It's going to be a strange year this year 25-26

[slamtheking]

I think it is far more likely Brown is shut down for the year (at some point) than Tatum is to play at all this year.

barring an injury, Brown's not being shutdown this year.  I don't see them shutting him down even if it was the last game of the season and a loss significantly improved the odds of their draft position.

much better odds that Tatum plays late in the season even though I think that'd be ill advised.  (although I would get it if he was fully physically recovered, the season was a flop with them in the lottery and they wanted to give him a couple of games to get a feel for where he is in terms of playing ability going into the summer)

[slamtheking]

I really hope this is the last year we see Queta, Walsh, Garza and Minnot in a Celtics uniform.

I get this year is lost because this is an unserious roster made up with spare parts. But next season needs to change.

not getting the dislike for these guys.

Queta has shown he's at least a solid 3rd string center and based on the Euro play this summer, might actually have improved enough to be the 2nd stringer.  problem is we need a starter-quality but that's on Brad, not Q.

Walsh - I get it.  hasn't shown squat so far.  supposed to be a defensive wiz and hasn't shown that yet -- nevermind the ineptitude on offense.  didn't see anything in summer league to think he's any better.  At least with Springer, we could see real defensive skills and he was cut loose before the end of the season.  not seeing why Walsh is still here at this point.

Garza and Minott haven't even played in a C's uniform yet so you haven't seen them at all in a C's uniform.  Hoping to be pleasantly surprised by them this year but expecting to see why they were buried on the Wolves bench.

[Moranis]

I think it is far more likely Brown is shut down for the year (at some point) than Tatum is to play at all this year.

barring an injury, Brown's not being shutdown this year.  I don't see them shutting him down even if it was the last game of the season and a loss significantly improved the odds of their draft position.

much better odds that Tatum plays late in the season even though I think that'd be ill advised.  (although I would get it if he was fully physically recovered, the season was a flop with them in the lottery and they wanted to give him a couple of games to get a feel for where he is in terms of playing ability going into the summer)

I obviously disagree. I just think of this team is out of it, they are going to shut down Brown and save him for 26-27.  Brown is very injury prone. No reason to play him in meaningless games at end of year. Nor to bring Tatum back to a bad team.  Now maybe the team surprises me and is hovering around .500 and Tatum gets healthy and they make a real push, I just don't see it.

[Moranis]

The Vegas line has moved a lot.  Boston used to be like +220 to miss the playoffs.  The line is now +146.  Lots of money coming on to miss playoffs

[slamtheking]

I think it is far more likely Brown is shut down for the year (at some point) than Tatum is to play at all this year.

barring an injury, Brown's not being shutdown this year.  I don't see them shutting him down even if it was the last game of the season and a loss significantly improved the odds of their draft position.

much better odds that Tatum plays late in the season even though I think that'd be ill advised.  (although I would get it if he was fully physically recovered, the season was a flop with them in the lottery and they wanted to give him a couple of games to get a feel for where he is in terms of playing ability going into the summer)

I obviously disagree. I just think of this team is out of it, they are going to shut down Brown and save him for 26-27.  Brown is very injury prone. No reason to play him in meaningless games at end of year. Nor to bring Tatum back to a bad team.  Now maybe the team surprises me and is hovering around .500 and Tatum gets healthy and they make a real push, I just don't see it.

we don't disagree on the team being out of it this year.  what we disagree on is Brown being shutdown or at least what we consider to be 'shut down'.  To me, that means he's being sat out of at least a thrid of the games for no real reason other than to push for a tank job.  if you only consider him being sat for a handful of games at the end of the season, that's not what I consider being 'shut down'.

[celticinorlando]

I really hope this is the last year we see Queta, Walsh, Garza and Minnot in a Celtics uniform.

I get this year is lost because this is an unserious roster made up with spare parts. But next season needs to change.

not getting the dislike for these guys.

Queta has shown he's at least a solid 3rd string center and based on the Euro play this summer, might actually have improved enough to be the 2nd stringer.  problem is we need a starter-quality but that's on Brad, not Q.

Walsh - I get it.  hasn't shown squat so far.  supposed to be a defensive wiz and hasn't shown that yet -- nevermind the ineptitude on offense.  didn't see anything in summer league to think he's any better.  At least with Springer, we could see real defensive skills and he was cut loose before the end of the season.  not seeing why Walsh is still here at this point.

Garza and Minott haven't even played in a C's uniform yet so you haven't seen them at all in a C's uniform.  Hoping to be pleasantly surprised by them this year but expecting to see why they were buried on the Wolves bench.

You did a good job summarizing my feelings for Walsh. Queta as a starter will be a disaster.

As for Garza and Minott, they simply are cheap bodies Brad signed to cut payroll. I expect they are one and done in Boston. Neither look to be pieces that continue in Boston. Like you said, they were buried on the bench for a reason.

Brad needs to have flexibility heading into next off season to reshape the roster. I expect Simons not to defend much and then get traded at some point.

