Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread

[Parliament10]

Though we carried 14 NBA Players for most of the Season.
We actually finished with 15; adding Queta right before the NBA Playoffs.

So, it's not unheard of that we could carry 15 to start the Season.
We'll likely drop down to 14, later on.

[ConstableGeneva]

Entering this season, here are your top 10 Celtics players in win percentage in the Brad Stevens era (minimum 100 games):



Semi Ojeleye is a winner.

[ConstableGeneva]

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[Parliament10]

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[MaxwellSmart]

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Dumb.

[djFan71]

Entering this season, here are your top 10 Celtics players in win percentage in the Brad Stevens era (minimum 100 games):

Spoiler:

Semi Ojeleye is a winner.

Wanamaker is solid.

[ConstableGeneva]

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[ConstableGeneva]

22 Increasingly Bold Predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season

1. The Boston Celtics will repeat as NBA champs.

Does this count as bold? Sort of. No team has successfully defended its title since 2018, when the NBA was neck-deep in a superteam arms race that culminated with Kevin Durant joining a champion that had just won 73 regular-season games. That era might be over. For a variety of reasons, windows that used to be wide open are now just barely ajar.

Since the Warriors went back-to-back seven years ago, every team that won it all subsequently lost a key player (or two) before their Champagne dried. In 2019, Kawhi Leonard left the Raptors. In 2020, Rajon Rondo, Danny Green, and Dwight Howard left the Lakers. In 2021, P.J. Tucker left the Bucks. In 2022, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. left the Warriors. In 2023, Bruce Brown Jr. left the Nuggets.

But this year, coming off a season in which the Celtics lost 21 total games, everyone in Joe Mazzulla’s playoff rotation is back for another bite at the apple. They have as much continuity, chemistry, depth, confidence, pride, urgency, versatility, athleticism, shooting, and refined two-way talent as any team in recent memory. Their defense is fierce, disciplined, and instinctual, neatly completed by a 3-point-spraying five-out offense that’s game plan proof when everyone is healthy. While several championship hopefuls (New York, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Minnesota, to name a few) made meaningful changes over the summer to better match up with the reigning champs, none built a strong enough case to make me believe that they can stop the Celtics from earning a 19th banner in June.

The biggest reason why, for some, doubles as a limitation: Jayson Tatum.

After he led Boston in points, rebounds, and assists through a historic title run as one of the NBA’s most popular players, Tatum was still a magnet for remarkable criticism. Instead of being celebrated for scaling a wall so few ever have or will (as the best player on a champion), Tatum was defined this summer by Steve Kerr’s decision to bench him at the Olympics, whispers about a broken jump shot (he made 38.9 percent of his 3s in the preseason), and more skepticism about his standing among the best of the best. Even though he won a ring as the best player on his team, there are cynics who still wonder whether the Celtics can do it again without having the best player in every series.

The noise is due in part to how competent Brad Stevens and Mazzulla are at their jobs, surrounding him with an ideal, overqualified supporting cast in a system that affords more space than any other primary ball handler has ever had. But it’s all a two-way street. Boston’s roster construction and nightly game plans are equally reliant (if not more so) on the qualities that make Tatum shine. He was inefficient in the Finals, but the degree to which that tilts how he’s covered and perceived is strange considering Boston’s playoff offense was a team-best 14.7 points per 100 possessions better with Tatum on the court.

He will go down as an all-time great and gets better every year, a consistent marvel who excels on both ends and has few holes to pick at. He makes his teammates better. He makes life easier for his coaches. He’s as reliable and levelheaded as they come. And his impact on winning, if not fully realized by the masses after Boston’s championship run, will stand out a year from now.

Bonus Celtics-related predictions: Either Tatum or Jaylen Brown will make his first All-Defensive team, Tatum will win Finals MVP, and Mazzulla will win Coach of the Year.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/10/21/24273509/nba-season-preview-2024-trades-boston-celtics-luka-doncic

[Shak_Celts]

22 Increasingly Bold Predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season

1. The Boston Celtics will repeat as NBA champs.

Does this count as bold? Sort of. No team has successfully defended its title since 2018, when the NBA was neck-deep in a superteam arms race that culminated with Kevin Durant joining a champion that had just won 73 regular-season games. That era might be over. For a variety of reasons, windows that used to be wide open are now just barely ajar.

