I wouldn't want to spend a first rounder.  Claxton isn't an ideal fit in Joe's system, and he's a pretty average center.

I'd rather pursue a two-year stop gap like Vucecic and keep the #1.

Quote from: Donoghus on Today at 10:12:54 AM

I don't see the argument for Texas at all.

what about Oklahoma?  Do you see an argument for them?  I mean i think most people have OU making it, yet they lost 23-6 on a neutral site to Texas. 

What about Vanderbilt, whose only ranked win is Tennessee and who also lost to Texas.

Also, did you know Texas A&M has only beaten 1 ranked opponent which was Notre Dame in week 3 and they basically only won because ND went for 2 up 6 instead of just kicking the extra point.

I get the Florida loss is horrible, but Texas' other losses are to 1 and 3 (OSU and UGA) and they have 2 top 10 wins (A&M and OU) plus the top 15 win (Vande). 

With the size of the conferences there is a lot of schedule imbalance. It isnt nearly as cut and dry as it used to be. I think head to head really needs to matter as should scheduling a game on the road at the best team in the country when you didn't have to.

I think Committee is punishing Texas for going to OT against Miss St and Kentucky as well as the fact that they got beat badly by Georgia and Florida.

They seem to put more stock in bad results than great ones as evidenced by Notre Dame remaining firmly on the inside despite really not having any great results.

If the Celtics move Simons, plus a first round pick for Claxton and Tatum comes back, are the Celtics good enough to contend?

Starters: White, Brown, Hauser, Tatum, Claxton

Bench: Pritchard, Walsh, Minott, Queta

contenders?  no.

Claxton isn't the answer to get us there.  We'd need a center who's actually better than Q in the sense that they're at least as good at rebounding, a bit better in the team's defensive scheme and more of an offensive threat. 

Also, adding Hauser to the starting lineup is not the move I'd make.  I'd keep him with the bench brigade because that bench line-up is lacking shooting/scoring.

Ideally, if they get that scoring center, they could use either Minott or Walsh as the 5th starter (assuming they move PP to the bench which may not happen) since there'd be enough scoring to cover for that 5th non-scoring energy guy.  Bench would be strong with PP, Hauser, Q, Minott/Walsh and Hugo/Baylor with hopefully a good player with this year's pick and better back up big FAs picked up this offseason.

Team needs quality depth as well as a really good center.  If you're moving Simons and a first, we need someone coming back that's better than a player we already have in Q.

Quote from: Goldstar88 on November 26, 2025, 06:29:33 PM

Do you even envision Jayson playing the season? Joe Mazzulla: I have no idea. I never thought about it. The only thing that I care about is that he?s a part of a team and it?s a credit to him. He?s on the bench for every game. He?s on the trips. He?s working out during practice. He is in the film rooms. He?s at shootarounds. That?s how he?s leading, with his presence, and that?s how he?s preparing to come back whenever that is. That?s the only thing that matters. Everything else will take care of itself. But in moments like this when you can stick together and be a team and not distance yourself, that goes a long way and he does a great job of that.
Andscape

I've had friends in the last few days who aren't Celtics fans tell me they think Tatum should come back March or April (assuming no setbacks obviously) because they think the C's with Tatum as constructed can still make a run in THIS East.

I still think it's unlikely given the roster and especially lack of frontcourt, but then I see games like today and a few others like PHI/CLE/ORL and think idk. Yes the losses to BKN and Utah blow but they are usually very competitive in every game even against most legit teams.

And frankly, the East as a whole is very mediocre, and a few teams are inexperienced. I really don't look at any team in the East and think "wow they are just invincible, loaded with talent and we have zero chance against them". If Brad can trade for a center this deadline and then Tatum comes back, who knows.

I think the decision will be driven by the medical consensus on whether it is ok for him to come back, and whether or not he is physically ready for game time, and whether playing will be to his benefit long term. I don't think they're thinking "the East is weak, we could make the finals if we push JT or if he comes back". We are, because we're fans and that's the only thing we think about when it comes to this team, but I think that's the last thing the Celtics brains trust are thinking of as a reason for JT to come back, if he's even ready.