Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

I finally am home from work and have been able to think about this game and this team in more depth.

My biggest takeaways:

1. Joe has come of age as a coach. I really can't question a single decision he has made in the finals or the ECF, maybe the entire playoffs. I don't always subscribe to the "keep shooting 3s no matter what" philosophy, but he's handled alot of great players, kept egos in check, managed the press, and been very good in timeouts. He got an entire team of stars to buy into playing elite defense and team first offense. This cannot be underrated in this age of the NBA.

2 (1A). This team seems to ALWAYS deliver in the final minutes of games. Between the Pacers series that could easily have gone longer, right up to last night after completely blowing a 20 pt lead on the road, this team is a group of stone-cold killers in crunch time. This starts with Mazulla in my book. The guy never seems to lose it no matter what is happening, and the team follows suit.

3. Donkey has quickly become my least favorite player in the NBA. He plays putrid defense, creates dumb fouls, flops everywhere, leads the league in mouth-agape, hands in the air poses every time he hits the floor. Kyrie is a mild annoyance in comparison. I feel badly for the rest of the organization that has to put up with this guy night in and night out.

4. Part of me thinks Dallas will roll over. This was the game they should have won and didn't. They played their best basketball and still lost. Their leadership sucks. That said, that 4th quarter comeback is disturbing, and it showed Boston still has some of those old bad habits in them from time to time. If they take this seriously and clean it up, it won't matter if Dallas shows up to play or not. There isn't a team out there right now good enough to beat this Celtics team clicking on all cylinders.

Last one, and it's been said here but bears repeating. This team is special. They remind me of the Pats in their best years. Everyone is a professional, everyone is completely bought in, everyone comes to DO THEIR JOB. I've never seen a team so good in all facets of the game. I don't know how long it will last, but it will come to an end at some point, just like it did for the Patriots. Savor it, my friends. Hopefully we'll all be raising a glass tomorrow night.

 

[Captain Cliche]

I'll be the first one to say this...

After the finals, they need to sell high on Prichard. Not because I don't like him, but because he might be a trading chip, he wants to be a starting point guard, and someone may overpay for him.

 

[rochrist]

I'll be the first one to say this...

After the finals, they need to sell high on Prichard. Not because I don't like him, but because he might be a trading chip, he wants to be a starting point guard, and someone may overpay for him.

The return wouldn't be worth the loss.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

I'll be the first one to say this...

After the finals, they need to sell high on Prichard. Not because I don't like him, but because he might be a trading chip, he wants to be a starting point guard, and someone may overpay for him.

I get what you're saying, but I doubt they'll do it. If they are this dominant in the playoffs, they have to try and run it back one more time.

It's also worth noting that by today's NBA standards, Pritchard comes cheap. This is going to become more important as Tatum needs to be signed to a max deal soon, and White will undoubtedly become much more expensive.

This team might become the Patriots or the 08 Celtics. Veteran free agents may come here on the cheap chasing rings. That might be a better way to fill needs. Just looking at the list quickly, a guy like Patrick Beverly might be a good bench replacement for Hauser if he walks. His defense would fit right in around here. Daniel Theis and Andre Drummond could be potential replacements for Kornet and Horford (although I think replacing Horford is going to be VERY difficult).

I'm not an expert on the free agents so I'd be interested to hear what others who know more would say. These were names that jumped out of the list for me as potential good fits with what Boston likes to do.

 

[aluminum seats]

I'll be the first one to say this...

After the finals, they need to sell high on Prichard. Not because I don't like him, but because he might be a trading chip, he wants to be a starting point guard, and someone may overpay for him.

The return wouldn't be worth the loss.

It depends obviously, but that’s a conversation for another day. But of course he could be a trade chip

 

[aluminum seats]

I’m doing a rewatch of the last few minutes, and I don’t know if there’s ever been a stupider time out than Kidd’s with 5:25 left. Dallas has all the momentum, Holiday misses a three, they get the rebound, and he calls a timeout. Absolutely insane

 

[maust]

It’s actually pretty hilarious to watch ESPN and the idiots trying to make some sort of beef between Brown and Tatum when it’s so obviously not there

Yeah there may have been an issue once (although I suspect it was smore with Smart) and thanks to everyone trying to manufacture one there may be one at some point but it's pretty plain to see they are more than fine with each other. The chemistry on this team is almost palpable which just makes it funnier when the national media tries to manufacture an issue

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'll be the first one to say this...

After the finals, they need to sell high on Prichard. Not because I don't like him, but because he might be a trading chip, he wants to be a starting point guard, and someone may overpay for him.

For what ?

Keep in mind next year Holiday will be 34 and White need a contract.

Unless another player on the current roster develops or they import someone comparable/upgrade not sure it's the sensible thing.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I finally am home from work and have been able to think about this game and this team in more depth.

My biggest takeaways:

1. Joe has come of age as a coach. I really can't question a single decision he has made in the finals or the ECF, maybe the entire playoffs. I don't always subscribe to the "keep shooting 3s no matter what" philosophy, but he's handled alot of great players, kept egos in check, managed the press, and been very good in timeouts. He got an entire team of stars to buy into playing elite defense and team first offense. This cannot be underrated in this age of the NBA.

2 (1A). This team seems to ALWAYS deliver in the final minutes of games. Between the Pacers series that could easily have gone longer, right up to last night after completely blowing a 20 pt lead on the road, this team is a group of stone-cold killers in crunch time. This starts with Mazulla in my book. The guy never seems to lose it no matter what is happening, and the team follows suit.

