Make one prediction for this season that will surprise people

[td450]

Payton Prichard all rookie 1st team.

now.... that REALLY WOULD be surprising.

I’d be surprised!   

Been thinking on him some lately. If Teague has some struggles, it isn't crazy to find Pritchard possibly starting for a considerable number of games. Because he is playing with a couple of defense warping wings, he doesn't have to force things the way most points have to. And he has three characteristics that make me think he might do really well.

He has an amazingly good handle.
He can really shoot and make shots on the move.
He's got a reputation as a gutsy player.

This situation doesn't need him to blow by people and force the offense, which is what he might have struggled with early. Normally with Kemba here, he might not have gotten much of an opportunity at all, but he might find himself in a perfect situation to succeed.

i am not disagreeing with your points above, but i do have real questions concerning prichard's ability to guard nba level players.

prichard seems to be a step slower than most nba guards, to me at least. if he cannot stop guards on their first step around the perimeter, then it would be hard to give him a lot of minutes.

as was the case with kemba and thomas for the celtics, other teams hunted them to an extreme. prichard lacks their level of scoring to make up for limited defense.

i am rooting for him, but i worried about his defense.

That's fair. Let's see how he does. Not that I'm comparing the two on defense, but Marcus Smart is a step slower too, so its possible to overcome that.

Its a brutal position to cover. He's a fairly sturdy guy and a bit bigger than Kemba or IT. Defending that position is a lot about handling picks and switches. Kemba has always been very quick. His problem is getting run over by bigger players, and an inability to navigate picks and recover. That's more about skill, strength and anticipation and that's why Smart is so amazing even though he's kind of slow for a point.

[footey]

Payton Prichard all rookie 1st team.

now.... that REALLY WOULD be surprising.

I’d be surprised!   

Been thinking on him some lately. If Teague has some struggles, it isn't crazy to find Pritchard possibly starting for a considerable number of games. Because he is playing with a couple of defense warping wings, he doesn't have to force things the way most points have to. And he has three characteristics that make me think he might do really well.

He has an amazingly good handle.
He can really shoot and make shots on the move.
He's got a reputation as a gutsy player.

This situation doesn't need him to blow by people and force the offense, which is what he might have struggled with early. Normally with Kemba here, he might not have gotten much of an opportunity at all, but he might find himself in a perfect situation to succeed.

i am not disagreeing with your points above, but i do have real questions concerning prichard's ability to guard nba level players.

prichard seems to be a step slower than most nba guards, to me at least. if he cannot stop guards on their first step around the perimeter, then it would be hard to give him a lot of minutes.

as was the case with kemba and thomas for the celtics, other teams hunted them to an extreme. prichard lacks their level of scoring to make up for limited defense.

i am rooting for him, but i worried about his defense.

Can you post video link showing him getting beat a lot in defense?

[vjcsmoke]

Nesmith will be our starting SF on opening night.

LOL there's this guy named Jayson Tatum who might have something to say about that!

[ETNCeltics]

Celtics: I was going to make the Grant Williams prediction, but I see others already have. I believe Romeo will earn a spot in the rotation when he gets back, and will get a good # of starts.

NBA: Clippers nor Lakers will win this year. 2021 NBA champ will be the Denver Nuggets.

[ManchesterCelticsFan]

Tacko Fall will get non-garbage time minutes at some point this season... even if it's due to a Celtics front court coronavirus outbreak... his shear height gives him extra cdc guideline distancing advantages to stay healthy.   

[MickaelPietrus]

Celtics will get knocked out in the first round

[Darth_Yoda]

I have a new one.

Green and Tacko will have more of an impact this year than Romeo and Edwards.

[todd_days_41]

Green and Tacko will have more of an impact this year than Romeo and Edwards.

I'd very much like to see Green in a regular role early in the season. 15-20 mins a night. I think if Green can tighten up his positional & team defense he could be a major pain for opposing teams, and otherwise organically help load manage some our wings considering the short lay-off between seasons.

I'd much rather the Cs invest in him getting comfortable over Edwards, but if guys keep getting injured they might need both!

[RPGenerate]

The Heat's run last year was a fluke, and their record will be worse than last year.

[colincb]

Celtics: Pritchard will contribute more than Nesmith THIS season.

Players: Tacko makes the final 15.

NBA: Lakers do not repeat.

[BMark]

RWIII is dealt at the trade deadline

[nickagneta]

How about.....

No one in this thread will get a prediction correct?

So anyone see the problem with this prediction?

[liam]

How about.....

No one in this thread will get a prediction correct?

So anyone see the problem with this prediction?

You could be right. 

[Emmette Bryant]

Semi becomes one of the first guys off the bench.

Hey guys do I get playoff tickets?

[todd_days_41]

Ainge will not only use the TPE he gathered in the Hayward trade...... he'll use it in two separate trades. And he'll do in part to demonstrate the value he received in Hayward's departure above and beyond what he would have gotten from Indiana.

I wanna add one to this.....

Daniel Theis will be traded at / around the Trade Deadline.

Just pointing out I called this. And the first part of the TPE. We'll see about the last TPE piece this offseason.