Of the current roster I would expect Brown, Tatum, White, PP, Hauser Baylor and Hugo to be the guys kept around for 2026-27.

[Neurotic Guy]

I really hope this is the last year we see Queta, Walsh, Garza and Minnot in a Celtics uniform.

I get this year is lost because this is an unserious roster made up with spare parts. But next season needs to change.

not getting the dislike for these guys.

Queta has shown he's at least a solid 3rd string center and based on the Euro play this summer, might actually have improved enough to be the 2nd stringer.  problem is we need a starter-quality but that's on Brad, not Q.

Walsh - I get it.  hasn't shown squat so far.  supposed to be a defensive wiz and hasn't shown that yet -- nevermind the ineptitude on offense.  didn't see anything in summer league to think he's any better.  At least with Springer, we could see real defensive skills and he was cut loose before the end of the season.  not seeing why Walsh is still here at this point.

Garza and Minott haven't even played in a C's uniform yet so you haven't seen them at all in a C's uniform.  Hoping to be pleasantly surprised by them this year but expecting to see why they were buried on the Wolves bench.

You did a good job summarizing my feelings for Walsh. Queta as a starter will be a disaster.

As for Garza and Minott, they simply are cheap bodies Brad signed to cut payroll. I expect they are one and done in Boston. Neither look to be pieces that continue in Boston. Like you said, they were buried on the bench for a reason.

Brad needs to have flexibility heading into next off season to reshape the roster. I expect Simons not to defend much and then get traded at some point.

Of the current roster I would expect Brown, Tatum, White, PP, Hauser Baylor and Hugo to be the guys kept around for 2026-27.

Queta as a starter might be a disaster, but I'm not positive about that. He has some defensive skills and he can finish; decent hands; sees the court fairly well.   Just as we saw marked improvement from Luke last year, the same could happen with Q.  Starter quality probably not, but I think disaster might be overstating - at least from a potential perspective.

Interesting take from CBlog:
https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-analysis/121374/celticsblog-player-preview-is-neemias-queta-ready-to-start

[slamtheking]

I really hope this is the last year we see Queta, Walsh, Garza and Minnot in a Celtics uniform.

I get this year is lost because this is an unserious roster made up with spare parts. But next season needs to change.

not getting the dislike for these guys.

Queta has shown he's at least a solid 3rd string center and based on the Euro play this summer, might actually have improved enough to be the 2nd stringer.  problem is we need a starter-quality but that's on Brad, not Q.

Walsh - I get it.  hasn't shown squat so far.  supposed to be a defensive wiz and hasn't shown that yet -- nevermind the ineptitude on offense.  didn't see anything in summer league to think he's any better.  At least with Springer, we could see real defensive skills and he was cut loose before the end of the season.  not seeing why Walsh is still here at this point.

Garza and Minott haven't even played in a C's uniform yet so you haven't seen them at all in a C's uniform.  Hoping to be pleasantly surprised by them this year but expecting to see why they were buried on the Wolves bench.

You did a good job summarizing my feelings for Walsh. Queta as a starter will be a disaster.

As for Garza and Minott, they simply are cheap bodies Brad signed to cut payroll. I expect they are one and done in Boston. Neither look to be pieces that continue in Boston. Like you said, they were buried on the bench for a reason.

Brad needs to have flexibility heading into next off season to reshape the roster. I expect Simons not to defend much and then get traded at some point.

Of the current roster I would expect Brown, Tatum, White, PP, Hauser Baylor and Hugo to be the guys kept around for 2026-27.

I think that's a fair assessment of who to keep for 2026-2027 season except I'd add Q to that list.  we're already down to just him as a real center.  can't see Brad jettisoning everyone bigger than JT for that season.  Brad will only be able to add just so much in trades of our scraps and free agency

[tonydelk]

This is going to be a strange year. With Tatum maybe looming in the spring and a lot of pieces that could move. I'm not sure how this team will fit as a group. Joe will need to play more guys and change it up. Maybe try and play a lot of guys and run and play crazy fast like the Pacers last year... This is the first time in a while were I didn't reasonably know what to expect, not that what I expected happened every year but I had expectations. It could be fun if Joe really throws the kitchen sink in and tries a lot of different things. This team seems like one that Brad would be a better coach for but we will see!

I totally agree.  I don't think any of us are expecting a top 6 finish.  Now there are things I'm excited to see though. 

Some over reaction cool aid drinking thoughts that every fan has before the season starts and they realize their team stinks LOL.

1) PP plays at a borderline or at an allstar level.  20ppg, 7apg, 4rpg, 1stl, 4.5 made 3pm shooting 50,40,90.

2) JB averages 30ppg and makes 1st team all NBA

3) Dwhite makes his first All star game 20ppg, 5 ast, 5rbd, 1.5stl, 1.5blk

4) Hugo shows he's a future starter in the league and is in the top 5 for rookie of the year

5) Baylor leads the bench mob

6) Sam breaks the C's record for made 3s for a season

7) Luka Garza is the starter by mid season playing the Porzingas role and really developing into a starting center.