Since the Warriors went back-to-back seven years ago, every team that won it all subsequently lost a key player (or two) before their Champagne dried. In 2019, Kawhi Leonard left the Raptors. In 2020, Rajon Rondo, Danny Green, and Dwight Howard left the Lakers. In 2021, P.J. Tucker left the Bucks. In 2022, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. left the Warriors. In 2023, Bruce Brown Jr. left the Nuggets.

But this year, coming off a season in which the Celtics lost 21 total games, everyone in Joe Mazzulla’s playoff rotation is back for another bite at the apple. They have as much continuity, chemistry, depth, confidence, pride, urgency, versatility, athleticism, shooting, and refined two-way talent as any team in recent memory. Their defense is fierce, disciplined, and instinctual, neatly completed by a 3-point-spraying five-out offense that’s game plan proof when everyone is healthy. While several championship hopefuls (New York, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Minnesota, to name a few) made meaningful changes over the summer to better match up with the reigning champs, none built a strong enough case to make me believe that they can stop the Celtics from earning a 19th banner in June.

The biggest reason why, for some, doubles as a limitation: Jayson Tatum.

After he led Boston in points, rebounds, and assists through a historic title run as one of the NBA’s most popular players, Tatum was still a magnet for remarkable criticism. Instead of being celebrated for scaling a wall so few ever have or will (as the best player on a champion), Tatum was defined this summer by Steve Kerr’s decision to bench him at the Olympics, whispers about a broken jump shot (he made 38.9 percent of his 3s in the preseason), and more skepticism about his standing among the best of the best. Even though he won a ring as the best player on his team, there are cynics who still wonder whether the Celtics can do it again without having the best player in every series.

The noise is due in part to how competent Brad Stevens and Mazzulla are at their jobs, surrounding him with an ideal, overqualified supporting cast in a system that affords more space than any other primary ball handler has ever had. But it’s all a two-way street. Boston’s roster construction and nightly game plans are equally reliant (if not more so) on the qualities that make Tatum shine. He was inefficient in the Finals, but the degree to which that tilts how he’s covered and perceived is strange considering Boston’s playoff offense was a team-best 14.7 points per 100 possessions better with Tatum on the court.

He will go down as an all-time great and gets better every year, a consistent marvel who excels on both ends and has few holes to pick at. He makes his teammates better. He makes life easier for his coaches. He’s as reliable and levelheaded as they come. And his impact on winning, if not fully realized by the masses after Boston’s championship run, will stand out a year from now.

Bonus Celtics-related predictions: Either Tatum or Jaylen Brown will make his first All-Defensive team, Tatum will win Finals MVP, and Mazzulla will win Coach of the Year.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/10/21/24273509/nba-season-preview-2024-trades-boston-celtics-luka-doncic

True! Hell no to coach of the year tho!!

[ConstableGeneva]

22 Increasingly Bold Predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season

Spoiler:

1. The Boston Celtics will repeat as NBA champs.

Does this count as bold? Sort of. No team has successfully defended its title since 2018, when the NBA was neck-deep in a superteam arms race that culminated with Kevin Durant joining a champion that had just won 73 regular-season games. That era might be over. For a variety of reasons, windows that used to be wide open are now just barely ajar.

Since the Warriors went back-to-back seven years ago, every team that won it all subsequently lost a key player (or two) before their Champagne dried. In 2019, Kawhi Leonard left the Raptors. In 2020, Rajon Rondo, Danny Green, and Dwight Howard left the Lakers. In 2021, P.J. Tucker left the Bucks. In 2022, Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. left the Warriors. In 2023, Bruce Brown Jr. left the Nuggets.

