Will Kemba Walker make the Boston Celtics a contender in the Eastern Conference

[obnoxiousmime]

All we need is a shot....a small one.

We got it.

So you're telling me there's a chance?

Seriously, without any big trades we're probably a middling playoff team. We'll probably be like the old Isaiah Thomas squad, which is fitting as it looks like the Eastern conference is going to take a step back again. I think Kawhi is probably gone and Milwaukee is going to lose some depth. The Sixers will still be good though.

[nickagneta]

Definitely got our Irving replacement real quick. 3x All-Star and had a career-best season last year.

Now Ainge just needs to add a Capela or Kanter and this team will be a contender in the East.

Agreed. Kemba and Kanter would be a VERY good start considering the awful start to the offseason (Kyrie leaving, Davis wanting to be Lebron's lap dog, Horford leaving, etc.)

I think we are definitely a contender with Kemba and a center like Kanter. Ainge would then have to find a decent power forward. Looney would be nice.

Kanter would definitely be serviceable. A big who gobbles up rebounds. Does he set good picks? I’m not sure. That’s another thing this team needs. Good pick setting. Tatum and Hayward are both terrible at it and one of them is your starting PF.

I'd love to have Enes Kanter onboard, but remember he can't play in games outside of the US due to political reasons.

In other words, if we have a playoff game at Toronto (more critical than regular season game), his missing presence is going to be huge. And those guys have huge men in Ibaka/Siakam roaming the front court. Who knows what their free agency with Gasol/Leonard could end up as well.

Gasol opted in to his last year so Toronto has Gasol on the books for $25.5 million next season

[CelticsElite]

We will likely end up with someone like Kevin looney

-Kanter defense is bad and he's banned from Toronto for his terrorism
-capela costs too much But ainge might pay

[gouki88]

We will likely end up with someone like Kevin looney

-Kanter defense is bad and he's banned from Toronto for his terrorism
-capela costs too much But ainge might pay

It's actually he doesn't know that Canada can guarantee his safety from Turkish authorities, as far as I was aware. Calling him a terrorist is hilarious

[cman88]

alot hinges on the development of Hayward/Brown and the recovery of Gordon Hayward....

put me in the camp that we will be a better team this year than last. While we wont have as much high end talent, we will have clear defined roles....top 4 guys who will take all the shots in Kemba/brown/tatum/Hayward.....and the rest will be role-players who for once will be okay with taking a step back to play their "role"

[saltlover]

We will likely end up with someone like Kevin looney

-Kanter defense is bad and he's banned from Toronto for his terrorism
-capela costs too much But ainge might pay

Whoa dude, Kanter is a political refugee living in the US who can’t travel to other countries because his passport was revoked by his home country for speaking out against their dictator and supporting an exiled member of the opposition.  There is exactly zero evidence that he’s committed any violent acts or financially supported those who do so.  If there were, he would not have his green card, nor would he be on the path to citizenship in about two more years.

[SHAQATTACK]

Bringing Kemba in is trying to hold serve and not tank .

Still need a YOUNG good center 

If Hayward gets his mind right ...looking at 6-8 seed .

If Al was back we could be very close or as good .

No Center has killed the Celtics since KGs departure .

A starting center big to rebound and guard the paint is a must.   Unless you are a big market team with the best talent knocking on your door to get in , the best centers seem to only be had by tanking .

[chiken]

This is a bit unfair to Kemba.

Kyrie alone didn't make us a contender and neither will Kemba... We shouldn't expect that.

The Jay's and Hayward stepping up with Kemba could make us a Real contender. If he can unlock those guys - whew lawd we'd have a fun shot at it all.

[bellerephon]

Bringing Kemba in is trying to hold serve and not tank .

Still need a YOUNG good center 

If Hayward gets his mind right ...looking at 6-8 seed .

If Al was back we could be very close or as good .

No Center has killed the Celtics since KGs departure .

A starting center big to rebound and guard the paint is a must.   Unless you are a big market team with the best talent knocking on your door to get in , the best centers seem to only be had by tanking .

I’m more optimistic than that. A four seed is definitely in reach if the team meshes well and they find a solid big man.

[Birdman]

We all know we need a center maybe 2

[Who]

This is a bit unfair to Kemba.

Kyrie alone didn't make us a contender and neither will Kemba... We shouldn't expect that.

Yeah, it's not like Kemba is just replacing Kyrie either. Kemba is replacing Kyrie + Hoford.

Horford & Kyrie >>> Kemba

[Roy H.]

This is a bit unfair to Kemba.

Kyrie alone didn't make us a contender and neither will Kemba... We shouldn't expect that.

Yeah, it's not like Kemba is just replacing Kyrie either. Kemba is replacing Kyrie + Hoford.

Horford & Kyrie >>> Kemba

Kyrie + Horford + Morris + Baynes, etc.

I think that Kyrie can be replaced, but losing our three best bigs is a huge hit.

[Androslav]

It looks like all of the top East teams will lose a lot of talent. Therefore we will contend next season.

[JBcat]

This is a bit unfair to Kemba.

Kyrie alone didn't make us a contender and neither will Kemba... We shouldn't expect that.

Yeah, it's not like Kemba is just replacing Kyrie either. Kemba is replacing Kyrie + Hoford.

Horford & Kyrie >>> Kemba

Kyrie + Horford + Morris + Baynes, etc.

I think that Kyrie can be replaced, but losing our three best bigs is a huge hit.

All true, but what may offset that some is Hayward being better maybe much better along with continued improvement with our young guys.  Not having Morris and Rozier will probably be addition by subtraction by them mostly being a black hole.  More shots for the guys more deserving of them.  Walker being more durable than the usual 20 or so games missed by Irving.  Intangibles with much better chemistry. In my opinion I don’t think we need much offense from our bigs, just solid defense. 

[dreamgreen]

This is a bit unfair to Kemba.

Kyrie alone didn't make us a contender and neither will Kemba... We shouldn't expect that.

Yeah, it's not like Kemba is just replacing Kyrie either. Kemba is replacing Kyrie + Hoford.

Horford & Kyrie >>> Kemba

Kyrie + Horford + Morris + Baynes, etc.

I think that Kyrie can be replaced, but losing our three best bigs is a huge hit.

It's brutal! I don't see how they recover from that. C's could be a 4 seed again I guess but to contend the east would have to get worse than last year which does seem possible lol. Either way right now the Bucks eat our lunch!!!