Celtics Off-Season News

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Garnett shared why he thinks that the Celtics should be a bit concerned about their lack of perceived depth following the trade in a recent episode of “KG Certified.”

“No, no, no, you got to worry about it,” Garnett said when asked if the Celtics need to be concerned about their lack of depth. “Your bench is everything. I don’t think that you can exhaust [Jaylen] Brown, [Jayson Tatum] – I don’t think you can exhaust them early on. When you get into the second half of the season, you pick their minutes up a little bit.”

Garnett isn’t sure how the Celtics will necessarily fix their depth, but he thinks Brad Stevens is going to address it. However, he noted that whoever they bring in is unlikely to be as good as who they parted ways with.

“You want to have solid pieces,” Garnett said. “I’m sure Brad and them have thought about this. They’re very strategy-driven. I can see them bringing in some help, actually. But, I mean, it ain’t going to be Marcus Smart. It ain’t going to be Rob Williams. Those were special players on a special team that they were feeling like they were trying to build a certain type of team.”

Thanks for posting this quote, when Kevin Garnett speaks, we all listen.  But Marcus Smart has been replaced by Holiday (upgrade) and Rob Williams by Porzingis (upgrade).  We primarily need to replace Grant Williams and Brogdon.  Brogdon is probably largely replaced by Pritchard but also guys like Hauser, Stevens, Mykhailiuk.  It is not a 1 for 1 replacement but I am not that concerned about that.  Grant Williams has been replaced by Brissett.  Again, not perfect, I would prefer to have a true natural PF on the bench, but I don't think this hurts the team all that much.

Yeah, I feel like we took multiple swings with bench players - Brissett, Myhailiuk, Stevens, and Banton. It's unlikely that all four end up being reliable rotation players, but I think there's a good chance that one of them earns a decent long-term contract from the Cs or another team as a result of their play this season. That would mean they helped us. I'm hopeful all 4 can continue to develop this year.

I do think we need one more big. I don't doubt that Brad thinks the same thing. We can play small ball, but it would take a lot of pressure off our guys if we had one more reliable rotation guy that could play the 4-5.

[Neurotic Guy]

Minutes for Svi v. Sam may be interesting to watch. Svi has looked good so far. And Sam’s shooting is a pleasure to watch.  Two very good shooters with good size. 

[johnnygreen]

Between that KG quote about the bench and coach Mazzulla  bringing in past Celtics players, it got me thinking. I hope the Celtics don't take teams for granted like they have done the past few seasons. There is simply no excuse for bad teams to make comebacks or even beat a Celtics team that is this loaded. They need a killer instinct to put teams away early, and rely more on the bench to play increased regular season minutes, especially (hopefully) during garbage time. I want more Gino time!

[Neurotic Guy]

Not sure it’s been mentioned yet. Maybe there’s a thread I missed, but Jeff Van Grundy hired by the Cs as senior consultant.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/10/celtics-hire-jeff-van-gundy-as-senior-consultant.html?outputType=amp

[Goldstar88]

Not sure it’s been mentioned yet. Maybe there’s a thread I missed, but Jeff Van Grundy hired by the Cs as senior consultant.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/10/celtics-hire-jeff-van-gundy-as-senior-consultant.html?outputType=amp

Looks like it just happened.

The Celtics have added another prominent name to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff. A team source confirmed to MassLive that veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy has been hired as a senior consultant for the upcoming season. Van Gundy will be working under basketball operations and splitting his time between Boston and Maine, Boston’s G-League affiliate, according to a source. – via Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers

[Vermont Green]

This is potentially big but the statement isn't clear.  In one place they say he will be part of Mazzulla's coaching staff and another place it say he will be "working under Basketball Operations", which to me sounds like reporting to Brad Stevens.  The latter makes more sense.  He isn't going to be part of the coaching staff or an assistant coach or anything like that.  He will have other duties, although not clear exactly what those are.  Probably more scouting and development?

And people are going to wonder if he is there as insurance in case Mazzulla doesn't work out.  As soon as the Celtics lose 3 or 4 in a row, you are going to be hearing that Van Gundy should replace Mazzulla.

[kraidstar]

Not sure it’s been mentioned yet. Maybe there’s a thread I missed, but Jeff Van Grundy hired by the Cs as senior consultant.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/10/celtics-hire-jeff-van-gundy-as-senior-consultant.html?outputType=amp

Looks like it just happened.

The Celtics have added another prominent name to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff. A team source confirmed to MassLive that veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy has been hired as a senior consultant for the upcoming season. Van Gundy will be working under basketball operations and splitting his time between Boston and Maine, Boston’s G-League affiliate, according to a source. – via Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers

Hah, maybe I'll be seeing him at the Red Claws' games.

Van Gundy has spoken about Boston with admiration in recent years. I think he really believes in this team.

[Silas]

Brad and Joe, getting it together.  Go Cs!

[Phantom255x]

Mazzulla absolutely has his flaws, and some of the blame last season is on him. But I'll also acknowledge he was put into a pretty rough situation finding out right before the season that he had to lead this club, and also some of their assistants from previous years were poached away too.

