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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 16, 2019 20:08:56 GMT -5
In our way stands Kawhi and George, Lebron and AD, Curry and Draymond, Giannis and the Bucks, and even Al Horford and his two shady cohorts.
But we have a chance to beat them all, if (y’all can provide your own thoughts below)
-Kemba-Tatum-Hayward all perform like All-Stars (all 3 average better than 20ppg-4apg)
-we have the best 12 man rotation in the league (that means Carsens, Wanamaker and even Poirier are making solid contributions)
-Jaylen Brown is one the premier 3-D players in the league
-Kanter more than holds up his own defensively
-we are the most disciplined, best executing team
-we have no glaring weaknessess (that means our stable of no name big men collectively solidify our frontcourt)
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Post by jmost on Jul 16, 2019 21:50:21 GMT -5
I'll say that if Kemba and Gordon can replicate their best seasons (or even if Gordon regularly gives us what he showed in his best games last year), and Tatum plays the way he did in the 2018 playoffs, we are well on our way to being pretty damn good. But what we really need to scale the heights is a return on the team-first spirit of that 2018 playoff run. If egos and personal agendas are put away and guys play for each other and are happy with whatever role Brad carves out for them, AND WE PLAY HARD, we can go far. It's hard to know how far without seeing the new guys in real games though.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 24, 2019 10:46:22 GMT -5
Can someone please check to see if green colored glasses are sitting on my nose? I’m pretty sure they’re not but for some reason I feel very good about our chances to be the top team in the east — and I don’t think I’m being a delusional fanboy.
I feel we’re going to be one of the biggest surprises of the NBA — not that we’re projected to be a lottery team, but no one thinks we’re winning the east.
I just sense great chemistry, cohesion, unity from this group. Kind of like the Denver Nuggets of the east — a group without a true superstar, but without any glaring holes either.
These guys are professionals, no “me first” personalities, no bad attitudes, just guys who love basketball, who want to play hard and win.
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Post by jmost on Jul 24, 2019 13:40:01 GMT -5
Milwaukee and Philly will be the pre-seasom favorites, but I wouldn't be shocked if we're in the mix to win the East. Too many unknowns right now to have a firm opinion though.
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Post by afceltic on Jul 24, 2019 14:11:28 GMT -5
IMO Milwaukee is the clear favorite but I can easily see us finish second behind them.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 24, 2019 16:01:24 GMT -5
Nope, nope and nope! We’re winning the east cause we have the biggest chip on the shoulder and the right attitude to greatly excel.
I’m telling you, the determination level on this team is going to be unbelievable. Especially when everyone settles in their role and owns it, this is going to be an incredible team.
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Post by mev17 on Jul 25, 2019 21:43:11 GMT -5
I do not see how Philadelphia got better. None of their additions is as good as Jimmy Butler and they do not have a reliable 3 point shooter in their back court. Who is going to be their closer? Not one player on their roster has proven to be able to create offense late in close games. They are going to miss Butler more than any of the "analysts" seem to realize.
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Post by runrondo on Jul 26, 2019 6:49:47 GMT -5
MIL should easily be the favorite, but it's possible any injury to Giannis could set them back or maybe some complacency from being so good last regular season.
I agree PHI is not built to win games, but maybe built to entertain. They will have flashes of dominance when Embiid is healthy and Simmons/others can hit some shots. Otherwise, I'd take the higher chance that Embiid will spend the season fighting through nagging injuries and Simmons still can't shoot. If Simmons comes out with semi-reliable jumper/shot that he can hit often, well then all bets are off.
We're pretty good, but it does depend on the things you mentioned: -GH being consistently good -Tatum not taking every Kobe shot imaginable -Brown leading our 2nd unit or whatever role he's given -Everyone buying into whatever gameplan Brad devises -Rookies give us more than we expect (Carsen, Grant, Romeo)
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Post by jmost on Jul 26, 2019 8:12:50 GMT -5
One of the things I read (sorry, don't remember where) is that the guy Tatum is working with won't let him take long two's - which is great news if it carries forward into the season. Tatum's regression on 3's from the first half of his rookie season (before he hurt his hand) to last year's shaky shooting from deep, was strange and unexpected. If he can regain his 45 - 50 % 3 pt shooting of his first 3 months in the league, and he avoids those long 2's, it'll be a huge plus.
One thing that I didn't like was him saying that he wants to average 20 PPG this year. On the one hand I like players having goals, but on the other hand I'd rather hear that a guy wants to shoot 45% from deep, or get to the hoop more, than score a certain number of points. There's only one ball and we have numerous guys who could average 20 if that was their focus. I just don't want another Terry Rozier situation, where guys are too focused on their own stats.
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Post by jhvos7979 on Jul 30, 2019 14:06:25 GMT -5
For this team to be successful, they'll need to play some great discipline defense as a cohesive unit if they expect to make it far in the playoffs. Without Horford/Baynes, there are some glaring weakness in the front court right now that could easily be expose by bigger/stronger rebounding teams. Other factors as mention in this thread, Celtics need bigger impact from Brown/Tatum/Hayward in order to take the next step. I suspect Tatum will put up numbers due to shots will be available. If he stick to improving his perimeter offense and driving to the hoop, yes I would think reaching 20pts per game could be achievable. Other two (Hayward/Brown), one of them need to step up their games. I don't believe both would reach the all-star level at the same time especially with Tatum on the roster. If Celtics can get great performance by at least one of them they should be good shape especially if Kemba/Tatum become the two-headed offensive weapons that I would suspect them to be.
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Post by jhvos7979 on Jul 30, 2019 14:14:24 GMT -5
I do not see how Philadelphia got better. None of their additions is as good as Jimmy Butler and they do not have a reliable 3 point shooter in their back court. Who is going to be their closer? Not one player on their roster has proven to be able to create offense late in close games. They are going to miss Butler more than any of the "analysts" seem to realize. Philly really need to fill that roster with some min. contract shooters. They'll miss Reddick and TJ Mcconnell more from a perimeter stand-point than they would from Jimmy Butler. Butler does add that extra swagger that would suspect from an all-star player of his caliber. I don't see any other player beside Embiid that can just take over games. They'll be interesting to watch to say the least but, they have some question marks just like everybody else.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jul 31, 2019 18:08:04 GMT -5
Alot. If BOS makes the ECF I would consider that a great season.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Aug 17, 2019 18:46:58 GMT -5
Nope, nope and nope! We’re winning the east cause we have the biggest chip on the shoulder and the right attitude to greatly excel. I’m telling you, the determination level on this team is going to be unbelievable. Especially when everyone settles in their role and owns it, this is going to be an incredible team. Never underestimate the the power of an underdog chip. The Bucks and Sixers are considered to be at the top of the East and the Celtics aren't given a lot of respect right now. That team that went to the ECF two years ago wasn't as talented as many of the teams in the East, but they had that chip and they played with attitude. I can see this team playing the same way.
And I think the chemistry on this team is going to be really, really good. The 4 guys on the USA team are bonding and have grown close. And the 5 rookies (including Tacko) have been doing everything together and they have been working out with Hayward, who has been working really hard all summer. I expect a big year from him.
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Post by afceltic on Oct 9, 2019 19:04:24 GMT -5
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 11, 2019 14:45:55 GMT -5
Hayward is going to need to be back to 100% plus. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both need to take the next step in their development. Our 4 headed center monster will need to become proficient and fit into both the offense and defense. The rookies, especially Grant Williams and Carsen Edwards will need to contribute immediately. And they need to get a lot better on defense than they were in Game 1. Every player has to commit to playing tough defense.
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