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2020 NBA Finals: Celtics v. Warriors, The Almost Rematch of 2018

In 2018, The Celtics were a few minutes away from riding their surging young core past the Cleveland Cavaliers into a finals matchup with The Golden State Warriors. LeBron James would pull another triple-double to rob us of this potential matchup. Looking to 2020, we could very well see both the Celtics and Warriors square off with similar teams to what they had in 2018.

Why They’ll meet in The Finals

The Warriors possess a distinct advantage in that they experienced the least turnover in the Western Conference. They have essentially the same roster they had when they won two championships. The Celtics have an advantage in that they have a revamped version of their 2018 squad, featuring All-Star Kemba Walker. Both teams also have top-5 coaches in Brad Stevens and Steve Kerr. The free agency that severely altered the league has put both these teams into a great position to make a run in the playoffs.

What’s changed for the Celtics?

The Warriors had won the NBA title in 2018 after Boston failed to get past Cleveland to meet them there. However, now they are in a position to make it happen. For starters, both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have grown. With Tatum in his third year and Brown in his fourth, both the young wings have the experience and minutes to flourish as a duo. Kemba Walker replaces Terry Rozier from the 2018 squad, bringing All-Star scoring and important leadership ability. The Celtics will have a healthy Gordon Hayward off the bench, who was lost six minutes into the 2017-18 season. Boston also brings a solid draft class of young talent who fit coach Brad Stevens’ team-oriented system better than Marcus Morris or Kyrie Irving.

Why we want to see it

Many people did not want to see Golden state and Cleveland face off for another consecutive year. The super-team Warriors versus a young, upstart Celtics team would’ve provided a more entertaining series, even if Boston didn’t prevail. This year, Golden State returns a slightly different but deeper team then 2018. They have good odds of getting to the Finals again, with only the Clippers as true competition. The Celtics will have to best the likes of Philly, Milwaukee, and Toronto, but now look more like that same group of upstarts, except younger and more hungry. Boston was expected to cruise to the Finals last year, until they fell apart in the second round. They have a chip on their shoulder, and fully expect to stand opposite of GSW when the NBA Finals roll around in 2020.

Five Power Forward Trade Options for the Boston Celtics

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This summer the Boston Celtics lost center Al Horford in Free Agency, a player that some considered to be the most valuable on the roster, as well as their starting power forward Marcus Morris. They even traded away center Aron Baynes, the Celtics answer to Embiid and Giannis. While they did sign Enes Kanter, among other role players to replace the losses, they still lack a sure starter at the four.

Today we will look at five potential trade acquisitions to fill the void and how you may be able to seize an inside track with power pay or something like it.

Paul Millsap

Yes, he is 34 and past his prime. But he is valuable in both his ability to lead a squad of younger players, as well his contract, which is expiring after this season. His offensive game is similar to that of Horford’s, and Millsap is even a better rebounder. But his best asset is his ability to anchor the defense, just like Horford. The Nuggets would most likely trade him because they fear losing him for nothing, as well as the prospect of getting young players. A deal with the Nuggets could potentially be a swap of Brown, Hayward, and a first rounder for Millsap and Grant.

Blake Griffin

Griffin, a top 20 player in the league, once again has a chance of joining the Celtics. The athletic “point” forward displayed quite possibly his best season yet last year, coming back strong from an only 25 game season prior. He’s not only a superb scorer, but he can pass and rebound as well. While he wouldn’t have the same defensive presence as Horford or Millsap, he is definitely not a liability. The Pistons, of course, would have to decide to start towards a rebuild, similar to the Thunder. That is more likely than people think, as the Pistons only went 41-41 WITH Griffin performing at a high level, as well as the fact that Drummond could opt out after this season.

The problem with getting him would be the surely high asking price. The Celtics would need to give up multiple young players like Brown, Edwards, Grant Williams, or maybe even Tatum as well as picks. But just imagine the all-star team up of Walker and Griffin, and Walker dishing out lobs for Griffin on the fast break!

Serge Ibaka

The Raptors have lost Kawhi ,and have no other smart direction to go besides a rebuild. They have many solid young role players, but only one young star at the power forward position in Pascal Siakam. That means they have no room for Ibaka. He is an older, win now player at the same position as Siakam, the same position the Celtics need. He is also on an expiring contract. The Raptors will consider something as simple as a young bench player plus a pick to suffice.

