What is this team missing?

Silverdude2167

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Giannis and Kevin Durant may have something to say about that. Not to mention Bam - who knows how good he'll be by then.
Can we slow down on the BAM train...it's not hard to look good when you play a team with no one to guard you.

No one is trading Tatum for Bam straight up now or in the next 5 years.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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I am pretty bearish on Timelord since his defensive instincts seem very bad, but centers occasionally take a while to pick that stuff up. Is he able to find the minutes to figure his shit out though?
Year 3 is often The Year for young players, but especially important for a big who came in on the raw side. Glad he is leaving the bubble healthy to be able to get to work and come back better.

I would feed him regular season C minutes like crazy from day one.
 

osori

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All timelord needs to do is not mess up defensive rotations. If he can do that he is a staple at 5 for good. I feel like Smart-Brown-Tatum-GWill-RWill is more than good starting 5 to contend. All we need is some bench spark (healthy Kemba) and some wings to slot in as reserves (Hayward and Romeo) and some rotational bigs (Theis, Kanter), which we already have.

Keep the core, just hope for more progress from our youngsters:
Jayson with better upper body strength and lower dribble so he can drive better
Jaylen with better BQ on the offensive end
Timelord with better BQ on the defensive end
GWill with perhaps growing one inch.
 

Devizier

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To learn to finish.

For a team with this much talent and this many guys who can go to the rim, they sucked at the end of games.
Yeah, basically this. I was reviewing words that begin with “ch”’with my son tonight and the Celtics were giving me ideas...
 

teddykgb

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Can we slow down on the BAM train...it's not hard to look good when you play a team with no one to guard you.

No one is trading Tatum for Bam straight up now or in the next 5 years.
That’s more about ceiling than anything. They were just on the floor for 6 games and Bam made the saving block in one game and took over the 4th quarter tonight while being excellent in all but one game. Tatum is obviously more talented but he came out flat a lot and wasn’t able to takeover. I’d bet on Tatum over him long term myself but it’s not a crime to think that may be a question long term imo
 

amarshal2

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All year I thought the thing was a bigger, more athletic center who could be trusted not to foul and be out of position defensively. I think the question here is, will an upgrade be available or is the best strategy to coach up Time Lord. I’d lean towards trade but couldn’t tell you who.

In the playoffs I think a different guy showed weaknesses we haven’t seen before: Kemba. He’s a great guy and very important to their culture but he was exposed by playoff defenses. He’s paid too much and he’s too weak defensively to be the offensive player we saw the last 13 games. Not enough offensive initiation for others and not able to create enough high quality shots for himself. Throw in his salary and it’s worse. I don’t think Ainge makes a move here but in a vacuum he’s not the best use of $30M/year.

They easiest thing to upgrade and the only thing they probably will upgrade is the bench. Gotta get better there and shouldnt be hard.
 

BigSoxFan

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Didn’t Bertans opt out? Imagine giving up picks and then not having him in Orlando.
 

NomarsFool

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On the positive side, I think we saw a couple of real positives in this playoffs:

1) Tatum can really be a playmaker. Not only does he have the ability to score at will at times, he also now seems to have been able to learn to pass the ball as well (his assists have gone way up).

2) Brown really established himself as a star. His consistency, defensive intensity, and clutch 3 pointers were key. I've been a big JB fan for awhile, but there were many times when it felt like wishful thinking. I think he has now arrived for sure.
 

Silverdude2167

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That’s more about ceiling than anything. They were just on the floor for 6 games and Bam made the saving block in one game and took over the 4th quarter tonight while being excellent in all but one game. Tatum is obviously more talented but he came out flat a lot and wasn’t able to takeover. I’d bet on Tatum over him long term myself but it’s not a crime to think that may be a question long term imo
Tatum just put up one of the best series and post seasons by someone his age or younger in NBA history and you are saying he came out flat?
 

ifmanis5

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A Killer Instinct would help. They can't close out quarters or put teams away as often as they need to. Hopefully this is something they can grow into but it's a clear missing element. Brad Stevens is trending on twitter and it's not good. I'm not going to game thread this but he was shown up by the last two coaches and had some awful gaffes. He's got to get better in big spots, too.
 

