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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.

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.

Enes Kanter: Basketball Provides Platform

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Bigger Than Basketball

Enes Kanter recently signed a 2-year $10 Million contract with the Boston Celtics. The former Trailblazer joined All-NBA point guard Kemba Walker as the two noteworthy off-season Celtics free agent acquisitions. Kanter will fill the veteran offensive void left by the departure of Al Horford. One of the best post players in the NBA, Kanter averaged 13.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game on splits of 54.9/29.4/78.7 in 2018-2019. The University of Kentucky star was the 3^rd pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the highest for any Turkish-born player in NBA history. Kanter is also only the fourth first round Turkish NBA Draft Pick, joining Mirsad Türkan, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Furkan Korkmaz.

Beyond basketball, Kanter is most known for social media and human rights activism. The Turkish government accused Kanter of financially assisting a failed coup of the Turkish government in 2016. Turkey cancelled Kanter’s passport in 2017, issued a warrant for his arrest and threatened to revoke his citizenship. The Kanter family even publicly disowned Kanter as a result of constant harassment. Kanter refrained from traveling outside of the United States for work for fear of his life after being stranded stateless in Europe in 2017.

Kemba Walker (8) and Enes Kanter (11) were officially introduced as Boston Celtics Wednesday at a press conference. (Image credit: AP)

Culture Clashes on the Court

Enes Kanter’s only family contact is through his younger brother Kerem Kanter. Kerem last played college basketball at Xavier University, and now plays for France’s Pro A League. At the introductory press conference Kanter described his family as happy for him, but insisted his human rights activism took precedence. Imagine working in another country without the support of your family. Imagine not even being able to communicate with them.

Kanter is a devout Muslim and observes Ramadan, a month-long session of prayer and reflection, including fasting. This occurs during the NBA season, a constant source of scrutiny for Kanter during this religious period. This exact scenario nearly played out last season when Kanter was a member of the Portland Trailblazers. When you consider Kanter’s work ethic and dedication to the game, the commitment to his native country and exposing human rights violations, as well as his personal sacrifices, you clearly see the high-quality character Kanter possesses.

Enes Kanter directs kids at his youth basketball camp in West Hempstead, NY after the original camp was cancelled for political reasons. (Image credit: Howard Simmons)

Basketball Provides Platform

Enes Kanter has made it clear he appreciates his position as an NBA player. His stature allows him a voice not provided to many Turkish nationals or expatriates with human rights concerns. He has made several personal and professional sacrifices in his career to allow him to voice those concerns. Kanter can’t do it himself, evidenced by travel restrictions and safety concerns. Politics have even effected Kanter’s free youth basketball camps. The Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, NY cancelled the camp last week after external pressure. Kanter blamed Turkish representatives and the New York Turkish consulate for the cancelled youth camp, a claim those representatives deny.

Thankfully, more sensible heads prevailed. Kanter’s youth camp proceeded at the Island Garden in West Hempstead, NY after the intervention of Congresswoman Kathleen Rice. Kanter has now enlisted the help of over 20 senators and representatives to express his intentions and work with foreign governments to allow and ensure safe travel during games and events, including: Senators Ed Markey, Ron Wyden and Representatives Joe Kennedy, Peter King and Rice. Fans, teammates, camp attendees and myriad representatives either know or are beginning to see what Enes Kanter is all about. Now it’s Boston’s turn.

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.

Boston Celtics: Not Plan A, But A-OK

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Danny Ainge: “This Was Plan A.”

The Boston Celtics officially introduced point guard Kemba Walker and center Enes Kanter in a press conference Wednesday. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge called the signings Boston’s “Plan A”. Filling out the roster with an All-NBA player like Walker and one of the most efficient players in the NBA in Kanter is one thing; claiming the moves were Plan A is another. Plan A would suggest the initial plan. It’s widely known the Boston Celtics were hoping to secure Kyrie Irving long-term and then use Irving to lure another marquee free agent, e.g. Anthony Davis, to the Celtics. Boston also pursued other players such as Kevin Durant.

The Boston Celtics declined a trade for Kawhi Leonard that would have shipped Jaylen Brown out of town. That doesn’t mean Boston was holding out for Walker and Kanter. At the very least, Ainge, unlike the Celtics ownership group, came off as disingenuous. It wasn’t Plan A, but what about the plan in general? It’s almost genius, which is probably why Ainge is arrogant enough to claim it was Plan A. The Celtics acquired two veteran leaders at positions of need ranked in the top-30 in PER (Player Efficiency Rating) for $40.1 Million.

Celtics general manager and president Danny Ainge, left, and coach Brad Stevens watch during a preseason workout at the Boston Celtics’ Auerbach Center training facility in Boston, Massachusetts on September 25, 2018. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/Boston Herald)

From the Players Themselves

Kemba Walker expressed his sole desire to win as the reason for leaving the Charlotte Hornets . The University of Connecticut star talked of his familiarity with New England and expressed his excitement to learn with Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. Walker’s Huskies beat Stevens and Butler University for the 2011 NCAA Championship. Considering point guards success in Stevens’ systems, Walker has reason to be excited. “[Point guards] score a lot”, Walker said as the media chuckled nervously, recalling Walker’s 9^th-ranked usage rate in 2018-2019. Sound familiar? Walker talked about leading by example, and perhaps most impressively, was eager to talk to Jayson Tatum, Brown and Marcus Smart about their playoff experience, displaying a humility in stark contrast to Irving’s. Walker connections to Tatum via Nike, and Brown through the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program, were crucial in signing the All-NBA point guard.

