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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 12, 2017 14:22:52 GMT -5
It's already a given that our big 3 need to be our 3 best and most productive players (they're not getting paid big bucks to be mediocre). But, you can't win a championship with only 3 players, no matter how great they may be. Nearly as important is it to have a few more really solid contributors who can be counted on to produce and come through.
Who are the next 3 players, outside of Kyrie-Gordon-Horford, who need to step up and help carry the team?
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 14, 2017 20:18:32 GMT -5
Yes, it's a given that Kyrie, Hayward and Horford all have to step up and play at an all star level. I think Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are the next 3 that have to step up their games.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 15, 2017 2:12:41 GMT -5
I'm going to go with
Marcus Morris
Marcus Smart
Jayson Tatum
We need Morris to come up big because he legitimately evens the playing field against top teams. With the focus being on Kyrie-Hayward-Horford, teams are going to have nightmares if the 6'9" Morris, who has the size and strength to play physical, yet agile with decent ball handling skills, can use all his skills on the perimeter and in the post to be an offensive threat. He actually does have a game similar to Draymond Green.
Marcus Smart needs to come up big because he already plays a ton of minutes -- so if his offensive efficiency improves, we're looking at a 15 ppg backup PG, who also creates havoc on defense. We're looking at a possible 6th man of the year candidate.
Jayson Tatum offers the type of versatility Brad seeks -- a tall, long ball handler who can create for others and score from the perimeter. As an added bonus, Tatum can score in isolation, giving Brad another guy who can bail out the team with the clock winding down. Tall order for a rookie, but this kid is seasoned and doesn't get rattled.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Sept 15, 2017 7:37:18 GMT -5
Paul Pierce said that Tatum reminds him of a mature version of himself, maybe 7 years into his career. That's quite an endorsement. If he can play to that level this season as a rookie, the sky is the limit for him and for this team. I can't wait to see how this season plays out!
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Post by jmost on Sept 15, 2017 11:12:37 GMT -5
I have to see more of the new guys to answer this intelligently. By the end of pre-season I'll have a better idea of who can do what.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Sept 15, 2017 12:02:36 GMT -5
Paul Pierce said that Tatum reminds him of a mature version of himself, maybe 7 years into his career. That's quite an endorsement. If he can play to that level this season as a rookie, the sky is the limit for him and for this team. I can't wait to see how this season plays out! Here's what Pierce said: “He looks like an older version of me, when I started doing the step-back and stuff,” Pierce said in an exclusive interview with CSN. “When I’m watching him, he looks like a mature version of my game, like sixth, seventh, eighth year. He sees the defense. He knows what’s going to happen before it happens. He understands his position, footwork, his step-back (jumper) is there. His offensive repertoire seems complete. The sky is the limit for that kid.” But Pierce further adds: “The thing I see, what makes the guy special, there’s a lot of talent in the league. There’s no question about it,” Pierce said. “Your mentality, your drive, how great you want to be, that’s what separates the good from the great ones. You look at guys from the past, like Kobe (Bryant’s) determination, his competitive spirit. You see guys that were just as talented, they didn’t have the same competitive spirit so they could not reach the levels of other greats. Pierce added, “that’s the biggest thing, the mentality, having a competitive spirit because there’s so much talent, and it’s about how hard you work and the mentality you bring every single night.” Pierce said he does see some of this in Tatum, which is a good sign. I'm trying to remember who it was, a few years ago, whom Pierce was saying the same thing to -- but it was more a criticism against the young player (like, this player was talented, but didn't put in the hard work to be great). I can't remember if it was a Celtic player, or if it was someone on the Nets, the Wizards or the Clips. |
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Post by jhvos7979 on Sept 15, 2017 12:49:27 GMT -5
It come down to who going to eat up big minutes at the two swing positions. Jaylen Brown/Tatum need step up as quality players to give Hayward/Irving a break when it come to needing a shot at the basket or a defensive stop during crucial times.Right now, we have two all-stars and former all-star on this roster. Celtics need one of the rooks or possibly Marcus Smart to step to become a very good starter or possibly border-line star to help to bring them to the next echelon as today forumla require a whole starting roster to have potential all-star appearance. Horford is only going to go down hill far as production goes so it'll depend on the young bucks to step up.To me, Smart/Brown/Tatum are the guys I'm expecting to step up otherwise we'll need to depend on Irving/Hayward to become superstars in this league to cover the loose end production that we aren't getting from the Avery Bradley or Crowder of this world.
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