NomarsFool

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I love DT but get me a better center, then they become very hard to beat.
There was a lot of crappy play after that as well, but those two quick fouls in the 4th I felt like were the turning point in the game. The Celtics starting panicking and jacking 3s and it as all over. There's lots of good stuff to say about Theis, and I think he was key to winning game 5, but his inability to not foul is a real Achilles heel.
 

BaseballJones

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Draft Saddiq Bey. Deadly three-point shooter who has done it at very high volume. 6'8" and physical as well. Ideal 3D guy. Not a crazy athlete, but the Celtics have plenty of elite athletes (Tatum, Brown, Langford, Time Lord, etc.). He should be available with their draft slot.
 

slamminsammya

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A Killer Instinct would help. They can't close out quarters or put teams away as often as they need to. Hopefully this is something they can grow into but it's a clear missing element. Brad Stevens is trending on twitter and it's not good. I'm not going to game thread this but he was shown up by the last two coaches and had some awful gaffes. He's got to get better in big spots, too.
He was shown up by the coach of the year whose team he defeated? What were the awful gaffes?
 

teddykgb

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Tatum just put up one of the best series and post seasons by someone his age or younger in NBA history and you are saying he came out flat?
It is very surreal to be writing posts arguing against Tatum as I really do think he’s a superstar in the making but yes, he had a scoreless half in this series and didn’t score in 3 first quarters if my memory is right?

We need to appreciate what he is and I assure you that I do. But I think we also have to appreciate that he’s not there yet and probably won’t be for a few more years if he continues to focus on his game and improve
 

NomarsFool

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I'm hopeful too and I do think he will improve, but I don't see TL ever developing a good enough jump shot or perimeter quickness necessary to be a legit, consistent big man in today's NBA.
I feel like that when he is in the game, the other teams really alter their approach with regards to driving to the basket. He really is an elite shot blocker and I think he could learn most of the other stuff.

I'm actually more optimistic about the other Williams (Grant) - his main issue is height but it's worth pointing out he's the same height as Draymond Green and I could absolutely see Grant developing into a Draymond-esque player if he keeps improving.
Grant's wingspan is a 2-3 inches shorter, though. I'd like to see Grant be able to do something else offensively besides 3's, though. I would think there should be some opportunities where he could use his strength to muscle guys in the paint or at least start to muscle them and create opportunities for others.
 

OurF'ingCity

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A Killer Instinct would help. They can't close out quarters or put teams away as often as they need to. Hopefully this is something they can grow into but it's a clear missing element. Brad Stevens is trending on twitter and it's not good. I'm not going to game thread this but he was shown up by the last two coaches and had some awful gaffes. He's got to get better in big spots, too.
I think most of the Brad Stevens criticism is nonsense and is mostly just a result of the fact that Celtics fans get really intense watching games and are pissed Brad doesn't show that same intensity. They want someone lie Nick Nurse who is jumping around and yelling all the time, which is potentially more cathartic, but doesn't really have much to do with how good a coach he is or not.

That said, his approach to challenges is frustrating. In the regular season it doesn't much matter but in the postseason a successful challenge absolutely can be a key part of stopping a run by the other team, keeping a key player from foul trouble, etc. I assume his thinking is that it's always better to have that challenge in your pocket if you need to use it in the final minute of a close game or whatever but I'm not sure there is any evidence that that's an optimal strategy.
 

BaseballJones

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Tatum's stat lines each game:

G1: 30 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals
G2: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
G3: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 blocks, 0 steals
G4: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal
G5: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 blocks, 1 steal
G6: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 block, 2 steals

AVG: 26.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.3 steals

23 years old. Eastern conference finals, not some random 6-game stretch in December against random NBA teams.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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It is very surreal to be writing posts arguing against Tatum as I really do think he’s a superstar in the making but yes, he had a scoreless half in this series and didn’t score in 3 first quarters if my memory is right?