At least this offseason, Wyc + Brad have surrounded Mazzulla with great help and assistance on the coaching staff, and I think having JVG around is huge too even as a consultant. And if Mazz doesn't work out, guys like Cassell or maybe even JVG could be next in line as a "Plan B". But I hope it works out with Mazzulla, I don't think he's "evil" nor is he "unlikable". He already seems way more comfortable speaking with the media and is very honest + having fun from time to time. I imagine last year he felt enormous pressure and so he was a lot more stoic and serious.

[Surferdad]

Mazzulla absolutely has his flaws, and some of the blame last season is on him. But I'll also acknowledge he was put into a pretty rough situation finding out right before the season that he had to lead this club, and also some of their assistants from previous years were poached away too.

At least this offseason, Wyc + Brad have surrounded Mazzulla with great help and assistance on the coaching staff, and I think having JVG around is huge too even as a consultant. And if Mazz doesn't work out, guys like Cassell or maybe even JVG could be next in line as a "Plan B". But I hope it works out with Mazzulla, I don't think he's "evil" nor is he "unlikable". He already seems way more comfortable speaking with the media and is very honest + having fun from time to time. I imagine last year he felt enormous pressure and so he was a lot more stoic and serious.

Yeah Mazz will have a better shot this season to more comfortably lead the team. Also great to add another vet to the coaching staff. Always liked JVG on TV as a color guy.

[liam]

Not sure it’s been mentioned yet. Maybe there’s a thread I missed, but Jeff Van Grundy hired by the Cs as senior consultant.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/10/celtics-hire-jeff-van-gundy-as-senior-consultant.html?outputType=amp

Looks like it just happened.

The Celtics have added another prominent name to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff. A team source confirmed to MassLive that veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy has been hired as a senior consultant for the upcoming season. Van Gundy will be working under basketball operations and splitting his time between Boston and Maine, Boston’s G-League affiliate, according to a source. – via Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers

Hah, maybe I'll be seeing him at the Red Claws' games.

Van Gundy has spoken about Boston with admiration in recent years. I think he really believes in this team.

That seems like a big get!

[Goldstar88]

This is potentially big but the statement isn't clear.  In one place they say he will be part of Mazzulla's coaching staff and another place it say he will be "working under Basketball Operations", which to me sounds like reporting to Brad Stevens.  The latter makes more sense.  He isn't going to be part of the coaching staff or an assistant coach or anything like that.  He will have other duties, although not clear exactly what those are.  Probably more scouting and development?

And people are going to wonder if he is there as insurance in case Mazzulla doesn't work out.  As soon as the Celtics lose 3 or 4 in a row, you are going to be hearing that Van Gundy should replace Mazzulla.

I won’t be. Sam Cassell is the insurance policy. Jeff is a back office addition.

[Neurotic Guy]

Not sure it’s been mentioned yet. Maybe there’s a thread I missed, but Jeff Van Grundy hired by the Cs as senior consultant.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2023/10/celtics-hire-jeff-van-gundy-as-senior-consultant.html?outputType=amp

Looks like it just happened.

The Celtics have added another prominent name to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff. A team source confirmed to MassLive that veteran NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy has been hired as a senior consultant for the upcoming season. Van Gundy will be working under basketball operations and splitting his time between Boston and Maine, Boston’s G-League affiliate, according to a source. – via Brian Robb @ Booth Newspapers

Hah, maybe I'll be seeing him at the Red Claws' games.

Van Gundy has spoken about Boston with admiration in recent years. I think he really believes in this team.

That seems like a big get!

The braintrust got a little brainier.  Good pick up.

[radiohead]

Joe talks about JVG:

https://youtu.be/mP_gAb_AQxY?si=xKkRADb67rw4cI-1

[Vermont Green]

Bobby Manning: Jeff Van Gundy will oversee all basketball operations while he’s around, not just coaching. Joe Mazzulla said he’ll provide a bird’s eye view, and he won’t be on the bench. – via Twitter RealBobManning

“Anytime you can add like high-character, high-level, professional people, I think it’s a no-brainer,” Mazzulla said. “Fortunate enough that he’s here, not just for the coaching staff, but for everybody and he’s been through every imaginable situation in the NBA, in coaching, FIBA, NBA and so we’re just lucky to have him. And he’s a great listener and a great worker. So he’s added a lot of value, even in the first couple of weeks.”

Van Gundy was an NBA coach before his time on TV. He had a 430-318 record in 11 seasons as a head coach for the Knicks and Rockets. He also led New York to the 1999 NBA Finals, losing to the Spurs. He’s a respected voice in the NBA, and the Celtics get to pick his brain consistently. “Try to run a lot of stuff by him,” Mazzulla said. “It’s good to get a guy who hasn’t been here before that can kind of have an unbiased opinion as to where he thinks things are, and where they need to go. And so he’s kind of like a fresh set of eyes because he’s not around all the time. And he’s looking at it from an unbiased position, which kind of gives us an advantage because you kind of see it in a different perspective.”
– via Souichi Terada @ Booth Newspapers

Sounds like everyone is on the same page.