Celtics News

[Who]

I just can't get past how bad the front court will be this season.

Garza, Tillman, Queta, Williams all probably don't get any minutes elsewhere in the NBA. Here they are going to play a lot unfortunately.

Then throw in this Minott guy, Niang and Walsh...that is not much better at the "power forward" spot.

A great collection of guards/small wings and a g league front court.

I think this is all by design (i.e. having a horrible big man rotation).  Joe will coach to win. 

So if Brad had traded Jrue for a semi-quality PF, we might be more likely to sneak into a top-six slot in the Easter Conference.

But by giving Joe this pu-pu platter, there's not a lot you can do with it, other than get a better draft pick in this lost season.

So, it's kinda devious by Brad if you ask me.

Agreed. It is blatant tanking.

They are intentionally trying to lose games. They are crafting the roster to do so.

Most tanking isn't in March or April. It is done in the summer. And the best way to do it is to fill your roster with 3rd stringers intead of rotation caliber players.

[Roy H.]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

[Roy H.]

Lots of quotes on Bobby Manning's twitter, mostly available here:

https://hoopshype.com/social/tweets/boston_celtics/

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
about 1 hour ago
Stevens takeaways: -Horford is gone -Didn't rule out paying tax to retain roster flexibility -Mazzulla is signed for multiple more seasons -#Celtics will likely begin season with this roster -Center by committee -They knew after Brogdon add. that tough $ situation loomed

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
about 1 hour ago
Our big takeaways from Brad: * Made offers to Luke, Al ... Horford is unlikely to be back * Team is comfy if this is the roster entering the year, but left door open for more moves *  Excited about progress from Jayson and Jaylen after surgeries, but still not putting any...

[DefenseWinsChamps]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc-qLn8rwA

A few notes from Stevens' presser today ...
 
Garza and Minott - He called Garza an advanced stats darling. Thought both Garza and Minott "had upside." He liked that they played for Finch in Minnesota and are used to winning. He liked that they both played hard and would compliment our best players. Likes Garza's physicality and toughness.

Simons - Thought his ability to shoot and make hard shots was "pretty elite" - Was impressed that he'd averaged 20ppg the last 3 years. Mentioned they felt fortunate that they were able to get back players they liked when they traded away Zinger and Jrue. Stevens gave the "I think he's a really good player" comment, which is about the highest praise he gives. He also said he thought Simons could get even better, which was a big part of the reason they liked him.

Niang - Said that he has just added value to winning for each team he's played on. He's a pain to play against, which Stevens admires.

Williams - they like Williams and think he has "high upside."

He made sure to call this "retooling" not a rebuild. Felt they had a lot of really good players still.

Said they, like all teams, are always looking at the roster in the off-season, but are very comfortable heading into next season with this group.

As far as getting out of the luxury tax altogether, said that they are prioritizing basketball assets and retooling to get the roster back to the highest level possible, not finances. Does not want to trade picks to make a move just to save some money - that has been communicated to Stevens by ownership.

Said that they'd love to have Maz around for a long time, and that Mazz is working on some new things they may try out in summer league.

Said they are looking for players that can accentuate Jaylen and Jayson and Derrick and Payton and Sam - those 5 specifically were named.

Regarding the new front court - "We're gonna find out." He thought the Celtics had an incredible luxury with Kornet and Neemis as the 3rd and 4th centers. Felt that Queta will have an opportunity this year. Said that group may be the group that gets "targeted as not our strongest position," but it will be up to them to prove otherwise.

His entire focus has been to maximize around Brown and Tatum during this window and in the next window.

[Jiri Welsch]

Lots of quotes on Bobby Manning's twitter, mostly available here:

https://hoopshype.com/social/tweets/boston_celtics/

Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
about 1 hour ago
Stevens takeaways: -Horford is gone -Didn't rule out paying tax to retain roster flexibility -Mazzulla is signed for multiple more seasons -#Celtics will likely begin season with this roster -Center by committee -They knew after Brogdon add. that tough $ situation loomed

Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
about 1 hour ago
Our big takeaways from Brad: * Made offers to Luke, Al ... Horford is unlikely to be back * Team is comfy if this is the roster entering the year, but left door open for more moves *  Excited about progress from Jayson and Jaylen after surgeries, but still not putting any...

Makes sense. I think they tried to quickly offload Simons and/or Niang and didn't have many bites. They'll need to give those guys minutes and have them perform decently in order to net any value from them as assets.

Our top 8 seems to be:

• Brown
• White
• Simons
• Pritchard
• Hauser
• Niang
• Queta
• Scheierman

[Roy H.]

Press conference here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc-qLn8rwA

[Who]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc-qLn8rwA

A few notes from Stevens' presser today ...
 
