Celtics News

[Goldstar88]

This got buried in a game thread after the game was over, so I'll repost it here.

The poster I was responding to was commenting on how smart it was to draft PP when the C's had the opportunity. 

Looking back at the 2020 draft, if we redid it today, I might put PP at #6 overall-- which is kind of insane.  I'm sure others will think I'm insane for suggesting that too!

But it's even more "insane" that Maxey and Bane would be re-drafted so highly.

The top five

(in purple) are in a class all their own. And honestly, I only put Bane in the top five group because of the draft capital it took for Orlando to get him. 

But the next five (in green) are comparable.  I'd still put PP at the top of that second class.

Re-draft
1 Anthony Edwards
2 Tyrese Haliburton
3 Tyrese Maxey
4 LaMelo Ball
5 Desmond Bane

6 Payton Pritchard
7 Isaiah Stewart
8 Deni Avdija
9 Devin Vassell
10 Aaron Nesmith[/li][/list]

Actual Draft
1   1.     Anthony Edwards   
1   2   James Wiseman   
1   3   LaMelo Ball
1   4   Patrick Williams   
1   5   Isaac Okoro   
1   6   Onyeka Okongwu   
1   7   Killian Hayes   
1   8   Obi Toppin   
1   9   Deni Avdija
1   10   Jalen Smith   
1   11   Devin Vassell   
1   12   Tyrese Haliburton
1   13   Kira Lewis Jr.
1   14   Aaron Nesmith   
1   15   Cole Anthony   
1   16   Isaiah Stewart   
1   17   Aleksej Poku?evski   
1   18   Josh Green
1   19   Saddiq Bey   
1   20   Precious Achiuwa   
1   21   Tyrese Maxey
1   22   Zeke Nnaji   
1   23   Leandro Bolmaro   
1   24   R. J. Hampton   
1   25   Immanuel Quickley
1   26   Payton Pritchard   PG   
1   27   Udoka Azubuike   
1   28   Jaden McDaniels
1   29   Malachi Flynn
1   30   Desmond Bane 

This is my order. Sell me on Pritchard over Avdija and Vasell. How do you figure that? Also, TP for the post. These are fun exercises.

1 Anthony Edwards
2 Tyrese Haliburton
3 Tyrese Maxey
4 LaMelo Ball
5 Deni Avdija
6 Desmond Bane
7 Devin Vassell
8 Payton Pritchard
9 Isaiah Stewart
10 Aaron Nesmith
[/list]

[No Nickname]

This got buried in a game thread after the game was over, so I'll repost it here.

The poster I was responding to was commenting on how smart it was to draft PP when the C's had the opportunity. 

Looking back at the 2020 draft, if we redid it today, I might put PP at #6 overall-- which is kind of insane.  I'm sure others will think I'm insane for suggesting that too!

But it's even more "insane" that Maxey and Bane would be re-drafted so highly.

The top five

(in purple) are in a class all their own. And honestly, I only put Bane in the top five group because of the draft capital it took for Orlando to get him. 

But the next five (in green) are comparable.  I'd still put PP at the top of that second class.

Re-draft
1 Anthony Edwards
2 Tyrese Haliburton
3 Tyrese Maxey
4 LaMelo Ball
5 Desmond Bane

6 Payton Pritchard
7 Isaiah Stewart
8 Deni Avdija
9 Devin Vassell
10 Aaron Nesmith[/li][/list]

Actual Draft
1   1.     Anthony Edwards   
1   2   James Wiseman   
1   3   LaMelo Ball
1   4   Patrick Williams   
1   5   Isaac Okoro   
1   6   Onyeka Okongwu   
1   7   Killian Hayes   
1   8   Obi Toppin   
1   9   Deni Avdija
1   10   Jalen Smith   
1   11   Devin Vassell   
1   12   Tyrese Haliburton
1   13   Kira Lewis Jr.
1   14   Aaron Nesmith   
1   15   Cole Anthony   
1   16   Isaiah Stewart   
1   17   Aleksej Poku?evski   
1   18   Josh Green
1   19   Saddiq Bey   
1   20   Precious Achiuwa   
1   21   Tyrese Maxey
1   22   Zeke Nnaji   
1   23   Leandro Bolmaro   
1   24   R. J. Hampton   
1   25   Immanuel Quickley
1   26   Payton Pritchard   PG   
1   27   Udoka Azubuike   
1   28   Jaden McDaniels
1   29   Malachi Flynn
1   30   Desmond Bane 

This is my order. Sell me on Pritchard over Avdija and Vasell. How do you figure that? Also, TP for the post. These are fun exercises.

1 Anthony Edwards
2 Tyrese Haliburton
3 Tyrese Maxey
4 LaMelo Ball
5 Deni Avdija
6 Desmond Bane
7 Devin Vassell
8 Payton Pritchard
9 Isaiah Stewart
10 Aaron Nesmith
[/list]

I see you.  You have Deni three spots higher, Vassell two spots higher.  So we're close.

I admit I haven't seen a lot of Deni.  Not only does he score 23 per game (PP at 17ppg) he also dishes out 6.7 apg.  WOW!

You've convinced me.

As for Vassell, PP outscores him 17 to 14ppg, and doubles his assists (2.5 to 5.2).  Rebounds are the same.

Shooting percentages are pretty equivalent except PP at 88% of FT, Vassell's at 81%.

And PP's PER is 16.9 to Vassell's 13.2.

This is all with PP at 32.5mpg and Vassell at 30.5mpg.

I'd still keep Vassell below PP.  But maybe move him above Stewart to #8.

