2020 Champions?

[Martinj1888]

Hi everyone

Im a relatively new Celtics fan from Scotland(which can be challenging to see games live because of time difference) but im loving this play off run. Can the Celtics go all the way?

Now im no expert but im quietly confident of progressing past Miami - but how does everyone feel we would fare in a potential finals against the Lakers or Clippers(assuming they see off Denver)

Would also like to hear thoughts about who could be realistic trade targets to take the team to the next level, I am assuming Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown & Kemba walker are untouchable, and perhaps Marcus Smart is getting into that bracket as well.

Hopefully when the current travel situation improves i can get over to Boston to see a couple of games - coinciding with a Dropkick Murphys concert would be ideal!!

Cheers guys.



 

[greg683x]

I really hate it when people make posts like this.

Someone made a thread similar to this when we went up 2-0 on Toronto and it nearly hexed the whole [dang] thing

[Neurotic Guy]

Welcome!  Like Greg I’m a little superstitious and have worries about jinxing so I won’t speculate about what will happen.  I won’t make a prediction in the prediction thread either.  BTW - that’s the thread where you’ll get great insight re: C’s chance in the upcoming round according to many posters.

So far it’s been a blast to watch and looking forward to the ECF.  Great experience for this young team regardless of the outcome.  Just hope my old heart can stand it - the Toronto series was tough on the ticker. 

[gouki88]

First off, a big welcome and a TP! I can relate to the timezone struggles somewhat, living in Australia.

I genuinely think we have what it takes to win the championship. We have the top end talent, versatility, good coaching, hard-working players, and with the impending return of Hayward we'll have some depth. It is always difficult, but I like how we match up with every team remaining. I think Toronto is a tougher team than Miami for us.

In regards to trading, it's hard to think about in the moment considering how well we're doing. If Ainge was set on moving on from Hayward I'd take a long look at Vucevic for Orlando, but otherwise I think trying to shore up our bench through our first round picks (or trading those for vets) is all we should be doing

[Surferdad]

Welcome to CelticsStrong martinj.

I agree with gouki that it is hard to think about trades at the moment and certainly targets will come and go depending upon how other teams feel about keeping their players (or not) and my guess is those feelings won't be known until after the playoffs.  Likewise, it is REALLY hard to think about who you might want to give up in trade since there's always a price.

As far as being 2020 champs, it would not shock me if they won it all, but I'm not really expecting it.  I think this team does have a few holes, actually.  Center spot comes to mind.  As good as Theis has been as a "quick" center, his shot has been off for a while and he frankly didn't have the strength or bulk vs. guys like Embiid, Ibaka etc. so I doubt he matches up favorably vs. Anthony Davis.  I am also wary of Brad Stevens' ability to take this team all the way.  I like Brad and always have for 7 years, but he has no championship experience and I don't see that 'fire in the belly', but that's Brad's personality, I know....

[Jvalin]

Hi everyone

Im a relatively new Celtics fan from Scotland

Welcome aboard mate! Up the RA!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddlRl2AetZ4&ab_channel=RebelLyrics

[JBcat]

Regarding the Clippers we seem like a very similar team.  2 high profile wings For each team and another X factor wing Morris for them Hayward for us. An excellent scoring guard Williams for them and Walker for us. A rugged guard Beverly for them and Smart for us. A solid center in Zubac and Theis, and energy bigs Harrell for them and R Williams or Kanter for us. 

The Lakers are much different team than us, and would be interesting how we would work the matchups.  It would seem like a series Walker could exploit with his quickness, but the Lakers D has stepped up so who knows.

I’m not going to speculate on who would win just would say either matchup would be a fun series.

[Roy H.]

Miami is plenty formidable.  They will be a very tough out. 

In terms of the LA teams, I’d prefer the Clippers.  Lebron and Davis are just tougher matchups for our team.

[ozgod]

Welcome to the forum and have a TP! I think we’ve got as good a chance as any to take LOB home.

[Ogaju]

TP for the post and welcome to the blog. Are you a Celtics fan or do you support the Rangers. lol

[Stig]

Welcome! just to balance the qi out, no we have no chance. 

Miami only lost one game so far, and is lead by a championship coach. Even if we somehow overcome them, the lakers is gonna destroy us, they have playoff Rando to deal with Kemba, we have no answer to either Lebron or AD. The clippers have a way better bench, and Kawhi, whichever team we face the best player is not on our side.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious. Still, I'll talk about it.

I think we would fair pretty well against the Lakers. Anthony Davis is obviously a monster, but I think we have the man power to guard Lebron mostly one-on-one and mitigate the shot creation from the other players. Still, I think the Lakers have more talent than anyone in the East, which tells you it would be a hard series.

I don't think we match up quite as well against the Clippers. They can put a better defender than anyone in the Raptors series on each of Walker, Tatum, and Brown. Zubac is a ok rim protector and they bring in more muscle with Morris off the bench. That doesn't even begin to talk about Lou Williams and Harrell, who are difficult to stop for anyone.

All in all, it would depend on which Clipper team showed up. If they play at their ceiling, it would be pretty tough to win the series, but they've had some on-court chemistry issues.

[DocomoCelts]

This thread may not age well....

[Rondo9]

This thread may not age well....

Didn't know they were eliminated yet.

[ozgod]

This thread may not age well....

Didn't know they were eliminated yet.

Just the usual panic mode after a loss