I’ve a confession: I’m an off-the-cuff fan.
No, not of the Celtics, foolish. I feel 20 years of protection qualifies me for “die-hard” standing, however that’s simply me. No, I’m an off-the-cuff fan of the Bruins, Crimson Sox, and Patriots. It has been a long time since I watched a Bruins recreation during. I actively checked out on the Crimson Sox and Patriots when Mookie bought traded and Tom Brady moved on, however each groups are pulling me again in.
My level is that there’s no disgrace in being an off-the-cuff fan of any group. This website tends to cater to the die-hards, for apparent causes. Nevertheless, typically an off-the-cuff fan simply wants a spot to catch up and see the place the group stands. For lots of parents, that occurs proper round Christmas. So right here’s my try and get everybody up to the mark. (I’m certain that any variety of the die-hards will appropriate something I get incorrect and develop upon my abstract within the feedback beneath.
For those who don’t recall, final yr’s playoffs ended with Jayson Tatum getting injured and the Celtics getting eradicated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks. Shortly thereafter, Brad Stevens shed large contracts and let some impression free brokers stroll, all within the identify of avoiding the dreaded 2nd Apron penalties (mainly guidelines designed to interrupt aside groups just like the earlier model of the Celtics). Gone are excessive degree contributors like Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. So most individuals assumed that the Celtics could be dangerous for a yr. Maybe they might do a one-year reset, get a excessive draft decide, and attempt to construct again up the subsequent yr. A textbook “hole yr.”
The factor is, the group is definitely …actually good. Even with out Jayson Tatum.
What is that this sorcery? Nicely, to start out with, Jaylen Brown is proving to everybody that certainly he may lead a contending group on his personal. Additionally, there’s quite a lot of expertise left over from the title group. Plus, quite a lot of youthful guys have stepped up (extra on that later). And at last, Joe Mazzulla is proving that he’s not simply the product of a super-stacked 2024 roster.
Add all of it up and the Celtics are sitting in third place within the East with a 18-11 file. For level of reference, they have been 21-8 on Christmas final yr.
When is Tatum going to return?
Nobody is strictly certain, however all indicators level to the elusive “quickly,” which is best than anybody might have hoped for in June. Like most individuals, I had assumed he would miss this entire season with the ruptured Achillies tendon. Nevertheless, between some lucky circumstances and the pace at which they handled the damage, he’s on tempo to return a lot sooner. Everybody’s saying the fitting issues about ensuring he’s 110% earlier than giving him the green-light. There are nonetheless checkpoints he has to cross, however all issues appear to be progressing ahead. Add in the truth that he’s a gym-rat, basketball-obsessed, workaholic and you may see how individuals are beginning to get excited. He’s even travelled with the group and been a continuing presence across the group.
If I needed to guess, I’d anticipate him again in late February or early March, however that’s pure hypothesis based mostly off different individuals’s wild guesses. I’m going to attempt to mood my expectations for the extent of play he returns at. I anticipate minutes restrictions and a basic lack of full pace athleticism at first. However once more, guesses and hypothesis.
As talked about above, Jaylen Brown is a star and at present taking part in at “within the MVP dialog” ranges. Additionally, Payton Pritchard has stepped up like he’s taking part in in Professional-Ams. And naturally Derrick White is Derrick White, which is to say good in each manner.
On high of all that’s the growth of the youthful bench gamers. Whereas the Celtics are taking part in their manner out of a excessive draft decide, followers ought to recognize the truth that the group is seeing large strides by gamers born within the 2000’s.
The large query heading into the season was what the group would do on the Heart place. Neemias Queta has been a revelation. The 7 footer has established himself as a legit rotation middle, and even perhaps a long run starter. Then there’s the all of the energetic wings. Jordan Walsh, newcomer Josh Minott, and rookie Hugo Gonzalez are all hyper-aggressive defenders which are all capturing over 40% from 3 proper now (most likely not sustainable, however nonetheless an important signal).
Joe Mazzulla is pushing all the fitting buttons, motivating with equal elements love and psychotic depth. There’s quite a lot of season left, however he needs to be getting early consideration for Coach of the Yr.
As nice as issues are going, there have been some minor areas of concern. Anfernee Simons is coming off the bench and his per-36 scoring numbers are literally solely down barely from final season. Nevertheless, he’s a really costly sixth man and his protection is about as marketed (not nice).
Newcomer Luka Garza has been out and in of the lineup, largely on account of his personal defensive struggles (however he has proven indicators these days, specifically along with his rebounding). The opposite large man introduced on this offseason was veteran Chris Boucher, and he merely hasn’t been a part of the rotation (showing in solely 8 video games up to now).
Lastly, it’s value noting that Sam Hauser has been capturing nicely beneath his profession averages from 3 this yr. Personally, I’m not involved as a result of I anticipate a scorching streak or two to boost his season common earlier than the tip of the yr.
I’d suppose so. Nearly as good as Queta has been this yr, the group remains to be very shallow at middle. To the purpose the place they’ve to make use of quite a lot of small-ball lineups simply to get by. That has been an space of want for the reason that offseason and the obvious space of potential improve earlier than the commerce deadline in February. There’s all the time room so as to add a legit beginning large man, shifting Queta into a really competent backup/rotation man. Or a smaller deal might give Queta extra depth assist.
The Celtics may also need to shed a bit extra wage to get off some extra luxurious tax penalties. Or they may pivot the opposite path and add long term wage for a helpful participant. They’ll afford so as to add some wage this season with out exceeding the 2nd apron once more – however it must be for the fitting participant.
If a big deal is made, it is going to seemingly embody shifting Anfernee Simons and his $27.7M wage. Brad Stevens has confirmed himself resourceful and artistic up to now. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with subsequent.
So is that this group an actual contender?
Briefly: I don’t see why not.
No group is working away with the East as of but. The Celtics are proper within the combine and sooner or later will get Jayson Tatum again. In the event that they make a deal for one more large man and preserve capturing nicely, I don’t see any have to put a ceiling on this group.
There’s quite a lot of season left, and that’s the enjoyable of all of it. However to this point, so good.
So benefit from the NFL playoffs, observe together with the baseball offseason, and catch a couple of extra Celtics video games within the coming days. I feel you’ll be proud of the way in which issues are going as nicely.
