I requested for mailbag questions and as normal you guys delivered. Listed below are your questions and my solutions. (As normal, outcomes might fluctuate)
ezwind
With so few roster adjustments, it doesn’t look like there are numerous, if any, main questions on this group. However there are just a few minor ones:
1) With KP out for some time, has there been any indication that Luke is engaged on bringing again his lengthy misplaced 3pt shot in order that we will nonetheless play 5 out at instances?
2) Similar query for Tillman. Can we anticipate him to shoot extra from the perimeter?
3) Are Springer and Walker an both/or scenario or is there any likelihood that each make the roster?
4) Barring an harm scenario, what are the possibilities that Scheierman performs common and even semi-regular minutes outdoors of blowouts?
I don’t suppose that Kornet goes to show again right into a quantity 3 level shooter. It looks as if he’s content material to concentrate on what received him again within the league and right into a rotation function on the group. I do see Tillman working to enhance his jumper. He’s not less than prepared to take them and if he can enhance his effectivity from the corners he may have some success there.
I may see each Springer and Walker making the group, relying on how they deal with the 2-way guys. After all I nonetheless suppose that Springer is the most certainly piece that may very well be traded for a really minor piece (or in the event that they wished to shave a tiny little bit of wage).
I feel Scheierman has an out of doors shot at spot minutes this 12 months. He’s an older rookie and he can shoot. We simply must see if he can maintain up defensively. The Celtics are going to wish wing depth and we’ll see how prepared Walsh is to play minutes.
Charlie-two-protons
Marcus Sensible is the plain reply, however which former Celtic would you wish to see again on the squad?
I miss the vibes from the Timelord. I actually need to see him string collectively some wholesome seasons however that’s all the time going to be a fear and it’s attainable that we bought excessive on him final 12 months. Nonetheless, he was numerous enjoyable to look at on the court docket and seemingly a chill man off it.
It’s most likely too late now, however I’d have nonetheless welcomed a return of Isaiah Thomas, even when it was a deep bench vet function.
Lastly, it is perhaps enjoyable sometime to see Terry Rozier make a return to Boston. He left on form of a bitter word, however that was a really odd season and I’d hope there’s no lingering unhealthy emotions.
pdelevett
If Scheierman has an awesome camp, does Boston minimize Walker free to avoid wasting the luxurious tax? Or is having a confirmed scorer on our deep bench well worth the monetary hit? (Associated query: Even when he takes the $75K bonus to report back to Maine, how massive is the chance one other group indicators Walker out of the G-League if he performs nicely there?)
If Walker sticks round, it is going to be on a minimal deal. If Stevens decides to chop him and preserve solely 14 gamers they might nonetheless have a cap maintain so I’m undecided if they might save any cash (sorry, I’m not as a lot of a cap wiz as our outdated good friend Keith). It will largely be about retaining roster flexibility (and even then, as a 2nd apron group, Boston wouldn’t be capable to out-bid anybody). Appears to me they need to journey with 15 gamers if solely to have reside our bodies to make use of throughout blowouts and for deep bench choices.
Dont miss that free throw
What do you consider Al Horford taking part in past 24-25? Does Brad supply him an extension mid-season if he desires to proceed to play or will they take a wait and see how he performs this season strategy?
That is robust. Al was nonetheless very useful this previous 12 months and my coronary heart believes he will likely be once more this coming 12 months (if his minutes are managed nicely). With that stated, time runs out on everybody and that clock is ticking. I wouldn’t rule out retirement on the finish of the 12 months, relying on how he feels each bodily and mentally at that time. From a wage cap perspective, the group is perhaps relying on his $9.5M coming off the books anyway.
ACEarl
What’s your learn on the emotional power that the Celtics will assault the season with?
Tatum tends to be fairly aloof, Jaylen focuses his anger, and the remainder of the highest 6 are inclined to play regular veteran.
However within the title celebrations, it was clear that these guys felt the monkey off their again (“What they gonna say now?!?!”).
