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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 2, 2017 1:23:24 GMT -5
I'll be honest, the big 3 of Kyrie-Hayward-Horford doesn't exactly strike me as a formidable trio, like Durant-Curry-Draymond (and Thompson). But that's probably because our big 3 are too nice. Hayward is a perfect gentlemen, and I can imagine Horford helping every little old lady he see's crossing the street. Nice guys do not strike fear into their opponents.
But this year, Kyrie-Hayward-Horford will have a different demeanor -- they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulders, and a sense of wanting to prove themselves.
Kyrie is determined to take the next step in his development as a player, and wants to prove (maybe to Lebron) that he can lead a team to a championship. He basically demanded to be traded off of Lebron's team, and got his wish. Now the spotlight will be on him, and he has to prove that his assessment of himself is correct. I can see Kyrie playing harder than ever before.
I also believe Hayward will also play with greater determination. He left behind the only organization he's played for, he left his teammates, and he took less money to play for us because he believed the grass was greener in Boston. He'll look pretty foolish if his play falters, and the Jazz become a better team than us. And don't forget that one of the reasons why he signed with us is because he wanted to finish the job that he and Coach Brad couldn't do at Butler. He has a mission to accomplish.
Horford knows his playing days (at least his prime years) are approaching an end. He's been a winner at every level he's competed at, except at the highest stage. If he's going to win the championship he's chasing after, it'll have to be within the next few years, with these group of guys. And Al knows he's going to be heavily counted on to win games with his versatility. The more he contributes, the more we'll win. This might be the most impactful Al Horford we've seen up till now.
By the end of the year, our Big 3 might be one of the very best in the league.
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Post by jmost on Sept 2, 2017 11:33:33 GMT -5
Curry, Durant and Klay are all nice guys too. Green is a bit of a goon, with his crotch-kicking, but overall GS is a team a good guys. Even the coach I have a hard time hating. If we can get good enough to be feared in the same way that GS is feared, we won't need tough guys.
My hope is that Brown and Tatum come along enough in the next two years that Horford isn't even a part of our Big 3. When he's the 5th best player on the Celtics we'll be good enough to win.
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 2, 2017 12:26:30 GMT -5
The team's Big 3 can play multiple positions, and can spread the floor. Interior defense will still be an issue, and so will rebounding, however help will be on the way.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 2, 2017 12:29:33 GMT -5
Curry, Durant and Klay are all nice guys too. Green is a bit of a goon, with his crotch-kicking, but overall GS is a team a good guys. Even the coach I have a hard time hating. If we can get good enough to be feared in the same way that GS is feared, we won't need tough guys. My hope is that Brown and Tatum come along enough in the next two years that Horford isn't even a part of our Big 3. When he's the 5th best player on the Celtics we'll be good enough to win. Yes, Golden State's big 3 are nice guys too -- but they've earned the reputation of being a formidable trio by winning a championship. Nice as they may be, they strike fear into their opponents. Kyrie-Hayward-Horford will have to earn that "formidable" reputation and build that fear into their opponents. They can only do that by being dominant. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 2, 2017 14:10:24 GMT -5
One thing that's noticeable in the Kyrie/Gordon introduction, especially towards the middle and ending, is that Kyrie already talks as if this is his team (and I don't mean this in a negative way because eventually, all will come to view this as 'his" team, as he is the best player).
I actually like that he's already taking over -- one of the next steps he must take on his journey is to be a leader; one who assumes responsibility as the alpha dog, and one who looks to spread the glory for the success the team comes across.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 2, 2017 20:49:25 GMT -5
Don't forget that we still have Marcus Smart to bring a bad boy image to the team  Also, Aron Baynes is going to bring toughness and defense inside. Marcus Morris will bring a bit of toughness also. We won't have the same "us against the world- chip on the shoulder" attitude we did last season because a lot of that came from IT and Avery and Crowder and they are gone. But hopefully they will gain a defensive mentality and they will put it all together. Defense wins games and we lost two of our best defenders. I hope others step up. I know Ojeleye played some good defense in SL and I know Marcus Morris is a good defender and Baynes is a good defender inside. I'm really excited to see how this team comes together!! |
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 2, 2017 23:08:02 GMT -5
A pretty good, if not great 3. I am excited for the 2017-18 season!
