ESPN POWER RANKINGS

[tarheelsxxiii]

I'm just saying that on old school paper, this team is garbage.  Our best player just spent the playoffs averaging 9 minutes off the bench with 9 coach decision DNP's.   It's nice that we're living in a new world where Brandon Wright is legitimate trade chip, but convention wisdom says this Boston team is a bottomfeeder.

Even on old school paper, this team looks decent.  Smart, Bradley, Thomas, Lee, Crowder, Zeller, Amir, ET (the way he's played in Boston) and even Sully and KO have all looked like guys who are or will be at least top 8 or 9 quality rotation players in the NBA.  The problem is that outside of Smart and an in-shape Sully, none of them look like quality starters on a great team.  But that is somewhat made up for by having a greatish coach.

Mike

There may be something to the argument that we can insert our best performers, on any given night, in the line-up for the significant minutes. In that sense, we are playing NBA rotation players performing at or above their abilities on any given night. That, coupled with a leap from Smart (if he can get to the rim, he's making a leap) and improvement from Lee/Amir (my binky), and we are likely to improve. #2 seed, negatory... but it does seem possible that these factors + superior coaching will lead us somewhere good. And that matters, obviously, as we are in prime position to start making trades sooner than later.

[TheFlex]

I'll surprised if the Brooklyn pick ends up in the top 10.

Never change, kiddo. Never change.

[Vermont Green]

This has the Celtics a 6th in the East I think with MIL, WAS, IND, and DET 7, 8, 9, and 10.  This seems about right but also I think the order of those 5 teams could be anything.  I can see a scenario where all 4 of those teams end up better than Boston so we could easily be anywhere from 6 to 10 in the East by winning or losing just a few game one way or the other.

[TheTruthFot18]

Might be a little high. It's making me nervous how high everyone is projecting us. I wish we were more under the radar

I don't think opposing teams, coaches, and GM's are looking at ESPN power rankings. They see we improved last year and thrived when we should have sunk. They saw what we added and who we kept and everyone already respects CBS. Kinda hard to fly under the radar with all those factors.

[mef730]

Seems optimistic.  Brooklyn in the bottom 2?  We can only dream.

You know, if you think Brooklyn is going to be better than we all think they will be, you should just come out and say it. Tell us how you really feel. There's no need to hold back.

I'll surprised if the Brooklyn pick ends up in the top 10.  Sure hope so, tho. 

Man... imagine if the pick actually did end up #2... how stupid will the Hornets look for passing up #16 (Rozier), #28 (Hunter), Brooklyn's #2 and other picks just to end up taking Kaminsky.  Oof.

Wasn't it the 2018 Nets pick that was rumored to be in the package?

Dunno... according to Simmons, we offered 4 first round picks... and multiple sources have said at least one Brooklyn pick was included.  My guess is #16, #28, a Brooklyn pick and another 1st were included.

I'm sure DA is happy to let those rumors run. If it really is true that nobody wants to trade with him because they are afraid of looking dumb, he might as well let people believe that he actually is willing to make ridiculous panic trades.

Mike

[BDeCosta26]

This has the Celtics a 6th in the East I think with MIL, WAS, IND, and DET 7, 8, 9, and 10.  This seems about right but also I think the order of those 5 teams could be anything.  I can see a scenario where all 4 of those teams end up better than Boston so we could easily be anywhere from 6 to 10 in the East by winning or losing just a few game one way or the other.

While I think that's true, I also think that's where we stand at an advantage. 82 games is an absolute grind and having such a deep team that plays as hard as they do on a nightly basis is gonna get us a few extra wins when teams just don't bring it. I expect we'll likely win 45-49 or so games just for that reason.

[tankcity!]

In all seriousness, why are we getting hype across websites now? There must be some reason for it... yet, I can't imagine an entire forum overlooking legitimate reasons we may be really good this season.

My girlfriend's dad had season tickets to the Seattle Mariners this year.  I ended up going to probably 20 games.  Pre-season projections had us as one of the favorites... The Mariners ended up sucking.

Screw this pre-season projection jinx.  We're probably winning 34 games and Brooklyn is probably sneaking into the playoffs.

All this media love feels like an over-correction for people who undervalue advanced metrics.  OoOO Amir Johnson's advanced defensive stats show he's the impact player Boston needs!  Look at all that depth!  I get it, I'm just saying that on old school paper, this team is garbage.  Our best player just spent the playoffs averaging 9 minutes off the bench with 9 coach decision DNP's.   It's nice that we're living in a new world where Brandon Wright is legitimate trade chip, but convention wisdom says this Boston team is a bottomfeeder.  Here's hoping conventional wisdom is dead wrong.  I'm a pessimist and even I buy into the advanced metric koolaid that we're winning 45+ this year.   It makes me feel dirty.

Lol, this is insane. I'm going to be reposting this in 20 games.

