If Kemba is sidelined for most/all season (poll)

[LilRip]

I still think we’d be good enough to get out of the 2nd round. But we’re not beating a worthy top4 seeded team without Kemba. I think we lose in the 2nd round

[td450]

I expect an over 10 ppg improvement from Tatum and Brown this year and prefer to roll with Smart rather than Walker. This team should have a defense first identity.

I also prefer Teague to Smart as a second team point, because Smart really can't consistently break defenses. My only hope for Walker is that they have him ready to provide some scoring punch in the playoffs off the bench.

This is the year we find out if Stevens can be a championship coach. He has to develop someone to take that last starting spot and really improve. I'm hoping Langford surprises everyone, but it could be someone else. Someone has to be more than they seem now. Stevens can't play it safe with that slot like has in the past. If that happens (and it does happen in the NBA every year) we can beat anyone without much from Kemba.

[Tr1boy]

I still think we’d be good enough to get out of the 2nd round. But we’re not beating a worthy top4 seeded team without Kemba. I think we lose in the 2nd round

So we would lose to the Raptors in the 2nd round without Kemba?

[Tr1boy]

I expect an over 10 ppg improvement from Tatum and Brown this year and prefer to roll with Smart rather than Walker. This team should have a defense first identity.

I also prefer Teague to Smart as a second team point, because Smart really can't consistently break defenses. My only hope for Walker is that they have him ready to provide some scoring punch in the playoffs off the bench.

This is the year we find out if Stevens can be a championship coach. He has to develop someone to take that last starting spot and really improve. I'm hoping Langford surprises everyone, but it could be someone else. Someone has to be more than they seem now. Stevens can't play it safe with that slot like has in the past. If that happens (and it does happen in the NBA every year) we can beat anyone without much from Kemba.

Tbh I rather not see this. I dont want a Harden/RW type offense

I rather see Tatum assist numbers ramp up

In theory he should be able to rack up 2 to 3 more assists per game via drive and kicking to sharpshooters Nesmith/Pritchard

[Walker Wiggle]

There's a lot of recency bias going on with Celtics fans and we are forgetting just how good Kemba Walker was before the bubble. We are talking about a 4x all-star, including last year.

To compete for a title in 2021, the Celtics will need Kemba to be himself. That means treating him like a normal star with nagging knee issues -- see Leonard, Kawhi -- in terms of periodic rest. We did this just a couple years ago with Al Horford, if you recall. It's pretty standard in today's NBA.

Maybe Kemba's knee is just completely shot and he'll never be the same again. But I think it's way too early to start planning for that, besides having players like Teague, Pritchard, etc. on the roster as insurance and in anticipation of Kemba playing fewer games/minutes.

[jambr380]

There's a lot of recency bias going on with Celtics fans and we are forgetting just how good Kemba Walker was before the bubble. We are talking about a 4x all-star, including last year.

To compete for a title in 2021, the Celtics will need Kemba to be himself. That means treating him like a normal star with nagging knee issues -- see Leonard, Kawhi -- in terms of periodic rest. We did this just a couple years ago with Al Horford, if you recall. It's pretty standard in today's NBA.

Maybe Kemba's knee is just completely shot and he'll never be the same again. But I think it's way too early to start planning for that, besides having players like Teague, Pritchard, etc. on the roster as insurance and in anticipation of Kemba playing fewer games/minutes.

I agree. If people recall, Kemba basically assumed he would be good to go in the bubble after having several months off. It was only when he started playing that he realized that it was actually going to be a problem (not something that went away in the time off). The team developed a plan to ramp Kemba up, and I would say it was fairly successful given how little time they had to get him ready.

Coming into this season, Kemba and the team now know that this is something that will need to be managed properly. It should be noted that Brad did not say Kemba would not be ready for the season, he said they were going to be careful with him, continue to strengthen his knee, and get him ready. He just didn't want to give any definite yes or no answers. All he said is that they will be slow with him when the season starts and when practice starts.

I would be surprised if Kemba wasn't at least available on opening night, but, if not, it's like only because they are being extremely cautious with him, not because they plan on him being out for the season or anything.

[td450]

Kemba is not a typical NBA player. He's not Kawhi Leonard. He's a 6' guard who is in the league because he is explosive, and can stop and start more quickly than almost anyone he faces. I don't see how he learns to create separation without that advantage. He's not a bump and grind type of player.

He will still be able to score and have some good games, but he won't be efficient any more, and he won't be reliable.

I'm not of the mind that this type of role (high scoring point guard with the compromising defense) is so essential now that Tatum and Brown have gained this much experience, and if it is, the player has to be efficient. Kemba was always working with a narrow margin of error, and an arthritic knee doesn't improve.

[hpantazo]

There's a lot of recency bias going on with Celtics fans and we are forgetting just how good Kemba Walker was before the bubble. We are talking about a 4x all-star, including last year.

To compete for a title in 2021, the Celtics will need Kemba to be himself. That means treating him like a normal star with nagging knee issues -- see Leonard, Kawhi -- in terms of periodic rest. We did this just a couple years ago with Al Horford, if you recall. It's pretty standard in today's NBA.