But this year, coming off a season in which the Celtics lost 21 total games, everyone in Joe Mazzulla’s playoff rotation is back for another bite at the apple. They have as much continuity, chemistry, depth, confidence, pride, urgency, versatility, athleticism, shooting, and refined two-way talent as any team in recent memory. Their defense is fierce, disciplined, and instinctual, neatly completed by a 3-point-spraying five-out offense that’s game plan proof when everyone is healthy. While several championship hopefuls (New York, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Minnesota, to name a few) made meaningful changes over the summer to better match up with the reigning champs, none built a strong enough case to make me believe that they can stop the Celtics from earning a 19th banner in June.

The biggest reason why, for some, doubles as a limitation: Jayson Tatum.

After he led Boston in points, rebounds, and assists through a historic title run as one of the NBA’s most popular players, Tatum was still a magnet for remarkable criticism. Instead of being celebrated for scaling a wall so few ever have or will (as the best player on a champion), Tatum was defined this summer by Steve Kerr’s decision to bench him at the Olympics, whispers about a broken jump shot (he made 38.9 percent of his 3s in the preseason), and more skepticism about his standing among the best of the best. Even though he won a ring as the best player on his team, there are cynics who still wonder whether the Celtics can do it again without having the best player in every series.

The noise is due in part to how competent Brad Stevens and Mazzulla are at their jobs, surrounding him with an ideal, overqualified supporting cast in a system that affords more space than any other primary ball handler has ever had. But it’s all a two-way street. Boston’s roster construction and nightly game plans are equally reliant (if not more so) on the qualities that make Tatum shine. He was inefficient in the Finals, but the degree to which that tilts how he’s covered and perceived is strange considering Boston’s playoff offense was a team-best 14.7 points per 100 possessions better with Tatum on the court.

He will go down as an all-time great and gets better every year, a consistent marvel who excels on both ends and has few holes to pick at. He makes his teammates better. He makes life easier for his coaches. He’s as reliable and levelheaded as they come. And his impact on winning, if not fully realized by the masses after Boston’s championship run, will stand out a year from now.

Bonus Celtics-related predictions: Either Tatum or Jaylen Brown will make his first All-Defensive team, Tatum will win Finals MVP, and Mazzulla will win Coach of the Year.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/10/21/24273509/nba-season-preview-2024-trades-boston-celtics-luka-doncic

True! Hell no to coach of the year tho!!

Why not? You don't deem Mazz worthy or COTY is a curse?

[ConstableGeneva]

Best bench in the play-by-play era. Even without first-ballot HOFer Lonnie Walker.

#1 Boston Celtics
Last Week: 1
Preseason record: 4-1

OffRtg: 120.8 (1) DefRtg: 104.6 (12) NetRtg: +16.3 (2) Pace: 100.7 (28)

The champs have brought everybody back, but the roster may be too expensive beyond this season, so there remains a sense of urgency.

Preseason takeaways

• Kristaps Porzingis is out and Al Horford only played in the preseason finale, but the Celtics were still dominant through their first four games, leading three of them by more than 30 points. Last season, the Celtics had the highest-rated bench in the 28 years for which we have play-by-play data, and bench minutes were terrific once again, with Boston outscoring its opponents by 41 points per 100 possessions in Sam Hauser’s 70 minutes.
• Porzingis is the ultimate floor spacer, but the Celtics still led the league (by a wide margin) in 3-point rate without him, taking 55.4% of their shots from beyond the arc. The other side of that is that only 11 (19%) of Jayson Tatum’s 58 shots came in the paint.

Something to watch in Week 1: Focus. The Celtics were relentless last season, especially in the playoffs. It’s going to be fascinating to see if they keep their foot on the gas over the next 25 weeks, or if some complacency sits in.

A game against the new-look Knicks on ring night should have the Celtics’ full attention, but the schedule gets soft after that. Six of their next seven games are on the road, but five of those six are against teams that had losing records last season. They’re playing 27 of their first 31 games within the Eastern Conference.