“I want to be the reason nobody else wears number 11”, Enes Kanter quipped in reference to Kyrie Irving, drawing laughs. Kanter spoke about the difficulties he had playing in Boston and relished at the opportunity to play for Boston. A phone call from Walker helped sealed the deal with Kanter, a call that apparently came from Ainge’s phone. Kanter stressed the player-coach relationship and saw Stevens as the perfect fit, while Stevens lauded Kanter’s post abilities, efficiency, passing and leadership skills. Kanter also talked about the difficulties of his personal life, and downplayed concerns regarding travel to Canada. Kanter’s sacrifices and fight for democracy in Turkey make for the high character veteran leader this young Celtics team so desperately needs.

Kemba Walker (8) and Enes Kanter (11) were officially introduced as Boston Celtics Wednesday at a press conference. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Take Home Message

The Boston Celtics plan, the real Plan A, clearly didn’t work out. Irving is on the Brooklyn Nets with Kevin Durant, and Davis is on the Los Angeles Lakers. One could argue Plan B didn’t work either considering Al Horford is a Philadelphia 76er. But that doesn’t mean the Celtics ended up with Plan C; quite the opposite, actually. No, Boston ended up with the best fit. As Ainge eventually admitted, the Celtics jumping at the first opportunity to sign Walker and Kanter was the best option with the remaining resources.

Walker is a local hero back home in the Northeast set to become the leader the Boston Celtics need. Kanter’s contract is probably one of the best values in the NBA, and he will largely replace the void left when Boston lost their entire veteran inside presence. The question now becomes whether Stevens can get Walker to be more of a distributor and Kanter more of a defender. History tells us Stevens will figure it out.

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.

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.

Boston Celtics Sign First Round Draft Picks

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First Round Picks Signed

The Boston Celtics signed their first-round draft picks from the 2019 NBA draft this week. Romeo Langford, the 14^th pick, and Grant Williams, the 22^nd pick, are now officially Celtics. Langford, a shooting guard/small forward from Indiana University, will make nearly $7.1 Million (M) guaranteed over his first two years. The Celtics have a player option for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 worth $3.8M and $5.6M, respectively. Langford’s $3.5M salary in 2019-2020 will be approximately 120% of the rookie wage scale. The Celtics have a qualifying offer of $7.8M in 2023-2024 when Langford becomes a restricted free agent. That qualifying offer would constitute a $16.9M cap hit.

Williams, a power forward from the University of Tennessee, listed as a small forward on the Celtics roster, will make nearly $5M guaranteed over his first two years. The Celtics have a player option for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 worth $2.6M and $4.3M, respectively. Just like Langford, Williams’ $2.4M salary in 2019-2020 will be approximately 120% of the rookie wage scale. The Celtics have a qualifying offer of $6.2M in 2023-2024 when Williams becomes a restricted free agent. That qualifying offer would constitute a $12.9M cap hit.

Grant Williams (40) of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up the court against Brandon Clarke (15) of the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. (Photo via Getty Images)

Other Notable Transactions

The Boston Celtics waived Guerschon Yabusele this week after picking up his $3.1M option last season. The word on the court was Yabusele’s development was not up to pace with the team’s desires. Boston signed Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Tacko Fall, and Vincent Poirier in addition to guaranteeing Semi Ojeyele’s contract this month, making Yabusele obsolete. Unfortunately, Yabusele’s $3.1M is dead money and counts against the Celtics 2019-2020 salary cap.

The Boston Celtics also signed rookie point guard Carsen Edwards to a three-year $4.5M contract. Edwards was the 33^rd pick in the 2019 NBA draft. Practically a first-round pick himself, Edwards shined in the NBA Summer League, becoming a fan favorite. The point guard position was once a source of panic for Celtics fans. Edwards becomes the Celtics fourth point guard and the third point guard signed this month (Brad Wannamaker ; Kemba Walker).

Kemba Walker brings more star power and a veteran point guard presence to the young core of Boston Celtics scorers.

Putting the Pieces Together

Not more than a month ago Celtics fans wondered about the direction of the team. After Kyrie Irving and Al Horford declined their lucrative player options things looked grim. The Celtics then landed another max contract player in Walker, for whatever that’s worth considering Hayward’s status, and things began to look up. The signing of Kanter provided a much-needed veteran inside presence after the departure of Horford. The signing of Tacko Fall provides the giant splash of potential we missed out on in the draft. The 7’7” center being on an Exhibit-10 contract seems apropos if not ironically insensitive.

The Boston Celtics went from a possible dynasty to a rebuilding project in a matter of months. Dreams of Kyrie Irving throwing it up to Anthony Davis turned to valid questions. Would the Celtics even be able to convince Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to stay? Now Boston trots out a likely lineup of Walker, Hayward, Tatum, Theis and Kanter, with Marcus Smart and Brown coming off the bench. The Celtics now have depth at every position, albeit young depth. Who’s better equipped to deal with young players – these Celtics average 24.2 years old – than Brad Stevens and this revamped Celtics coaching staff? The last time Stevens had to make the best of a young team the Celtics were seven minutes from making the NBA Finals. The way things are lining up, Boston could be back there this coming season.