Is the Celtics bench as weak as it looks on paper?

[Scalabrine]

The bench isn't as bad as it might seem. Depending on who starts, either Marcus Smart or Gordon Hayward will lead the second unit. Let's assume its smart off the bench. The bench lineup would then look like:

PG: Smart
SG: Edwards
SF: Ojeleye/Langford
PF: Theis/Williams
C: Williams/Porier

That's not bad whatsoever. Obviously Brad won't just put the entire bench in at once. Probably will have 2 starters on the floor at all times. I think a lot of the bench's success relies on Carsen Edwards. If he shows that he can score against NBA level defenses, then the bench is not a weakness.

Wait, thats not bad?!

Then the Knicks might actually be good!

Knicks projected bench:
Gibson
Portis
Knox/Dotson
Ellington/Trier
Payton/Ntilikina

Rejoice.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

This guy is all we need.

[Ill News]

Carsen Edwards just blew up for 8 threes in a 5-minute span against Cleveland today, for 26 points in the quarter and 30 overall. Holy moley. Looks like we finally got a second-round steal!

I think people are underestimating the Celtics bench because of all the young guys we have, and they might be right. But this rookie core of Edwards, Grant Williams, Tremont Waters, and Tacko Fall have been blowing out other teams' second units since summer league. They just beat the Cavs by double digits today without the help of our regular starters.

I'm not saying our bench will set the league on fire, but they'll be pesky to deal with at the least. That bench is filled with gritty, hustle-first players with the BBIQ to match, the type of players that Brad loves to coach. I mean, Waters and Williams are playing like veterans out there, and Edwards looks like the second coming of Eddie House.

[76ersForLife]

Their backcourt and wings are fine. The frontcourt is terrible. Why did they get rid of Baynes? Was it a salary cap move?

Ainge will probably make a move at the deadline for a decent big though.

[ajones9219]

No

/thread

[LewisnotMiller]

I'm not too worried about the bench. I'm worried about not having a clear starting quality big. But one thing that's interesting to me is that some people (eg. C's fans) are rating the Celtics more optimistically, and some people are being more pessimistic. But mostly ALL people seem to have them pegged as either a first round or second round exit in the playoffs.

I mean, I'm sure there are some exceptions, but overall there seems some commonality in where we see them finishing, even if the words we use to describe the team are quite different...

[LewisnotMiller]

The bench isn't as bad as it might seem. Depending on who starts, either Marcus Smart or Gordon Hayward will lead the second unit. Let's assume its smart off the bench. The bench lineup would then look like:

PG: Smart
SG: Edwards
SF: Ojeleye/Langford
PF: Theis/Williams
C: Williams/Porier

That's not bad whatsoever. Obviously Brad won't just put the entire bench in at once. Probably will have 2 starters on the floor at all times. I think a lot of the bench's success relies on Carsen Edwards. If he shows that he can score against NBA level defenses, then the bench is not a weakness.

Wait, thats not bad?!

Then the Knicks might actually be good!

Knicks projected bench:
Gibson
Portis
Knox/Dotson
Ellington/Trier
Payton/Ntilikina

Rejoice.

In a sense, the Knicks do have pretty good depth.
I think it's more their top end talent, plus fit that is going to be problematic. And James Dolan. He's still around.
*shudders*

[jehosafats]

Edwards plays like Lillard on caffeine shots

[FlatearthZorro]

I got BOS below INDY, BK, and TOR (obviously the top 2 as well). They likely will have issues with protecting the paint and depth. They'll make the playoffs but as a 6-7 and will probably be knocked out by PHI/BK/INDY/TOR whoever ends up in that 3-4 seed spot.

I'd love playing BKN in the first round of the playoffs. It's actually a dream scenario.

of course because it would mean you actually made the playoffs. which is on the fringe right now at best

Speaking of fringe playoff teams.

[robbie84]

I'd love playing BKN in the first round of the playoffs. It's actually a dream scenario.

of course because it would mean you actually made the playoffs. which is on the fringe right now at best

Speaking of fringe playoff teams.

Lol ...I like Prokorov, but his hot takes pre season are even more hilarious now.
He just REALLY hates the Celtics.
Soon enough he'll hate Kyrie just as much as we do.

[AussieCeltic]

I love when old threads get brought back into existence.

There is nothing bad about having a wrong opinion, but when you just say stuff to try troll or s*** on a team all the time like our good friend Prokorov, you really bring no value to this board.

[Zombiesonics]

I love watching the celtics and am a big fan of many of the players... but realgm celt fans gotta chill with the constant thread bumps from months ago. Its confusing and does nothing to create discussion other than school yard "i told you so" ish. The Team is good dont jinx it

[FlatearthZorro]

I love watching the celtics and am a big fan of many of the players... but realgm celt fans gotta chill with the constant thread bumps from months ago. Its confusing and does nothing to create discussion other than school yard "i told you so" ish. The Team is good dont jinx it

Honestly, I'll admit I'm petty here, cause I knew what will happen when Durant ain't playing and Irving is the main guy. I already saw it on a MUCH better team, cause we are a MUCH better team without Durant on the Nets, so I bookmarked it and was gonna bump it. This was all planned, I just couldn't resist... Oh and we're already jinxed, lad. Our top 7 guys have missed a combined of over 60 games so far, closing in on 70. So we aren't doing too hot when it comes to health.

[Prokorov]

of course because it would mean you actually made the playoffs. which is on the fringe right now at best

Speaking of fringe playoff teams.

Lol ...I like Prokorov, but his hot takes pre season are even more hilarious now.
He just REALLY hates the Celtics.
Soon enough he'll hate Kyrie just as much as we do.

nah, kyrie is my 2nd favorite player all time after buck williams

[Slax]

I love when old threads get brought back into existence.

There is nothing bad about having a wrong opinion, but when you just say stuff to try troll or s*** on a team all the time like our good friend Prokorov, you really bring no value to this board.

Comedy is value

[ajones9219]

rip prok