Often placed, never winners. This is how we could summarize the last seasons of the Celtics. Six consecutive seasons in the Playoffs, three appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, but none in the NBA Finals. Brad Stevens’ men therefore have an additional step to take, two if we are talking about the title, and the objective this season will be to finally go further. But when we see their offseason, the competition in the East and the physical problems of Kemba Walker, can we really believe in a progression of the Celtics in 2021?
To have a drink while talking about the Celtics’ season, it’s here!
The 2019-20 season
It didn’t play out much, but the Celtics eventually fell to the Heat 4-2 at the Eastern Conference Finals stadium, after gaining the upper hand over the Sixers (4-0) and Raptors (4 -3) during the previous rounds. The regrets are probably still there. The advantages not preserved with the lead beating of Marcus Smart, the ailments of Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward, the small slumps that hurt… there was room to hope to face the historic rivals of Los Angeles in the NBA Finals at Mickey’s house . A disappointing end therefore, which should not, however, make us forget the beautiful overall campaign of the Greens after the chaotic one of 2018-19. Last season, the Celtics found a real collective. The arrival of Kemba was good despite a hissing knee, Gordon Hayward found great sensations despite a few visits to the infirmary, Jaylen Brown made a big step forward by releasing an All-Star caliber season, while Jayson Tatum has simply stepped into another dimension, establishing himself as a superstar in the making. A result that could thus be described as very positive.
Offseason movements
- They arrived : Tristan Thompson, Jeff Teague, Aaron Nesmith (Draft), Payton Pritchard (Draft), Yam Madar (Draft, stays in Tel Aviv), and Evan Turner as… assistant coach
- They left : Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter, Brad Wanamaker, Vincent Poirier
- They re-signed: Jayson Tatum (extension de contrat), Semi Ojeleye (team option), Tacko Fall (two-way contract), Tremont Waters (two-way contract)
Le roster
- Leaders: Kemba Walker, Jeff Teague, Payton Pritchard, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters (two-way)
- Rear: Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Javonte Green, Romeo Langford
- Wingers: Jayson Tatum, Aaron Nesmith
- Fenders: Grant Williams, Semi Ojeleye
- Pivots : Daniel Theis, Tristan Thompson, Robert Williams, Tacko Fall (two-way)
In bold, the possible incumbents for each position.
La Free Agency
The Celtics’ offseason was marked by the Gordon Hayward record. The latter had a player option at 34 million dollars and there were therefore several possible scenarios. But the one Boston wanted to avoid was losing him for nothing. Unfortunately for the Greens, this is what happened since Hayward decided to decline his option to sign for the Hornets. Certainly, Boston got a big exception trade (worth $ 28.5 million, an NBA record) via a sign & trade with Charlotte – which opens up great possibilities – but at the moment T, Hayward n ‘has not been replaced and the workforce therefore loses its value. The Celtics still managed to fish Tristan Thompson to strengthen the domestic sector following the departure of Enes Kanter (transferred to the Blazers in a three-way trade with Memphis), and veteran point guard Jeff Teague arrived a few days after Brad Wanamaker signed to the Warriors, which Boston let slip away. despite a decent season off the bench. And to finish, Jayson Tatum won the jackpot by extending for five more seasons and 195 million dollars, a contract at the height of his talent.