Garza and Minott - He called Garza an advanced stats darling. Thought both Garza and Minott "had upside." He liked that they played for Finch in Minnesota and are used to winning. He liked that they both played hard and would compliment our best players. Likes Garza's physicality and toughness.

Garza looks a hooper. I am excited for Garza. Even though he hasn't played much, his stats are interesting. Particularly how many shots he gets off in such few minutes. Consistently year to year ... jacking up shots and making a good number of them.

His Per-36 numbers are 22ppg and 9rpg. Now Per-36 doesn't mean a great deal with a guy who plays that little but I do find it interesting that his scoring has been prolific year-to-year on a per minute basis. The guy is a scorer. He looks to score. He has a scorer's mentality and he has skills. He is skilled center. 

Not many backup centers can produce offense like that. It is clear he already is an above average offensive center. But that his minutes have been limited because his defense is just as bad if not worse and negates his offensive impact.

Anyway, we've seen a couple of guys in recent years be successful. Guys who in the past I would have had pegged as 3rd stringers or non-NBA players who were centers with offensive skills but little to no defense ... we've seen more success with those guys recently than in the past. As the game as become more about 3s and less about interior defense. Mo Wagner chief among them.

Can Garza make that jump? I don't know. But I do think he is a gamble worth trying. We could have something here.

He is a player with genuine skill. Not just a raw athlete. A skilled hooper. It is just can he play defense well enough to stay on the floor.

----------------

I think similarly about Minott. Different type of player. More athlete and less hooper. But a real genuine athlete and a guy who is a willing and able defender. He has the basics of building an offensive game. Another guy who is worth a gamble.

Minnesota only let him go because he asked them to in order to seek out more playing time elsewhere.

I think both of these guys got a chance to succeed here.

[jambr380]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance. We then needed to trade the Sengun pick to get off of Kemba to get Al back on the massive contract he left us for. And now after we revived his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for championships, he is ditching us again because Tatum got hurt. Tatum btw, who has said Al is his favorite teammate ever.

And for what? To go across the country to play with three of our biggest rivals in Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy who really aren't contenders? His family is ingrained in Boston, the Horfords are expecting their 6th child in December, and we are in desperate need for a Center.

Ray Allen is basically still not allowed back in Boston 13 years later, but I see people cheering Al on and wanting his number in the rafters. As Celtics fans, I feel like we are kind-of being shunned by Al and people are blinded by his beautiful eyes or something. That or they secretly want us to tank. Which just isn't going to happen.

[Who]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance.

Horford didn't ditch us. We wouldn't pay him. Ainge wouldn't pay him.

If Ainge matched the offer or made a better offer and Horford left, I would be unhappy with Horford. That wasn't the case. The Celtics refused to pay him.

[Donoghus]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance. We then needed to trade the Sengun pick to get off of Kemba to get Al back on the massive contract he left us for. And now after we revived his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for championships, he is ditching us again because Tatum got hurt. Tatum btw, who has said Al is his favorite teammate ever.

And for what? To go across the country to play with three of our biggest rivals in Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy who really aren't contenders? His family is ingrained in Boston, the Horfords are expecting their 6th child in December, and we are in desperate need for a Center.

Ray Allen is basically still not allowed back in Boston 13 years later, but I see people cheering Al on and wanting his number in the rafters. As Celtics fans, I feel like we are kind-of being shunned by Al and people are blinded by his beautiful eyes or something. That or they secretly want us to tank. Which just isn't going to happen.

Good luck trying to get people on board with that.

[Roy H.]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance. We then needed to trade the Sengun pick to get off of Kemba to get Al back on the massive contract he left us for. And now after we revived his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for championships, he is ditching us again because Tatum got hurt. Tatum btw, who has said Al is his favorite teammate ever.

And for what? To go across the country to play with three of our biggest rivals in Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy who really aren't contenders? His family is ingrained in Boston, the Horfords are expecting their 6th child in December, and we are in desperate need for a Center.

Ray Allen is basically still not allowed back in Boston 13 years later, but I see people cheering Al on and wanting his number in the rafters. As Celtics fans, I feel like we are kind-of being shunned by Al and people are blinded by his beautiful eyes or something. That or they secretly want us to tank. Which just isn't going to happen.

Good luck trying to get people on board with that.

I don't resent Ray or Al.  It's odd to me that players are supposed to show loyalty even when it financially hurts them, but teams can walk away from a player at any point.

[keevsnick]

I don't really think the Horford situation has much to do with money. It seems like he's trying to figure out if the grind of another NBA season is worth it right now. Clearly it's not worth it playing for the Celtics, because he'd have no chance at a title. With the Warriors he'd have a small shot, and he's trying to figure out if he'd like to take that shot or just retire. If Tatum didn't get hurt and the C's just rolled the roster over again i bet he'd be back. I have no ill will if he wants to chase winning at age 39.

