Frontcourt Is Going To Be An Issue This Postseason

[ozgod]

And now we know why Brad didn?t reinforce this team. They?re like the Cavaliers of two years ago that won 60+ games then folded in the playoffs. I doubt there was anyone we could get who could have moved the needle enough. I think next year will be another reset year and then we?ll head into 2027 with the Repeater tax reset.

Cool. Another wasted year. That?s unacceptable for the franchise that is the Boston Celtics. Can?t keep throwing away seasons.

It sucks for those of us who remember dynasties of the past, but it?s a real reality today in the NBA of the salary, cap, luxury tax, and the aprons. OKC will be paying $213m in luxury tax and will be over the second apron next season when all their contracts kick in. I?m sure Presti is already thinking about how he?s going to shed salary to get out of it and stay competitive if not overwhelming.

[Vermont Green]

I don't understand why Vucevic did not play at all in Game 7.  For the series, this is how the bigs did in terms of +/-

Queta      +3   152 Minutes
Garza     +13    59 Minutes
Vucevic    +9   114 Minutes

Embiid    +6    146 Minutes
Drumm  -20    107 Minutes

It is not like Vucevic was way worse than Queta or Garza.  Embiid was only +6 overall for the series, not even as good as Vucevic.  I know +/- does not tell the whole story but it is a decent indicator when you look at it over this large of a sample size.  PHI had way more speed at the guard position than BOS also.  That was a pretty big issue too in my mind.  And Paul George hit a ton of big buckets.

What to do with Vucevic will be a key off season decision.  Garza is signed, Queta is on a team option, which I expect them to pick up.  I expect improvement from Amari Williams, but not enough that I expect him in the core rotation.  I think it is fair to assume that Vucevic will see a pay cut, no matter where he plays.  I could see him coming back, not sure how many other options there will be.

[ozgod]

I don't understand why Vucevic did not play at all in Game 7.  For the series, this is how the bigs did in terms of +/-

Queta      +3   152 Minutes
Garza     +13    59 Minutes
Vucevic    +9   114 Minutes

Embiid    +6    146 Minutes
Drumm  -20    107 Minutes

It is not like Vucevic was way worse than Queta or Garza.  Embiid was only +6 overall for the series, not even as good as Vucevic.  I know +/- does not tell the whole story but it is a decent indicator when you look at it over this large of a sample size.  PHI had way more speed at the guard position than BOS also.  That was a pretty big issue too in my mind.  And Paul George hit a ton of big buckets.

What to do with Vucevic will be a key off season decision.  Garza is signed, Queta is on a team option, which I expect them to pick up.  I expect improvement from Amari Williams, but not enough that I expect him in the core rotation.  I think it is fair to assume that Vucevic will see a pay cut, no matter where he plays.  I could see him coming back, not sure how many other options there will be.

I think it might?ve been because he just wasn?t familiar enough with their defensive scheme that they were always forced to play deep drop coverage with him which they had been gashed in games five and six. Garza and Q also played drop coverage but Vuc was already backpedaling as soon as the screen was set.

[Roy H.]

Vucevic did not even play one minute tonight. Kind of says all you need to know about how Joe values him. Again, strictly a deal to cut salary.

And whatever on that I guess, but it?s disappointing that we are now sitting with the 27th pick in the draft after that mess of a series

Joe also decided that Ron Harper, Jr. should start.

Vuc was never really used properly.  They took a really versatile offensive player and excellent passer, and turned him into a spot up shooter on the perimeter.

Brad gave Joe the tools. Joe just mismanaged them, as he has so often done in the playoffs.