And he is more than worth it. Ibaka is coming off one of his best years in the league, where he showed off his ability to score, rebound, and be the defensive anchor that the Celtics need. Yes, he isn’t the best three-point shooter or passer, but he doesn’t need to be in an offense with Kemba and Tatum. It is about time we bring the king of blocks to Boston.

LaMarcus Aldridge

It is no secret that he hasn’t had the best relationship with the Spurs. There have even been recent reports about wanting to go back to Portland. But Boston seems just as likely a destination. Aldridge is next to unstoppable in the post, and his game has aged well as a result. The improvements he’s made to his outside shot, and on the defensive end, also show that even at an older age he can still improve to be an even better star. With two years left on his contract and the wish to leave, all Boston has to do is dangle Brown or Smart, as well as a pick or two, in front of the Spurs to achieve a trade.

Kevin Love

What may be the most likely trade option, Love could surprise people with a comeback season comparable to that of Griffin’s if he joins the Celtics. Love’s ability to play off ball allows him to thrive in virtually any system, especially that of the Celtics. It also wouldn’t affect the development of Tatum like some of the other options would. While he doesn’t address the Celtics need at the defensive end, he would make their offense one of the scariest in the whole league. His contract isn’t as bad as it once looked, as it isn’t a top-20 contract and it would end when he is about 34. What the Celtics would need to give up is one of the Williams’ and about three first rounders.

Are all of these trades a bit risky? Yes. But the payoff could be huge and allow for the Celtics to compete with conference foes like the Bucks and 76ers, as well as the new duo’s of the West.

Featured image via The Undefeated

Why the Celtics need to trade Daniel Theis

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In today’s NBA, every team is constantly looking for ways to improve their roster. Sometimes that means trading away a quality player in a position of surplus. The Celtics look to have four centers on their roster: Enes Kanter, Robert Williams, Vincent Poirier, and Daniel Theis. With a need for cap flexibility, and only so many minutes, someone has to go. Daniel Theis, sadly, fits this profile. Here’s why:

Size and Skillset

Daniel Theis stands at 6’8″ and has primarily provided the Celtics with solid bench scoring. Both Kanter and Poirier can also do that. The only difference is each stands two + inches taller than Theis. Unlike Robert Williams, Theis has little defensive upside on the floor. He also has had struggles rebounding (attributed to his size), while all three others are above-average rebounders. Daniel Theis seems to be getting squeezed out due to his smaller skillset in a Celtics system that favors versatility.

Contract Complications

The Celtics re-signed Daniel Theis to a two-year, $10 million contract. He is 27 years old, and will be 29 when he hits free agency. With the team hitting a youth movement, his contract is interesting. The team consists of young guys, long-term vets, and some minimum contracts. Theis has a trade friendly conract that’s easy to move, which bodes poorly for him.

Net value to gain

What Theis does have going for him is that his skillset is very valuable to a title contender. Teams like Golden State, Utah and Houston would love to have a bench scoring big man to help improve their reserves. Those teams also are willing to give up draft capital in order to acquire his services. The Celtics can get more young assets to add while getting cap flexibility. Theis gets more minutes and a chance to play for a ring. A Theis trade would be a win-win for all.

Advantages of the Celtics Presence in the FIBA World Cup

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The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup is set to begin on August 31^st. For those unaware, the FIBA World Cup is the first official event for countries to qualify to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics. NBA players from all over the world will represent their home countries in the first step towards competing for the illustrious gold medal. For the Celtics, there are potentially seven players who will have the honor to represent four different countries in the event. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker will represent Team USA. Internationally, Daniel Theis will represent Germany, newly acquired forward Vincent Poirier will represent France, and Semi Ojeleye may represent Nigeria.

Originally, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker were the only Celtics invited to Team USA camp. After a multitude of prominent NBA players withdrew themselves from competition, Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown received additional invites. Regardless of how the players received invites, a heavy Celtics presence in the FIBA World Cup will provide the team with advantages ahead of NBA training camp.

