Needed to come in here for some positivity. It's a rarity on Celtics Blog.
I just don't understand why some folks think the Celtics got worse when they just picked up one of the premier Free Agents who plays a position of great need, got the #3 pick in the draft and have a host of 1st and 2nd year players which is almost near-certain that at least one of them makes a significant jump in their contribution to the team.
On the flip side, their only loss (Turner) had a role that's more than filled by these younger players. The teams that they competed against for that #3 spot were Charlotte (treading water), Indy (got better), Detroit (treading water), Atlanta (demonstrably worse) and Miami (demonstrably worse). The teams below those are either too old, too young or a poor collection of pieces that don't put them in the same class as the Celtics.
While even the Warriors aren't a lock for the playoffs, the Cs appear to have taken yet another positive step forward this offseason and did so without sacrificing their future or flexibility. This should be a fun season to watch.