So what’s your learn on the group getting into the following season? Do you suppose they arrive on the 12 months taking part in free and straightforward just like the ‘10’s Warriors as soon as they received one? Are they enraged in any respect the million slights which have occurred for the reason that title— Tatum and Brown’s Olympic remedy, the center finger of the 2k rankings, and so forth.— inflicting them to return out firing like John Wick? Are they annoyed and tight, or drained, or too relaxed? Or regular sufficient to roll it again and get proper again to work with the identical regular demeanor? What do you suppose?
My glass half full concept is that they’re going to get pleasure from having that monkey off their backs and play looser and thus extra assured and free. Plus, Joe Mazzulla isn’t going to allow them to loosen up an excessive amount of. The instance I all the time go to is the 2008-09 Celtics who had been even higher than the earlier 12 months (proper up till KG received damage).
I admit I’m nonetheless a bit of “as soon as bitten, twice shy” with this group. I nonetheless keep in mind how a lot they might take two steps ahead and one step again in previous years. Seemingly letting go of the rope once they gave the impression to be up or taking part in a group down a key participant. They exercised numerous these daemons final 12 months however human nature is what it’s and it’s laborious to be centered each second of each recreation.
I’m nonetheless seeing that tumbler half full, however I don’t rule out an occasional crack or leak.
CelticsWest
Let’s see what I’ve received…
What’s one factor you’d wish to see faraway from the Cs offensive and defensive recreation plan? Below what circumstances would Joe run a double-big tandem of Luke and Nemi?Which two-way or exhibit 10 participant will make the largest impression? What Celtic will present up at media day with one of the best hair?
This may occasionally sound a bit odd, however I don’t need something faraway from the C’s offense. Sure, I do know which means we now have to reside with an occasional “stand round for an iso step again” that may have me pulling out the little hair I’ve left. However you understand what? Typically within the playoffs that’s actually all you will get in a selected scenario. So that you would possibly as nicely get some recreation observe with it in the course of the season.
I’ve the same reply on protection however for a barely totally different cause. With how superior offenses are today, I don’t suppose you possibly can depend on anybody, two, or three totally different schemes. It’s important to layer them in, combine them up, and do every part you possibly can to maintain opponents off steadiness. I say play extra zone (particularly with Jrue taking part in rover). Throw in an occasional full court docket blitz. Shock them by leaving a shooter ridiculously large open simply to mess with their heads. Have the entire group do the Kornet Kontest on the identical time to distract the shooter. Double bigs. All wings. JT at point-center. Kitchen sink; all in. Strive every part.
Peter White
The Celtics can’t carry all these massive contracts after the 2024-25 season, so moreover Al Horford which massive contract will likely be traded first?
Ideally we’ll simply preserve profitable titles and the brand new house owners will preserve throwing cash on the roster and we solely have to fret in regards to the again half of the roster. After all we don’t reside in a super world.
Be aware that I don’t suppose anybody is moved this season. So all the next is my finest guess about future offseasons (even perhaps past subsequent summer season).
The unhappy fact is that this can most likely come all the way down to accidents and age. Porzingis goes to earn near $31M in 2025-26. If he has a setback or one other main harm within the subsequent 12 months or two, he may very well be a wage dump in some unspecified time in the future. Likewise, it’s price noting that Jrue Vacation is 34 years outdated. He’s nonetheless very productive and in a seemingly excellent scenario. If and when he begins to indicate his age, his contract goes to really feel heavier on the books earlier than it’s over.
Theoretically the group may get extra in return for Derrick White, however I don’t actually like to consider a world with out him on the Celtics, so I’m going to faux I didn’t simply deliver that up.
The one different wildcard to say is Jaylen Brown. He appears blissful sufficient in Boston (Championships are inclined to have that impact). But when he had a sudden urge to play in his hometown of Atlanta (or no matter) and requests a commerce (maybe to a group the place he may be THE star) then I may see him shifting on.
This isn’t a enjoyable matter, however realistically all nice groups get damaged up in some unspecified time in the future. However hey, by that time we’ll have 3 or 4 extra banners, so it received’t be so unhealthy, proper?
Thanks once more everybody for the questions!
