Tag Archives: @joeymurr

Way-too-early NBA predictions on the 2017 Celtics

Survey says…

“I don’t see them eclipsing last years total in wins and am going to keep them at 53 wins. The battle will be similar to last year between Toronto and Boston for the Atlantic Division with the April 4th contest between the two being deciding factor for who will see first Cleveland in the post season” – @JoshBeRube

“Celtics last season’s record was 53-29. The question everyone asks, though, did they improve that much this off season? The loss of Avery Bradley certainly hurts as he was one of our defensive bulldogs . With the addition of Gordon Hayward and another year of being with the Celtics for big Al , I can only see our record improving to what could possibly be a nice 58-24 record improving us by 5 wins. 60 is a big chance especially with how weak the East has become. For the number one seed it’s a two-horse race between the Celtics and Cavaliers. As long as Lebron James is at Cleveland, he will continue to push and fight. In terms of playoffs, we look ready to reach the Conference finals in a replay against the Cavaliers. The Celtics look stronger, and our bench depth will become a big factor when we bring in the second unit and need scoring from the likes of Tatum, Rozier, Brown and Smart. We may be able to take Cleveland to a seven-game series but sadly going down 4-3 if the Cavs’ roster stays intact. Hold tight though, Bean town! The future is ever so bright and we can only look forward to what we have to come with the likes of rookies and even Boston being a popular destination for free agents to sign here.” -@mitchphillipsbc

2017 Las Vegas Summer League - Portland Trail Blazers v Boston Celtics

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 09: P.J. Carlesimo (L) gets ready to interview Jayson Tatum #11 of the Boston Celtics after the team’s 70-64 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in a 2017 Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

“57-25(53-29) +4 wins . The addition of Gordon Hayward gives the Celtics the scorer they need. Then a bigger starting lineup will give them a better chance to win the rebound battle. I imagine they will start off slow but their talent and having a more equipped bench than most teams – will allow them win while learning to play together. Once they get on the same page, you will see short runs and flashes of what the team will be come playoff time. It may take a while, but once they are up and running they will be fine.” – @BlaiseG1991

“I’d like to be 52-30. We’re a better team this year but getting some of the younger guys more minutes and time to develop is in the best interest of the team in the long run. I think Stevens will play to that and we’ll be a better team come playoffs because of it.” – Adam K

“I think the entire “net” will be three more games than last year. Good for 56 wins, second seed. They get to the ECFs and lose in six. Not buying all the dysfunction in Cleveland. Cavs are shooting for the best record and home court throughout the playoffs.” – Chris R

“They may struggle a little to start the season, as half the team has turned over, but will get hot late. They will finish 51-31, to earn 2nd seed. Brad Steven’s will experiment will different line-ups early, knowing that the team will have time to make up ground in an extremely weak Eastern Conference. They will reach the Eastern Conference Finals, but lost to the Cavs in five games. LeBrown is just too much to handle, ITs defense will again be an issue and three of the four Cavs wins will be by four points or less.” – @williesteegz

“Celtics will be 56-26 and another 1 seed. Got better adding Hayward and Jaylen Brown will take a leap forward with more minutes. Tatum will provide instant scoring. Teams also can’t focus on IT the whole time which will open up the paint and allow for him to get to the rack and either put it up or dish it to the shooter. Cavs are in disarray and Kyrie is most likely gone.” – @MatthewKusch1

I tend to agree with the folks expecting about 55 wins. The team is more talented than last year, but as @Williesteegz said, half the team has turned over. You can’t argue that the acquisition of Gordon Hayward and having one of the deepest benches in the league with overcome much of the “first-day-in-a-new- school syndrome” but it’s there. All in all, the team has the talent, but we’ve seen talented teams underachieve in the past if they lose their identity. Don’t forget, the C’s have one of their more difficult schedules in recent memory with 25 nationally televised games (If Rondo was still here, he’d probably have his best season) – for more schedule analysis keep an eye out for @JoshBeRube’s article later this week.

Brad Stevens has his most exciting roster, but it’s on him to ensure the pieces don’t just fit, but overachieve (again).

Which Boston Celtics’ Player Reaches New Heights in 2017 NBA Season

Survey Says…

“Marcus Smart, because he will most likely transition into the starting two guard and gain valuable playing time to make him a future point guard. He might get paid instead of Isaiah Thomas” – Don @cjoneswho1212

“Al Horford. Another year with Steven’s and now a more veteran starting corp. The fans were kind of down on him.” – Andrew @ALykins32

“He isn’t the answer to that question, but I like Yabusele a lot for a couple years down the road. I think he has great upside and is very athletic. For this year, I might go Jaylen Brown. 2nd year in NBA, knows how things work now, will get a lot of rotational minutes and I expect a nice year out of him.” – Scott @TheFrizz87

“I’m going Al Horford because he will own inside now that Hayward is there.” – Jeff @JeffJardine3