The C's end up with the 4 seed with Tatum returning at the end of February.  They finish the season 10-2 and win 2 series in the playoffs.

[hwangjini_1]

This is going to be a strange year. With Tatum maybe looming in the spring and a lot of pieces that could move. I'm not sure how this team will fit as a group. Joe will need to play more guys and change it up. Maybe try and play a lot of guys and run and play crazy fast like the Pacers last year... This is the first time in a while were I didn't reasonably know what to expect, not that what I expected happened every year but I had expectations. It could be fun if Joe really throws the kitchen sink in and tries a lot of different things. This team seems like one that Brad would be a better coach for but we will see!

From your mouth to Mazzulla's ear.....

The Celtics might finally fulfill Brown?s wishes of speeding up. Luka Garza said, ?the pace was crazy high? during the team?s opening practice. He is excited about the team?s desire to run more.

?You could tell right since I got here that that?s the focus this year, that what we want to do is get up and down and push the pace and get into actions early and be able to move the ball around and score and kind of use all sides of the floor while doing that,? Garza said. ?I think (Mazzulla) said today, ?We?re not just gonna play like that, we?re gonna practice like that.? So, that was evident from the structure of the practice.?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6677928/2025/10/01/celtics-payton-pritchard-pace/

[Vermont Green]

I am all for maintaining the pace.  Both IND and OKC did that.  Get the ball and get down the court, take a quick shot only if it is there, only if it is a good shot.  But if there is not a good quick shot, transition immediately into whatever motion offense you are doing.  Don't give the defense time to set up.  Keep them on their heels.

I also hope that there is more off ball movement.  I don't think BOS has been good at this.  Even if you are working a pick and roll or whatever, there is no reason for the rest of team to stop moving, stop cutting.  You can pick off the ball too.  That is allowed.  BOS has not been doing enough of the off ball action in my opinion.

[Donoghus]

This is going to be a strange year. With Tatum maybe looming in the spring and a lot of pieces that could move. I'm not sure how this team will fit as a group. Joe will need to play more guys and change it up. Maybe try and play a lot of guys and run and play crazy fast like the Pacers last year... This is the first time in a while were I didn't reasonably know what to expect, not that what I expected happened every year but I had expectations. It could be fun if Joe really throws the kitchen sink in and tries a lot of different things. This team seems like one that Brad would be a better coach for but we will see!

I totally agree.  I don't think any of us are expecting a top 6 finish.  Now there are things I'm excited to see though. 

Some over reaction cool aid drinking thoughts that every fan has before the season starts and they realize their team stinks LOL.

1) PP plays at a borderline or at an allstar level.  20ppg, 7apg, 4rpg, 1stl, 4.5 made 3pm shooting 50,40,90.

2) JB averages 30ppg and makes 1st team all NBA

3) Dwhite makes his first All star game 20ppg, 5 ast, 5rbd, 1.5stl, 1.5blk

4) Hugo shows he's a future starter in the league and is in the top 5 for rookie of the year

5) Baylor leads the bench mob

6) Sam breaks the C's record for made 3s for a season

7) Luka Garza is the starter by mid season playing the Porzingas role and really developing into a starting center.

The C's end up with the 4 seed with Tatum returning at the end of February.  They finish the season 10-2 and win 2 series in the playoffs.

Actually, I am.  I've said it several times that I think they'll avoid the play-in.

[slamtheking]

This is going to be a strange year. With Tatum maybe looming in the spring and a lot of pieces that could move. I'm not sure how this team will fit as a group. Joe will need to play more guys and change it up. Maybe try and play a lot of guys and run and play crazy fast like the Pacers last year... This is the first time in a while were I didn't reasonably know what to expect, not that what I expected happened every year but I had expectations. It could be fun if Joe really throws the kitchen sink in and tries a lot of different things. This team seems like one that Brad would be a better coach for but we will see!

I totally agree.  I don't think any of us are expecting a top 6 finish.  Now there are things I'm excited to see though. 

Some over reaction cool aid drinking thoughts that every fan has before the season starts and they realize their team stinks LOL.

1) PP plays at a borderline or at an allstar level.  20ppg, 7apg, 4rpg, 1stl, 4.5 made 3pm shooting 50,40,90.

2) JB averages 30ppg and makes 1st team all NBA

3) Dwhite makes his first All star game 20ppg, 5 ast, 5rbd, 1.5stl, 1.5blk

4) Hugo shows he's a future starter in the league and is in the top 5 for rookie of the year

5) Baylor leads the bench mob

6) Sam breaks the C's record for made 3s for a season

7) Luka Garza is the starter by mid season playing the Porzingas role and really developing into a starting center.

The C's end up with the 4 seed with Tatum returning at the end of February.  They finish the season 10-2 and win 2 series in the playoffs.

I could see JB averaging better than 28 points a game without Tatum and White making the All-Star game but that's a long shot.  the rest is just pie in the sky overoptimism.  would love to see it all happen but just not seeing it as a realistic possibility.