Maybe Kemba's knee is just completely shot and he'll never be the same again. But I think it's way too early to start planning for that, besides having players like Teague, Pritchard, etc. on the roster as insurance and in anticipation of Kemba playing fewer games/minutes.

Yeah. My guess is, based on the descriptions of his knee issue, is that we can get 1-2 more good seasons out of him if he's managed properly. After that, his knee will degenerate further as more cartilage breaks down, to the point that it significantly impacts his game. We have Teague and Pritchard who should be able to allow us to give him more rest during the regular season. If we can get two great playoff runs out of him then its all good.

[GreenShooter]

Bunch of homers that actually think Teague & Pritch might cover for Kemba🥱...what is your age group in that category 🙄

[NKY fan]

Bunch of homers that actually think Teague & Pritch might cover for Kemba🥱...what is your age group in that category 🙄

Teague helped Atlanta tank last year in a bench role>> he’s good at his role
 Pritchard has been drafted by Ainge >> Ainge is “great” drafter >> Pritchard is a great point guard 
That’s how the logic flows around here lol

[gouki88]

Given Kenna’s issue, we should consider absorbing Rosier’s contract in the Hayward sign and trade. He’s much better than Teague.

I'd rather gauge my own eyes out with my bare hands than see Rozier back on this team.

same here

Why?

1.) He's not nearly as good a player as he thinks he is. True of most NBA Players, including Lebron.
2.) The whole concept of him being better as a starter than a bench player is hogwash - he cared more when he started and couldn't be bothered to hide it. That lack of commitment to consistent effort should be a dealbreaker for more Celtics fans. He could start or come off the bench. Never thought there was a lack of commitment when he played for Boston. He was inconsistent, but not for lack of effort. This is the first I've read this.
3.) The press tour he went on after his final season here reeked of a player who placed himself before the team. We need guys who can understand their role and embrace it, not pout. He was an UFA.  Is was clear that his time was up in Boston.  He was frustrated with how the season went. Like all of us fans were.
4.) I just can't take people seriously when they refer to themselves in the third person. C'mon.
5.) His insistence on affiliating himself with a violent gang is pathetic. He came from a hard background (his dad was in prison a good part of his life).  Not uncommon for guys from the hood having some affiliation.  Wasn't Paul Pierce criticized for giving gang signs?

1.) Lmbo. Lebron is one of the greatest players of all time. Confidence is a big part of the game, sure. But so is knowing one's limitations.

2.) It was a lack of effort and focus. If you need to believe otherwise, fine. We can agree to disagree.

3.) If Kyrie went on the same press tour and made the same comments, he'd be eviscerated.

4.) I said what I said.

5.) Oh now stop. I came from a hard upbringing, really horrific stuff that I barely survived and am still dealing with. Its an absolute insult when people use a tough upbringing as an excuse of glorifying gang life. I absolutely will not and cannot pretend to normalize that.

Yeah, gotta say point 5 grinds my gears. Terry willfully associates with gang members despite being a role model to young people. His fricken Instagram username is a gang reference!

Bunch of homers that actually think Teague & Pritch might cover for Kemba🥱...what is your age group in that category 🙄

Teague helped Atlanta tank last year in a bench role>> he’s good at his role
 Pritchard has been drafted by Ainge >> Ainge is “great” drafter >> Pritchard is a great point guard 
That’s how the logic flows around here lol

Guess it's logical to make strawman arguments? Give me a break.

[RodyTur10]

Bunch of homers that actually think Teague & Pritch might cover for Kemba🥱...what is your age group in that category 🙄

Perhaps not likely, but maybe Pritchard can have a Brogdon-like rookie year?
I was high on Pritchard pre-draft, so it's not that I'm on the Ainge bandwagon for being optimistic about him.

However looking up what rookies did the last few seasons does temper expectations. Even solid NBA players like Fred VanVleet and Derrick White who came into the league as seniors had an abysmal rookie year statwise.

[gouki88]

Bunch of homers that actually think Teague & Pritch might cover for Kemba🥱...what is your age group in that category 🙄

Perhaps not likely, but maybe Pritchard can have a Brogdon-like rookie year?
I was high on Pritchard pre-draft, so it's not that I'm on the Ainge bandwagon for being optimistic about him.

However looking up what rookies did the last few seasons does temper expectations. Even solid NBA players like Fred VanVleet and Derrick White who came into the league as seniors had an abysmal rookie year statwise.

They certainly didn’t show up immediately, but I think given the depth charts they were faced with it would have been hard.
FVV was behind Lowry, Cory Joseph & Delon Wright when he was healthy, as well as DeRozan & Powell having ball-handling duties.
White was behind Murray, Parker, Forbes & Mills.

If Kemba is load-managed Pritchard will only really be behind Teague, and I guess Smart if we rotate him to PG and start Thompson/Williams alongside Theis. Likely will have more opportunity than those guys did

[tstorey_97]

Pritchard will shoot 41% from three and average 20 ppg while starting 70 games (I gave him two games off).

Teague will come off the bench and average 7 assists.

Marcus Smart will be the ECF MVP and no, I'm not a "homer."

[Tr1boy]

Pritchard will shoot 41% from three and average 20 ppg while starting 70 games (I gave him two games off).

Teague will come off the bench and average 7 assists.

Marcus Smart will be the ECF MVP and no, I'm not a "homer."