Week 1: vs. NYK, @ WAS, @ DET

Source: https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2024-25-week-1

[darrendaye]

Best bench in the play-by-play era. Even without first-ballot HOFer Lonnie Walker.

#1 Boston Celtics
Last Week: 1
Preseason record: 4-1

OffRtg: 120.8 (1) DefRtg: 104.6 (12) NetRtg: +16.3 (2) Pace: 100.7 (28)

The champs have brought everybody back, but the roster may be too expensive beyond this season, so there remains a sense of urgency.

Preseason takeaways

• Kristaps Porzingis is out and Al Horford only played in the preseason finale, but the Celtics were still dominant through their first four games, leading three of them by more than 30 points. Last season, the Celtics had the highest-rated bench in the 28 years for which we have play-by-play data, and bench minutes were terrific once again, with Boston outscoring its opponents by 41 points per 100 possessions in Sam Hauser’s 70 minutes.
• Porzingis is the ultimate floor spacer, but the Celtics still led the league (by a wide margin) in 3-point rate without him, taking 55.4% of their shots from beyond the arc. The other side of that is that only 11 (19%) of Jayson Tatum’s 58 shots came in the paint.

Something to watch in Week 1: Focus. The Celtics were relentless last season, especially in the playoffs. It’s going to be fascinating to see if they keep their foot on the gas over the next 25 weeks, or if some complacency sits in.

A game against the new-look Knicks on ring night should have the Celtics’ full attention, but the schedule gets soft after that. Six of their next seven games are on the road, but five of those six are against teams that had losing records last season. They’re playing 27 of their first 31 games within the Eastern Conference.

Week 1: vs. NYK, @ WAS, @ DET

Source: https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2024-25-week-1

Looking forward to 24-25 Tillman after taking care of his knee and the focus on shooting the 3.

[Gant]

Observers of every other team: "OMG we already have a key injury!"

The Celtics with Porzingis out and Horford old: "That's ok. It'll be fun for the first few months."

[Shak_Celts]

22 Increasingly Bold Predictions for the 2024-25 NBA Season

Spoiler:

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2024/10/21/24273509/nba-season-preview-2024-trades-boston-celtics-luka-doncic

True! Hell no to coach of the year tho!!

Why not? You don't deem Mazz worthy or COTY is a curse?

In my opinion, this would be his third deserving year if things go well, so yeah it’s all about the curse!

[ConstableGeneva]

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If Suns manage to stay considerably healthy, I might pick them too. At least as the top seed in the West. Bud is a reg season beast.

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[Parliament10]

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[31to6]

I predict this team will start the season strong enough to make people start talking about 70 wins.
I predict: 67 wins and banner 19
Joe is COY
JT finishes 2nd in MVP (don't care who wins) and is All NBA 1st team
JB is All NBA 2nd team
Jrue and Derrick make All Defensive 1st or 2nd teams again
Al returns next year to try for the 3 peat

[Hal14]

I predict this team will start the season strong enough to make people start talking about 70 wins.
I predict: 67 wins and banner 19
Joe is COY
JT finishes 2nd in MVP (don't care who wins) and is All NBA 1st team
JB is All NBA 2nd team
Jrue and Derrick make All Defensive 1st or 2nd teams again
Al returns next year to try for the 3 peat

Sounds good to me!

As for Al, I do think he'll come back and play 1 more season in 25-26, on a cheap 1 year contract.

But I kind of doubt he will play another season after that. I mean, he'll turn 39 during this year's playoffs. So he'll turn 40 during the 25-26 playoffs. I figure that's it, he'll retire at age 40, hopefully after winning 3 titles in a row.

At some point, his body won't be able to compete at the same level anymore and he will want to spend more time with his wife and 5 kids.

If all goes well, I could see him having his number retired by the team and getting into the HOF.

[Hal14]

Depth chart to open the season:

C Horford
F Tatum
F Brown
G Jrue
P White

Bench
Pritchard/Hauser
Kornet/Tillman
Walsh/Queta
Springer
Scheierman
JD/Watson/Peterson

KP return in December

Banner 19 incoming