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

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

Post#1821 » by Shak_Celts » Wed Aug 6, 2025 5:05 pm

Parliament10 wrote:
Ben-N1ce wrote:Tatum is walking around Patriots practice no boot or anything.

Yep. Not too bouncy.
But, no boot.

Read on Twitter

He’s been walking without a boot for almost a month. The only time he has had it on was when he had that thing with those kids. Thank God he put it on for that event because as soon as he walked in, kids ran to him and one tried to jump into his arms! It was funny and scary!
NAME ON THE FRONT OF THE JERSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(!)
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1822 » by Hal14 » Wed Aug 6, 2025 5:22 pm

Do we really need a video or pic of Tatum every other day, updating on whether or not the boot is on?

He tore his achilles, man.

He's gonna be out for a long freaking time. Let's just relax.

Franchise player, making a supermax contract, only 27 yrs old. We don't want to risk it or take any chances here. Not worth it to rush him back.

Let's just relax, let him take his time with rehab and recovery. Aim for a comeback on opening night for the 26-27 season. Sit out a year and then hopefully lead us to a championship, like Jamal Murray did after tearing his ACL..

Looking at the moves we have made this season and the record setting amount of $ we shaved off the tax bill, clearly the goal this season is saving $..this is not a season you bring your star player back from a torn achilles.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1823 » by Fierce1 » Wed Aug 6, 2025 10:18 pm

Clearly JT is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Like I said, if doctors clear him, he will play.

Pacers already declared Haliburton out for the 2026 season.

Why won't the Celts do the same to Tatum if the plan is to bring him back in 2026-27?

Knowing Tatum's tendencies, regarding injuries, over the years, he will not wait for 2026-27 if he's ready by March.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1824 » by Fierce1 » Wed Aug 6, 2025 11:10 pm

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/jayson-tatum-injury-update-heres-how-celtics-superstar-is-progressing-from-season-ending-achilles-tear/#:~:text=%22There%20is%20a%20good%20update,coming%20back%20from%20that%20Achilles.%22

"There is a good update on Jayson Tatum – he's walking again," Shelburne said over the weekend on NBA Today. "He's out of the boot and he's walking again. He said he's been doing six days a week in rehab, and I think he's ahead of schedule coming back from that Achilles."
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1825 » by Parliament10 » Thu Aug 7, 2025 6:06 pm

Read on Twitter




Tatum looks ahead of schedule.
He still has a long ways to go. Getting back in NBA shape, will be the hard part.
"You have to put the work in.
Nothing is given."

~ Jayson Tatum
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1826 » by redslastlaugh » Thu Aug 7, 2025 8:38 pm

Shams tweet on Boucher acquisition says Celts offered him a significant role to sign. Another NBA pod said this means Boston promised Boucher a starting job in exchange that he'd sign for a one yr, minimum contract.

If Chris Boucher is starting, I'm thinking it's at PF ... or is it center?

Probably then the starters are:
Simons
White
Brown
Boucher
Queta

is that the probably opening night starting lineup? Or is Payton starting? Or is Boucher playing 5 and Sam Hauser is starting?

Read on Twitter
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1827 » by Gant » Thu Aug 7, 2025 9:53 pm

redslastlaugh wrote:Shams tweet on Boucher acquisition says Celts offered him a significant role to sign. Another NBA pod said this means Boston promised Boucher a starting job in exchange that he'd sign for a one yr, minimum contract.

If Chris Boucher is starting, I'm thinking it's at PF ... or is it center?

Probably then the starters are:
Simons
White
Brown
Boucher
Queta

is that the probably opening night starting lineup? Or is Payton starting? Or is Boucher playing 5 and Sam Hauser is starting?

Read on Twitter


Boucher very well could start, and if he does it will almost surely be at power forward. There are a few reasons why.

1. The Celtics have no other functional true power forwards. They have Tillman, who was unusable last season, plus Walsh and Minott who are raw and inexperienced. Hauser's undersized for pf. He'll play the position, but only when the matchups are suitable. Brown has to carry the load elsewhere and you don't want him getting physically pounded by guys a lot bigger all game.

