Around the League: 2023-24 Season

[the_process]

Seriously, if the Celtics were forced to choose between Tatum and Brown, who stays and who goes? My guess is that Brown would be gone.

Obviously they aren't going to do anything after winning a chip; but long term, there's no way they can hold on to two guys both making over 50M unless they simply plan on everyone else making the minimum.

I understand that, this is hypothetical. But who goes?

Sorry, I was just supporting the premise in a general sense because it will come to that at some point in the near future. But to answer your question, Brown goes. Even though it's quite possible he's better than Tatum.

[Jailblazers7]

I’d keep Brown over Tatum. Brown is the better defender, leader, and shot maker. You just need to make sure he has a PG to run the offense because outside of playmaking I’d rather have Brown.

[SixthStreet]

It's good for Tatum's legacy he's riding the roster to this title, because after they are forced to trade Brown or multiple more ancillary parts, he's going to constantly be roasted on ESPN for being a shrinking violet in future playoff runs.

[mjkvol]

Obviously they aren't going to do anything after winning a chip; but long term, there's no way they can hold on to two guys both making over 50M unless they simply plan on everyone else making the minimum.

I understand that, this is hypothetical. But who goes?

Sorry, I was just supporting the premise in a general sense because it will come to that at some point in the near future. But to answer your question, Brown goes. Even though it's quite possible he's better than Tatum.

No doubt Brown is the better player in big game situations, but Tatum is the 'star', so it would be Brown that goes. If it comes to that, it would be the first chink in Stevens' armor.

[the_process]

I’d keep Brown over Tatum. Brown is the better defender, leader, and shot maker. You just need to make sure he has a PG to run the offense because outside of playmaking I’d rather have Brown.

Boston would get more for Tatum, too. Would be the galaxy brain move.

[Iverson Armband]

Weren’t people predicting Brown to be the worst contract in the NBA just a few short months ago?

[elchengue20]

I always sayed Brown is closer to Tatum than most realize.

That being sayed, Tatum is probably better and has been crucial to Boston for his playmaking combined with his size and switchability on defense where he can cover nearly every position, even in this series with his shot not falling much he's been huge for them.

He's getting some underserved slack because everybody expects him to be the typical go to star and drop 30 ppg and dominate the game with his scoring.

Also he's just not a top 5 player but with this stacked roster that's ok, he's still good enough for them to be the best team in the league.

[Kobblehead]

The mark of the true greats is efficiency in the playoffs.

Tatum has had a FG percentage higher than 45% in just 2 of 7 playoff runs (career 44% shooting in the playoffs).

Brown has had a FG percentage higher than 45% in 7 of 7 playoff runs (career 49% shooting in the playoffs).

Based on postseason performance, Brown should be talked about the same way other playoff greats like Kawhi Leonard are. If Tatum was by himself, he'd be more along the lines of the playoff disappointments like Paul George, James Harden, etc.

[76ciology]

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?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Mavs in this final in a nutshell

[Kobblehead]

In the last 3 seconds of the video, that's clearly Bryan Colangelo for obvious reasons.

[GoSixersBro]

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Mavs in this final in a nutshell

Nate Robinson has done irreparable damage to dunk contests.

[the_process]

An offseason of talking heads pontificating about Boston as the new dynasty should be very enjoyable.

[mjkvol]

An offseason of talking heads pontificating about Boston as the new dynasty should be very enjoyable.

So predictable, and it didn't take long.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-18th-championship-could-just-be-the-beginning-of-nbas-next-dynasty/

[Negrodamus]

An offseason of talking heads pontificating about Boston as the new dynasty should be very enjoyable.

So predictable, and it didn't take long.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/boston-celtics-18th-championship-could-just-be-the-beginning-of-nbas-next-dynasty/

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This should clarify that they absolutely will not be a dynasty. They’re not going to completely insulate their stars with stars forever.

[Zumramania]

I am afraid Tatum & Brown are better than we want to admit. Just the two of them with an average rest of the roster could get you to an ECF. But Boston always equips them with good to great rest of the roster, they are just a well-run organization. Besides, Jrue Holiday and Horford are the only older players on that roster, Derrick White and Porzingis are under 30. Boston will be a real menace to face in the future as well.

[the_process]

Siakam getting a 4 year max to stay in Indy. Unsurprising.

What is pretty surprising is that the Pistons fired Monty Williams with 5 years and ~66M left on his deal. Crazy stuff. Good news to take is that the owner is letting Langdon build the team from scratch. Perhaps some of those young guys they have don't fit the program? (Looking at you, Cade)

Would also ask about Beef Stew, Ivey, and Ausar.

[Jailblazers7]

I am afraid Tatum & Brown are better than we want to admit. Just the two of them with an average rest of the roster could get you to an ECF. But Boston always equips them with good to great rest of the roster, they are just a well-run organization. Besides, Jrue Holiday and Horford are the only older players on that roster, Derrick White and Porzingis are under 30. Boston will be a real menace to face in the future as well.

The Jays are awesome no doubt. But the script for them has been that they find a way to lose when they run into a tougher team or one with a similar talent level. They never had that challenge this year because of the way the matchups shook out so they never got tested in the way they’ve been in prior years.

[Jailblazers7]

Last year everyone was talking about a Nuggets dynasty too. It’s just the media summer playbook as they try to fill airtime on First Take.

[Wilfried]

I am afraid Tatum & Brown are better than we want to admit. Just the two of them with an average rest of the roster could get you to an ECF. But Boston always equips them with good to great rest of the roster, they are just a well-run organization. Besides, Jrue Holiday and Horford are the only older players on that roster, Derrick White and Porzingis are under 30. Boston will be a real menace to face in the future as well.

They are very good, but the reality is they cannot afford White to an extention next summer.
Than Horford is also gone, Jrue (not the healthiest either) is 35 or more ...
KP is not the healthiest either

Their dynasty is not set in stone to me ... living on hope

[Zumramania]

I am afraid Tatum & Brown are better than we want to admit. Just the two of them with an average rest of the roster could get you to an ECF. But Boston always equips them with good to great rest of the roster, they are just a well-run organization. Besides, Jrue Holiday and Horford are the only older players on that roster, Derrick White and Porzingis are under 30. Boston will be a real menace to face in the future as well.

They are very good, but the reality is they cannot afford White to an extention next summer.
Than Horford is also gone, Jrue (not the healthiest either) is 35 or more ...
KP is not the healthiest either

Their dynasty is not set in stone to me ... living on hope

Unfortunately, if you google it, it is widely reported that White is likely to resign with the Celtics...apparently they are going to offer him a max contract and for him that amounts to $127 million over four years. I don't even know how can they afford so many big contracts? I guess they will be paying a large tax.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5569914/2024/06/18/boston-celtics-salary-cap-nba-free-agency/
Their weakness may be, as this article points out:
"Their system depends heavily on two rare centers, one of whom is very old and the other of whom is very injury-prone."

But compare that to us, where our main player is a center who is also constantly injured during playoffs...