Off-Court

Following a disappointing end to last season, the Celtics reputation was in question. The commitments to play in the FIBA World Cup present an opportunity to restore that underlying image. With NBA superstars withdrawing from the event, it is uplifting for the Celtics players to take pride in representing their countries. Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker have each publicly commented on their participation with Team USA, and their excitement to dawn the red, white, and blue. Their overwhelming excitement and pride has instantly spun the narrative for the upcoming season. The team has seemingly ditched the underwhelming, dysfunctional attitude, and taken a positive approach to everything coming their way.

Additionally, the players will have an opportunity to promote both the Celtics’ and their individual brands. Playing for Team USA will expose each player to audiences that may not typically view Celtics games. While each player is fairly well known in NBA circles, the casual fan with vested interest in their country’s competition may now begin to root for each player. This works similarly for the Celtics brand. If audiences are impressed by each player’s performance, they may become more prone to viewing Celtics games during the upcoming season.

On-Court

Perhaps an even greater advantage will come on the floor. NBA training camps won’t open until late September. This gives Kemba Walker a chance to play in real competition with his new teammates before other new acquisitions participate in camps. Through both Team USA camp and the FIBA World Cup, he can begin understand the tendencies and strengths of his teammates. This provides the Celtics with a head start in developing their on-court chemistry in actual games as opposed to simulated scrimmages.

Each individual Celtics player will also get a head start on preparing their body for the grind of the upcoming season. By the time training camp starts, each player will have about a month of high intensity training completed. Although this could be presented as additional stress on the player’s bodies, the young core of Tatum and Brown should have no problem accommodating the added work load. It presents a chance to “shake the rust off” early, and roll into camp in better shape than other teams.

A heavy Celtics presences in the FIBA World Cup could provide a major boost for team in the upcoming season. Scrimmages for Team USA begin August 9^th at 10 p.m. EST. The tournament begins for Team USA on September 1^st at 8:30 a.m. EST.

Who Makes the Leap: Jaylen or Jayson?

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The Celtics had an offseason dedicated to building around the their young wing pairing. Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will be expected to take the next step towards stardom. The real question is: Who makes that step first?

The case for Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown was the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. Coming in as a typical 3-and-D wing player, he has slowly added more depth to his game. His slashing ability has improved, and he shows incredible explosiveness around the rim. His defensive versatility has made him a favorite of coach Brad Stevens. His only downfall is he felt he should’ve been a starter last year and has developed a little cockiness to his character

The case for Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has Star potential written all over him. He has a well-rounded offensive game, and is a threat to score from anywhere. His defense is a work in progress, but he possesses the length and athleticism to be elite on that side of the ball. The biggest concern is his sophomore slump. He was a borderline All-Star when the Celtics battled injuries his rookie year. Chemistry problems and poor shot selection hindered his development. Here’s hoping he can bounce back this year.

Final Verdict: Jayson Tatum

Both Celtics players should see improvement this year, but Jayson Tatum seems closer to taking the next big step. He has a larger repertoire on offense and less ego (that doesn’t mean he has no ego). Tatum also figures to be the focal point of next year’s team, giving him more of a chance than Jaylen. Look for both to be considered as All-Stars this upcoming season.

Gordon Hayward primed for comeback season

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Celtics fans have had a tumultuous relationship with Gordon Hayward. He signed a big contract two seasons ago, and has been characterized by inconsistency and injury. Some of the Celtic’s chemistry problems were attributed to Brad Stevens ‘force-feeding’ Hayward last year. It looks like Gordon Hayward is a bust as a free agent. But he is in prime position for a monster comeback season.

No Expectations

It would be fair to say we don’t expect much out of Gordon Hayward this year. The former All-Star has not lived up to expectations, and may not even start this year. This unloads a ton of pressure off of Hayward. He can play without critique knowing we don’t expect much of him. Every positive contribution he makes is a good sign.

A more cohesive Celtics team

The Boston Celtics came out of the draft looking to build a team of cohesive guys who want to play together. A more pass-oriented offense should help Hayward find his groove early and often. It should also allow Hayward more open looks with a more diverse offense than last years Celtics team.

He has all the tools to succeed

Now two years removed from his horrific ankle injury, Gordon Hayward should reach his former glory. His leg has had more time to properly heal and give him his explosive athleticism back. Coupled with increased confidence, Hayward’s slashing ability should return to full form. With his solid jump shot, he has all the tools needed to help his team win games this season. All factors point to Hayward posting a career-saving stat line that will prove the doubters wrong.

