Light at the end of the tunnel.

[clover]

It's always darkest before the lights go completely out. 

Seriously, I think we're looking at a 35 win team.  Rondo will be around for more of the season (assuming he trades in his trampoline for a Connect 4 tournament), Sully and KO are improving and Green is in a contract year, so he'll play hard.  The backcourt should be strong on D and Zeller is better in the middle than what we have had in the past.

We could realistically slip into that 8th playoff spot.  That spot isn't necessarily ideal from a rebuilding point of view, but this is not going to be the 4th or 5th worst team in the NBA, either.

Mike

I think they'll exceed expectations as well. A big part of that will be how much better Stevens is with the team this year, and how much buy-in he's got from the players already with their improvement over the summer and readiness to commit to his new system.

[pearljammer10]

I'll play the light at the end of tunnel game and try and post something optimistic to balance out the incredible amounts of pessimism the board sees in regards to the upcoming season.

If everybody pans out to 85% of the potential they should get to, we could actually be a pretty good team.

Rondo - Returns healthy comes out to average something like 14 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game and makes the all start team. Becoming a sure fire leader and returning to his form as floor general. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bradley - Turns back to his lock down defense role. Focuses less on offense but he continues to improve in that area. Averages 11 points a game shooting 45% and 39% from three with 2 steals per game. Second team all nba defense. Plays 25 minutes per game.

Green - Gets more aggressive and consistent. Still isn't that number one option we need but his aggresive play feeds off of the team chemistry. Averages 18 a game with 6 rebounds (which isn't all that unrealistic) and shoots 45% and 38%from 3. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bass - Gets the role as starter and plays his consistancy game once again. Helps the youngsters break out. Averages 10 and 5 in 20-ish minutes per game.

Zeller - As a starting center he makes a good leap with the extra minutes in his third year. The run and gun game allows him to shine and he turns into an 10 and 7 per game guy with a block per game playing 20+ minutes per game.

The Bench:

Olynk - Makes a great sophomore leap. He looked good in FIBA ball and has put in work this summer. Looks confident with his game. His per 36 numbers looked pretty good last year and he improves all around as a player who fits perfectly in this system as a stretch big man. Averages near 30 minutes per game hits 47% again with 38% from three and turns in averages of 14 and 7 with 4 assists per game becoming a starter at some point during the year while improving his overall team defense. Gives us what Sully gave us last year. Makes the biggest improvement of the squad.

Sullinger - His stamina is still low but he still makes the most of his minutes. Plays 25 ish minutes a game.  Averages 13 and 7 and stays pretty steady to last year.

Turner - Breaks out in a ball handling combo guard role. Plays handles the offense while Rondo is out. Plays 20 minutes per game averages 12 on slightly improved shooting.

Smart - Plays great ball as a rookie and really shows that he belongs in the NBA. Plays a good combo role alongside Turner and makes his case as a good future prospect. Averages 10 a game and is in discussion for rookie of the year.

Wallace - Plays spot minutes as the heady veteran and gives his 110% effort all the time attitude.

Thorton and Fav get spot minutes.

If everything goes well for everybody in a manner like this, we won't be contenders but we could move up to as high as a 5th spot in the East and blow everyone's expectations out of the water...The biggest problem this team will face is not having enough minutes for everyone to get. This could definitely cause chemistry and locker room problems if a trade doesn't happen. But if everyone buys in, things might not go nearly as bad as we are expecting.

You have the First 9 (SAMCRO) guys you listed having a total points average of 112 pts. So unless Doug Moe is at the helm, I really doubt we're doing that.

Right, which is where the "if every body plays to their potential" part of the post comes into play.

[clover]

I see the light at the end of the tunnel with this team as well. There is a lot of really rice complementary talent on this team. Bradley, Sully and Green are solid starters, good enough to be 4th or 5th men on a contender. Smart and Young have a lot of potential. Rondo will hopefully bounce back to all star form - and then we either resign him, trade him for a good package, or at least gain cap space. We have a ton of draft picks over the next 4 years. 10 of them in the next 2 years!

But we are still in that tunnel right now. The team is probably going to have a hard time getting 30 wins this season.

We need at least one game changing scorer, or defensive big man, and experience for the young guys in order to begin talking about contention.

Yep, they'll need to bring in a defensive big at center and develop or acquire a scoring stud on the wing. They also need KO to continue to progress toward his full potential, which I think is significant.