But to be clear, even if it IS about money that's fine too. Al's earned the right to do what he wants and STILL be loved by this fan base.

As for the other stuff there's a few things I found interesting. The first is that they don't appear under any immense pressure to re-set the repeater tax, which is probably good news for their ability to reload and compete in 26-27. Its always possible that's a smoke screen, but Brad flat out said they are reluctant to use picks to drop money and that seems like the right attitude to me. In both the cap clearing moves they've made so far they didn't have to give up draft picks. So my assumption going forward is that I'm sure they would like to clear money, but they aren't going to hurt the team's future to do so. Getting under the 2nd apron was mandatory, getting under the tax doesn't appear to be so. Of course, well see if that attitude maintains, if they start losing maybe they start dumping guys. I assume even if they don't get under the tax completely they will at least trim somewhat. If they trade Niang and replaced him with a minimum they'd save something like 40+ million in salary+tax, and if he's decent to start the year maybe he even returns you a medicore asset. Plenty of teams need shooting. Seems like he's an easy deadline deal.

The second is Bard saying they are comfortable with the roster as is to start the season. Thats interesting, because right now they have a grand total of TWO healthy players taller than 6'8. Queta played 863 minutes last year, Garza just 219. Even if you aren't trying all that hard to win that just isn't enough bodies to get through the grind of a regular season at center. Tillman and even Minot may be able to play some small ball center. Amari Williams is a nice depth option, but as a two-way he's limited to 50 games with the Celtics this year. So even if they believe in Queta/Garza i'm pretty skeptical they won't at least add one more depth big man on a minimum.

As it is I think tis could be a pretty good offensive team. Between Simons, Pritchard, Hauser, Niang, White they have some bombers. The offense was actually VERY good in the Brown non-Tatum minutes last year. They will likely shoot even more threes than they did last year. The defense...... well that won't be good. White and Brown are very good defenders. Pritchard, Hauser are solid enough. Tillamn, Walsh, Hugo, Minot have some upside. But it doesn't matter how good the perimeter defenders are if you don't have adequate rim protection and don't think they do.

[jambr380]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance. We then needed to trade the Sengun pick to get off of Kemba to get Al back on the massive contract he left us for. And now after we revived his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for championships, he is ditching us again because Tatum got hurt. Tatum btw, who has said Al is his favorite teammate ever.

And for what? To go across the country to play with three of our biggest rivals in Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy who really aren't contenders? His family is ingrained in Boston, the Horfords are expecting their 6th child in December, and we are in desperate need for a Center.

Ray Allen is basically still not allowed back in Boston 13 years later, but I see people cheering Al on and wanting his number in the rafters. As Celtics fans, I feel like we are kind-of being shunned by Al and people are blinded by his beautiful eyes or something. That or they secretly want us to tank. Which just isn't going to happen.

Good luck trying to get people on board with that.

I don't resent Ray or Al.  It's odd to me that players are supposed to show loyalty even when it financially hurts them, but teams can walk away from a player at any point.

I got over it with Ray. It was a tough decision leaving the team for half the money to go play with Lebron, but it actually did work out for him. The team also did try to trade him.

With Al, I'm not super-angry or anything and genuinely do wish him the best in the future, but I think most of us expected him to retire with a Celtic - especially after he was so thankful for us bringing him back. Like a wrong had been righted and he'd never leave us again. He even won a championship here. Ditching the team because Tatum ruptured his achilles just seems in bad taste. I think it's pretty safe to assume he would have stayed if we were contenders next year.

I guess I'm just a little confused why so many people were anti-Ray for so many years, but are actively celebrating Al for doing essentially the same thing...twice. Regardless, no, I don't think he belongs in the rafters. He played here for 7 years and was a 1 time All-Star. Those accolades aren't even close to getting him there. He played in ATL for 9 years with 4 All-Star appearances. He has a much better case there.

[tonydelk]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance. We then needed to trade the Sengun pick to get off of Kemba to get Al back on the massive contract he left us for. And now after we revived his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for championships, he is ditching us again because Tatum got hurt. Tatum btw, who has said Al is his favorite teammate ever.

And for what? To go across the country to play with three of our biggest rivals in Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy who really aren't contenders? His family is ingrained in Boston, the Horfords are expecting their 6th child in December, and we are in desperate need for a Center.

Ray Allen is basically still not allowed back in Boston 13 years later, but I see people cheering Al on and wanting his number in the rafters. As Celtics fans, I feel like we are kind-of being shunned by Al and people are blinded by his beautiful eyes or something. That or they secretly want us to tank. Which just isn't going to happen.

