I see you Brad Stevens

[td450]

I like what you're getting at here, but this roster kind of gives me feelings of the Sixers two years ago, when they had that big, defense-first starting lineup with Richardson and Horford. People were impressed by how capable they were defensively, but questioned whether or not they'd have enough shooting, and they were right.

I like the Schroeder addition (hard not to), but playing him along with Smart in the backcourt will be tough given the lack of shooting. Same goes with Richardson and Dunn, unfortunately. Those four guys are all great defenders, but are all suspect from deep.

Pritchard is going to get more time than people think this year, not just because he's showing out in Summer League, but because his shooting from deep is something this team desperately needs. Put him a lineup with one or two of those dogged defenders above, plus the Jays and whoever you want at center, and you've got something that can work.

It would be nice to move Dunn for a big wing or a traditional power forward that can play alongside Horford or R Williams. I'm sure the front office is thinking the same thing.

Of course, the difference with the Sixers is that their highest usage players were Embiid, Simmons, and Tobias Harris, with Harris being the best shooter at only 36.7% from 3 (both that year and his career average).  The Celtics highest usage players will be Tatum and Brown, who are both far better shooters than Harris, not to mention Embiid and Simmons.  That said, it would be helpful if Richardson got back up to his Miami shooting level than what we've seen since he left.

I do agree with you though that Pritchard's shooting will get him minutes.  I expect him in more of a shooting guard role than a PG role this year -- it makes a lot more sense for him to be off-ball next to Smart or Schroder than the other way around.

It would seem ideal to play Pritchard with Smart because they can both assume their best defensive roles. Shroder can pair up better with Nesmith or Richardson.

[gouki88]

I got a chuckle out of Schroder being a chihuahua with rabies. Probably not a particularly flattering comparison...

I do like our off-season so far.

OUT: Kemba Walker - Tristan Thompson - Evan Fournier - Semi Ojeleye
IN: Al Horford - Josh Richardson - Dennis Schroder - Enes Kanter - Kris Dunn - Bruno Fernando - Juhann Begarin

We've replaced guys who have one or two strong skills (Kemba with his scoring and penetration, TT with his rebounding, Fournier with his scoring and shooting, Semi with his 1v1 defence) and gotten some much more well-rounded two-way players. We've definitely lost some shooting, but if PP and Nessie can earn minutes then that placates that worry for me - I see them both being 40% shooters from deep.

[tenn_smoothie]

I’m liking this approach. We’re loading up on good players that can be used in a package for Beal but also provide wins now, and we have Payton and Timelord that can continue growing into starters if/when we move on from Smart & Horford. I could see us getting into ECF.

Going after Bradley Beal would be a return to these past few frustrating, good but not great, teams with limited ball movement and the Big 3 taking turns going iso while the others stand around watching. Stagnant offense just encouraged low-energy defense. Let's favor the more traditional point guards and work on acquiring an all-star level center to anchor the defense and knock-down shooters to open up the offense. Hopefully, Tatum and Brown keep improving and we grow into annual title contenders, maybe sending Lebron into retirement in a couple of years with another Finals win over the Lakers to take back the championship lead for good.

BTW, have the Lakers ever put up banners for those Minny years. Seems they ignored them until they got within shouting distance of our titles total.