[MBunge]

This team is getting some love from the smart guys for one reason.  The other sleeper teams they've been high on have either already made it (Milwaukee and Atlanta) or have underperformed enough times that they dread picking them again (Orlando and Detroit). 

Mike

[LarBrd33]

In all seriousness, why are we getting hype across websites now? There must be some reason for it... yet, I can't imagine an entire forum overlooking legitimate reasons we may be really good this season.

My girlfriend's dad had season tickets to the Seattle Mariners this year.  I ended up going to probably 20 games.  Pre-season projections had us as one of the favorites... The Mariners ended up sucking.

Screw this pre-season projection jinx.  We're probably winning 34 games and Brooklyn is probably sneaking into the playoffs.

All this media love feels like an over-correction for people who undervalue advanced metrics.  OoOO Amir Johnson's advanced defensive stats show he's the impact player Boston needs!  Look at all that depth!  I get it, I'm just saying that on old school paper, this team is garbage.  Our best player just spent the playoffs averaging 9 minutes off the bench with 9 coach decision DNP's.   It's nice that we're living in a new world where Brandon Wright is legitimate trade chip, but convention wisdom says this Boston team is a bottomfeeder.  Here's hoping conventional wisdom is dead wrong.  I'm a pessimist and even I buy into the advanced metric koolaid that we're winning 45+ this year.   It makes me feel dirty.

Lol, this is insane. I'm going to be reposting this in 20 games.

Reposting that I agreed we'd win about 45 games? 

[LarBrd33]

I'll surprised if the Brooklyn pick ends up in the top 10.

Never change, kiddo. Never change.

I dunno, man.  The "Brooklyn Sucks" narrative seems contingent on the idea that Brook Lopez will inevitable re-injury himself.   What if he doesn't?   

[Hemingway]

This is the first time I can remember us possibly being over rated. When we won in 08, we were not favored to. When we sucked before that I remember ESPN and Sporting News(what I read then) letting us know we sucked.

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

I'm just saying that on old school paper, this team is garbage.  Our best player just spent the playoffs averaging 9 minutes off the bench with 9 coach decision DNP's.   It's nice that we're living in a new world where Brandon Wright is legitimate trade chip, but convention wisdom says this Boston team is a bottomfeeder.

Even on old school paper, this team looks decent.  Smart, Bradley, Thomas, Lee, Crowder, Zeller, Amir, ET (the way he's played in Boston) and even Sully and KO have all looked like guys who are or will be at least top 8 or 9 quality rotation players in the NBA.  The problem is that outside of Smart and an in-shape Sully, none of them look like quality starters on a great team.  But that is somewhat made up for by having a greatish coach.

Mike

I don't think that's a problem Mike because you still have the means to acquire the star. Topping out with this roster would be an issue, but you have a ton of picks and a good cap situation.

Ainge makes solid trades as well, so I actually think the starter concern is a bit overblown.

[MBunge]

I'll surprised if the Brooklyn pick ends up in the top 10.

Never change, kiddo. Never change.

I dunno, man.  The "Brooklyn Sucks" narrative seems contingent on the idea that Brook Lopez will inevitable re-injury himself.   What if he doesn't?

The Nets got rid of 4 of their top 10 players from last year and, almost inarguably, replaced them with inferior talent, and they barely made the playoffs in the East.  That's the core of the "Brooklyn Sucks" argument.

Mike

[Kane3387]

I'll surprised if the Brooklyn pick ends up in the top 10.

Never change, kiddo. Never change.

I dunno, man.  The "Brooklyn Sucks" narrative seems contingent on the idea that Brook Lopez will inevitable re-injury himself.   What if he doesn't?

Lol since when has Brooke Lopez been a guy that leads a team to success ever? He's talented but he's just "another guy" and is not "the guy". He's not a guy that carries a team.

[SHAQATTACK]

In all seriousness, why are we getting hype across websites now? There must be some reason for it... yet, I can't imagine an entire forum overlooking legitimate reasons we may be really good this season.

My girlfriend's dad had season tickets to the Seattle Mariners this year.  I ended up going to probably 20 games.  Pre-season projections had us as one of the favorites... The Mariners ended up sucking.

Screw this pre-season projection jinx.  We're probably winning 34 games and Brooklyn is probably sneaking into the playoffs.

All this media love feels like an over-correction for people who undervalue advanced metrics.  OoOO Amir Johnson's advanced defensive stats show he's the impact player Boston needs!  Look at all that depth!  I get it, I'm just saying that on old school paper, this team is garbage.  Our best player just spent the playoffs averaging 9 minutes off the bench with 9 coach decision DNP's.   It's nice that we're living in a new world where Brandon Wright is legitimate trade chip, but convention wisdom says this Boston team is a bottomfeeder.  Here's hoping conventional wisdom is dead wrong.  I'm a pessimist and even I buy into the advanced metric koolaid that we're winning 45+ this year.   It makes me feel dirty.

Lol, this is insane. I'm going to be reposting this in 20 games.

LOL.....you ll forget .......