We need to appreciate what he is and I assure you that I do. But I think we also have to appreciate that he’s not there yet and probably won’t be for a few more years if he continues to focus on his game and improve
No FG in the first quarters of games 4-6. That’s the very definition of coming out flat. At least tonight he was passing the ball really well, but yeah he did not set the tone early the last few games. Well, maybe he did, but it wasn’t the tone we were looking for.
 

luckiestman

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Tatum's stat lines each game:

G1: 30 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals
G2: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
G3: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 blocks, 0 steals
G4: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal
G5: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 blocks, 1 steal
G6: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 block, 2 steals

AVG: 26.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.3 steals

23 years old. Eastern conference finals, not some random 6-game stretch in December against random NBA teams.
22 (March 98)
 

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Tatum's stat lines each game:

G1: 30 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals
G2: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
G3: 25 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 blocks, 0 steals
G4: 28 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal
G5: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 blocks, 1 steal
G6: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 block, 2 steals

AVG: 26.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.3 steals

23 years old. Eastern conference finals, not some random 6-game stretch in December against random NBA teams.
He's 22
 

bosockboy

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No FG in the first quarters of games 4-6. That’s the very definition of coming out flat. At least tonight he was passing the ball really well, but yeah he did not set the tone early the last few games. Well, maybe he did, but it wasn’t the tone we were looking for.
Right. He’s amazing but whole quarters off can’t happen.
 

BaseballJones

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Jaylen Brown's stat lines:

G1: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
G2: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
G3: 26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
G4: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
G5: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
G6: 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists

AVG: 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists on 55% shooting

He also is just 23 years old at the moment.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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All year I thought the thing was a bigger, more athletic center who could be trusted not to foul and be out of position defensively. I think the question here is, will an upgrade be available or is the best strategy to coach up Time Lord. I’d lean towards trade but couldn’t tell you who.

In the playoffs I think a different guy showed weaknesses we haven’t seen before: Kemba. He’s a great guy and very important to their culture but he was exposed by playoff defenses. He’s paid too much and he’s too weak defensively to be theIFR endive player we saw the last 13 games. Not enough offensive initiation for others and not able to create enough high quality shots for himself. Throw in his salary and it’s worse. I don’t think Ainge makes a move here but in a vacuum he’s not the best use of $30M/year.

They easiest thing to upgrade and the only thing they probably will upgrade is the bench. Gotta get better there and shouldnt be hard.
I agree with this.

Not to pile on Walker because he is a great fit for the team overall but in addition to the limitations you cite, he, through no fault of his own given that much of career has been in hoops purgatory, didn't have the experience or pedigree to calm down a young team and reign them in. Having a veteran who has some deep playoff run experience, even if its a role player, might help in times like the fourth where things are slipping away.

I don't think they need a answer to Bam per se - the market for those players is fairly inefficient anyway and the Cs seem to understand that there are better use of their money.

In short, they need more scoring and more experience. They should be a favorite again next season barring some unforeseen changes to the roster or coaching staff.

Also, if people are going to advocate for a new coach, show your work and why you know more about Stevens mismanagement of the clock, the refs, etc. Wyc, Ainge, Zarren et al clearly don't agree by virtue of Stevens extension so what specifically are they missing in terms of underperformance. And since I am asking the question, I will also ask for data rather than anecdotes. And also, whom do you bring in?
 

Light-Tower-Power

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Jaylen Brown's stat lines:

G1: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
G2: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
G3: 26 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
G4: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
G5: 28 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
G6: 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists

AVG: 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists on 55% shooting

He also is just 23 years old at the moment.
Other than Tatum coming out of the box better, you couldn’t ask much more of the Jays in this series. They’re so good and it’s amazing that they’re as good as they are at 22 and 23. It’s such a bummer that they’re 0-2 in ECF. It’s obvious that this team needs a bench sniper and a better center moving forward. Regardless, they were still there this year with good Kemba and good Hayward. Through injuries and/or whatever other reasons they got neither. It’s a shame.
 

reggiecleveland

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The ability to throw a lob pass. How many times did Miami get free points from Bam off of lobs? Jaylen and Time Lord should be catching lobs regularly.