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Post by afceltic on Sept 3, 2017 5:14:36 GMT -5
Don't forget that we still have Marcus Smart to bring a bad boy image to the team Also, Aron Baynes is going to bring toughness and defense inside. Marcus Morris will bring a bit of toughness also. We won't have the same "us against the world- chip on the shoulder" attitude we did last season because a lot of that came from IT and Avery and Crowder and they are gone. But hopefully they will gain a defensive mentality and they will put it all together. Defense wins games and we lost two of our best defenders. I hope others step up. I know Ojeleye played some good defense in SL and I know Marcus Morris is a good defender and Baynes is a good defender inside. I'm really excited to see how this team comes together!! Only two teams held their opponents under 100 ppg last year and those were the Spurs and the Jazz. Defense matters, but with all of the rules that have made it almost impossible to play defense, it is less important than it was when we had our last title contender when we held people to around 93 ppg. Defensive rebounding is more important now since you can't touch anyone, you need to be able to control the boards to win games. The only way to make up for it is to shoot well, which we did last year to offset some of our pathetic rebounding we had. |
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 3, 2017 12:16:56 GMT -5
Don't forget that we still have Marcus Smart to bring a bad boy image to the team Also, Aron Baynes is going to bring toughness and defense inside. Marcus Morris will bring a bit of toughness also. We won't have the same "us against the world- chip on the shoulder" attitude we did last season because a lot of that came from IT and Avery and Crowder and they are gone. But hopefully they will gain a defensive mentality and they will put it all together. Defense wins games and we lost two of our best defenders. I hope others step up. I know Ojeleye played some good defense in SL and I know Marcus Morris is a good defender and Baynes is a good defender inside. I'm really excited to see how this team comes together!! Only two teams held their opponents under 100 ppg last year and those were the Spurs and the Jazz. Defense matters, but with all of the rules that have made it almost impossible to play defense, it is less important than it was when we had our last title contender when we held people to around 93 ppg. Defensive rebounding is more important now since you can't touch anyone, you need to be able to control the boards to win games. The only way to make up for it is to shoot well, which we did last year to offset some of our pathetic rebounding we had. UTA's pace was deliberately slow, which attributed to opponents scoring less than 100/game. Tied for 5th in wins. Impressive, with only Hayward and Gobert. Did the past C's (circa 2007-2012) have to held their opponents to circa 93/game, because the bench was inefficient. 2007, I can remember a solid bench (Powe, Posey, House, Davis), however each year the bench got worse, and the stars got older. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 6, 2017 0:47:06 GMT -5
Both Gordon and Kyrie went up against the Warriors last postseason , and had their season terminated in humiliating fashion.
Now they are coming to BOS, who has figured out a way to beat the Warriors. I think it's time we settled accounts with these Warriors, who have what rightfully belongs to us.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 7, 2017 20:46:06 GMT -5
We beat the Warriors in Oakland the past two seasons and pushed them hard in Boston. But this is a whole different team. Not as much grit and grind but more talent. Who knows how it will go this season.
Speaking of Marcus Smart, he lost 20 lbs and put on more muscle and said he's more explosive. He said that he has been in the gym all summer. I can't wait to see him.
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 7, 2017 22:57:25 GMT -5
Both Gordon and Kyrie went up against the Warriors last postseason , and had their season terminated in humiliating fashion. Now they are coming to BOS, who has figured out a way to beat the Warriors. I think it's time we settled accounts with these Warriors, who have what rightfully belongs to us. Irving had some legendary games vs. GS in the final. CLE's issue was sans Irving, and Lebron. Love, great player, awkward as the third fiddle, and the rest of the team was bad. |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 19, 2017 16:07:15 GMT -5
Anyone care to guess what these three will average on offense?
I'll be somewhat conservative;
Kyrie 26 ppg
Hayward 23 ppg
Horford 20 ppg
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Post by Roadrunner on Sept 19, 2017 17:56:58 GMT -5
Anyone care to guess what these three will average on offense? I'll be somewhat conservative; Kyrie 26 ppg Hayward 23 ppg Horford 20 ppg If I had to speculate, I would say: Irving: 22 Hayward: 24 Horford: 17 Irving had a career year scoring last year, however I expect him to be more of a passer. Hayward's career scoring has trended upwards, which I expect to continue. Horford will get a lot more open looks, because there are 3 stars versus 2 stars this season. |
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Post by freshnthehouse on Sept 22, 2017 1:17:05 GMT -5
I'm gonna go:
Irving 28
Hayward 25
Horford 15
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Also, Aron Baynes is going to bring toughness and defense inside. Marcus Morris will bring a bit of toughness also. 
