Some final thoughts on Celtics season 2025-26

[ozgod]

The 2025-26 Celtics were a lot of fun throughout the season, but midnight came for them too soon and they turned into pumpkins. But I've always been a person for whom the journey matters as much as the destination and this journey was a lot of fun. Some thoughts:

• this was one of the most fun regular seasons I've watched in a while. Our Cs overachieved, we all thought this was going to be a gap year, a tank year, a trash year, but it ended up providing a lot of entertainment throughout
• But probably because they raised our hopes, and JT raised our hopes even more by coming back in 10 months and looking like 75% JT so soon, their inevitable fall during the playoffs was probably one of the more painful exits I can remember, because they made us hope!
• What made the loss more painful is the fact that we beat the Sixers by 30 twice, and we had them 3-1, 13 points up in the 3rd quarter in Game 5 and lost that in the 4th quarter, same as in Game 2. We lost that in the 4th quarter 2.
• Adding to the frustration was that we lost those the same way - our 3 ball deserted us (in Game 5, our 2 ball deserted us too). It made it feel like a real missed opportunity, where we go into the offseason wondering what could have been. When we were good we were very good (50% from 3) when we were bad we were terrible (25%).
• I know Jaylen will be the scapegoat after this loss, and people will want him to be traded, but we should remember if not for him we wouldn't have even been in this position, and he basically led a flawed team to the No2 seed. Unfortunately he saved his worst for the playoffs which is what everyone will remember - you're only as good as your last game in sports. I doubt he gets traded (plus it's never good to talk about trades when you're mad about a loss) but those rumors will hover around him all summer, and I think that's fair
• We found some genuine diamonds in the rough - Q, Hugo, Garza, Walsh, Harper Jr, Baylor - they're far from the finished product, and their flaws were exposed in the playoffs but I think it's fair to say that each of them outperformed their vet/rookie min contracts. These are players that I think teams around the league will realize have some upside if we needed to include them in a transaction.
• People will be calling for Joe's head again as well. I don't think he's going anywhere, I think he's aligned with how Brad wants the team to play. I do think his strategy is one where the fans are always going to be upset at him 65% of the time because our 3FGA% is 35%. If the team shot all 2s and had a 50% accuracy rate shooting the same number of shots, we would score less points but we would be happier because half the shots are going in. And they picked the worst 3 games of the season to shoot 25% from 3.
• But his biggest flaw (inability to make in game adjustments) reared its head in this series. He seems to be a very data driven coach, and he refuses to make changes until he has enough data (i.e. one whole game) to watch film and then made the adjustment. He doesn't use his gut as much to make decisions, he uses data. Which is good in the regular season but not in the playoffs. Maybe he needs another Jeff Van Gundy that he had in 2024, someone with more experience, and more of a feel for the game, by his side.
• And it's no surprise that in 2024, when we had more shot creators, and a genuine inside-out presence in KP and Al, it added another dimension to our offense. Trying to develop a genuine point guard might be another thing on Brad's list, I'm not sure if that is higher or lower than the need for big but he needs to figure out both, within the constraints of the salary cap, tax and aprons. Which is why he gets paid the big bucks 
• But he does deserve credit for developing these "diamonds in the rough that Brad found on vet mins and got them all playing the right style, to the point where they were almost a plug and play team in the regular season. Remember our G league team beating Orlando in the last game of the season?
• In hindsight it confirms for me that Brad and Co probably knew that this team were overachievers in the regular season and that there were fundamental flaws with shot creation and defense at the big man position when it came down to a playoff series, which is why their plan was always to duck the tax this year (and I'm 99.9% sure they will duck it next year as well, so they can reset it in 2027 when the extensions to Q, Garza, Walsh and PP come due. We're currently paying $13m for those 4, I can guarantee PP alone will cost us a lot more than $13m - that quartet could cost us $30m-$35m which after tax could be $80m and that's not repeater tax. If we had to pay repeater tax for them they could cost us over $120m.
• So next year will be another developmental year, but I think they will try and find a big with the Simons TPE after letting Vuc walk, or we extend Vuc for a lower number and trade him.
• All in all a disappointing end to a great year but I think it's important to recognize the entertainment they provided us along the way. Of course it's you're a "championship or bust" type fan then it sucked, it was a trash year, fire everyone, tank, rebuild 
• Ironically we started the season with a loss to Philly then went 0-3, and we're ending with another loss to Philly after going 0-3 

Just some thoughts to close out the season. Been a pleasure going through the highs and lows with you all   

[celticinorlando]

Overachieved and it created expectations that really did not match the talent of this team.

