The Celtics Will Be Taking A Step Back This Upcoming Season

[azcatz11]

Smart is getting old and looked slow as hell last season. Porky sucks and I wouldn't pay him a dime. I honestly think the Celtics are getting addition by subtraction

[Deivork]

Probably not. Organization and continued success will help with stability, though swapping Smart for Porzingis will require adjustments from everybody. Chemistry and coaching could be the issue come play-off time, but as others have pointed out they're still a Top-3 team in the conference so at least a trip to the ECF seems feasible. So that wouldn't be a step back from last year.

A different thing would be to discuss whether that is a success or not, considering many thought they could well have won it all the last two years. I was so extremely disturbed with the decisions to keep Mazzula and to swap Smart instead of Brown that I mentally disconnected from the team all summer. Now after a while away, I look at the rosters and I say we've got a good chance if things fall into place. Guess we can only wait and see. Go Cs.

[phanman]

I feel that they took a swing to increase both their ceiling and floor for next season. The season will come down to health and betting on Timelord, Porzingis, Brodgon and a 37yo Horford to be available all year is a huge gamble.

Especially in Brog's case and if he will be healthy once the season starts. Losing both him and Smart is a huge blow to their guard depth and they better hope Payton is ready.

[ShootersShoot]

Consistency, continuity, and that one-of-a-kind grit, combined with two young stars, these Celtics looked like they were destined for a title in Bean Town. They could taste it when they got to the Finals. However, with that all being said, can we take a consensus of what the brain trust here at REALGM is thinking?

In my opinion, trading Smart for Porzingis was a fatal mistake by the Celtics. They already have a 7 footer who cannot stay healthy. Now, they add Porzingis' health concerns to that... I love D. White.. Guys, I really really love this mans game. But is he the starting point guard on a championship team? Is Brogdon?


yes, the Celtics still look deep and formidable. But I think they are about to have a struggle of a season.

I think the better way to look at it is to see how Brgodon/White stack up to 4th options for contending teams around the league:

BLopez
THarris
AGordon
JAllen
DAyton
etc

But I do think you have a good point there about the quality of their point guard rotation..Most if not all recent champs have had very high level point guard play. Personally always thought smart was overrated. The celts were hanging by a thread relying on 37 yr old Horford to not fall off the cliff, and RW staying healthy which he has yet to prove he can. KP is injury prone so that is a concern but they really needed front court depth imo. Not only does KP provide depth, he is a better player overall than smart. White/Brogdon is a very decent rotation and honestly most teams do not need a three headed point guard rotation.

[AussieCeltic]

You don't win too often in this league without a DPOY candidate (past or present). Denver did it last year, but that's the first in forever. I don't like the idea of trading Smart for Porzingis either. Smart missed less games and has less knee, ankle, foot injuries to worry about.

Knid of looks like they should step back. But their guys are pretty young still.

Smart missed more games than KP last season and that’s with KP sitting out the last 6 games so the Wizards can tank.

Don’t get me wrong, KP obviously has injury concerns but I feel people gloss over Smarts injury history. He’s only played over 70 games in 3 of 9 seasons averaging 64 games played per year.

KP was also one one of the best defenders last season and more of an impact than Smart. He was the 4th best pick and roll defender and 5th best defender on close outs all while being an infinitely better offensive player.

The trade will come down to health but if he is healthy, the trade is an absolute steal.

Sigh. I'm obviously talking about their careers when I'm mentioning three different type of injuries and plural.

Even then it’s a 6 game per year difference. As I said, people downplay all the injuries Marcus has had.

[Ruma85]

its wait and see. I think losing Grant Williams is as big as the Smart loss However Jordan Walsh has the ability to make everyone forget about those two this season. Kristaps has no pressure and do what he needs to do to be ready for the playoffs, same with Timelord. If the Celtics can get marginal performances from both of those guys they will be better than last year. They also opted to double down on Payton Pritchard to allow him more playing time. Less stat chasing and more team play could see this years Celtics much better than last years. I also expect a mid season trade to bolster this roster something like a Center. Whiteside would be decent.

As a Lakers fan I cannot stand the Celtics but I love to see beautiful basketball, there fore I think they will be just fine, unless injuries happen, they are quite deep so it shouldn’t be a problem as long as ego’s do not clash the closer they get to winning a title.

[Hornet Mania]

I think the Celtics will take a small step back, but it won't be enough to knock them out of conference contention. They're still very much a threat to win the East.

Who else in the conference is going to leapfrog them? Miami will be there, sure. Philly will be worse. Milwaukee looks like they could be worse, the supporting cast is another year older. New York and Cleveland might make a leap but they've got quite a gap to close between themselves and Boston.

It's a small hit to their title odds, but nothing catastrophic.

[Johnny Bball]

Smart missed more games than KP last season and that’s with KP sitting out the last 6 games so the Wizards can tank.

Don’t get me wrong, KP obviously has injury concerns but I feel people gloss over Smarts injury history. He’s only played over 70 games in 3 of 9 seasons averaging 64 games played per year.

KP was also one one of the best defenders last season and more of an impact than Smart. He was the 4th best pick and roll defender and 5th best defender on close outs all while being an infinitely better offensive player.

The trade will come down to health but if he is healthy, the trade is an absolute steal.

Sigh. I'm obviously talking about their careers when I'm mentioning three different type of injuries and plural.

Even then it’s a 6 game per year difference. As I said, people downplay all the injuries Marcus has had.