5 Deni Avdija
6 Desmond Bane
7 Payton Pritchard
8 Devin Vassell
9 Isaiah Stewart
10 Aaron Nesmith

[Goldstar88]

Noa Dalzell: Asked Jayson Tatum about being a finalist for Teammate of the Year and if his view of what it means to be a good teammate changed this year: It means a lot being recognized for something like that. As much as I've been recognized for other awards, I told these guys before I came back, that they were as part of this rehab and a motivating factor for me to get back, just being around the team all season and seeing the way that they competed and attacked the season, the together that they played with  I just told them that I wanted to be a part of that. And, early on, when I obviously couldn't practice and stuff like that, and I was rehabbing and working out, that was in the back of my mind. I wanted clearly, to get out of my situation but just being around the guys this year really helped me. My mindset, my mental still made me feel I was a part of the team. So, that was big for me.
x.com

[Phantom255x]

We'll beat anyone in the first round, but I would prefer not to play Philly. Say what you will, but they got back everyone from injury + PG13 from suspension, and that's still a loaded team with Edgecomb, Maxey, George and Embiid to go along with a few solid bench players (Oubre, Grimes, Bona). They could definitely push us to 6 or even 7.

My ideal preference is Toronto or Miami. I'd be okay with Orlando, Charlotte or Atlanta but less enthusiastic, but I still think as fun as it's been for CHA/ATL in particular and how good they've looked, they aren't as experienced in a playoff setting and they could face a grind some games. ORL has a bunch of issues and while they play physical defense, even that has taken a step back this season compared to 2025.

Unfortunately PHI has a tough schedule so they may stay in the play-in range, and MIA/ORL seem like they will stick around the 9-10 bracket because of how inconsistent they are and particularly how poor ORL has looked. Toronto right now is 7, but tied with PHI in the record and have an easy schedule to finish.

[No Nickname]

Since old friend Al Horford has a player option for next year, I wonder if he might come back on the vet min. 

That could be a nice swan song for him, with hopefully a fully healthy, stacked, upgraded Celtics roster.

[ozgod]

Since old friend Al Horford has a player option for next year, I wonder if he might come back on the vet min. 

That could be a nice swan song for him, with hopefully a fully healthy, stacked, upgraded Celtics roster.

From his comments about his departure being down to some factors other than money I think those bridges might have been burned. Plus there's always the question of minutes, especially if they can convince Vuc to take on a team-friendly contract in exchange for more years. We would also have Amari that we are trying to develop. We were very thin going into the year but they've done a great job with Queta and Garza, and adding Vuc and Amari to that might leave us without space for Al.

[Jiri Welsch]

Since old friend Al Horford has a player option for next year, I wonder if he might come back on the vet min. 

That could be a nice swan song for him, with hopefully a fully healthy, stacked, upgraded Celtics roster.

From his comments about his departure being down to some factors other than money I think those bridges might have been burned. Plus there's always the question of minutes, especially if they can convince Vuc to take on a team-friendly contract in exchange for more years. We would also have Amari that we are trying to develop. We were very thin going into the year but they've done a great job with Queta and Garza, and adding Vuc and Amari to that might leave us without space for Al.

I don't want Horford back next year. But for the record, the quote from Horford was that his departure was "deeper than just the basketball stuff of it."

So I think it is actually the opposite: It was about money.

Which kind of tracks with Horford's entire career trajectory.

[SparzWizard]

Since old friend Al Horford has a player option for next year, I wonder if he might come back on the vet min. 

That could be a nice swan song for him, with hopefully a fully healthy, stacked, upgraded Celtics roster.

From his comments about his departure being down to some factors other than money I think those bridges might have been burned. Plus there's always the question of minutes, especially if they can convince Vuc to take on a team-friendly contract in exchange for more years. We would also have Amari that we are trying to develop. We were very thin going into the year but they've done a great job with Queta and Garza, and adding Vuc and Amari to that might leave us without space for Al.

I think we're good with Queta, Vuc, Garza, and Amari.

[Phantom255x]

I think at least for the next 3 years, we're better off with Vucevic in his age 36-38 seasons. And this is assuming he will mostly come off the bench, which will help our 2nd unit and probably also keep Vucevic fresh and not burnt out during the season given his age, kind of like how they used Horford in the final few years (he started games too but wasn't always playing heavy minutes)

Queta-Vucevic-Garza with Amari and maybe another draft pick or cheap FA is a fine frontcourt. I'm sure the playoffs though can also shed some light, like I hope Queta does well but we'll see how he lives up to expectations. I'm sure that'll be part of the calculus this summer.

[Phantom255x]

Hopefully the standings stay as they are and Toronto wins their play-in game. That would have us facing Toronto in the first round (easy 5-gamer) and it would also have DET vs. a team like Charlotte, and NY vs. PHI (not easy for NY/DET)

[Neurotic Guy]

I think at least for the next 3 years, we're better off with Vucevic in his age 36-38 seasons. And this is assuming he will mostly come off the bench, which will help our 2nd unit and probably also keep Vucevic fresh and not burnt out during the season given his age, kind of like how they used Horford in the final few years (he started games too but wasn't always playing heavy minutes)

Queta-Vucevic-Garza with Amari and maybe another draft pick or cheap FA is a fine frontcourt. I'm sure the playoffs though can also shed some light, like I hope Queta does well but we'll see how he lives up to expectations. I'm sure that'll be part of the calculus this summer.

At this point don?t you have faith in Q?  I know he hasn?t been in the NBA spotlight. In some international tournaments, but not the same intensity as NBA playoffs (I?m assuming). He?s just been so steady this year.  He never seems to lose his cool or seem affected by the moment. He hits FTs in pressure situations, he pulls down boards with authority. And he?s begun to assert himself from time to time on offense - though there will be little need to do that.  I think he?ll be fine. Sure hope so.