Why Robert Williams should be The Celtic’s Starting Center

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All offseason long we have talked about the Boston Celtic’s options at the center position. A ragtag group of unproven player who must replace Al Horford. Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, Vincent Poirier, and Tacko Fall are their options. Here are the reasons why they should go with the man nicknamed ‘Time Lord’.

Size and Versatility

When it comes to the perfect blend of size and two-way ability, Robert Williams is your guy. Standing at 6’10”, 240 lbs with a 7’6” wingspan is some impressive measurements. He combines this with shot-blocking and rebounding ability that is quite impressive. He also possesses court vision that is well beyond his years. His ability to use his athleticism to attack the rim will aid him in his career. A center with the playmaking ability of The Time Lord is a scary threat.

Low cost, high upside

The misconception that the highest paid player at each position should start is ridiculous. Daniel Theis is the highest paid center at the moment, and is undersized and offensively limited. Robert Williams, who is still on a rookie deal, presents athletic upside on a cheaper deal. He’s a long term answer and more effective than Theis on both ends. He also provides more of a leadership presence on the court.

Robert Williams shows his athleticism against the Memphis Grizzlies in the Summer League

Fits the team culture

The Boston Celtics have modeled this team to be built on young, raw talent. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the prime examples of this. Enter Robert Williams. The Time Lord is just 21 years old and has potential, but has limited NBA experience. He’d learn and grow on the same timetable as the rest of the team. Overall, his youth, contract, and potential is the reason that William should be the Celtics starting center for the future.

What’s Next for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown?

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The NBA off-season is in full swing. Marquee players are relocating at an unprecedented rate, new draftees are signing their first NBA contracts, and young, talented players are receiving some of the largest contracts in NBA history. The Celtics have been in the mix on all of these endeavors except for the last. With the addition of Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter, and the recent draft class, it has flown under the radar that Jaylen Brown will become a restricted free agent (RFA) after the upcoming season. As players from the same draft class sign massive contracts, it bodes the question: What’s next for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown?2

2016 Draft Class

Brown was selected #3 overall in the 2016 Draft. (Credit: Getty Images)

The 2016 draft class is approaching their fourth year in the league, and thus the players are eligible to begin negotiating contract extensions with their current teams. We have already seen Ben Simmons (the #1 pick, 76ers) and Jamal Murray (the #7 pick, Nuggets) each sign 5-year, $170 million contracts with the teams that drafted them. So where does this leave Jaylen Brown (the #3 pick)?

From the Celtics perspective, Brown has not produced in a manner similar to Simmons or Murray. Simmons was the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year and made the 2019 All-Star team. Murray is coming off of a 2019 campaign where he averaged over 18 points per game (PPG) and was an integral piece in the Nuggets contention for the #1 seed in a stacked Western Conference. Currently, Brown does not have the accolades to compare to either player.

From Brown’s perspective, he can argue that each players’ respective teams were desperate to sign their young stars to remain relevant. Brown has taken a back seat to players such as Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and even Jayson Tatum in his time with the Celtics. He has had his fair share of dust-ups with his teammates, but after the turn of the 2019 New Year, Brown was one of the only players to accept his role and produce. He effectively recreated his production from the 2017-2018 campaign while playing nearly five minutes less per game.

Ceiling vs. Production

Brown dunks over 2018-2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. (Credit: AP Photo)

An extremely prominent factor in the case of Jaylen Brown is his potential ceiling vs. his current production. Brown has shown significant flashes of brilliance on both the offensive and defensive ends at times. His abilities and athleticism allegedly held Danny Ainge from trading him for two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. In an ideal world for the Celtics, Brown has been compared and projected to be a similar two-way player to Leonard.

Thus far, he has not flourished into that projection. Brown’s numbers have been serviceable: he averaged 11.2 PPG, 46.2% field goal percentage (FGP), and 36.5 three point percentage (3P) for his career. He has struggled defensively at times, and is most notably a poor free throw shooter, 65.8% for his career. However, it is easily forgettable that Brown is still only 22-years old. There is still plenty of time for his game to progress.

Ultimate Decision

The situation is a predicament for the Celtics. With players of similar age cashing in on mega-deals, it is hard to believe that Brown would accept an offer less than his peers. Additionally, a lot of Brown’s current value is still based on projection rather than performance. The ultimate question for the Celtics is: do you pay Brown based on projection or performance?

