Celtics 2025-26 Regular Season Discussion

[Donoghus]

Have to admit, I kind of like this brewing rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks. Lots of back and forth "fighting" going on between Celtics fans and Knicks fans on social media. Even the players on both sides compete hard against each other. Both teams are contenders and should be in the next few years as well with stars like Brunson, Tatum, Jaylen, etc. It's Boston-New York which should always be a rivalry but you usually associate that with the Yankees-Red Sox, not Celtics-Knicks.

Would love to have a chance to avenge last year's playoffs as well this May.

So far the Knicks have owned the Celtics in recent history in the playoffs. I'm itching for the C's to finally beat them in the playoffs. Same goes for Boston sports vs New York sports. Hate the Yankees and Giants (and Jets) for defeating our Boston sports teams when it truly mattered 😡

Recent history like last year?  The Knicks miss the playoffs so often we have not had the chance to beat them.

exactly.  in order to have a rivalry, don't both sides have to be relevant, not just one (celtics)?

Maybe he's referring to the oft forgotten and ultimately irrelevant 2013 series featuring a "running on fumes" New Three?

[Celtics2021]

Have to admit, I kind of like this brewing rivalry between the Celtics and Knicks. Lots of back and forth "fighting" going on between Celtics fans and Knicks fans on social media. Even the players on both sides compete hard against each other. Both teams are contenders and should be in the next few years as well with stars like Brunson, Tatum, Jaylen, etc. It's Boston-New York which should always be a rivalry but you usually associate that with the Yankees-Red Sox, not Celtics-Knicks.

Would love to have a chance to avenge last year's playoffs as well this May.

So far the Knicks have owned the Celtics in recent history in the playoffs. I'm itching for the C's to finally beat them in the playoffs. Same goes for Boston sports vs New York sports. Hate the Yankees and Giants (and Jets) for defeating our Boston sports teams when it truly mattered 😡

Recent history like last year?  The Knicks miss the playoffs so often we have not had the chance to beat them.

exactly.  in order to have a rivalry, don't both sides have to be relevant, not just one (celtics)?

Maybe he's referring to the oft forgotten and ultimately irrelevant 2013 series featuring a "running on fumes" New Three?

He certainly was not referring to the 2011 1st round sweep.

[Donoghus]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

[Phantom255x]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

[slamtheking]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

[Jiri Welsch]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

Unrelated, but Cade should probably be higher than #6.

Either way it's really great for Jaylen. It will be interesting to see how JT and JB fit together again once Tatum comes back. Seems like Brown has undoubtedly taken a step forward. I guess best case is that both guys feel comfortable stepping up during crunch time rather than just the "stand and watch Tatum" moments we've become accustomed to (that haven't worked so well admittedly).

[aefgogreen]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

Unrelated, but Cade should probably be higher than #6.

Either way it's really great for Jaylen. It will be interesting to see how JT and JB fit together again once Tatum comes back. Seems like Brown has undoubtedly taken a step forward. I guess best case is that both guys feel comfortable stepping up during crunch time rather than just the "stand and watch Tatum" moments we've become accustomed to (that haven't worked so well admittedly).

Agree - I'm looking forward to seeing how they mesh. Working Tatum in will of course take time, but I have no chemistry concerns at all.  These two have been through it all and there has never been a hint of animosity. If anything has ever gone on, they've managed to work it out privately. I've said it before, this team is incredibly boring and I absolutely love it.

[Moranis]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

Are they?  You think JWill or Holmgren can actually lead a team.  They are good players, but if they lose SGA, I think they fall off dramatically. SGA is what makes them work, it is why they've won a lot without Williams or Holmgren playing. If they lose SGA, they become a mediocre team. 

[Goldstar88]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

Are they?  You think JWill or Holmgren can actually lead a team.  They are good players, but if they lose SGA, I think they fall off dramatically. SGA is what makes them work, it is why they've won a lot without Williams or Holmgren playing. If they lose SGA, they become a mediocre team.

According to Statmuse, OKC was 6-1 last year when SGA didn?t play.

[slightly biased bias fan]

The Celtics win, the Knicks & Lakers both lose. Great day.

