How far can Tatum/Brown take us?

[seancally]

What’s the precedent for that? I.e., your two best players are perimeter guys.

Let’s keep this to the last 20 years. That filters out maybe the easiest comparison - MJ/Pippen - but... neither Tatum nor Brown are the GOAT.

Kawhi / Lowry - one was a top-5 player who played like MJ during that run. Bested a decimated Warriors team.
Klay / Steph - two of .. er .. the two best shooters of all time
Above + Durant - lol
Lebron / Wade - a top-3 all-timer and a HoFer at his prime (+Bosh)
Lebron / Kyrie - a top-3 all-timer and an all-NBA PG (+ Love)

Ok so that’s the list of champs in the last 20 years who were led by perimeter players, not bigs.

So the question is - are those guys the guys? Full disclaimer, I love those guys. I’d love to build the team around them. And just because there might not be a direct precedent for Tatum/Brown listed above doesn’t mean they can’t make it happen. But if you don’t think those guys are the guys - if you think we need an all-NBA big - would you pull the trigger?

Edit: I’m honestly undecided.

[Silas]

So this year and maybe next year #18 may not come to Boston.  However, looked at ages of the players you pointed out over the past 20 years. They were at or about 28 to 30 years old when they started their championship runs.  Ok, Thompson was 26 I believe and Kyrie was 24.  Anyway, Tatum and Brown are 22 and 24.  With another two years of experience (Tatum at 24 and Brown at 26) and a solid PF scorer, which I hope that Danny will find, the Cs will rise to the top of the food chain once more.

[footey]

So the question is - are those guys the guys?

They weren’t today.

[Silas]

So the question is - are those guys the guys?

They weren’t today.

Not the end of the world as we know it!  Give them another year or two.

[dannyboy35]

  I think Tatum really needs to work on his handle. I think it’s not good and he’s STILL one of the top scorers . But it’s a glaring weakness. Brown I trust more to develop as he should. We know he’s very intelligent but it  seems like he’s vey conscientious and driven. He’s already good enough to be a #2. But I wouldn’t absolutely rule out a #1 some day. He’s young and has made a crazy leap. Tatum I don’t think is quite there to be the #1 right now.
 But if the Celts had an open max salary slot snd could add a star willing to fit in wherever he should I think we’d be on our way.
  When I imagine a championship Celtics team I picture a Rozier style point guard snd a star big at either position along the jays . Wish we had Rozier here.

[Ogaju]

The answer to the poll question is yes, but they need a good supporting cast and more experience themselves.

[Uncle_Stingfinger]

Not with danny and brad.   Wyc is suspect too.

[gouki88]

Definitely can. Tatum and Brown have both made leaps this year. Tatum to an All-NBA lock, and Brown to an All-Star lock. Brown could even be on All-NBA level too, I just haven't thought about it too hard.

Two All-NBA level players sounds like a title-winning duo to me.

The supporting cast, however, I think needs improvement. Would love a sort of 3&D point guard, as well as a genuine big who can playmake from the high-post (begging for Vucevic at this stage).

[Indocelts]

Yes, with a pass first PG and a stronger center.

[ozgod]

I think the answer to the question depends on who your nos 3, 4 and 5 is, and who your bench is.

[Moranis]

They can but Tatum needs to get into the top 5 player area and Brown needs to get into at least top 15.  If you look at what it takes to win the title, that is generally the starting point.  I think they both can do that, which is why I voted yes, but they aren't there yet so this year was imo never going to be the year.

[RJ87]

I think the answer to the question depends on who your nos 3, 4 and 5 is, and who your bench is.

I agree here. I think the Jays can be the centerpieces of a very good team, but not if Danny keeps building out the roster with undersized bigs and undersized guards who can't shoot but still chuck away.

[Donoghus]

They can win a title as the core.  The supporting cast just needs to be shored up.

[td450]

They are both one level away at ages 22 and 24.

Where they are now is extraordinary. The last step is to be able to think through what the team needs in any given game, and provide more correction. That is MVP level stuff, and I don't see any reason why they both won't get there.

Of course, Ainge needs to clean up this mess of a roster too. Its weird he's stuck now, because the superstars are the brutal part, and he's shown great skill at the smaller moves and balancing in the past. For some reason, he's been unable to do much positive in the last couple of years.

[seancally]

They can but Tatum needs to get into the top 5 player area and Brown needs to get into at least top 15.  If you look at what it takes to win the title, that is generally the starting point.  I think they both can do that, which is why I voted yes, but they aren't there yet so this year was imo never going to be the year.

This is generally my position. Can? Yes, provided what you describe happens. Will? Who knows. At some point it’ll be time to fish or cut bait. If we think that outcome isn’t there I hope the org will have the ability and foresight to make some hard decisions.