The common sense answer would be performance. By performance standards, the Celtics should offer Brown a deal that is less than the five-year, $170 million that both Simmons and Murray received. Would he accept that offer now? Would he be offended by a lower offer at the current time?

The best answer may be that the Celtics wait until after the upcoming season to offer an extension. If Brown’s production increases more towards his ultimate ceiling, he may be worth the contract extension. If his production stays at the current level, it would be difficult to invest that type of cap space on a player entirely for potential.

The upcoming season is shaping up to be a make or break situation for the Celtics and Jaylen Brown.

Overall Summer League Stats for Boston Celtics’ rookies

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The Boston Celtics capped their Summer League performance with a disappointing first-round exit to eventual champs the Memphis Grizzlies. Even in light of that, there are plenty of positive takeaways here. The future of the Celtics looks bright and many fans are ready to bet on the Celtics. Enhance your betting sites by signing to new bookmakers. Here are some of the stats by notable Celtics’ rookies.

Carsen Edwards: 19.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 45.6% 3PT shooting, 1.0 SPG

Carsen Edwards continues to show his ability to score and put up big numbers. He was the Celtic’s highest scorer, and showed it by averaging 19 points a game. Edwards also showed excellent accuracy from deep, with 47% shooting percentage overall, and 45% from deep. He averaged one steal a game, but his defensive hustle left more impact than the stats show

Grant Williams: 13.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, 47% Shooting

Grant Williams was the epitome of a team player. His well-rounded stats show his willingness to score less in order to help out in other places. With 13 points and six rebounds per game, Williams flashed all his tools in Summer League, and his stats show a guy ready to contribute in any way at the next level.

Tremont Waters: 11.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 38% Shooting, 2.0 SPG

Tremont Waters had low expectations coming in, so his stats were a little surprising. He did shoot under 40% from the field, but that’s something that can be fixed. His passing was excellent, as evidenced by his five assists per game. He also flashed great anticipation and defensive prowess with two steals per game. While he was one of the lowest scorers, he was their best defensive prospect.

Via The Boston Herald. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Tacko Fall: 7.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 77% Shooting

Tacko Fall, although not drafted, made enough of an impact to be mentioned here. He shot a ridiculous 77% from the field on his limited minutes, reflecting high efficiency. His 1.4 blocks per game highlight his ability to be an elite rim defender. At 7’6”, you’d like to see more point production. Overall, Fall was just one bright spot in a fun to watch group of Celtics rookies.

Celtics Summer League Hero: Carsen Edwards

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The NBA Summer League has been a proving ground where rookies make their case for minutes and roles on their team. It has also been a way of second year players sharpening themselves and improving. We have seen many heroes and future stars remake themselves into their best version. As Celtics fans, we are witnessing that right now with Carsen Edwards.

An Unlikely Star

Carsen Edwards was relatively unheard of until the NCAA Tournament began. He made his name by lighting up teams in March Madness, including taking out a title favorite in Tennessee. While he had an electrifying performance, both on offense and defense, many teams wondered if Edwards had just caught lightning in a bottle. Could he sustain that production for more than a few games? He would look to prove them wrong when the Celtics picked him at 33rd in the NBA.

What he brings to the table

The Boston Celtics lose a lot of scoring with Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier gone. It’s a good thing Edwards can help with replacing their production. He’s a scoring machine with near-limitless range beyond the arc. Edwards also packs some aggressive defense. As we’ve seen thus far, he plays hard and is not afraid of getting physical, even with bigger guards. He fits the mold of a Brad Stevens point guard. His teammates have raved about playing with him, as has Edwards about them. He brings a competitive intensity to the game that gets fans going. That’s something worth getting excited for

The future is bright for Carsen

Point Guards always seem to perform better in Stevens’ system. Carsen Edwards has shown that in these first few summer league games. He’s averaged 19 points and 1.5 steals in this three-game stretch, including 21 against Denver. He helps space the floor for guys like Tacko Fall and Robert Williams to work in the post. He’s not just a scorer, but he does all the little things in the game. Al Horford was known for doing these for the C’s before he left. Edwards will help soften this blow, and bring the Celtics back into the mix in the East.