Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge admits the team’s talent level will be a greater concern this year, writes Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. The Celtics entered last season as clear favorites to win the East, but expectations are lower now that Kyrie Irving and Al Horford both left in free agency.
“I think that last year’s questions were more based on how is it going to jell? There was not a question of how much talent we had,” Ainge said to reporters before today’s open practice. “This year, the question is, are we good enough? And can players step up and take advantage of the opportunities that they’re given to become more elite?”
Signing Kemba Walker helped to ease the loss of Irving, and Enes Kanter will likely take over in the middle. Ainge said he’s encouraged by the early results from training camp as the players work to erase the memory of last year’s disappointment.
Ainge addressed several other topics in the session with the media:
On Gordon Hayward‘s progress nearly two full years after a severe ankle injury:
“I think, right now, there’s been a lot of buzz about Gordon and his comeback and I’m worried that it’s getting a little out of hand. Like, I think he’s Gordon. He’s back to being Gordon. And we’re very excited about that. I sometimes worry, like, ‘Oh my gosh, they think it’s somebody else.’ But I’m excited about Gordon. I’m excited about Kemba. Jaylen [Brown] and Jayson [Tatum] had really good summers. They’ve looked really good in training camp. Obviously they have a great comfort level with the system. And Marcus [Smart]. So, we know who all of those guys are. I think there are lots of questions in lots of other places on the roster.”
On coach Brad Stevens’ status after the team failed to meet last year’s lofty expectations:
“If 49 wins is the worst season in your coaching career, you’re probably going to be OK. But Brad just keeps getting better. These experiences, he’s a young coach, works harder than anybody, very bright. I have all the confidence in the world that last year was a learning experience for him, just like all of our young players. Like I said many many times before and I’ll continue to say, he’s the least of our worries. He’s prepared, and I think these experiences are going to make him a great coach.”
On the competition at center without Horford and Aron Baynes:
“Most of [the bigs] are new. I think Daniel [Theis] has the most experience of that group of guys with our group. I think he’s got a little bit of a head start, just mentally and emotionally and understanding what Brad wants. I think I can see some of the new-ness of the other guys. I think Robert [Williams] has taken big strides from last year to where he’s at. I think his work this summer, you can see it already. So that’s an advantage for him. Those are question marks that I’m not sure how good it’s all going to fit and work but I think, individually, they all can contribute.”
If you have to ask, then the answer is probably a resounding no.
You’re this site’s most annoying person.
The dude does not abide…..
Dionis reincarnated as a Rockets fan.
Why are you assuming they are different people?
If Hayward is all the way back and Danny finds a premium big, it’s Bucks v Celts In ECF. Kaylee in NY is addition by subtraction, he’ll beg for a trade in January. And as much as I like Horford, in year 2 Philly will be looking for a way to get out from under that contract.
Kaylee is presumably Kyrie, why?
Maybe Uncle Drool is better? Kaylee is a talented man child who thinks like a 12 yr old girl. He’s void of original thought and a follower in every sense of the word.
The days of Boston playing ECF’s has passed, they had their window… now is the time for other teams.
Uh huh. You’ll be walking that back next spring
Ainge had a load of top draft picks and a good young roster and the best showing will be a 7th game of the ECF…. He wasted their window in order to sustain years of having “good” teams but never a “great” teams.
As good as Aigne has been with drafting, he’s struggled in FA. Some of that isn’t entirely his fault (Hayward, for instance), but he should’ve known Kyrie would be a poor fit in Boston. To have so much talent on those rosters and not be able to consolidate it into a real contender is inexcusable. They were a move or two away from being able to take that next step, and he never made his move in time.
With all of that said, the Celtics window isn’t closed just yet, I don’t think there’s going to be as big of a drop off this year as people expect. Getting rid of the cancer Kyrie and unhappy, as well as ineffective, Rozier might add up to addition by subtraction. And if Hayward can get back to anywhere close to his previous level, they should be okay…for now.
EDIT- I know Kyrie was technically traded for, but to leave last year’s roster as it was was a huge mistake. And if it’s true that he actually wanted Kyrie to come back for another year, that’s just plain stupid (who knows with the media though).
Boston are still decent but this year they have gotten a lot worse.
Lost Kyrie for Kemba
Lost Horford and got Kanter
Lost Morris and got Grant Williams
Lost Rozier and got Carson Edwards
Lost Baynes and got Tacko Fall
Overall the year got a lot less experience, has gotten worse defensively, lots a lot of depth and has lost a lot of talent.
They will still have problems this year like how much is Jaylen Brown worth? To me Marcus Smart is a better fit for the team starting and you don’t want to be paying Brown heaps to come off the bench. They still have Hayward issues.. is he the teams starting PF and if so what about his defence.. will he return fit and healthy.
Last year they won 49 games I can’t see them doing any better this year. The Pacers lost 1 less game and they have gotten much better with Lamb, Warren, Brodgan and co. Even the Nets and Magic won 42 games and they Nets have gotten better and the Magic will still try there hardest.
If the 6ers and bucks go too in the east and Pacers third would love to see Celtics Raptors play each other in the first round at 4 and 5.
That’s why they play the actual games, my friend