La Draft
With three first-round picks (and one second-round pick) in 2020, Danny Ainge had several options and we could imagine him transferring his picks to eventually get into the Draft. In the end, the Celtics retained their 14th, 26th and 47th picks, but transferred the 30th (Desmond Bane, as part of the Kanter trade, to recover two second-round picks). Not really what we expected at the base but it is this path that was followed by the Celtics. Boston thus selected the outside Aaron Nesmith, who will be able to bring his sniper side, then the leader trained in Oregon Payton Pritchard, who pushed Brad Wanamaker towards the exit and who is already making noise since his arrival (16 points in his first preseason game). Good shooter, fairly complete player and bringing a good intensity, Pritchard could have a real role in the lead during the absence of Kemba Walker. As for the Israeli Yam Madar, selected in the second round, he will not play in the NBA this year but in his club Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Update on the infirmary, by the Doctor Q
When we look at the Boston infirmary last season, three names stand out: Tristan Thompson, although he obviously did not play at the Celtics last year, Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown. We could also talk about Gordon Hayward but that would be too long and then he is no longer there. So we start with Tristan Thompson, who only joined the infirmary for brief periods in February / March: he missed two games for a painful right quadriceps, three for a left knee contusion and the last for an eye injury by dint of having put down some people in the stands. However, he has not played since March, has not been able to do full training since due to a strained right hamstring and has yet to be seen in this current preseason. Kemba Walker, for his part, will not be on the field at the resumption, but rather in rehabilitation for his left knee. In October, he started a re-athletic program following an injection of stem cells. His knee has been bothering him for several seasons already: two partial meniscectomies in 2015 and 2016, as well as debridement in 2017. He missed eight games last season because of this injury (sixteen in all) but had already suffered drainage. and injecting a treatment used for osteoarthritis in March. He will be reassessed in January but Kemba’s case should be watched very closely, especially if osteoarthritis is proven. Jaylen Brown, to finish, chained the small injuries. Between January and March: ten missed matches. Two for a right thumb strain, two for a right ankle sprain, another for a left strain, one more for a left calf contusion and the last four before the break for right hamstring strain . The last four injuries could be related, Jaylen may be in too much of a hurry to come back from injury and he’ll have to listen to his body a little more to avoid going back and forth to the infirmary.
Salary recap
Source : HoopsHype
Should we expect weaker Celtics in 2021 ?
Celtics fans may legitimately have some doubts on the eve of the resumption. Doubts already regarding the state of health of Kemba Walker, who will miss the first games of the regular season because of his left knee which continues to hurt. In his absence, it will be necessary to watch the way in which Brad Stevens adapts (Marcus Smart placed on post 1? Jeff Teague? Playing time for Payton Pritchard?), But it is clear that Boston will need a Kemba in legs at the time of the Playoffs to hope to do better than the previous seasons. Concerns also following the departure of Gordon Hayward. Yes he’s a regular in the infirmary (we just got new proof), yes we all laughed when we saw the Hornets offer him $ 120 million, but he’s still a real good basketball player who has really helped the Boston collective last season. If the Celtics obviously have heavy on the wings with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the loss of Hayward weakens Boston and to compensate for these various uncertainties, the two Jay’s will have to confirm their ascent or even do better. Can Tatum really fit into the superstars category in 2021? Can Jaylen Brown Become All-Star? If the answer to these two questions is yes, and Marcus Smart step-up without Kemba (or a limited Kemba), the C’s should get by without too many problems despite stronger competition in the eastern heights. But Boston has less room for talent, especially at the start of the season with Walker’s absence, so if the Tatum – Brown duo don’t do well, it could cause a little ignition delay. The new recruit Tristan Thompson – despite a disturbed preparation – should still do good in the racket, he who will bring hardness and his experience as an NBA champion alongside the other two pivots Daniel Theis and the young Robert Williams III. Everyone will bring their qualities inside and we should once again see a three-way rotation on station 5, even if Brad Stevens does not rule out using Theis in 4. We really want to see what Time Lord will offer, who could benefit from the ailments of TT and Dani (operated on the knee in the offseason and hampered by back pain now) to assert himself at the start of the season and eventually help Boston grow if it makes significant progress. This is obviously the scenario hoped for by the Celtics.
The editor’s prognosis
45 wins for 27 losses. A slightly lower record than last season, but a solid record that will allow the Celtics to stay at the top of the table in the East. We can count on Brad Stevens to use the versatility of his players and maximize his group despite a not tip top offseason.
The Bucks have extended Giannis Antetokounmpo while signing Jrue Holiday. The Sixers have made consistent trades to help Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The Nets now own Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, while the Heat are still there, all without forgetting the Raptors. In short, there’s a lot of people and if the Celtics have their own arguments and very serious weapons to compete, we wonder if the window of the NBA Finals has not narrowed in recent weeks. It’s up to them to prove us wrong.
