The Beginning of a Dynasty?

[keevsnick]

We'll see what happens in FA. But realistically what East team(s) do you think will be our biggest threat? Because I got to be honest... I don't see many. To me the two that stick out are a healthy Knicks and Pacers. I wouldn't be surprised if 1 (or even both) of the Bucks/Heat slip, and then we'll see what the Sixers do in the offseason but is Embiid also gonna stay healthy? Orlando as well is interesting, but that's assuming they are successful in adding 1 or 2 impactful FA's.

I think our biggest threats will come from the West, particularly DEN/OKC/MIN/DAL.

Our path this year was certainly easy but again, part of that was because guys got hurt AND some of those teams like Cleveland and even Dallas were very centered on 1 or 2 players. C's meanwhile are loaded and even their 4th/5th starters would be #2s or #3 on other teams.

In the East I still think the biggest threats are Phili and Milwaukee. Both teams are obviously in a state of flux right now, but Embiid and Giannis if healthy I think are capable of putting together generational playoff runs (Even if Embiid hasn't had one yet). Teams like New York, Clevland, Indiana all have stars that are more stoppable or containable and quite frankly stars who the Celtics match up better against.

That said both Mil and Phil need to get fill out their teams better to really pose a threat.

[Moranis]

Tatum is most certainly not the first player in NBA history wkth 30 points and 10 assists In a Finals game. He wasn't even the first player in this Finals to do it as Luka did it in game 2.

I would have to think for an NBA finals clincher maybe? Though even then I'd be surprised if Tatum was the first with that stat line under those conditions.

he is not. I know Curry did it at least once.

[Goldstar88]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

[Moranis]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

I agree.  Those teams all could use 1 more guy to really elevate up.

[ozgod]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

Everyone's looking for some top 5 guy to "take them to the top". We were able to build a superteam because we developed our draft picks, and traded for guys that then overperformed their contracts, like Derrick, Al or were undervalued due to being damaged goods (KP) and it was really only Jrue that cost us close to a max but you can't say he was a top 5 or even top 15 guy in the league. In two years this roster is going to force some really tough decisions from Brad but right now and maybe next year we're fortunate because we didn't blow the bank on one guy that is costing a fortune. But at the start of 2025-26 I can see some guys getting moved, while their contracts are still fungible and there's still demand for them in the league.

Right now, if Brad wanted to, he could probably move every single one of our guys for a good return, there would be strong demand for any of them. Even Jrue with his extension, after his performance in these finals, there's teams that would be throwing assets at Brad to take him. Same with Jaylen and his $300m contract and those were the two guys I worried about the most when their contracts were extended. The trick is knowing when to pull the trigger, while the expected returns are still high.

[Who]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

I expect the Knicks to do very well next year. They had a lot of injury problems last season. Their 2nd best player Randle missed about half the year (46gms played). Their 3rd best player RJ Barrett / Anunoby (trade) missed half the year (49gms played). Mitchell Robinson missed 75% of the season (23gms played).

Get those guys healthy and I reckon NY are a 57-62 win ball club next season.

G: Brunson, McBride
G: DiVincenzo, J Hart
F: Anunoby, Bogdanovic
F: Randle
C: Hartenstein, M Robinson

[tenn_smoothie]

I agree with what a lot of posters have said: winning a title is incredibly difficult and we should enjoy what the club has just done. The '76 Celtics felt like they could go for a couple more runs (their best player was at the peak of his powers at 26 years of age, JoJo was in his prime, Havlicek was aging gracefully), but Cowens lost his passion for the game that summer and declined from being a top 3-5 player in the league into a top 10-15 guy, their role players regressed hard and that was more or less it when JoJo had a severe injury in '78 after a disappointing '77 campaign. I'm not saying that both situations are comparable, but anything can happen.

Cowens momentarily lost his passion for the game mid-season, not during the summer. The team was coming off the 1976 title and Red traded Paul Silas due to their inability to agree on a new contract. Cowens was not happy about it and the fun and satisfaction of playing with teammates who shared his basketball team values was gone with the loss of Silas and addition of Sidney Wicks. So, he took a leave from the team.

[Goldstar88]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

Everyone's looking for some top 5 guy to "take them to the top". We were able to build a superteam because we developed our draft picks, and traded for guys that then overperformed their contracts, like Derrick, Al or were undervalued due to being damaged goods (KP) and it was really only Jrue that cost us close to a max but you can't say he was a top 5 or even top 15 guy in the league. In two years this roster is going to force some really tough decisions from Brad but right now and maybe next year we're fortunate because we didn't blow the bank on one guy that is costing a fortune. But at the start of 2025-26 I can see some guys getting moved, while their contracts are still fungible and there's still demand for them in the league.