Good luck trying to get people on board with that.

I don't resent Ray or Al.  It's odd to me that players are supposed to show loyalty even when it financially hurts them, but teams can walk away from a player at any point.

I got over it with Ray. It was a tough decision leaving the team for half the money to go play with Lebron, but it actually did work out for him. The team also did try to trade him.

With Al, I'm not super-angry or anything and genuinely do wish him the best in the future, but I think most of us expected him to retire with a Celtic - especially after he was so thankful for us bringing him back. Like a wrong had been righted and he'd never leave us again. He even won a championship here. Ditching the team because Tatum ruptured his achilles just seems in bad taste. I think it's pretty safe to assume he would have stayed if we were contenders next year.

I guess I'm just a little confused why so many people were anti-Ray for so many years, but are actively celebrating Al for doing essentially the same thing...twice. Regardless, no, I don't think he belongs in the rafters. He played here for 7 years and was a 1 time All-Star. Those accolades aren't even close to getting him there. He played in ATL for 9 years with 4 All-Star appearances. He has a much better case there.

I agree with this.  I love Al.  Stevens said the team offered him and Kornet contracts.  I doubt they were anything significant.  Kornet had to chase the money.  This is probably his only chance to do so and take care of his family long term.  I'm happy for him.

As for Al.  What's left to prove?  You won a chip.  Stay and mentor the young guys and hold the fort down while JT rehabs.  I don't see why he wants to chase money or a chip at this point.  I'm extremely disappointed in his decision and as the C's fan in me I will root against any team he plays for winning it all.  Losing Jrue and KP wasn't their fault.  Al made this decision on his own.

[Goldstar88]

Not a shocker:

Al Horford returning is ?unlikely.? ?If he were to go and play somewhere else, I think he?s an all-time Celtic. He?s a winner and did everything he could for this organization not only from the games but also how he impacted our younger players.?

I feel like I'm the only one rubbed the wrong way here with Al. He will now have left us twice when we needed him most. Not having him in 2020 likely cost us a Finals appearance. We then needed to trade the Sengun pick to get off of Kemba to get Al back on the massive contract he left us for. And now after we revived his career and gave him an opportunity to compete for championships, he is ditching us again because Tatum got hurt. Tatum btw, who has said Al is his favorite teammate ever.

And for what? To go across the country to play with three of our biggest rivals in Steph, Draymond, and Jimmy who really aren't contenders? His family is ingrained in Boston, the Horfords are expecting their 6th child in December, and we are in desperate need for a Center.

Ray Allen is basically still not allowed back in Boston 13 years later, but I see people cheering Al on and wanting his number in the rafters. As Celtics fans, I feel like we are kind-of being shunned by Al and people are blinded by his beautiful eyes or something. That or they secretly want us to tank. Which just isn't going to happen.

Good luck trying to get people on board with that.

I don't resent Ray or Al.  It's odd to me that players are supposed to show loyalty even when it financially hurts them, but teams can walk away from a player at any point.

I got over it with Ray. It was a tough decision leaving the team for half the money to go play with Lebron, but it actually did work out for him. The team also did try to trade him.

With Al, I'm not super-angry or anything and genuinely do wish him the best in the future, but I think most of us expected him to retire with a Celtic - especially after he was so thankful for us bringing him back. Like a wrong had been righted and he'd never leave us again. He even won a championship here. Ditching the team because Tatum ruptured his achilles just seems in bad taste. I think it's pretty safe to assume he would have stayed if we were contenders next year.

I guess I'm just a little confused why so many people were anti-Ray for so many years, but are actively celebrating Al for doing essentially the same thing...twice. Regardless, no, I don't think he belongs in the rafters. He played here for 7 years and was a 1 time All-Star. Those accolades aren't even close to getting him there. He played in ATL for 9 years with 4 All-Star appearances. He has a much better case there.

I agree with this.  I love Al.  Stevens said the team offered him and Kornet contracts.  I doubt they were anything significant.  Kornet had to chase the money.  This is probably his only chance to do so and take care of his family long term.  I'm happy for him.

As for Al.  What's left to prove?  You won a chip.  Stay and mentor the young guys and hold the fort down while JT rehabs.  I don't see why he wants to chase money or a chip at this point.  I'm extremely disappointed in his decision and as the C's fan in me I will root against any team he plays for winning it all.  Losing Jrue and KP wasn't their fault.  Al made this decision on his own.

Some athletes like to compete and play meaningful basketball in the Spring time. That isn?t going to happen here this coming season. Horford is almost 40 years old. This is likely his last season in the NBA. I think he?s earned the right to play on a contender. Resenting him for that after he just helped win a championship is a bit much.