Bobby Marks: Don't Sleep on the Celtics

[PhoSita]

How interesting that as soon as DA is gone, Bobby suddenly has nice things to say about the Celtics.


I think 45 wins seems like a really safe bet for the Celts record this year, but I think they have the potential to hit 50 if a lot of things go right.  Also could see them ending up closer to .500 if they have misfortune again.

[Moranis]

Obviously not a coincidence Ainge is gone and he has more positives to say, but I also don't think he is necessarily wrong on the roster.  Team does still lack a true PF, but it is a lot deeper and seemingly more cohesive than it has been in years.

[Vermont Green]

I don't think anyone is going to sleep on the Celtics.  Most are going to expect us to be in the second tier in the east (Behind MIL, BKN, and maybe PHI).  We don't have the best top end talent but we do have good depth and should be able to survive injuries better than some of the other teams.

And we have flexibility to make changes along the way or bring in players with TPE.  We are in decent shape for what is really a bridge year or a building year (not rebuild, more of a continuation).

I thought what was interesting was his lack of faith in PHI.  That is more of a hot take in my mind.

[ETNCeltics]

I don't think anyone is going to sleep on the Celtics.  Most are going to expect us to be in the second tier in the east (Behind MIL, BKN, and maybe PHI).  We don't have the best top end talent but we do have good depth and should be able to survive injuries better than some of the other teams.

And we have flexibility to make changes along the way or bring in players with TPE.  We are in decent shape for what is really a bridge year or a building year (not rebuild, more of a continuation).

I thought what was interesting was his lack of faith in PHI.  That is more of a hot take in my mind.

They've been shopping Simmons all summer, he was refusing to return their calls, they have the makings of a mess. IMO, it'd be much more of a surprise if they were a top team, than not.

[footey]

FWIW, DraftKings currently has the Celtics win total O/U at 45.5

Easy over.

I prefer 'em over easy.

[colincb]

I don't think anyone is going to sleep on the Celtics.  Most are going to expect us to be in the second tier in the east (Behind MIL, BKN, and maybe PHI).  We don't have the best top end talent but we do have good depth and should be able to survive injuries better than some of the other teams.

And we have flexibility to make changes along the way or bring in players with TPE.  We are in decent shape for what is really a bridge year or a building year (not rebuild, more of a continuation).

I thought what was interesting was his lack of faith in PHI.  That is more of a hot take in my mind.

Well, after your team wins the conference and then the team's franchise player and its coach throws the team's other "superstar" under the bus after a historic and blatant choke, people will talk and talk and talk and talk and so on to infinity.

Don't know it's a hot take when it's been going on for over two months and Hoopshype has 192 entries on the storyline. Latest hot take is an agent speculating BS will hold out.

NBA Rumor: Ben Simmons Trade?
192 rumors in this storyline
https://hoopshype.com/storyline/ben-simmons-trade/

[86MaxwellSmart]

3rd in the East....ECF again.

[footey]

Obviously not a coincidence Ainge is gone and he has more positives to say, but I also don't think he is necessarily wrong on the roster.  Team does still lack a true PF, but it is a lot deeper and seemingly more cohesive than it has been in years.

You still keen on Bagley as possible PF target?

[colincb]

“To be honest, there’s really no ideal place for him,” one Eastern Conference scout said."

Nonetheless, Sixers reportedly seeking four future first-round picks and an All-Star-level player for Simmons.

Good luck!!

[Moranis]

Obviously not a coincidence Ainge is gone and he has more positives to say, but I also don't think he is necessarily wrong on the roster.  Team does still lack a true PF, but it is a lot deeper and seemingly more cohesive than it has been in years.

You still keen on Bagley as possible PF target?

Absolutely.  If he is available it would cost less than his immense talent would normally cost.

[gift]

FWIW, DraftKings currently has the Celtics win total O/U at 45.5

Easy over.

I prefer 'em over easy.

Eh, I'd say that was last year's team. Too soft 

[Ogaju]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let’s see what they do during the season. I don’t think they should be measuring their ring fingers yet.

[michigan adam]

“To be honest, there’s really no ideal place for him,” one Eastern Conference scout said."

Nonetheless, Sixers reportedly seeking four future first-round picks and an All-Star-level player for Simmons.

Good luck!!

The under on this one will be the best bet of the year.  IF they trade him, they are not getting close to that.  With his limitations, I'm not sure anybody can use him unless they have a pair of drop dead outside shooters(GSW) or a stretch 5 type to play him as an in the box PF type.

[nickagneta]

Said it elsewhere, I think the Cs are a +50 win team. Where in the conference rankings that puts them, I am not sure, but I think a trip to the ECFs is a reasonable outcome.

[Moranis]

As long as Tatum stays healthy, Boston has enough depth to not fall off a cliff with an injury or two.  They aren't quite as deep as Utah was last year, but I absolutely could see Boston having a better record and place in the conference then they probably would otherwise be. As of now, I have them as the 5th best team in the East and could see them finishing anywhere from 3rd to 7th just from a record standpoint.  An extended absence from Tatum, though, and the season is lost.  Boston needs Tatum.  They can make do if anyone else misses time, but not Tatum.  He has to play basically every game for Boston to realize its fullest potential.