I think they really need to reassess their coaching staff. Their offense is having the same problems it has for years. They need someone that's going to push Brad to try different things.
It is much easier to throw lobs to guys that can go up to 12 feet to get them.

This team needs two vets
I say vets because these will be bench guys with deficiencies, but if they know what they are doing Brad can get them in the D gameplan. So I iexpect the forward will be a nonshooter since guys that can do what they need and make 3s, are too expensive
1. one that can shoot,
they need a legit 3pt shooter on the bench. Not a three and D guy like Crowder, but a knockdown guy that will make 5 in quarter once in a while, a guy the other team can't leave. Right now they are waiting for Marcus to get hot (shudder) to have that extra 3 point boost. This guy would be better to be bigger guard who maybe isn't great off the dribble, but a good catch and shoot guy, who is not so small they post him like Kemba and Wannamaker. Again if he was also good off the dribble they won't be able to afford him. They are working too hard for their points right now, but they don't need another guy dribbling around.

2. one that can play above the rim at both ends.
they need an athletic vet big. Probably can't afford a guy that can make threes, but they need a guy that blocks and changes shots and dunks his catches in traffic. Thies is not that guy. I say vet because this is a team built on D and when they get stops they run. A smart D guy that can handle a gameplan, and be garbage guy on o. At the price they can afford this guy will miss FTs, maybe not be a great passer but does his job.

If one of them played angry that would be good for this mix.
 

luckiestman

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It is much easier to throw lobs to guys that can go up to 12 feet to get them.

This team needs two vets
I say vets because these will be bench guys with deficiencies, but if they know what they are doing Brad can get them in the D gameplan. So I iexpect the forward will be a nonshooter since guys that can do what they need and make 3s, are too expensive
1. one that can shoot,
they need a legit 3pt shooter on the bench. Not a three and D guy like Crowder, but a knockdown guy that will make 5 in quarter once in a while, a guy the other team can't leave. Right now they are waiting for Marcus to get hot (shudder) to have that extra 3 point boost. This guy would be better to be bigger guard who maybe isn't great off the dribble, but a good catch and shoot guy, who is not so small they post him like Kemba and Wannamaker. Again if he was also good off the dribble they won't be able to afford him. They are working too hard for their points right now, but they don't need another guy dribbling around.

2. one that can play above the rim at both ends.
they need an athletic vet big. Probably can't afford a guy that can make threes, but they need a guy that blocks and changes shots and dunks his catches in traffic. Thies is not that guy. I say vet because this is a team built on D and when they get stops they run. A smart D guy that can handle a gameplan, and be garbage guy on o. At the price they can afford this guy will miss FTs, maybe not be a great passer but does his job.

If one of them played angry that would be good for this mix.
Is that Boogie Cousins music???
 

RedOctober3829

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It is much easier to throw lobs to guys that can go up to 12 feet to get them.

This team needs two vets
I say vets because these will be bench guys with deficiencies, but if they know what they are doing Brad can get them in the D gameplan. So I iexpect the forward will be a nonshooter since guys that can do what they need and make 3s, are too expensive
1. one that can shoot,
they need a legit 3pt shooter on the bench. Not a three and D guy like Crowder, but a knockdown guy that will make 5 in quarter once in a while, a guy the other team can't leave. Right now they are waiting for Marcus to get hot (shudder) to have that extra 3 point boost. This guy would be better to be bigger guard who maybe isn't great off the dribble, but a good catch and shoot guy, who is not so small they post him like Kemba and Wannamaker. Again if he was also good off the dribble they won't be able to afford him. They are working too hard for their points right now, but they don't need another guy dribbling around.

2. one that can play above the rim at both ends.
they need an athletic vet big. Probably can't afford a guy that can make threes, but they need a guy that blocks and changes shots and dunks his catches in traffic. Thies is not that guy. I say vet because this is a team built on D and when they get stops they run. A smart D guy that can handle a gameplan, and be garbage guy on o. At the price they can afford this guy will miss FTs, maybe not be a great passer but does his job.