Celtics are now second in the east.

[jambr380]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

Are they?  You think JWill or Holmgren can actually lead a team.  They are good players, but if they lose SGA, I think they fall off dramatically. SGA is what makes them work, it is why they've won a lot without Williams or Holmgren playing. If they lose SGA, they become a mediocre team.

I also don?t think the Celtics are toast. Sure, they don?t have any chance against the best teams, but Joe seems to have these guys playing really well within the current system. Everybody knows their roles well

Again, not saying they?d be great, but I would not be surprised to see the team at .500 or slightly above without Jaylen. He?s just what gives the team that extra gear and more legitimacy

[Silas]

Good for Jaylen.

NBACentral

@TheDunkCentral
http://NBA.com?s updated MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Jaylen Brown
4. Luka Doncic
5. Victor Wembanyama
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Jalen Brunson
8. Anthony Edwards
9. Tyrese Maxey
10. Kevin Durant

Jokic probably won't qualify because of his lengthy injury, so it's SGA and Jaylen Top-2. Wow!

If C's finish top 2 in the East, Jaylen deserves it regardless of OKC's record simply based on the differences in roster quality.   OKC loses SGA for a stretch and they're still a really good team.  C's lose Jaylen for a stretch and they're toast.

Are they?  You think JWill or Holmgren can actually lead a team.  They are good players, but if they lose SGA, I think they fall off dramatically. SGA is what makes them work, it is why they've won a lot without Williams or Holmgren playing. If they lose SGA, they become a mediocre team.

I also don?t think the Celtics are toast. Sure, they don?t have any chance against the best teams, but Joe seems to have these guys playing really well within the current system. Everybody knows their roles well

Again, not saying they?d be great, but I would not be surprised to see the team at .500 or slightly above without Jaylen. He?s just what gives the team that extra gear and more legitimacy

That's a highly debatable statement considering the Celtics without Tatum may be the best team in the east.  If the Cs stay healthy and Tatum returns before the playoffs they should be one of the top teams competing for the championship (#19).

[Phantom255x]

Bagley would be a great and cheap trade deadline acquisition. Averaging around 10/6 in about 18 minutes a game, and I think he'd be motivated on a playoff team like the C's. As a backup, he'd be great. And he doesn't make much so you could just do it for Tillman or Boucher (salary) + multiple second round picks probably. Keep Simons as that microwave scorer off the bench even after JT returns.

[Surferdad]

Bagley would be a great and cheap trade deadline acquisition. Averaging around 10/6 in about 18 minutes a game, and I think he'd be motivated on a playoff team like the C's. As a backup, he'd be great. And he doesn't make much so you could just do it for Tillman or Boucher (salary) + multiple second round picks probably. Keep Simons as that microwave scorer off the bench even after JT returns.

Yeah Bagley as a backup would be fine, and he has the Duke connection with Tatum. However, there is something not quite right about him. I question his BBIQ (based on eye test only) and not sure he has ever played for a really good team. How would you compare him to DayRon Sharpe who would also be a backup center at low dollars?

[Phantom255x]

Bagley would be a great and cheap trade deadline acquisition. Averaging around 10/6 in about 18 minutes a game, and I think he'd be motivated on a playoff team like the C's. As a backup, he'd be great. And he doesn't make much so you could just do it for Tillman or Boucher (salary) + multiple second round picks probably. Keep Simons as that microwave scorer off the bench even after JT returns.

Yeah Bagley as a backup would be fine, and he has the Duke connection with Tatum. However, there is something not quite right about him. I question his BBIQ (based on eye test only) and not sure he has ever played for a really good team. How would you compare him to DayRon Sharpe who would also be a backup center at low dollars?

I'd love him too. For me, any of Jalen Smith, Day'Ron Sharpe or Marvin Bagley III would be great. I can't really say I can differentiate all three between each other specifically, they are mostly just backup bigs but really good in that role for their teams. And to me, the nice thing is they can grab boards in limited minutes. That's an area I think we need a little more of in our frontcourt even after Tatum comes back. Sometimes we get burned by that and in the playoffs that matters a bit too in crucial spots or stretches