Season Preview: Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers: How Many Low Shots Can a Contender Handle?

The reigning Eastern champion left the summer with a lot of euphoria, but then one setback after another followed. Are the Boston Celtics still among the favorites? And will the Bulls find their way back to their first half of last year? SPOX does the checking.

All 30 teams enter the weeks before the season starts on the night of October 18-19 SPOX donated its preview of the season. Here is an overview of all the previews that have been released so far.

NBA-Saisonvorschau: BOSTON CELTICS

Boston Celtics: Transactions

new arrivals

• Draft: JD Davison (# 53)
• Business: Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers)
• Free agency: Danilo Gallinari (Falchi), Noah Vonleh (Shanghai Sharks)

Departures

• Business: Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan (all Pacers)
• Free agency: Brodric Thomas (free agent)

Boston Celtics: Key Statistics 2022/23

Boston Celtics: Die Strategie in der Offseason

Biggest winner of the summer? The Boston Celtics, the coaches, the scouts and the executives were sure of when ESPN raised this question in the annual off-season survey. Boston received the most votes in this poll by a wide margin, and rightfully so. It was the end of August, but a series of setbacks have rocked things in Titeltown since then.

But from the start: with a spectacular second half of the season (33-10 in the last 43 regular season games) and the subsequent trip to the final (2-4 against the Warriors), Boston already seemed well prepared to attack next season . Obviously it wasn’t enough for team president Brad Stevens. Instead, he strengthened the team with Brogdon’s swap.

The Celts didn’t have to hand over a major player in the playoff rotation to Indiana for the 29-year-old, but they faced a clear weakness. Brodgdon brings more playmaking and shooting into the backcourt, which was partly missed, especially in the post-season. Additionally, Gallinari, a winger, joined free agency which could have provided some relief in the regular season.

But then came low shot number one: the Italian will likely miss the entire season due to a ruptured cruciate ligament in his left knee. Low blow number two: Center Robert Williams III has had to go under the knife again and will be out for about two to three months after knee surgery. Low blow number three: the franchise suspended coach Ime Udoka for an “inappropriate” relationship with a team member. Now relatively inexperienced Joe Mazzulla (34, three years as an assistant coach in the NBA) will lead the team.

Boston Celtics: the weak points

The Celtics are quite poor in the important positions. Williams III’s failure will hurt on the defensive, but Al Horford has to bear even more weight, but he’s already 36 years old. Grant Williams will likely move up to the top five for the time being, after Gallinari’s injury there are actually only Luke Kornet, Noah Vonleh and, more recently, Blake Griffin.

Boston was to be back on the front line and securing the 33-year-old’s services last week. Although Griffin is past its peak, the Celtics esteem aloud Atletico but its versatility. He can play four and five, brings more quality in attack than other frontcourt options, but is vulnerable in defense. For now, Boston will likely play more small-ball, but hopes of last year’s best defense rest on the health of Horford and Williams III.

NBA preview: Der Kader der Boston Celtics

* he is expected to miss the entire season
** will be out for two to three months after knee surgery

Boston Celtics: the beacon of hope

The hopes for the title in general are obviously mainly linked Jayson Tatum And Jaylen Brown. The duo had already made a big development in the pre-season, but the finals were a bit tense due to the minutes played early. Gallinari should have taken minutes from counting the star duo in the regular season. It doesn’t work, but thanks to Brogdon the directing load is at least lower.

Although Tatum has improved a lot in this regard and as a passerby, we can expect more progress from him, as well as in finishing in the ring. But this is a high-level criticism. The 24-year-old is already one of the top 10 players in the league and, at best, will play a significant role in next season’s MVP race. It will be interesting for Brown (25) to see how he puts aside commercial rumors about himself in the summer. Ideally, Boston has one of the best duos in the league among its ranks.

Boston Celtics: Fazit

In recent weeks, unrest has suddenly replaced the initial euphoria in Boston. Judging by the statements made on the occasion of the Media Day, Udoka’s suspension also took the players by surprise. Now that the successful manager of the previous season is gone, how do the team and interim coach Mazzulla deal with this situation?

The question marks behind the Celtics season also include the absence of Timelord Williams III and whether the rest of the team (Brogdon!) Can truly stay fit for the entire season. On paper, last season’s finalist has gotten even better, but the defense won’t be able to reach the same elite level without Williams III for now. Now is the time to hide the drama off the pitch. So the Celtics will also be among the top favorites in 2022/23.