[BballTim]

I'll play the light at the end of tunnel game and try and post something optimistic to balance out the incredible amounts of pessimism the board sees in regards to the upcoming season.

If everybody pans out to 85% of the potential they should get to, we could actually be a pretty good team.

Rondo - Returns healthy comes out to average something like 14 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game and makes the all start team. Becoming a sure fire leader and returning to his form as floor general. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bradley - Turns back to his lock down defense role. Focuses less on offense but he continues to improve in that area. Averages 11 points a game shooting 45% and 39% from three with 2 steals per game. Second team all nba defense. Plays 25 minutes per game.

Green - Gets more aggressive and consistent. Still isn't that number one option we need but his aggresive play feeds off of the team chemistry. Averages 18 a game with 6 rebounds (which isn't all that unrealistic) and shoots 45% and 38%from 3. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bass - Gets the role as starter and plays his consistancy game once again. Helps the youngsters break out. Averages 10 and 5 in 20-ish minutes per game.

Zeller - As a starting center he makes a good leap with the extra minutes in his third year. The run and gun game allows him to shine and he turns into an 10 and 7 per game guy with a block per game playing 20+ minutes per game.

The Bench:

Olynk - Makes a great sophomore leap. He looked good in FIBA ball and has put in work this summer. Looks confident with his game. His per 36 numbers looked pretty good last year and he improves all around as a player who fits perfectly in this system as a stretch big man. Averages near 30 minutes per game hits 47% again with 38% from three and turns in averages of 14 and 7 with 4 assists per game becoming a starter at some point during the year while improving his overall team defense. Gives us what Sully gave us last year. Makes the biggest improvement of the squad.

Sullinger - His stamina is still low but he still makes the most of his minutes. Plays 25 ish minutes a game.  Averages 13 and 7 and stays pretty steady to last year.

Turner - Breaks out in a ball handling combo guard role. Plays handles the offense while Rondo is out. Plays 20 minutes per game averages 12 on slightly improved shooting.

Smart - Plays great ball as a rookie and really shows that he belongs in the NBA. Plays a good combo role alongside Turner and makes his case as a good future prospect. Averages 10 a game and is in discussion for rookie of the year.

Wallace - Plays spot minutes as the heady veteran and gives his 110% effort all the time attitude.

Thorton and Fav get spot minutes.

If everything goes well for everybody in a manner like this, we won't be contenders but we could move up to as high as a 5th spot in the East and blow everyone's expectations out of the water...The biggest problem this team will face is not having enough minutes for everyone to get. This could definitely cause chemistry and locker room problems if a trade doesn't happen. But if everyone buys in, things might not go nearly as bad as we are expecting.

You have the First 9 (SAMCRO) guys you listed having a total points average of 112 pts. So unless Doug Moe is at the helm, I really doubt we're doing that.

 Last year's top 9 in terms of minutes/game had a combined average of 106 points or so. 112 isn't as unrealistically high as you think.

[jambr380]

I'll play the light at the end of tunnel game and try and post something optimistic to balance out the incredible amounts of pessimism the board sees in regards to the upcoming season.

If everybody pans out to 85% of the potential they should get to, we could actually be a pretty good team.

Rondo - Returns healthy comes out to average something like 14 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game and makes the all start team. Becoming a sure fire leader and returning to his form as floor general. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bradley - Turns back to his lock down defense role. Focuses less on offense but he continues to improve in that area. Averages 11 points a game shooting 45% and 39% from three with 2 steals per game. Second team all nba defense. Plays 25 minutes per game.

Green - Gets more aggressive and consistent. Still isn't that number one option we need but his aggresive play feeds off of the team chemistry. Averages 18 a game with 6 rebounds (which isn't all that unrealistic) and shoots 45% and 38%from 3. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bass - Gets the role as starter and plays his consistancy game once again. Helps the youngsters break out. Averages 10 and 5 in 20-ish minutes per game.

Zeller - As a starting center he makes a good leap with the extra minutes in his third year. The run and gun game allows him to shine and he turns into an 10 and 7 per game guy with a block per game playing 20+ minutes per game.