3. Donkey has quickly become my least favorite player in the NBA. He plays putrid defense, creates dumb fouls, flops everywhere, leads the league in mouth-agape, hands in the air poses every time he hits the floor. Kyrie is a mild annoyance in comparison. I feel badly for the rest of the organization that has to put up with this guy night in and night out.

4. Part of me thinks Dallas will roll over. This was the game they should have won and didn't. They played their best basketball and still lost. Their leadership sucks. That said, that 4th quarter comeback is disturbing, and it showed Boston still has some of those old bad habits in them from time to time. If they take this seriously and clean it up, it won't matter if Dallas shows up to play or not. There isn't a team out there right now good enough to beat this Celtics team clicking on all cylinders.

Last one, and it's been said here but bears repeating. This team is special. They remind me of the Pats in their best years. Everyone is a professional, everyone is completely bought in, everyone comes to DO THEIR JOB. I've never seen a team so good in all facets of the game. I don't know how long it will last, but it will come to an end at some point, just like it did for the Patriots. Savor it, my friends. Hopefully we'll all be raising a glass tomorrow night.

Donkey's behavior this series has been unbecoming of his standing as an all-NBA player.

He needs to shut up and grow up.

 

[Captain Cliche]

 

[Kdo5]

I'll be the first one to say this...

After the finals, they need to sell high on Prichard. Not because I don't like him, but because he might be a trading chip, he wants to be a starting point guard, and someone may overpay for him.

“Need to sell high”? Why?

He is a solid role player for us on a good contract. Unless you are going to use him in a package for an Al Horford replacement I see no reason to trade him.

They jettisoned both Smart and Brogdon and proceeded to extend him. I don’t think their primary objective is to trade him asap.

I think the Celtics want to run it back as much as they can. I think Horford retires and there’s a chance we lose Hauser (think the contract is up). Can’t pay everyone and we need to throw a bag at DWhite.

 

[1960Pats]

I really enjoyed seeing the comments about all the problems the C's are having while at the same time showing highlights of them playing great, problem-free team basketball. And the comments about the C's being done without Porzingis were laughable. Don't these bozos watch the games? Their record without him has been fantastic.

My question now is why? Why are so many people against the Celts winning?

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

I really enjoyed seeing the comments about all the problems the C's are having while at the same time showing highlights of them playing great, problem-free team basketball. And the comments about the C's being done without Porzingis were laughable. Don't these bozos watch the games? Their record without him has been fantastic.

My question now is why? Why are so many people against the Celts winning?

As media personnel, they need to get clicks.

As people, we need to see the mighty fall. For some inexplicable reason that makes people feel better about their own failures in life. Same reason people love to hate the Pats and the Yankees.

 

[turkeyneck]

I really enjoyed seeing the comments about all the problems the C's are having while at the same time showing highlights of them playing great, problem-free team basketball. And the comments about the C's being done without Porzingis were laughable. Don't these bozos watch the games? Their record without him has been fantastic.

My question now is why? Why are so many people against the Celts winning?

It has ever been thus. This is the burden that comes from Red's legacy.

 

[aluminum seats]

My question now is why? Why are so many people against the Celts winning?

Honestly? In a lot of cases, these guys just aren’t that smart.

If Tatum was a prima donna, shooting his mouth off, “flashier,“ they’d be all in on the Celtics. This is just a really well put together, professional, likable team. Very much like the 2003-2004, and that’s not exciting to them.

 

[Brewskies]

Game 4 will be tough for the Celtics. Dallas has to figure out that it will take 3 of their guys to score not one or two. They must play better defense. They are a good team they should win one and it should be at home. I expected a great game, Dallas will win but only the numbers say that they Celtics lost. Both teams winners in game 4. Series over in Boston, Game 5.

Thank you Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics.

 

[ausbacker]

Game 4 will be tough for the Celtics. Dallas has to figure out that it will take 3 of their guys to score not one or two. They must play better defense. They are a good team they should win one and it should be at home. I expected a great game, Dallas will win but only the numbers say that they Celtics lost. Both teams winners in game 4. Series over in Boston, Game 5.

Thank you Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics.

Dallas hasn't shown the offensive ability to go beyond corner threes and lobs to their role players. It wouldn't surprise me to see Boston blow them out tonight. They're an infinitely better squad with a coach pulling all the right strings (who'd have thought, huh).

 

[aluminum seats]

Dallas hasn't shown the offensive ability to go beyond corner threes and lobs to their role players. It wouldn't surprise me to see Boston blow them out tonight. They're an infinitely better squad with a coach pulling all the right strings (who'd have thought, huh).

Agreed, pretty much. I think if the Celtics do it tonight, at some point in the second half if the lead is big enough Dallas will quit

Also totally agree that Mazzulla has got it figured out

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

For what ?

Keep in mind next year Holiday will be 34 and White need a contract.

Unless another player on the current roster develops or they import someone comparable/upgrade not sure it's the sensible thing.

White said the other day he wants to stay in Boston and will seek a contract extension this summer. Still I like Pritchard for depth / injury insurance. That said, if a team is willing to give up a lot, it would be worth considering. I’m concerned about Porzingis’s long term health, Horford is basically done and Cs need some assets to find some competent bigs.

 

[raduray]

It's with trepidation that I'm listening all the talk coronating the Celtics. But they're still one game away and there's always a first time that a team will come back from a 0-3 deficit. I'm hoping the Celtics themselves don't buy in that it's a given they'll win. They need to sharpen the dagger.