If one of them played angry that would be good for this mix.
Your guy that can shoot would ideally be a starter so they could bring Marcus Smart off the bench. I’m all for exploring his trade value that could bring one of the two guys you want as well.
 

RG33

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Maturity, 10 more lbs of muscle for Jaylen and Tatum, 2 guys who are 3-point specialist types, and a healthy Hayward.

Honestly, my only real disappointment from this postseason was seeing how Kemba was exposed. He is just too small, can’t finish in the lane, and is a liability defensively. I think he is a fine 4th option for them, but they couldn’t muster much offense and his shitty handle and inability to score off drives killed them when the shooting was off. Not sure they they can, or want, to do anything with him — but they need another ballhandler who can penetrate and create and give them another scoring option off the bench.

I love the core of this team, and they weren’t ready yet, but they are going to be a LOT of fun to watch for years to come.
 

chilidawg

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There was a lot of crappy play after that as well, but those two quick fouls in the 4th I felt like were the turning point in the game. The Celtics starting panicking and jacking 3s and it as all over. There's lots of good stuff to say about Theis, and I think he was key to winning game 5, but his inability to not foul is a real Achilles heel.
Best thing that happened to them was Theis fouling out. Miami's run started when Theis came back in for GW. Bam just attacked Theis over and over to get that run going. GW came back in, but by then the momentum had swung and Herro took over, and the Celtics started jacking 3's. Sorry, off topic rant.

For the most part I agree with those who think running it back with this crew gives us a good shot. Langford, GW, TL all have a good shot at being significant contributors, and we can certainly expect some growth from Tatum and Brown. Maybe a vet backup point. I hope Danny moves up in the draft to get a shooter there.

Edit to add: Brad needs a little better TO management and to grow a pair and get after the refs. No TO's until 24 seconds were left, and not challenging the Smart foul was just criminal management in an elimination game.
 

tmracht

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Health, hospital Celtics has to be draining especially in the playoffs.

Someone who can bring instant offense like Kanter but not be an utter sieve on defense.

An outside deadeye, punish teams who collapse to stop the drives. The drive and kicks were there, so many maddening rimmed out.
 

OurF'ingCity

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Also, if people are going to advocate for a new coach, show your work and why you know more about Stevens mismanagement of the clock, the refs, etc. Wyc, Ainge, Zarren et al clearly don't agree by virtue of Stevens extension so what specifically are they missing in terms of underperformance. And since I am asking the question, I will also ask for data rather than anecdotes. And also, whom do you bring in?
Except for a few reactionary posts in the game thread I don’t think anyone is actually calling for Stevens to be fired. I think people are just identifying areas of improvement for him, no different than there are areas where Tatum, Jaylen, Smart or whoever can improve.

I also don’t necessarily think Stevens’ extension is a sign that Danny et al. think Stevens is perfect in his postseason coaching - they may just think the positives (his ability to coach up young players, etc.) more than make up for it, whic is a position most people here would agree with. Or maybe they truly do have no issues with his in-game postseason coaching but there’s no way to really know that.
 

NomarsFool

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Best thing that happened to them was Theis fouling out. Miami's run started when Theis came back in for GW. Bam just attacked Theis over and over to get that run going. GW came back in, but by then the momentum had swung and Herro took over, and the Celtics started jacking 3's. Sorry, off topic rant.
I agree that the game was lost when Theis came back in, but I think that when he fouled out it was already (at least nearly) over.
 

nighthob

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I don't think it's realistic to think Tatum will be better than Giannis, Embiid, Durant, and Simmons. He may be better than one or two of them, but not all three.
He’s already better than Simmons and he’s likely to be better than Durant v. 2021.
 

OurF'ingCity

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One thing that people need to keep in mind in this thread is that it's really easy to say "we need a better big man" or "we need someone who can shoot better off the bench" but much harder to actually find those players without sacrificing elsewhere. People need to show their work and explain how we can get a good bench shooter or quality big man given the Celtics' current cap situation.