The Bench:

Olynk - Makes a great sophomore leap. He looked good in FIBA ball and has put in work this summer. Looks confident with his game. His per 36 numbers looked pretty good last year and he improves all around as a player who fits perfectly in this system as a stretch big man. Averages near 30 minutes per game hits 47% again with 38% from three and turns in averages of 14 and 7 with 4 assists per game becoming a starter at some point during the year while improving his overall team defense. Gives us what Sully gave us last year. Makes the biggest improvement of the squad.

Sullinger - His stamina is still low but he still makes the most of his minutes. Plays 25 ish minutes a game.  Averages 13 and 7 and stays pretty steady to last year.

Turner - Breaks out in a ball handling combo guard role. Plays handles the offense while Rondo is out. Plays 20 minutes per game averages 12 on slightly improved shooting.

Smart - Plays great ball as a rookie and really shows that he belongs in the NBA. Plays a good combo role alongside Turner and makes his case as a good future prospect. Averages 10 a game and is in discussion for rookie of the year.

Wallace - Plays spot minutes as the heady veteran and gives his 110% effort all the time attitude.

Thorton and Fav get spot minutes.

If everything goes well for everybody in a manner like this, we won't be contenders but we could move up to as high as a 5th spot in the East and blow everyone's expectations out of the water...The biggest problem this team will face is not having enough minutes for everyone to get. This could definitely cause chemistry and locker room problems if a trade doesn't happen. But if everyone buys in, things might not go nearly as bad as we are expecting.

You have the First 9 (SAMCRO) guys you listed having a total points average of 112 pts. So unless Doug Moe is at the helm, I really doubt we're doing that.

 Last year's top 9 in terms of minutes/game had a combined average of 106 points or so. 112 isn't as unrealistically high as you think.

Yeah, I am jumping in late, but you are basically assuming these guys all play 82 games, which they almost certainly will not. Even if nobody misses major time, these ppg averages are all very possible.

[hwangjini_1]

I think if everyone on this team reached 85% of their potential we'd be looking at a possible 35 wins. If we have a good year without any major trades like Rondo, Green or Bradley I think 32-33 wins is possible.
My biggest concerns are lack of shooting and lack of elite/solid defensive presence in the paint. Our wings will be among the leagues best defensive units but we're a piece away from  having a truly elite defense.
I'd also say that the Eastern conference has gotten better with us so it's harder to call how many wins we're looking at.
Lets say 32 wins and the 8th pick. A major trade or injury and we slip under 30 wins.

nice guess on the wins for this season. it seems reasonable, but it would be my most optimistic scenario.

for me, besides the lack of a consistent scorer and strong center, i worry about the celtics being such a young team and having so little playing time together for most of them. the end result maybe painful-to-watch inconsistency.

i expect some brilliant quarters and games mixed with some really horrific quarters and games.

the "X" factor for me is CBS. can he get more out of sets of players than they normally would provide as individuals? he has a history of doing this, so it is possible.

if all falls into place, 35 wins tops i think. if the bottoms falls out, for whatever reasons, maybe 25 wins. the final record will be most likely somewhere in between. so, it may not be the end of the tunnel, but there may be a glimmer or light. 

[Eddie20]

I'll play the light at the end of tunnel game and try and post something optimistic to balance out the incredible amounts of pessimism the board sees in regards to the upcoming season.

If everybody pans out to 85% of the potential they should get to, we could actually be a pretty good team.

Rondo - Returns healthy comes out to average something like 14 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game and makes the all start team. Becoming a sure fire leader and returning to his form as floor general. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bradley - Turns back to his lock down defense role. Focuses less on offense but he continues to improve in that area. Averages 11 points a game shooting 45% and 39% from three with 2 steals per game. Second team all nba defense. Plays 25 minutes per game.

Green - Gets more aggressive and consistent. Still isn't that number one option we need but his aggresive play feeds off of the team chemistry. Averages 18 a game with 6 rebounds (which isn't all that unrealistic) and shoots 45% and 38%from 3. Plays 35 minutes per game.

Bass - Gets the role as starter and plays his consistancy game once again. Helps the youngsters break out. Averages 10 and 5 in 20-ish minutes per game.

Zeller - As a starting center he makes a good leap with the extra minutes in his third year. The run and gun game allows him to shine and he turns into an 10 and 7 per game guy with a block per game playing 20+ minutes per game.

