Where does Boston's young core rank?

[LarBrd33]

So the Celtics now look to build around a young core headlined by 21 year old Jayson Tatum, 22 year old Jaylen Brown, and the #14 pick.

Where does this young core rank compared to the other young also-ran/lotto teams?

Likely under 18 year old Zion, 21 yo Ball, 21 yo Ingram, #4 pick.

Likely under 22 yo Booker, 20 yo Ayton, 22 yo Bridges, #6 pick.

What other young teams should we be weary of in 5 years when our young guys are ready to contend?

Kings? Built around 20 year old Bagley Jr, 21 year old De'Aaron Fox, etc?

Hawks, built around 20 year old Trae Young, 21 year old John Collins, #8 pick...?

[RPGenerate]

Sad that no one is falling for your obvious baiting?

[gouki88]

The Mavs with Doncic and KP and literally whoever else (Brunson is nice) is my favourite.

Morant & JJJ could be a good foundation

[CelticsElite]

Booker is garbage chucker. Ayton isn't so great


Zion/Ball/Ingram might be the worst 3 pt shooting core of all time

[LarBrd33]

Of course, Giannis is only 24...

Mavs with Zinger (23) and Doncic (20)...

So what are we looking at... ranked like 7th-12th in terms of young cores?

[LarBrd33]

It should probably include anyone under 25.

Denver should count:  Jokic (24), Murray (22), Harris (24), Porter Jr (20).

[keevsnick]

Hard to say. NOP is probably ahead of us for sure, but then again we haven't seen Zion play an NBA game yet. I'm not a fan of the Booker Ayton core, that has some serious weakness. Denver with Jokic/Murray is ahead of us mostly because Jokic is a beast. I still like us better than the Hawks. Sac is on a similar level, as is Atlanta.

I would say NOP, DEN and DAL are the only ones clearly ahead of us mostly off the strength of their best piece which in each case is or has top 10 player potential.

[Fierce1]

It doesn't matter where the Celts young core rank because the Celts are nowhere near coming close to their goal of winning Banner 18.

What we have right now is just to enjoy watching the Celtics play.

[PhoSita]

Behind any team with a young player who appears to have mvp type talent / upside.

Ahead of any team lacking such a player and lacking any young players who have performed at a high level in the playoffs.

[jambr380]

I literally almost got suspended for mentioning that Tatum/Brown have some competition as the best young duo in the league (and then defending my position)...so be careful.

I agree with all of those mentioned - not that they are definitely better...well, Embiid/Simmons, Doncic/Pozingis, and Jokic/Murray are, but that they all are at least comparable. Would we really be that bummed if we had Young/Collins right now over Tatum/Brown?

I am hoping for the best, but I am starting to think that Stevens/Horford are our true star duo.

[PhoSita]

Young duos I'd rather have than Jay and Jay:

Embiid and Simmons
Jokic and Murray
Luka and Kristaps
Giannis and Brogdon
Zion and #4

[perks-a-beast]

Young duos I'd rather have than Jay and Jay:

Embiid and Simmons
Jokic and Murray
Luka and Kristaps
Giannis and Brogdon
Zion and #4

Zion & #4 > J&J? Unreal. Zion & #3 (Barrett) I could see. But this is a 3 man draft, sir. HUGE dropoff in talent after pick 3. I'm just not high on guys like Culver, Reddish, Hunter.

The rest I have no problem with though.

[gouki88]

Young duos I'd rather have than Jay and Jay:

Embiid and Simmons
Jokic and Murray
Luka and Kristaps
Giannis and Brogdon
Zion and #4

Zion & #4 > J&J? Unreal. Zion & #3 (Barrett) I could see. But this is a 3 man draft, sir. HUGE dropoff in talent after pick 3. I'm just not high on guys like Culver, Reddish, Hunter.

The rest I have no problem with though.

Yeah, I really have to see #4 play some NBA before I put two guys who have never played NBA minutes ahead of the two Jays

[Ilikesports17]

Young duos I'd rather have than Jay and Jay:

Embiid and Simmons
Jokic and Murray
Luka and Kristaps
Giannis and Brogdon
Zion and #4

Zion & #4 > J&J? Unreal. Zion & #3 (Barrett) I could see. But this is a 3 man draft, sir. HUGE dropoff in talent after pick 3. I'm just not high on guys like Culver, Reddish, Hunter.

The rest I have no problem with though.

I agree I prefer Jays over Zion and 4 mostly because I think Zion is a great but not next level prospect. That said Nola also has Ingram and Lonzo which puts their core above ours

[gouki88]

Young duos I'd rather have than Jay and Jay:

Embiid and Simmons
Jokic and Murray
Luka and Kristaps
Giannis and Brogdon
Zion and #4

Zion & #4 > J&J? Unreal. Zion & #3 (Barrett) I could see. But this is a 3 man draft, sir. HUGE dropoff in talent after pick 3. I'm just not high on guys like Culver, Reddish, Hunter.

The rest I have no problem with though.

I agree I prefer Jays over Zion and 4 mostly because I think Zion is a great but not next level prospect. That said Nola also has Ingram and Lonzo which puts their core above ours

I think that's greatly overlooking the injury / health concerns that hover over both those two prospects. If we had a prospect who had managed 99 games in 2 seasons (11 less than Kyrie in his first two) we'd be very concerned, and rightfully so