2. Boucher is long, but very thin. He can play small ball center, but not full time if you want him healthy.

3. As weak as the center position might look, it's deeper than the 4. Queta has been rotation quality and is working to improve. I think he's got the inside track to start. With luck Garza might show something too. Both are true big-body centers.


If nothing changes, what you've put down could be the 5, though Joe Mazzulla always seems to surprise with his lineups.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1828 » by Homerclease » Thu Aug 7, 2025 10:31 pm

Hal14 wrote:Do we really need a video or pic of Tatum every other day, updating on whether or not the boot is on?

He tore his achilles, man.

He's gonna be out for a long freaking time. Let's just relax.

Franchise player, making a supermax contract, only 27 yrs old. We don't want to risk it or take any chances here. Not worth it to rush him back.

Let's just relax, let him take his time with rehab and recovery. Aim for a comeback on opening night for the 26-27 season. Sit out a year and then hopefully lead us to a championship, like Jamal Murray did after tearing his ACL..

Looking at the moves we have made this season and the record setting amount of $ we shaved off the tax bill, clearly the goal this season is saving $..this is not a season you bring your star player back from a torn achilles.

Do we really need Celtics related topics on a Celtics forum? What on earth kind of post is this?
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1829 » by Gant » Fri Aug 8, 2025 12:09 am

Rich Gotham from a Matty Wasserman article in the Globe:

Despite Tatum’s injury and major changes to the roster this offseason, Gotham said the Celtics are equally enthused about the upcoming season.

“You’re going to see a team out there working as hard as possible. And I don’t think it’s inconceivable that we will be a good team — a good winning team — next year,” Gotham said. “I’m not sure it’s going to be the step down that people anticipate. And by every indicator we have, people are really excited.”
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1830 » by Hal14 » Fri Aug 8, 2025 1:19 am

Fierce1 wrote:Clearly JT is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Like I said, if doctors clear him, he will play.

Pacers already declared Haliburton out for the 2026 season.

Why won't the Celts do the same to Tatum if the plan is to bring him back in 2026-27?

Because the Celtics don't make statements like that about injuries. The Gallinari torn ACL..they never declared him out for the entire season. They kept us all thinking that *maybe* he'd come back later in the season.

But he didn't.

Time Lord's injuries..and KP's injuries and illness. They never told us what was really going on or how severe they were.

Same thing with Brogdon's elbow.

We didn't even know Grant had a hand injury in 2023..out of nowhere we just randomly find out the news that her got surgery on it after the 2023 playoffs.

This is what the Celtics do. They play it very close to the vest..they leave us in the dark with injuries..they don't give definitive answers one way or the other

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2025/08/07/jayson-tatum-injury-return-boston-celtics-achilles-nba-basketball/

Rich Gotham today when asked about Tatum's timeline:
“That’s a down-the-road question. That’s one you can’t really answer today,” Gotham responded. “For right now, we’re not really looking at timetables.”

Read on Twitter


Why are the Celtics so coy with injury timelines?

2 main reasons:

1) Don't tip your hand to the competition or give other teams any info or any edge on you

2) What if you say a guy will be back in January but things don't quite work out that way and he isn't back until April? Then you're the bad guy, have to do damage control, have unhappy fans, unhappy season ticket holders who might not renew their memberships, etc.

Haliburton has been ruled out for all of next season. So has Lillard. Jamal Murray tore his ACL at around the same time of year as Tatum - he missed the entire season after that and returned opening night of the 22-23 season, after sitting out a whole season..he took his time, didn't rush the rehab/recovery process and as a result..he was able to help lead the Nuggets to the title that season when he came back in 22-23.

That's the path for Tatum.

Not doing what Kobe did - try to come back too early and then get hurt again even worse, miss even more time and then barely be a playable player for the rest of his career.

