Recreate the 2008 Celtics using modern players

[Matt15]

If you were to recreate the 2008 Celtics using modern players, what would your line-up look like?

[Colbinii]

Bam Adebayo
Herb Jones
Paul George
Desmond Bane
De'Anthony Melton

This is purely in terms of stylistic comparisons being a premium [Impact secondary]

Herb Jones replaces Perkins as a modern "All D, No O" guy.

[Wallace_Wallace]

Kendrink Perkins - Clint Capela or Steven Adams
Kevin Garnett - Bam Adebayo or Anthony Davis or JJJ
Paul Pierce - Jaylen Brown or Paul George
Ray Allen - Devin Booker or Klay Thompson (pre-injuries)
Rajon Rondo - Russell Westbrook (Clippers' version)

I mean no disrespect to any of these players (pretty hard to find a modern day Perkins & Rondo), I tried to match playstyle as close as I can.

[parsnips33]

I don't think you really need the "pre injury" qualifier comparing Klay to 08 Ray Allen

[XTC]

Hayes
Klay
George
AD
Looney

[rk2023]

Does modern pertain to this current season or recent surrounding years of given player(s)?

[giordunk]

It's quite hard to find perfect fits lol but I'll try without looking at any of the above posts first.

I do think quite a huge component of the 2008 Celtics was that these were 3 established All-Stars that haven't been able to win a championship.

Paul Pierce - Any of Jimmy Butler, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan - those wings who are good but one level below the most elite of wings.

Kevin Garnett - In terms of production it would have to be Anthony Davis? Defensive versatility then probably Adebayo. Defensive leadership is Draymond. Hard to find a comparison.

Ray Allen - I'd choose Bradley Beal - Ray Allen was coming off a 26 PPG season before joining the Celtics.

Rondo - Young unpolished cerebral point guard - LaMelo is a little overqualified. Josh Giddey is also a bit qualified. I don't watch enough basketball to know about the young point guards.

I'll try and fill the playoff rotation as well...

James Posey - Lazy comparison but this is kinda just another PJ Tucker do anything type guy. I'm sure there are many vets in the league willing to fill this role on the right opportunity. Maybe Otto Porter, Robert Covington also fit the bill.

PJ Brown - Taj Gibson?

Sam Cassell - Goran Dragic

[jdzimme3]

Feeling old seeing that 2008 isnt "modern" players. Damn

[euroleague]

Steven Adams
Anthony Davis
Paul George
James Harden
Tyrese Maxey



That team would have a similar amount of talent and age. Harden is pretty similar, stylistically and age-wise, to Pierce. Paul George is similar to Ray Allen in that he can do a bit of everything offensively, and talent/age wise he's pretty similar. Slightly better defender, to make up for Harden being a worse defender than Pierce was, but a worse shooter.

If this team is healthy, I'd definitely have them as favorites. Harden/AD PnR would be tough to handle.

[penbeast0]

Steven Adams
Anthony Davis
Paul George
James Harden
Tyrese Maxey



That team would have a similar amount of talent and age. Harden is pretty similar, stylistically and age-wise, to Pierce. Paul George is similar to Ray Allen in that he can do a bit of everything offensively, and talent/age wise he's pretty similar. Slightly better defender, to make up for Harden being a worse defender than Pierce was, but a worse shooter.

If this team is healthy, I'd definitely have them as favorites. Harden/AD PnR would be tough to handle.

Can't really buy Maxey as Rajon Rondo. On the other hand, Harden and George are more ballhandlers than the Celtics wings are so what you really need at PG is a defender who is capable of going off on people occasionally. Maybe Pat Bev since your new team has talent advantages everywhere if healthy over the 08 Celtics except maybe PF.

[rate_]

It's quite hard to find perfect fits lol but I'll try without looking at any of the above posts first.

I do think quite a huge component of the 2008 Celtics was that these were 3 established All-Stars that haven't been able to win a championship.

Paul Pierce - Any of Jimmy Butler, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan - those wings who are good but one level below the most elite of wings.

Pierce has never played on the level that Jimmy Butler displayed this regular season or last season’s playoff run.

[euroleague]

Steven Adams
Anthony Davis
Paul George
James Harden
Tyrese Maxey



That team would have a similar amount of talent and age. Harden is pretty similar, stylistically and age-wise, to Pierce. Paul George is similar to Ray Allen in that he can do a bit of everything offensively, and talent/age wise he's pretty similar. Slightly better defender, to make up for Harden being a worse defender than Pierce was, but a worse shooter.

If this team is healthy, I'd definitely have them as favorites. Harden/AD PnR would be tough to handle.

Can't really buy Maxey as Rajon Rondo. On the other hand, Harden and George are more ballhandlers than the Celtics wings are so what you really need at PG is a defender who is capable of going off on people occasionally. Maybe Pat Bev since your new team has talent advantages everywhere if healthy over the 08 Celtics except maybe PF.

this year Maxey is slightly better than 08 Rondo, for sure. I think Ray Allen could handle as well as Paul George, and could certainly pass better. Harden is obviously better than Pierce in that aspect.

Pat Bev is too old, I want a player who is young like Rondo was. Ricky Rubio would be my pick if age wasn't a factor.

[dooki667]

Kendrink Perkins - Clint Capela or Steven Adams
Kevin Garnett - Bam Adebayo or Anthony Davis or JJJ
Paul Pierce - Jaylen Brown or Paul George
Ray Allen - Devin Booker or Klay Thompson (pre-injuries)
Rajon Rondo - Russell Westbrook (Clippers' version)

I mean no disrespect to any of these players (pretty hard to find a modern day Perkins & Rondo), I tried to match playstyle as close as I can.

Agree about rondo and perk I know he older know but Ricky Rubio?

[penbeast0]

Heck, Chris Paul works for Rondo if you ignore the age factor and look at playoff Rondo. The problem is that Harden just isn't similar to Pierce. DeRozan is a better comp as are about 8 other guys in the league.

[Dr Positivity]

Let's say the Nuggets get Lillard and Jimmy in the same offseason with Jokic leading to new big 3 going after a ring. Style of play obviously way off.

[cl2117]

It's quite hard to find perfect fits lol but I'll try without looking at any of the above posts first.

I do think quite a huge component of the 2008 Celtics was that these were 3 established All-Stars that haven't been able to win a championship.

Paul Pierce - Any of Jimmy Butler, Paul George, DeMar DeRozan - those wings who are good but one level below the most elite of wings.

Pierce has never played on the level that Jimmy Butler displayed this regular season or last season’s playoff run.

Probably never had as "efficient" season as Jimmy this year, but to say never had a regular season on the same level is flat out wrong. And last season's playoff run was something else statistically from Butler, but I think Jimmy would trade it for a Final's MVP.

I think overall they're really comparable talents at their peaks and throughout their overall careers.

[Saints14]

Josh Giddey
Bradley Beal
Paul George
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Ivica Zubac

[Slava]

Kevon Looney
Jaren Jackson Jr.
Paul George
Bradley Beal
Dejounte Murray

Kyle Kuzma
Bones Hyland
Matisse Thybulle
Chris Paul - 2023 Suns version
Tristan Thompson

[CodeBreaker]

Mike Conley
Devin Booker
Jayson Tatum
Bam Adebayo
Kevon Looney