Roster needs work. Some good pieces that really need to step up and improve on offense (Baylor, Hugo); Some guys that need to leave (Walsh, Sam and Vuc)

Cs have a playoff problem that needs to be fixed. Cannot lose 2 and 3 games at home each playoff run

If they bring it back as is, we will be having the same conversations this time next year. Need to get more playmaking and a bit faster. Boston basically had a G league roster this season and in the playoffs that will not work. They need one more legit player.

Need: a LEGIT center and a quick guard (like Maxey). Vuc should not be retained.

Need Hugo to learn how to shoot and finish. Baylor needs to be a better version of Sam.

I would keep JB (shop him tho),
JT
PP
White
Queta (back up center)
Hugo
Baylor
1st round pick


The rest can go. Replace with some vets that know how to win.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

YEAH


none of this matters if you do not

FIRE JOE

[Who]

The 2025-26 Celtics were a lot of fun throughout the season, but midnight came for them too soon and they turned into pumpkins. But I've always been a person for whom the journey matters as much as the destination and this journey was a lot of fun. Some thoughts:

• In hindsight it confirms for me that Brad and Co probably knew that this team were overachievers in the regular season and that there were fundamental flaws with shot creation and defense at the big man position when it came down to a playoff series, which is why their plan was always to duck the tax this year (and I'm 99.9% sure they will duck it next year as well, so they can reset it in 2027 when the extensions to Q, Garza, Walsh and PP come due. We're currently paying $13m for those 4, I can guarantee PP alone will cost us a lot more than $13m - that quartet could cost us $30m-$35m which after tax could be $80m and that's not repeater tax. If we had to pay repeater tax for them they could cost us over $120m.

I have Pritchard and Queta both in the $20-25mil per season range. So that is $40-50mil for the two of them alone. We could get unlucky and have a team offer Pritchard $30mil a year. But hopefully he stays in that $20-25mil range.

L Garza is a minimum contract player. He isn't worth anything more than that. If he wants more, let him leave.

J Walsh is hard to price. When he plays like this (this series), he is a minimum contract player. A 3rd stringer. A borderline NBA player. When he makes enough shots, he is a potential starter ($12-18mil a year). If he learns to make a good number of shots, his value soars to $30+mil a year. It will be interesting to see if Stevens bets on him improving his shooting by tying J Walsh down to a long term underpriced contract like he did with Pritchard. Give J Walsh $7-10mil a year for 3-4 years.

So I would price them closer to $50mil a season to keep the quartet.

[ozgod]

The 2025-26 Celtics were a lot of fun throughout the season, but midnight came for them too soon and they turned into pumpkins. But I've always been a person for whom the journey matters as much as the destination and this journey was a lot of fun. Some thoughts:

• In hindsight it confirms for me that Brad and Co probably knew that this team were overachievers in the regular season and that there were fundamental flaws with shot creation and defense at the big man position when it came down to a playoff series, which is why their plan was always to duck the tax this year (and I'm 99.9% sure they will duck it next year as well, so they can reset it in 2027 when the extensions to Q, Garza, Walsh and PP come due. We're currently paying $13m for those 4, I can guarantee PP alone will cost us a lot more than $13m - that quartet could cost us $30m-$35m which after tax could be $80m and that's not repeater tax. If we had to pay repeater tax for them they could cost us over $120m.

I have Pritchard and Queta both in the $20-25mil per season range. So that is $40-50mil for the two of them alone. We could get unlucky and have a team offer Pritchard $30mil a year. But hopefully he stays in that $20-25mil range.

L Garza is a minimum contract player. He isn't worth anything more than that. If he wants more, let him leave.

J Walsh is hard to price. When he plays like this (this series), he is a minimum contract player. A 3rd stringer. A borderline NBA player. When he makes enough shots, he is a potential starter ($12-18mil a year). If he learns to make a good number of shots, his value soars to $30+mil a year. It will be interesting to see if Stevens bets on him improving his shooting by tying J Walsh down to a long term underpriced contract like he did with Pritchard. Give J Walsh $7-10mil a year for 3-4 years.

So I would price them closer to $50mil a season to keep the quartet. [/list]

Yes if Walsh (and also Hugo) want to be part of this Celtics team and not just be a niche role player they quite simply have to make open shots. Because Joe?s strategy of creating three point shots only works if you can actually make them. Like if we had a team of Pritchard?s, yes it would probably work. It?s ironic that Walsh and Hugo both shoot 38 and 36% from three and I know it?s a make miss league but they missed open shots which were extremely costly for us.