Other teams like the Pacers and Blazers are more forthcoming, less coy with injury reporting. Does that mean Tatum is gonna play this season? No.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1831 » by 165bows » Fri Aug 8, 2025 1:25 am

redslastlaugh wrote:Shams tweet on Boucher acquisition says Celts offered him a significant role to sign. Another NBA pod said this means Boston promised Boucher a starting job in exchange that he'd sign for a one yr, minimum contract.

If Chris Boucher is starting, I'm thinking it's at PF ... or is it center?

Probably then the starters are:
Simons
White
Brown
Boucher
Queta

is that the probably opening night starting lineup? Or is Payton starting? Or is Boucher playing 5 and Sam Hauser is starting?

Read on Twitter

Yeah I think this will be it. I was leaning towards Garza starting since he has the longer guaranteed deal among other reasons but more I looked into him maybe not.

They tend to be players coaches/front office guys so the prominent guys on expiring contracts start, meaning Simons and Boucher.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1832 » by darrendaye » Fri Aug 8, 2025 1:30 am

Current state of mind rotation projection:
PP (32), DW (16)
DW (16), AS (32)
JB (12), SH (24), BS (12)
CB (12), JM (14), JB (22)
NQ (24), LG (16), CB (8)
Baylor is Brat.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1833 » by Fierce1 » Fri Aug 8, 2025 1:48 am

Hal14 wrote:
Fierce1 wrote:Clearly JT is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Like I said, if doctors clear him, he will play.

Pacers already declared Haliburton out for the 2026 season.

Why won't the Celts do the same to Tatum if the plan is to bring him back in 2026-27?

Because the Celtics don't make statements like that about injuries. The Gallinari torn ACL..they never declared him out for the entire season. They kept us all thinking that *maybe* he'd come back later in the season.

But he didn't.

Time Lord's injuries..and KP's injuries and illness. They never told us what was really going on or how severe they were.

Same thing with Brogdon's elbow.

We didn't even know Grant had a hand injury in 2023..out of nowhere we just randomly find out the news that her got surgery on it after the 2023 playoffs.

This is what the Celtics do. They play it very close to the vest..they leave us in the dark with injuries..they don't give definitive answers one way or the other

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2025/08/07/jayson-tatum-injury-return-boston-celtics-achilles-nba-basketball/

Rich Gotham today when asked about Tatum's timeline:
“That’s a down-the-road question. That’s one you can’t really answer today,” Gotham responded. “For right now, we’re not really looking at timetables.”

Read on Twitter


Why are the Celtics so coy with injury timelines?

2 main reasons:

1) Don't tip your hand to the competition or give other teams any info or any edge on you

2) What if you say a guy will be back in January but things don't quite work out that way and he isn't back until April? Then you're the bad guy, have to do damage control, have unhappy fans, unhappy season ticket holders who might not renew their memberships, etc.

Haliburton has been ruled out for all of next season. So has Lillard. Jamal Murray tore his ACL at around the same time of year as Tatum - he missed the entire season after that and returned opening night of the 22-23 season, after sitting out a whole season..he took his time, didn't rush the rehab/recovery process and as a result..he was able to help lead the Nuggets to the title that season when he came back in 22-23.

That's the path for Tatum.

Not doing what Kobe did - try to come back too early and then get hurt again even worse, miss even more time and then barely be a playable player for the rest of his career.

You're not wrong, but knowing Tatum's tendencies in the past, regarding injuries, if doctors clear him, he will play.

The Celtics will not be able to stop him if he wants to play.

They will not suspend or penalize Tatum for wanting to play.

But since March is still 7 months away, we'll just have to wait.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1834 » by Fierce1 » Fri Aug 8, 2025 1:58 am

Maybe this is similar to Michael Jordan suffering a serious injury in October in 1985 and returning 5 months later and ended up scoring 63 points against Bird and the Celtics in the playoffs.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1835 » by bucknersrevenge » Fri Aug 8, 2025 2:12 am

redslastlaugh wrote:Shams tweet on Boucher acquisition says Celts offered him a significant role to sign. Another NBA pod said this means Boston promised Boucher a starting job in exchange that he'd sign for a one yr, minimum contract.

If Chris Boucher is starting, I'm thinking it's at PF ... or is it center?