Right now, if Brad wanted to, he could probably move every single one of our guys for a good return, there would be strong demand for any of them. Even Jrue with his extension, after his performance in these finals, there's teams that would be throwing assets at Brad to take him. Same with Jaylen and his $300m contract and those were the two guys I worried about the most when their contracts were extended. The trick is knowing when to pull the trigger, while the expected returns are still high.

I?d say the Celtics do have that top 5 player, though. Tatum has been an All-NBA First Team selection 3 years on a row.

[cman88]

We'll see what happens in FA. But realistically what East team(s) do you think will be our biggest threat? Because I got to be honest... I don't see many. To me the two that stick out are a healthy Knicks and Pacers. I wouldn't be surprised if 1 (or even both) of the Bucks/Heat slip, and then we'll see what the Sixers do in the offseason but is Embiid also gonna stay healthy? Orlando as well is interesting, but that's assuming they are successful in adding 1 or 2 impactful FA's.

I think our biggest threats will come from the West, particularly DEN/OKC/MIN/DAL.

Our path this year was certainly easy but again, part of that was because guys got hurt AND some of those teams like Cleveland and even Dallas were very centered on 1 or 2 players. C's meanwhile are loaded and even their 4th/5th starters would be #2s or #3 on other teams.

In the East I still think the biggest threats are Phili and Milwaukee. Both teams are obviously in a state of flux right now, but Embiid and Giannis if healthy I think are capable of putting together generational playoff runs (Even if Embiid hasn't had one yet). Teams like New York, Clevland, Indiana all have stars that are more stoppable or containable and quite frankly stars who the Celtics match up better against.

That said both Mil and Phil need to get fill out their teams better to really pose a threat.

Boston's biggest threat next year will come from the western conference. not the east imo. we still will be head and shoulders above the other teams in the east.

Philly and Milwaukee don't really scare me for some reason. despite their talent, both ageing rosters, and we really have owned both of them the last 3 years in the playoffs. we match up well with them. and embiids game hasn't translated to doing well in the playoffs.

[Kuberski33]

OKC may be the leader in the clubhouse for winning the offseaon. Caruso was a very shrewd pickup and they have a ton of cap room.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Here is what we need for a dynasty to form in my opinion:

1. Health - It may be completely unlikely, but if we can get one healthy season from Zinger in the next two seasons, I think we win another championship. Obviously need health from everyone.
2. Tatum - One big area of growth opportunity is for the entire team to become better closers, but especially Jayson Tatum. If he can finish more plays in clutch moments, we take another step and become even harder to beat.
3. Zinger insurance - There just aren't many bigs that can shoot and defend. I'd love for us to have a Bobby Portis-Naz Reid-type player off the bench. In all likelihood, they will need to be developed internally. I think Tillman has some potential here, but I'd like one with more size. If we had to lean one way, I'd prefer a shooter that can't defend, as I think we can cover for them and our offense is what makes this team special.
4. Internal development - We need a few players to step forward, because we will likely lose Kornet, Hauser, and/or Pritchard to other teams or injury (in Kornet's case) in the next few years. This is by far the one I'm most confident in, as I think Stevens might have the best eye for talent/fit in the NBA.

[Who]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

Everyone's looking for some top 5 guy to "take them to the top". We were able to build a superteam because we developed our draft picks, and traded for guys that then overperformed their contracts, like Derrick, Al or were undervalued due to being damaged goods (KP) and it was really only Jrue that cost us close to a max but you can't say he was a top 5 or even top 15 guy in the league. In two years this roster is going to force some really tough decisions from Brad but right now and maybe next year we're fortunate because we didn't blow the bank on one guy that is costing a fortune. But at the start of 2025-26 I can see some guys getting moved, while their contracts are still fungible and there's still demand for them in the league.

Right now, if Brad wanted to, he could probably move every single one of our guys for a good return, there would be strong demand for any of them. Even Jrue with his extension, after his performance in these finals, there's teams that would be throwing assets at Brad to take him. Same with Jaylen and his $300m contract and those were the two guys I worried about the most when their contracts were extended. The trick is knowing when to pull the trigger, while the expected returns are still high.

I?d say the Celtics do have that top 5 player, though. Tatum has been an All-NBA First Team selection 3 years on a row.

Agreed. I do not understand all this talk that BOS do not have a top 5 player. Tatum is a top 5 player.

[Goldstar88]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

I expect the Knicks to do very well next year. They had a lot of injury problems last season. Their 2nd best player Randle missed about half the year (46gms played). Their 3rd best player RJ Barrett / Anunoby (trade) missed half the year (49gms played). Mitchell Robinson missed 75% of the season (23gms played).

