I requested for mailbag questions and as regular you guys delivered. Listed here are your questions and my solutions. (As regular, outcomes could range)
ezwind
With so few roster adjustments, it doesn’t look like there are a lot of, 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 occasions?
2) Identical 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 probability that each make the roster?
4) Barring an damage scenario, what are the probabilities that Scheierman performs common and even semi-regular minutes exterior of blowouts?
I don’t assume that Kornet goes to show again right into a quantity 3 level shooter. It looks as if he’s content material to deal with what received him again within the league and right into a rotation position on the group. I do see Tillman working to enhance his jumper. He’s at the very least keen to take them and if he can enhance his effectivity from the corners he might have some success there.
I might see each Springer and Walker making the group, relying on how they deal with the 2-way guys. After all I nonetheless assume that Springer is the almost definitely 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 outdoor shot at spot minutes this yr. He’s an older rookie and he can shoot. We simply need to see if he can maintain up defensively. The Celtics are going to want wing depth and we’ll see how prepared Walsh is to play minutes.
Charlie-two-protons
Marcus Sensible is the apparent reply, however which former Celtic would you prefer to see again on the squad?
I miss the vibes from the Timelord. I actually wish to see him string collectively some wholesome seasons however that’s all the time going to be a fear and it’s doable that we bought excessive on him final yr. Nonetheless, he was lots of enjoyable to look at on the courtroom and seemingly a chill man off it.
It’s most likely too late now, however I might have nonetheless welcomed a return of Isaiah Thomas, even when it was a deep bench vet position.
Lastly, it may be 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 might hope there’s no lingering unhealthy emotions.
pdelevett
If Scheierman has a fantastic camp, does Boston reduce Walker unfastened to save lots of the posh tax? Or is having a confirmed scorer on our deep bench definitely worth the monetary hit? (Associated query: Even when he takes the $75K bonus to report back to Maine, how large is the danger one other group indicators Walker out of the G-League if he performs effectively there?)
If Walker sticks round, will probably be on a minimal deal. If Stevens decides to chop him and maintain solely 14 gamers they’d nonetheless have a cap maintain so I’m unsure if they’d save any cash (sorry, I’m not as a lot of a cap wiz as our previous buddy Keith). It could principally be about protecting 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 trip with 15 gamers if solely to have dwell our bodies to make use of throughout blowouts and for deep bench choices.
Dont miss that free throw
What do you concentrate on Al Horford taking part in past 24-25? Does Brad provide 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 powerful. Al was nonetheless very priceless this previous yr and my coronary heart believes he might be once more this coming yr (if his minutes are managed effectively). With that mentioned, time runs out on everybody and that clock is ticking. I wouldn’t rule out retirement on the finish of the yr, relying on how he feels each bodily and mentally at that time. From a wage cap perspective, the group may be relying on his $9.5M coming off the books anyway.
ACEarl
What’s your learn on the emotional vitality 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 likely 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 coming into the subsequent season? Do you assume they arrive on the yr 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 because the title— Tatum and Brown’s Olympic therapy, the center finger of the 2k scores, 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 assume?
My glass half full concept is that they will take pleasure in 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 yr (proper up till KG received damage).
I admit I’m nonetheless a little bit “as soon as bitten, twice shy” with this group. I nonetheless keep in mind how a lot they’d take two steps ahead and one step again in previous years. Seemingly letting go of the rope once they appeared to be up or taking part in a group down a key participant. They exercised lots of these daemons final yr however human nature is what it’s and it’s exhausting to be targeted each second of each sport.
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 prefer to see faraway from the Cs offensive and defensive sport 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 most important impression? What Celtic will present up at media day with the very best hair?
This may increasingly sound a bit odd, however I don’t need something faraway from the C’s offense. Sure, I do know which means now we have to dwell with an occasional “stand round for an iso step again” that can have me pulling out the little hair I’ve left. However you recognize what? Typically within the playoffs that’s actually all you will get in a selected scenario. So that you would possibly as effectively get some sport apply with it in the course of the season.
I’ve the same reply on protection however for a barely completely different cause. With how superior offenses are as of late, I don’t assume you may depend on anyone, two, or three completely different schemes. You must layer them in, combine them up, and do every part you may to maintain opponents off steadiness. I say play extra zone (particularly with Jrue taking part in rover). Throw in an occasional full courtroom blitz. Shock them by leaving a shooter ridiculously extensive open simply to mess with their heads. Have the entire group do the Kornet Kontest on the similar time to distract the shooter. Double bigs. All wings. JT at point-center. Kitchen sink; all in. Attempt every part.
Peter White
The Celtics can not carry all these large contracts after the 2024-25 season, so apart from Al Horford which large contract might be traded first?
Ideally we’ll simply maintain successful titles and the brand new homeowners will maintain 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 dwell in an excellent world.
Observe that I don’t assume anybody is moved this season. So all the next is my greatest guess about future offseasons (even perhaps past subsequent summer time).
The unhappy fact is that this may 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 damage within the subsequent yr or two, he may very well be a wage dump sooner or later. Likewise, it’s value noting that Jrue Vacation is 34 years previous. He’s nonetheless very productive and in a seemingly good 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 might 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 fake I didn’t simply convey that up.
The one different wildcard to say is Jaylen Brown. He appears joyful sufficient in Boston (Championships are likely 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 might be THE star) then I might see him shifting on.
This isn’t a enjoyable subject, however realistically all nice groups get damaged up sooner or later. However hey, by that time we’ll have 3 or 4 extra banners, so it gained’t be so unhealthy, proper?
Thanks once more everybody for the questions!