The Bench:

Olynk - Makes a great sophomore leap. He looked good in FIBA ball and has put in work this summer. Looks confident with his game. His per 36 numbers looked pretty good last year and he improves all around as a player who fits perfectly in this system as a stretch big man. Averages near 30 minutes per game hits 47% again with 38% from three and turns in averages of 14 and 7 with 4 assists per game becoming a starter at some point during the year while improving his overall team defense. Gives us what Sully gave us last year. Makes the biggest improvement of the squad.

Sullinger - His stamina is still low but he still makes the most of his minutes. Plays 25 ish minutes a game.  Averages 13 and 7 and stays pretty steady to last year.

Turner - Breaks out in a ball handling combo guard role. Plays handles the offense while Rondo is out. Plays 20 minutes per game averages 12 on slightly improved shooting.

Smart - Plays great ball as a rookie and really shows that he belongs in the NBA. Plays a good combo role alongside Turner and makes his case as a good future prospect. Averages 10 a game and is in discussion for rookie of the year.

Wallace - Plays spot minutes as the heady veteran and gives his 110% effort all the time attitude.

Thorton and Fav get spot minutes.

If everything goes well for everybody in a manner like this, we won't be contenders but we could move up to as high as a 5th spot in the East and blow everyone's expectations out of the water...The biggest problem this team will face is not having enough minutes for everyone to get. This could definitely cause chemistry and locker room problems if a trade doesn't happen. But if everyone buys in, things might not go nearly as bad as we are expecting.

You have the First 9 (SAMCRO) guys you listed having a total points average of 112 pts. So unless Doug Moe is at the helm, I really doubt we're doing that.

 Last year's top 9 in terms of minutes/game had a combined average of 106 points or so. 112 isn't as unrealistically high as you think.

Yeah, I am jumping in late, but you are basically assuming these guys all play 82 games, which they almost certainly will not. Even if nobody misses major time, these ppg averages are all very possible.

Last year those players, excluding Zeller, Smart, and Turner who weren't on our team, averaged 76.6 ppg. Plus, the numbers last year were skewed in terms of averages due to the numbers of games Rondo missed. When a player like Rondo, who logs so many minutes, misses as much time as he did then it would cause the average of those players replacing him (Crawford and Bayless last year) to rise considerably. So while it initially may be an optimistic view to think the players will average that many points, it actually bolds poorly for our team's overall health and the games players would need to miss to achieve those numbers.

[CoachBo]

It's a train.

[Chris22]

The light at the end of the tunnel....

2015 - three first round picks, ours and the Clippers and maybe the 76ers
2016 - three first round picks, ours and the Nets and the Cavs
2017 - one first round pick, the better of ours or the Nets
2018 - two first round picks, ours and the Nets

[SHAQATTACK]

Need a star ....somebody like Pierce who can get their points when they force the issue.

And we need a quality center.

[freshinthehouse]

DesertDweller, what do you think this team's record is going to be this season?  I'm not trying to be snarky, I am just genuinely curious.

[celticmania]

Our light that the end of the tunnel is Emmanuel Mudiay and Jahlil Okafor

[DesertDweller]

Does everyone agree that it would be [dang]ed near impossible for us to shoot as horrendously bad as we did last year. I'm talking about blown shots that were ridiculously easy including lay-ups. improvement in this area alone might have given us 7-10 wins.  link this with a break on injuries and I think this team is a lot better than you are giving it credit for!!!

[cb8883]

Our light that the end of the tunnel is Emmanuel Mudiay and Jahlil Okafor

Or Karl Towns. Nothing else matters except getting one of those three. I'm rooting hard for a top 3 pick and for a hardworking diva free Celtics squad. I don't care if they are particularly good this year as long as they are athletic and exciting to watch. That being said I don't see how Marcus Banks 2.0 is going to be anything good and how Rondo is going to be anything but a solid role player so getting a PG with the chance to be a star in the league needs to be a priority in the future.

Stars win and tanking is the only way to get those stars to come to a mid market team like Boston.

[wdleehi]

Does everyone agree that it would be [dang]ed near impossible for us to shoot as horrendously bad as we did last year. I'm talking about blown shots that were ridiculously easy including lay-ups. improvement in this area alone might have given us 7-10 wins.  link this with a break on injuries and I think this team is a lot better than you are giving it credit for!!!

Maybe if the Celtics added some shooters.  The Celtics have potentially the worst shooting backcourt in the NBA. 



The Celtics still need some more talent.  The future flexibility and draft picks are the path to the right tunnel with the light at the end.  A little draft luck would help supercharge the green train.