Roster construction in the NBA is really hard, particularly with a capped out team like the Celtics. It's unfortunate that this year's draft is mostly meh because that is one of the only places the Celtics could theoretically materially improve their team. The other is the trade market, but it would have to be a blockbuster trade to really change things - even something like the Miles Turner-for-Smart trade someone proposed in a different thread might not make a real difference because while it would address some issues, it would open up others (it would require them to find a very good defensive guard to replace Smart, for starters).

And they really can't do anything in the free agent market this year given their cap situation, except potentially add a veteran minimum contract or two.
 

RedOctober3829

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One thing that people need to keep in mind in this thread is that it's really easy to say "we need a better big man" or "we need someone who can shoot better off the bench" but much harder to actually find those players without sacrificing elsewhere. People need to show their work and explain how we can get a good bench shooter or quality big man given the Celtics' current cap situation.

Roster construction in the NBA is really hard, particularly with a capped out team like the Celtics. It's unfortunate that this year's draft is mostly meh because that is one of the only places the Celtics could theoretically materially improve their team. The other is the trade market, but it would have to be a blockbuster trade to really change things - even something like the Miles Turner-for-Smart trade someone proposed in a different thread might not make a real difference because while it would address some issues, it would open up others (it would require them to find a very good defensive guard to replace Smart, for starters).

And they really can't do anything in the free agent market this year given their cap situation, except potentially add a veteran minimum contract or two.
If Langford can provide some of the defense Smart’s absence would create, would that change things for you?
 

teddykgb

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This team trades Smart at its peril. He takes 3 or 4 shots a game which would be better distributed elsewhere but that guy brings a physical and mental toughness they quite frankly need more of. He’s pulling all those shots because too many of his teammates are playing like cowards. He’s a really imperfect player but his ability to defend and make ridiculous game changing plays combined with his intensity would be too big a loss. You’d get technically better but have worse results afaic
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Except for a few reactionary posts in the game thread I don’t think anyone is actually calling for Stevens to be fired. I think people are just identifying areas of improvement for him, no different than there are areas where Tatum, Jaylen, Smart or whoever can improve.

I also don’t necessarily think Stevens’ extension is a sign that Danny et al. think Stevens is perfect in his postseason coaching - they may just think the positives (his ability to coach up young players, etc.) more than make up for it, whic is a position most people here would agree with. Or maybe they truly do have no issues with his in-game postseason coaching but there’s no way to really know that.
There are posts in this very thread advocating for a new coach. Its fair game for discussion and its entirely possible that the team can do better than Stevens - its also fair to ask how and with whom.

While you are correct that we don't really know what the team thinks of Stevens, especially given this past run, I think their commitment suggests they view him very highly.

Frankly, there is a case to be made that he got more out of this roster because he prepared Grant Williams and some of the other rotation guys to play well during the playoffs when most other teams have more seasoned veterans taking those valuable bench minutes.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,085
One thing that people need to keep in mind in this thread is that it's really easy to say "we need a better big man" or "we need someone who can shoot better off the bench" but much harder to actually find those players without sacrificing elsewhere. People need to show their work and explain how we can get a good bench shooter or quality big man given the Celtics' current cap situation.

Roster construction in the NBA is really hard, particularly with a capped out team like the Celtics. It's unfortunate that this year's draft is mostly meh because that is one of the only places the Celtics could theoretically materially improve their team. The other is the trade market, but it would have to be a blockbuster trade to really change things - even something like the Miles Turner-for-Smart trade someone proposed in a different thread might not make a real difference because while it would address some issues, it would open up others (it would require them to find a very good defensive guard to replace Smart, for starters).

And they really can't do anything in the free agent market this year given their cap situation, except potentially add a veteran minimum contract or two.
Re: shooters

Aaron Nesmith
Saddiq Bey
Tyrell Terry

Get one of those guys at #14. Different players but all can really stroke it.

The big would have to be MLE but honestly just want to see more of TL.