Good debate, thank you for starting it. (TP to triboy)
Each team has flaws. Last year, no real offense, just an excellent defense that set up an average offense. The defense was built on gritty, playing over your head style. Other teams didn't get up for the bunch of mutts that was coming at them. Terry Rozier lead that team through the playoffs with 19PPG. If that alone doesn't tell you something, I don't know what will.
Stevens specialty is getting something out of nothing...and he did.
Yes, the ECF was quite weak last year.
The Celtics must build a new team, and they haven't.
Last year's team is suffocating trying to get out from under the new one and it simply awful to watch. I wish trades or something had eliminated that team, but, it is still here.
The new team with Baynes and Smart backing up Morris, Irving and Horford is better. The number of offensive players is limited here allowing them some kind of flow.
The bench is a disaster as Hayward won't run the floor more than 3 or 4 times out of ten. He really is hurting that unit until he decides to play hard and score. The bench unit has not adjusted to the addition of Hayward.
The starters are clueless on what to do with Irving. He's a movie star superstar and everyone just defers to his majesty.
Lebron used him perfectly and had the right team to do it.
Of late, he has worked really hard to make it work and perhaps, will succeed.
Regardless, both teams lack(ed) a consistent defensive force on the front court. A series of lovable backup centers was not and continues to not be the answer.
Ainge is an Auerbach disciple. He has one title with Garnett and his own player success with Parish.
No matter how "new" NBA the new NBA is, balance is required. Horford -- Morris -- Tatum is not a championship front court, I don't care how many scorers you've got shooting threes.
Look at Presti's tenure at OKC. The team does not have nor will it ever have a defensive tradition.
The Celtic's always worked around some type of defensive force. The groups of players would recognize this and unify behind it. It is the hardest part of the game, but, it is the only element that has always guaranteed potential success. With this dynamic? The other team eventually quits.
You get blocked by Parish, you get elbowed by Cowens, you get outrun and out fought by Russell and you get psyched out and screamed at by Garnett and you effing quit. It is simply, the best option. Look at the rafters, it has been tested.
You need size/girth/length/muscle/anger/force/commitment to defense or whatever you want to call it on your frontcourt and neither this years or last year's team has it...in any way shape or form.