Probably then the starters are:
Simons
White
Brown
Boucher
Queta

is that the probably opening night starting lineup? Or is Payton starting? Or is Boucher playing 5 and Sam Hauser is starting?

Read on Twitter


Starting Hauser and Pritchard just feel like bad ideas to me. They're appropriately slotted as shooters off the bench that can change the energy of a game, especially Pritchard. Plus, is it just me, or is it the same people who keep saying that we can build up Simons' trade value for a trade later are also the same ones suggesting that we demote a career starter and 20 point scorer to the bench to elevate a guy who just won the 6th MOY?? That's confusing to me.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1836 » by bucknersrevenge » Fri Aug 8, 2025 2:25 am

If Gotham is to be believed (and that's a choice of course), he says that we are pretty much set going into camp. If something falls into our lap sure but I wouldn't go expecting any big September moves.

https://youtu.be/fakBW-8h7Es?si=Zn7t-rEXaSBWTRhY
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1837 » by Bill Lumbergh » Fri Aug 8, 2025 5:02 am

redslastlaugh wrote:Shams tweet on Boucher acquisition says Celts offered him a significant role to sign. Another NBA pod said this means Boston promised Boucher a starting job in exchange that he'd sign for a one yr, minimum contract.

If Chris Boucher is starting, I'm thinking it's at PF ... or is it center?

Probably then the starters are:
Simons
White
Brown
Boucher
Queta

is that the probably opening night starting lineup? Or is Payton starting? Or is Boucher playing 5 and Sam Hauser is starting?

Read on Twitter

That's how I see the starting lineup too. Looks like about a 41-43 win squad to me. I know he's not great or anything, but this just looks like a more competent, balanced squad with the Boucher pickup. In other words, the fit will make him more valuable than his individual contributions might indicate. My two cents from the peanut gallery. And, fwiw, I keep seeing Walsh mentioned as a 4. To my eye, he's just not. I see him as a 3/2.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1838 » by bucknersrevenge » Fri Aug 8, 2025 3:34 pm

One other observation about this year's team. Brad intentionally stocked it with a LOT of guys walking around with something to prove. Guys up and down this roster who have been doubted or dismissed just waiting for a chance to show that they are more than what has been said about them in the past. Led by this year's best player who defines "chip on my shoulder, Jaylen Brown. They really are making this team in his image. So many guys looking to prove stuff could be good or it could be dangerous. Guys could go for themselves looking to prove who they are or they could coalesce and become something greater than the sum of their parts. Of course Joe will play a huge part in that and if you ask him, he wouldn't have it any other way. In some ways this team is crafted in his image too.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1839 » by djFan71 » Fri Aug 8, 2025 3:36 pm

bucknersrevenge wrote:One other observation about this year's team. Brad intentionally stocked it with a LOT of guys walking around with something to prove. Guys up and down this roster who have been doubted or dismissed just waiting for a chance to show that they are more than what has been said about them in the past. Led by this year's best player who defines "chip on my shoulder, Jaylen Brown. They really are making this team in his image. So many guys looking to prove stuff could be good or it could be dangerous. Guys could go for themselves looking to prove who they are or they could coalesce and become something greater than the sum of their parts. Of course Joe will play a huge part in that and if you ask him, he wouldn't have it any other way. In some ways this team is crafted in his image too.

Yep, it's a clear try out year. He's throwing both his signees and his draftees into the cage and hoping 2-3 survive and prove themselves worthy of rotation minutes in 26-27. It's the exact right approach for this year.
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Re: Celtics 2025-26, Off-Season/Training Camp Thread 

Post#1840 » by brackdan70 » Fri Aug 8, 2025 4:13 pm

I like the idea of starting Pritchard, White, Brown, Minott (assuming he earns it) and Queta.
Very strong Bench of Simons, Hauser, Boucher.
Gonzales, Walsh, Scheierman and Garza deeper bench trying to earn minutes.
I have given up on Tillman but maybe he surprises me. He has been solid in the past.
Jordan Walsh > Lonnie Walker

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