“I say Jaylen Brown. The kid showed he is willing to learn (coachable) and glimpses of athleticism that cannot be taught. Not to mention he can play D. LeBron was +21.6 net rating, 64.3 EFG% with Jaylen on Bench and a -2.3 Net rating and 50.0 eFG% with Jaylen on the floor (CSNNE). Plus Brown avg. 17 minutes as a rookie, 2.8 boards and 6.6 points. The ceiling is high and I see him and Rozier lighting up 2nd unit teams.. Not to mention he played in 78 games. Brad trusts him. I see him marking the leap just as Marcus Smart did. – Josh @JoShBeRuBee

Smart Money on Brown

Most people will say, Smart. While I think Smart will have his best year yet, with Avery’a departure, I’ll have to give the nod to Jaylen The GOAT Brown. Last season when Avery went down with the injury, Jaylen took that SG position. The Celtics were 10-1 with him on the lineup. We have seen the flashes of what he can become. Statistically he will improve. On the court, you will see a different player and that will earn him lots of minutes. I’ve seen pictures of him this offseason — he looks even bigger (He already had a NBA body). His shooting will once again shock people. Handles still need some work, but I believe Brown to be the starting SG once the season begins. – Ricard0 @kaardovieira

Marcus Smart will work to improve this off season and will be an important player to the Celtics system this year. Smart brings intensity, strength and determination both on and off the floor. He struggles with his shooting woes but with practice and a consistent jump shot, I believe he could make the biggest leap. I’m think he will get a big upgrade in his minutes per game with Bradley gone. He has some shoes to fill. Exciting times but I think Smart can rise to the occasion. – Mitch@mitchphillipsbc

Jaylen Brown should take the biggest leap this season. Marcus Smart will play above his head in a contract year. If you look at the money Roberson got on OKC 3/30 and Waiters in Miami 4/53. He will get that money or more in a weak free agent class – Joe @JoeyMurr

Looks like it’s a three way tie between Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford. I was surprised to see a vet like Horford in the mix, but with a lot more room to move and surrounded by more play makers, his stats should go up. All that said, I’m in the Jaylen Brown camp. His production during the post season, the departure of Gerald Green and his off-the-court maturity (he hosted a dinner for new players) makes me think he has the tools.

Fans, who do you think takes the leap this year?

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Positions

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It used to be called “overloaded at the position.” And when you couldn’t draft your need you “picked the best available.” Then, if someone was under 6’3″ and couldn’t bring the ball up the court but could shoot, you had a “tweener.” Suddenly, this always-avoided situation has become desirable and sexy. Position-less basketball has taken hold and it’s exactly what we’re going to see this year. As a Celtics fan, I love it.

We’re looking at a team and a league that have finally realized (some sarcasm coming) that putting your five best players on the court (‘cause size doesn’t matter) results in a better product. Who woulda thunk? Finally the days of “you need to draft a seven footer” or “you can’t teach height” have passed and the focus is on finding a team that can score, defend, and win. Who cares what they look like? For all intents and purposes it’s NBA money ball (the book, which includes all the stats, not the movie).

To be clear, I’m not hating on centers. You know from my other articles that I love a good enforcer. When my friends and I played “Space Jam” in the middle school courts I actually wanted to be Shawn Bradley. My opinion does not value one position over another. When you build a team where everyone can score and defend (IT doesn’t ruin this because his DEF rating is almost identical to Kyrie according stats.nba.com) then you will win. It will also be fun to watch the switches, rotations and defensive assignments that will drive other teams bonkers.

Embed from Getty Images

Just think about a starting lineup where everyone can bring the ball up in a pinch:

IT is going to run the point, but to free him up
Jaylen Brown might need to bring the ball up, and if he’s high flying then
Gordo can quarterback the play, and if he’s knocking down shots from all over the court then
Jae can grab the ball around half court and when he needs to get back on D
Horford has been known to take it coast to coast

Whether you agree with that starting line-up doesn’t matter. All these folks can handle the ball and it works the other way around too. Imagine the second unit grabbing boards:

Baynes is going to be a big guy to get around when going for boards, and if he gets tied up than
Marcus Morris can still pull down five boards a game, and if he’s busy closing someone out then
Tatum grabbed seven a game in college (according to sportsreference.com), but if he’s off scoring a million points then
Marcus Smart will out-grit the competition and if he’s still on the floor after diving for a loose ball then
Rozier will grab three boards/game (ESPN.com) just like he did last year.

Celtics fans are probably taking this where I want you to; which is everyone can do everything and seven of the 10 guys listed above might end up covering Lebron next spring. Everyone else thinks that I’m overselling the Celtics. Fine, maybe I’m being a little theatrical, but it’s not my fault. I want to see seven-footers shoot and five- footers dunk. It’s not my fault though. Most of my formative basketball years started with Dee Brown and ended with Antoine Walker.

What do you think? Is this this here to stay? Will it work? http://gty.im/800014202

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