Poll: Expectations This Spring For The Team IF Tatum Returns?

[Phantom255x]

I'm going to say, probably make the 2nd round and lose to NY. Which is unfortunate. 

Even if Tatum is like 75-80% of himself, that'd be huge for this group and raise the ceiling a bit. But I still think NY is probably a bit more talented overall, and it could take time for Tatum to get acclimated again even if he has a month which could become a factor. I doubt he'll be playing 40+ minutes regularly even in April and May.

What kinda sucks is, it's looking likely BOS-NY will be the 2 and 3 seeds in some order, which means an inevitable 2nd round matchup together. I still think despite DET being the 1 seed, NY is probably going to be the favorite in the East given their roster + playoff experience (and guys getting healthy too). And I might lean picking the Celtics in a series with the Pistons actually. Not the Knicks though.

If we could avoid NY to the ECF somehow, I'd say we can make it. But it's not happening. DET has a 5+ game lead for the 1 seed. Or maybe CLE leaps one or both of BOS/NY for a spot in the 2-3? They've been red hot too. Then it's Boston vs. Detroit likely in the 2nd round, NY in ECF

[droopdog7]

In other words, same result if he comes back or not?

[Celtics2021]

Why no option for Banner 19?

[Who]

Hard to know until we see what condition Tatum is in.

[Who]

If Tatum doesn't return, I don't think is is a given that they out of the 1st round. This group will be ripe for a lower seed to take them out. They are not that talented. They have overachieved wonderfully throughout the regular season. A lower seed could take them out.

Right now Orlando is the 7th seed. They should really be a top 4 team in the East. They would be a tough 1st round matchup. The equivalent of an expected ECSF opponent. Miami are capable of a fight. Charlotte are an unknown. Lots of young dynamic players (and injury prone) who could catch fire or poop the bed. Atlanta are tough to play against (difficult matchups because of how athletic they are) but I am not optimistic they will finish the season strong (I expect Kuminga to hurt them + lack big men after trading Porzingis).

[slamtheking]

NY, Det and Cle would all be tough outs.  the question is how much can Tatum provide.  He should be able to help the rebounding and hopefully he's healthy enough to provide good defense as well as be the second banana on scoring with JB being the primary. 

the one thing I think going in the C's favor this time if Tatum returns is that last year's disaster should be leaving a really bad taste in the mouths of everyone who was part of that choke job that they'll make the effort to play hard and put other teams away without screwing around.  this season they've been better at that than they've been in years.  hopefully that carries over to the playoffs

[Vermont Green]

The question is based on the assumption that Tatum returns.  But I guess it is up to us to assume if he returns 100%, no minutes restrictions for the playoffs, or something less than this.  I am going to assume that if he does return, he will return at or near 100%.  That means the playoff rotation could look something like this:

White
Brown
Tatum
Vucevic
Queta

Pritchard
Hauser
Garza

All the rest see only garbage time in the playoffs unless their is foul trouble.  Maybe some nights it is Walsh over Garza for some limited minutes or maybe the rotation is limited only to 7.  In any case, I think this is a competitive playoff rotation.

I have no idea how far this team can go though.  They may well have the 2 best players on the court against any east team so based on that, no reason they can't win the east.  That is best case.  Worst case is pretty much what happened last season and vs MIA in 2023.  I don't like doing predictions for superstitious reasons, but I am going to make an exception and vote make it to the finals.  This team has exceeded my expectations all along,

[Roy H.]

My thought is if the Jordan Bulls didn't make the Finals the year he returned mid-season, then it's almost impossible to do.

I'm saying ECF.

[86MaxwellSmart]

The addition on Vucevic and Tatum should get us to the Finals and maybe Banner 19.