This is why you're on my foes list.

Totals; KP - 402 games over 8 seasons, Smart - 581 over 9 seasons.

Average; KP - 50/year, Smart 64 games/year. That's not 6.

Playoffs; Smart, 108 games to KP, 10. Sheesh. Yeah, really downplaying those injuries.

And my entire point was KP has recurring injuries to certain areas more than Smart.

[AussieCeltic]

Sigh. I'm obviously talking about their careers when I'm mentioning three different type of injuries and plural.

Even then it’s a 6 game per year difference. As I said, people downplay all the injuries Marcus has had.

This is why you're on my foes list.

Totals; KP - 402 games over 8 seasons, Smart - 581 over 9 seasons.

Average; KP - 50/year, Smart 64 games/year. That's not 6.

Playoffs; Smart, 108 games to KP, 10. Sheesh. Yeah, really downplaying those injuries.

And my entire point was KP has recurring injuries to certain areas more than Smart.

Eh I missed the season KP had out with his ACL. Honest mistake.

The reason I’m on your foes list is because you’re a Raptors homer who kept crying when Celtics kept beating the Raptors over and over again.

[RoyceDa59]

If KP is healthy, they are significantly better than last season.

[One Last Shot]

Celtics made a huge mistake. I think they won atleast 1 of the last 2 NBA titles if Tatum didn't have a fractured wrist in 2022 Finals and got injured in the Game 7 of 2023 Conference Finals.

[hardenASG13]

You don't win too often in this league without a DPOY candidate (past or present). Denver did it last year, but that's the first in forever. I don't like the idea of trading Smart for Porzingis either. Smart missed less games and has less knee, ankle, foot injuries to worry about.

Knid of looks like they should step back. But their guys are pretty young still.

Smart missed more games than KP last season and that’s with KP sitting out the last 6 games so the Wizards can tank.

Don’t get me wrong, KP obviously has injury concerns but I feel people gloss over Smarts injury history. He’s only played over 70 games in 3 of 9 seasons averaging 64 games played per year.

KP was also one one of the best defenders last season and more of an impact than Smart. He was the 4th best pick and roll defender and 5th best defender on close outs all while being an infinitely better offensive player.

The trade will come down to health but if he is healthy, the trade is an absolute steal.

Agree, I think this board is sleeping on Kristaps. He hasn't been the problem in Washington. Massive upgrade over horford and williams.Allowing White to be featured more will minimize the effect of losing Smart, who despite his name and (sometimes fake) hustle was not the smartest player.

[MemphisX]

Only thing that can derail them is their fragile big man rotation.

[jazzfan1971]

There is a decent chance the smart trade improves the team. I'm not nearly ready to assume that trade is a step backwards.

[ITYSL]

What do you mean by taking a step back? First round exit? Second round exit? Just curious where you think they'll finish.

[Onlytimewilltel]

Losing one of the biggest culture drivers in smart won't help, but they're battle tested af. Fwiw, I think they'll flame out too, but not because they can't get over the hump. it's because they won't. Look at Tatum for example. Dude is Uber talented but suffers from an identity crises that limits his effectiveness

Yea gotta agree I was shocked they traded smart. It feels like warriors trading draymond. We shall see how it works out but I worry they might lose a lot of the toughness without smart.

[Johnny Bball]

Even then it’s a 6 game per year difference. As I said, people downplay all the injuries Marcus has had.

This is why you're on my foes list.

Totals; KP - 402 games over 8 seasons, Smart - 581 over 9 seasons.

Average; KP - 50/year, Smart 64 games/year. That's not 6.

Playoffs; Smart, 108 games to KP, 10. Sheesh. Yeah, really downplaying those injuries.

And my entire point was KP has recurring injuries to certain areas more than Smart.

Eh I missed the season KP had out with his ACL. Honest mistake.

The reason I’m on your foes list is because you’re a Raptors homer who kept crying when Celtics kept beating the Raptors over and over again.

Sure, just missed the entire year out for injuries when taking about injuries. And omitting that season still doens't make the math 6 games, but at least its getting closer to being honest.

And if that were the case, it might be every Celtics fan. Its not, its just you, and because this is how you always are.

[sfernald]

Consistency, continuity, and that one-of-a-kind grit, combined with two young stars, these Celtics looked like they were destined for a title in Bean Town. They could taste it when they got to the Finals. However, with that all being said, can we take a consensus of what the brain trust here at REALGM is thinking?

In my opinion, trading Smart for Porzingis was a fatal mistake by the Celtics. They already have a 7 footer who cannot stay healthy. Now, they add Porzingis' health concerns to that... I love D. White.. Guys, I really really love this mans game. But is he the starting point guard on a championship team? Is Brogdon?


yes, the Celtics still look deep and formidable. But I think they are about to have a struggle of a season.

No, they are designed to disappoint. The window is closing shut fast. Porzingis as you said will be the next Gordan Hayward move. He will probably play 30 games next year. The duo of Brown & Tatum are due for injuries next year. They are due for a down year. They will barely make the playoffs next year. Book it.

[lonzo_pelota]

they will miss marcus but i see jaylen and jayson taking another step up this year

[durden_tyler]

They'll be fine. Argument that they have actually improved has valid points so as one says it's a wait and see thing. They should be judged not by regular season record however, as long as they are in the Top 2-3 range, you can say it's working. It's in the playoffs that this will be decided if those offseason moves were worth it. i think they make it back to the NBA Finals.