Next year seems like it's just around the corner. So what is it C's fans are excited about for next year? Is it the return of a solid core of young contributors looking to make a mark in this year's playoffs? Will it be another season to build on? While all would agree a championship is a little ways off, what would be the most encouraging sign for their progress? What needs must we still address this offseason? And how can we go about addressing them? And finally...what new player are you most excited to see develop this year? And who will have the biggest impact?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ignignot:</div><div class="quote_post">Next year seems like it's just around the corner. So what is it C's fans are excited about for next year?</div>-Improving young players! -Delonte, the starting point. -How NBA-ready is G-Money? -Ryan Gomes in a Celtic jersey. -Al Jefferson getting 25+ mpg <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Is it the return of a solid core of young contributors looking to make a mark in this year's playoffs?</div>They'll be there...don't know how far they'll go. I'll go out on a limb and say they'll make it to the second round. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Will it be another season to build on?</div>For sure. When we look back in 4 years, after winning the title, we'll think of this upcoming season as the start to it all. Why's that? Because this will be Gerald's rookie year, but more importantly, the year that we leave the Walker/Pierce era behind. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">While all would agree a championship is a little ways off, what would be the most encouraging sign for their progress?</div>I want to see a more consistent team in the playoffs. They should lose to a team that is actually better than them, not lose because they gave it away. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What needs must we still address this offseason? And how can we go about addressing them?</div>Nothing, unless we can get a solid deal for Pierce. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And finally...what new player are you most excited to see develop this year? And who will have the biggest impact?</div>Gomes and Gomes. I'm very excited about my favorite college player being a Boston Celtic, but I also think that he's ready for NBA ball. I also look for AJ to get it done next season. All of the other rookies from last year will also improve, but I think it will be Al and Ryan leading the whole pack.
1. Im excited to see Delonte at the point. Also excited and curious to see how our young players will perform. But of course I REALLY CANT wait to see Pierce make every celtic fan say thank god we didnt trade him 2. I hope, hopefully we pass the 1st round this time. 3. Yes 4. The best progress we can make is to hopefully play better defense throughout the season, and stop turning the ball over. 5. In my opinion this offseason would be the best if we just trade Walker lol. 6. Im real excited to see Green play, but I think Gomes will have more of an impact.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">I want to see a more consistent team in the playoffs. They should lose to a team that is actually better than them, not lose because they gave it away.</div> Is this referring to the Pacers team the Celtics lost to this season? While the Celtics definitely had their chances, the Pacers were a better team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">Is this referring to the Pacers team the Celtics lost to this season? While the Celtics definitely had their chances, the Pacers were a better team.</div>Maybe you didn't watch all 82 regular season games like I did, but it was obvious to me that the Celtics gave that series away. The 4 losses were 4 of the worst games they had all season.
Well, obviously I didn't watch the Celtics as much as you. I don't see how they 'gave that series away'. Sure they played pretty badly in those 4 losses (they put up a fight in game 2) but I still don't think the Celtics were better than the Pacers. They lost to a less than 100% Pacers team, and if Artest had been playing, it would've probably gone six, max.
I don't know or care who was better, but the Pacers won. And I think they will have a better team next year, but the onus will be on them to beat them in a 7 game series. They will not be facing a known playoff entity, and with a little more coaching in the postseason, the Pacers may have trouble fighting an enemy they can't see coming. That's what encourages me for this year. I made a bet with a guy last year for one hundred dollars, nothing special mind you, but I said the C's would win 45, and lo and behold. I see improvement this year, not the other way around. We're talking 47 to 49, we'll see how it goes. But not fewer than 45. Either way, this team holds all the cards for a first round matchup, and I like the sound of that. Aside from that, I can't wait to watch these youngsters develop. G2, and Delonte are the most encouraging for me. Mostly because Gerald hastens Pierce's exit and solid play from West means less playing time for the project that is Marcus Banks. I can only say that this team with its lack of coaching prowess will probably be twenty to twenty-five games in before they truly click. Good luck with a good second half.
