don't see that second part happening for every game. The great news was that Tatum was pretty much unstoppable when he drove to the hoop. Though Brown was their leading scorer, he did it from the mid-range, making me wonder if he's still not 100%... well, that and he, unlike Maxey, couldn't buy a foul under the hoop.

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You do get that the Cs defense has something to do with whether the Sixers shots are falling?

rochrist said:

You do get that the Cs defense has something to do with whether the Sixers shots are falling?

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I don't think it was only that. The Sixers missed a ton of open shots. If the Sixers had a center that could actually score every now & then, they might have had a chance. Drummond (2 pts) and Bona (3 pts) aren't going to cut it. If Embiid can come back and he can contribute even a little, I think these games could be a bit more competitive, especially if Queta can't stop fouling every other play like he did last night. 5 fouls in 15 minutes of play isn't going to work going forward.

bresna said:

I don't think it was only that. The Sixers missed a ton of open shots. If the Sixers had a center that could actually score every now & then, they might have had a chance. Drummond (2 pts) and Bona (3 pts) aren't going to cut it. If Embiid can come back and he can contribute even a little, I think these games could be a bit more competitive, especially if Queta can't stop fouling every other play like he did last night. 5 fouls in 15 minutes of play isn't going to work going forward.

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I agree - not that the D was bad...

But yeah - consider that the Celtics were more than doubling the Sixers 3 pt % (36% v 17%) and that's going to get you the win every time

Although Mazzulla didn't seem bothered by the fouls - not that they're looking for them but I think he wants his Cs to get more physical - that's part of the luxury of having Vuc there too (he and Queta were still +12 and +13 out there, with Vooch's rebounding good for 17 min)

Sounds like Embid may be done as you just need time after surgery like that.

I think the Sixers are better off without Embid. He slows them down offensively.

Celtics should sweep regardless. Only quibble would be I'd like to see them(specifically Q/Garza/Vu) try to take more charges. Philly cant shoot the 3 so just take away the inside and it's over.

I agree that the Sixers should be better without Embiid, but not if the answer at center is Drummond & Bona. They were like Greg Kite & Joe Kleine out there.

bresna said:

I agree that the Sixers should be better without Embiid, but not if the answer at center is Drummond & Bona. They were like Greg Kite & Joe Kleine out there.

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Oh Jesus...Greg Kite.

bresna said:

I agree that the Sixers should be better without Embiid, but not if the answer at center is Drummond & Bona. They were like Greg Kite & Joe Kleine out there.

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Zuma said:

Oh Jesus...Greg Kite.

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Yup. If the Celtics, who are long and athletic, guard the 3 point line, the 76ers can dump the ball into the paint to Drummond and Bona. (what a name Boner with a Boston accent, Bona). Of course dumping the ball into the paint without Embiid is not going to work.

So what do the 76ers do? Lose in 4 or 5 with no hope.