[SparzWizard]

Brown's accomplishments and milestones in the regular season means nothing when they/he folded ridiculously in the playoffs. 2022 Finals and 2023 ECF Game 7, and now this first-round series with the 76ers. I haven't even gotten to those 2017-2020 days yet. He's been in the league for 10 years and he still has tunnel vision and bad handles?

Joke Mazzulla can kick rocks; don't want him anywhere near Boston. Start interviewing new coaches. I heard Tom Thibs is available. Mike Budenholzer, or even JVG...he is a voice we need and demands accountability.

Brad also may need to be put on a short leash; guy has been here for 12 years and there's been a lot of playoff failures under his time both as a head coach and GM.

[SparzWizard]

Also, JT and JB cannot coexist in this team. They will continue to play "your turn, my turn" basketball. Trade one of them away, and ideally, trade Brown.

And don't give me that 2024 crap because they had Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford holding it down. Veterans. Guys who were hustlers and knew how to handle pressure.

I've seen it all between 2018 - 2026 in the Jays era. We got rid of Kyrie. Got rid of Hayward. Got rid of Smart. The elephant in the room is Brown.

[Kernewek]

Also, JT and JB cannot coexist in this team. They will continue to play "your turn, my turn" basketball. Trade one of them away, and ideally, trade Brown.

And don't give me that 2024 crap because they had Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford holding it down. Veterans. Guys who were hustlers and knew how to handle pressure.

I've seen it all between 2018 - 2026 in the Jays era. We got rid of Kyrie. Got rid of Hayward. Got rid of Smart. The elephant in the room is Brown.

It would seem from your description that the elephant in the room is the supporting cast.
If the team is as good as the 2024 squad, they win. If it isn't, they lose.

[Birdman]

Before season started I said they be 7th-8th seed. I surprise me this year especially Tatum out. When he came back, it provided a spark even more. But still I didn?t think they was a championship team & believe New York would beat them. But still Disappointing they lost 3 straight, including 3 at home

[Celtics4ever]

The lads overachieved up to the end.

[radiohead]

Before season started I said they be 7th-8th seed. I surprise me this year especially Tatum out. When he came back, it provided a spark even more. But still I didn?t think they was a championship team & believe New York would beat them. But still Disappointing they lost 3 straight, including 3 at home

These were my thoughts exactly, but i felt the Celtics could at least reach the ECF. I didn?t feel we could raise the banner with OKC there. But still i was hoping for a miracle run. It was an unexpected regular season, and JT coming back just added to the excitement and higher expectations . I thought if somehow the Spurs could beat OKC, then we might have a chance. It was all wishful thinking though. We had our chances but our guys couldn?t handle the pressure.

I know this is petty but JB and DW doing podcasts during the season just didn?t feel right. Do that stuff in the offseason please.

[A Future of Stevens]

Upgrade the talent around Tatum and Brown. This year was about ducking the 2nd apron at all costs for next year. Brown and Mazzulla shouldn't be penalized for drastically over achieving.

[Neurotic Guy]

Spars is wrong about Brad, probably wrong about JB and has to realize that with 30 teams competing every year and cap realities the Cs being in contention the past 8 years and having won a title and been to another Finals is a place most teams fan bases would be ecstatic about.  But you complained all through 2024 until we won.  If you are a betting person, you should bet the field v the Celtics every year - odds are you?ll end up on the right side of even.

Great regular season, disappointing end.  Actually heartbreaking end. I did not expect to have my sports year over this soon.  For me it?s wait for the Patriots now.  But lots to look forward to once I get past the minor depression.  There may be a big trade but I think the Cs can compete either way.  I think we may have something special in Queta. Right now it looks like decent starter but he showed some skills amidst the fouls that should have fans pretty interested.  He?s also a worker. Hugo, Baylor, Walsh and Garza all have some room to grow (Hugo especially) and could be bigger contributors next year and beyond (or have some trade value).  PP is extraordinary and I?m still a DW fan despite the down year offensively.  A smart trade using a Jay with or without DW could land a monster like Giannis and it?s worth considering.  Somehow need to get to OKC and SA level - not quite there without internal improvement or a trade. 

Sad day but this usually lasts 24 hours. I?ll be glad when LAL is eliminated and then will start being hopeful for next year. 

[celticinorlando]

Joe will be back. But if they are going to play this type of offense then he needs guys that can either make shots or if they aren't defend.

They have several players that cannot make the volume 3s that are required.

They have to do something to round out this roster with s bit more grit, defense and shot making.

[timpiker]

This was a special year for me.  I loved this team.  I have 2 questions.  WTH happened to home court advantage?  And WTH happened?