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.

[Moranis]

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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

[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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

[jambr380]

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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

[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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

[Larry for 3]

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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

Playing on the tanking hopeless Bulls is not the same as playing important games on the Celtics. He can?t play a lick of defense and got torched on the pick and roll, therefore he can?t be on the court. If was an awkward fit from the start. Even if he hit a couple more shots it would not have mattered. He should go back to a tanking team or retire.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

We have enough evidence from Vucevic's 15 season career and a career .423 career winning percentage to know that he is a good stats bad team player. He's this generation's David Lee.

Asking Joe to suddenly turn a player like that into a winning basketball player, especially when he got injured and was out for a month after we traded for him, was just unrealistic. And Joel Embiid is about the worst possibly matchup for a soft interior defender like him.

[radiohead]

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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

I was excited when we traded for Vuc. What?s there to not like?.a double double guy, nice post moves, elite passing, respectable three pointer. His D was always the question mark but he was for sure a serviceable player. Unfortunately it did not turn out that way. Did the injury hamper his game? Was he not ready for the bright lights of Celtic playoff basketball (he did only have one playoffs stint his whole career if i remember it right)? I?m not sure what Brad has in mind but if he agrees to come back for cheap then why not? Maybe a full training camp makes him better? But will he want to be back after that benching in Game 7? I?m sure some other team will offer him more with a chance at a bigger role.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

Good stats on their way to a perpetual record below .500. He's the definition of a good stats bad team guy.

[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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

Good stats on their way to a perpetual record below .500. He's the definition of a good stats bad team guy.

If he's the best player on a team, sure.  But, most players surrounded by bad teammates will be below .500. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

Good stats on their way to a perpetual record below .500. He's the definition of a good stats bad team guy.

If he's the best player on a team, sure.  But, most players surrounded by bad teammates will be below .500.

Classic chicken or the egg question. You say Vucevic didn't have good enough teammates to have a winning team. I say that Vucevic isn't a winning player enough that helps his team be better.

15 years is a pretty big body of evidence. It's hard to believe it's always been his teammate's fault.

Maybe you can't build a winning team around a high volume decent efficiency postup big man that can't defend the rim?

[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.

the problem with using Vucevic properly is it takes away from the strengths of Tatum and Brown who are far better players.  You don't acquire a poor fitting player and then expect him to fit properly.

Not really.  Other teams -- including Philly -- run a diversified offense.  Joe is more of a one trick pony.

Vucevic is one step from being out of the league. He'll be 36 at the start of next season and he can neither move anywhere near the perimeter, nor provide any resistance to opposing players down low.

His offense is okay, but it's not good enough to make up for his complete lack of defense. To make it as an offense only Center, you need to be a focal point of your team. This is basically Enes Kanter Freedom right before he fizzled out.

Dude had a really good career, but he is far from All-Star Vucevic these days. Perhaps someone will take a chance on him with the taxpayer MLE, but I can't imagine he will ever be an impact player on a decent team, or any team for that matter, ever again

Vuc was still a 17/9/3 guy on a .570 eFG%.  Billy Donovan used him effectively.  Joe didn't.

Good stats on their way to a perpetual record below .500. He's the definition of a good stats bad team guy.

If he's the best player on a team, sure.  But, most players surrounded by bad teammates will be below .500.

Classic chicken or the egg question. You say Vucevic didn't have good enough teammates to have a winning team. I say that Vucevic isn't a winning player enough that helps his team be better.

15 years is a pretty big body of evidence. It's hard to believe it's always been his teammate's fault.

Maybe you can't build a winning team around a high volume decent efficiency postup big man that can't defend the rim?

Vucevic isn't a "build around" player.  Very few guys are.  That doesn't mean they can't win.

He'll, KP was also a guy you can't build around.  Horford, too.  We haven't had a center that a team can be built around since...  Cowens?  Parish was a great player, but I think that if he was your centerpiece in the 80s, the team would have struggled. 

Most players are complementary players that need to be used correctly.