Get those guys healthy and I reckon NY are a 57-62 win ball club next season.

G: Brunson, McBride
G: DiVincenzo, J Hart
F: Anunoby, Bogdanovic
F: Randle
C: Hartenstein, M Robinson

I can?t see the Knicks winning that many games. Especially if the Bucks and Sixers are healthier this year. Indiana was also missing some good players as well. Orlando will likely be better, Cleveland is still a solid team. Miami will have Butler back.

[ozgod]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

Everyone's looking for some top 5 guy to "take them to the top". We were able to build a superteam because we developed our draft picks, and traded for guys that then overperformed their contracts, like Derrick, Al or were undervalued due to being damaged goods (KP) and it was really only Jrue that cost us close to a max but you can't say he was a top 5 or even top 15 guy in the league. In two years this roster is going to force some really tough decisions from Brad but right now and maybe next year we're fortunate because we didn't blow the bank on one guy that is costing a fortune. But at the start of 2025-26 I can see some guys getting moved, while their contracts are still fungible and there's still demand for them in the league.

Right now, if Brad wanted to, he could probably move every single one of our guys for a good return, there would be strong demand for any of them. Even Jrue with his extension, after his performance in these finals, there's teams that would be throwing assets at Brad to take him. Same with Jaylen and his $300m contract and those were the two guys I worried about the most when their contracts were extended. The trick is knowing when to pull the trigger, while the expected returns are still high.

I?d say the Celtics do have that top 5 player, though. Tatum has been an All-NBA First Team selection 3 years on a row.

Agreed. I do not understand all this talk that BOS do not have a top 5 player. Tatum is a top 5 player.

Just to clarify, I wasn?t suggesting that we didn?t have one ? we developed our top five player (and other top 15 player) from their rookie seasons so they were cost controlled for large parts of their tenure with us. So instead of swinging for the fences and trying to bring a Kawhi or an AD into our team. Brad was able to find undervalued guys like White as well as guys that didn't have a lot of demand for them due to injury or other concerns like KP and bring them in on relatively inexpensive (compared to their value) contracts. Probably the only guy we brought in that was close to a max (at the time he signed his contract) was Jrue. Other teams are trying to shortcut by chasing an already developed top five player who they currently don?t have Bird rights to and that limits who else they can trade for.

[Goldstar88]

Phantom, I do not consider Dallas a threat to Boston. 
I do agree about healthy Knicks and Pacers in the East.

If Dallas isn?t a threat, neither are the Knicks or Pacers.

Everyone's looking for some top 5 guy to "take them to the top". We were able to build a superteam because we developed our draft picks, and traded for guys that then overperformed their contracts, like Derrick, Al or were undervalued due to being damaged goods (KP) and it was really only Jrue that cost us close to a max but you can't say he was a top 5 or even top 15 guy in the league. In two years this roster is going to force some really tough decisions from Brad but right now and maybe next year we're fortunate because we didn't blow the bank on one guy that is costing a fortune. But at the start of 2025-26 I can see some guys getting moved, while their contracts are still fungible and there's still demand for them in the league.

Right now, if Brad wanted to, he could probably move every single one of our guys for a good return, there would be strong demand for any of them. Even Jrue with his extension, after his performance in these finals, there's teams that would be throwing assets at Brad to take him. Same with Jaylen and his $300m contract and those were the two guys I worried about the most when their contracts were extended. The trick is knowing when to pull the trigger, while the expected returns are still high.

I?d say the Celtics do have that top 5 player, though. Tatum has been an All-NBA First Team selection 3 years on a row.

Agreed. I do not understand all this talk that BOS do not have a top 5 player. Tatum is a top 5 player.

Just to clarify, I wasn?t suggesting that we didn?t have one ? we developed our top five player (and other top 15 player) from their rookie seasons so they were cost controlled for large parts of their tenure with us. So instead of swinging for the fences and trying to bring a Kawhi or an AD into our team. Brad was able to find undervalued guys like White as well as guys that didn't have a lot of demand for them due to injury or other concerns like KP and bring them in on relatively inexpensive (compared to their value) contracts. Probably the only guy we brought in that was close to a max (at the time he signed his contract) was Jrue. Other teams are trying to shortcut by chasing an already developed top five player who they currently don?t have Bird rights to and that limits who else they can trade for.

It?s really hard to hit on a player like Tatum (or JB for that matter) in the draft, so teams try to acquire the talent through trades. What Danny did, hitting on cornerstone pieces on back to back drafts is incredibly difficult.

Feel like it has less to do with development and more to do with drafting well. I think JT and JB would have been All-Star players regardless of which team drafted them.