Reviewing our preseason Boston Celtics predictions (Staff Roundtable)

Anybody could make predictions after which conveniently overlook about them the minute the season begins. We right here at CelticsWeblog are courageous sufficient to carry ourselves accountable for the evaluation that we do right here. Or possibly we similar to to giggle at ourselves and poke enjoyable at one another. Both means, right here’s a glance again at our preseason predictions with commentary now that we all know the common season outcomes.

See all of our preseason predictions here.

Keith Smith

I really feel fairly good about my prognostication skills! I missed the Celtics report by one sport and so they completed second within the Japanese Convention. I used to be additionally flawed concerning the rebounding, as Boston completed as the most effective defensive rebounding workforce within the sport.

On the proper aspect, the large rotation has been in flux a lot of the 12 months. Joe Mazzulla’s inexperience did present up at occasions. And so they did run the principle guys loads of minutes within the common season.

Largely, I be ok with the whole lot else. Boston’s depth is superior. The celebrities are nearer to superstars then common stars. And so they’re going to win Banner 18.

Andrew Doxy

I nailed the report. I assumed 57-25 could be good for first within the convention, however that was the one minor element I did get flawed. The Bucks had been up by 1.0 sport within the standings with yet one more win, so the Celtics should accept homecourt benefit in each sequence besides the ECF. I’m exceedingly optimistic that that gained’t matter. My prediction of profitable the championship stands (although it’s a little iffy if the Clippers shall be on the opposite aspect). You all ought to hearken to me as a result of I received the report proper. Put together a bottle of your most interesting champagne.

Trevor Hass

I be ok with my 54-28 prediction. No regrets there. I assumed anyplace between 50-60 was potential and went with someplace within the center. I additionally appropriately referred to as that the Celtics would get the No. 2 seed. I figured the Bucks would most likely be a bit extra constant within the common season, however I nonetheless just like the Celtics’ possibilities if (when) they meet within the playoffs.

Adam Taylor

With the whole lot the Celtics had stacked towards them to begin the season, I opted to be conservative and predict a 48-50 win season. Suffice to say, I used to be fortunately flawed right here, and the Celtics ended up nearer to 60.

Shedding management of the primary seed was definitely unlucky, however this workforce, minus some upgrades, made it to the NBA Finals final season from the identical beginning place. So, I’m selecting to maintain the religion with them doing it once more this 12 months. It gained’t be simple, however we’ve seen the Celtics overcome adversity a number of occasions this 12 months.

The East runs by way of Boston, deliver on the Bucks!

Harris Rubenstein

I used to be a bit bit overzealous with my common season win prediction. I assumed they had been going to crack 60 wins and get the #1 seed, however I believe with the rookie coach and the Jaylen Brown accidents, they missed out by a number of video games. I used to be positively proper about the remainder of the East although. I wasn’t offered on Miami or Atlanta as affect groups this season and whereas Philly has been good, they nonetheless don’t fairly really feel like they’re on the identical degree as BOS or MIL. Playoffs would be the final decider, in fact.

Mike Dynon

What I received (barely) flawed was the variety of wins. Final summer season the Cs had been a assured 60-win squad, till they had been blindsided by dangerous issues taking place in threes: the Udoka fiasco, Gallinari damage and Rob Williams surgical procedure. So I performed it protected, predicting 55 wins and no worse than second seed within the East. Regardless of the tough patch after the All-Star break, Boston completed robust (profitable 12 of their final 16) to succeed in 57 Ws.

What I received proper was that the preseason turmoil didn’t deter the Celtics from being at the very least the quantity two seed. Sure, they missed the highest report by one sport after no-showing at Houston and Washington, however actually it was extra as a result of the Bucks had a 16-game win streak down the stretch. In any occasion, now comes the essential half, which I forecast would finish with a parade. And because the Cs had been an NBA-best 33-15 vs. groups .500 and above, there’s no motive to vary that prediction.

Daniel Poarch

Estimating 51-52 wins proved to be slightly conservative. I assumed that the Ime Udoka turmoil, damage considerations across the roster and the excessive chance of gamers like Al Horford receiving frequent relaxation would result in a barely slower common season for the Celtics. Accidents and relaxation days have definitely been an element, however by and huge, this was a way more fruitful common season than I anticipated (even when it didn’t all the time look as dominant as their second half type final season).

What I received proper, nonetheless, was the assertion that this is among the two or three most gifted groups within the NBA. Every thing we’ve seen from this workforce and from others across the league suggests that’s completely appropriate, and ending with the second-best report in basketball confirms as a lot. The final – and most vital – a part of the prediction stays to be seen: will the Celtics return to one more Japanese Convention Finals with an excellent Philadelphia 76ers workforce seemingly looming within the second spherical?

Invoice Sy

In my schedule prediction back in mid-August, I had the Celtics pegged at 59 wins and probably reaching the celebrities at 60. That was earlier than Joe Mazzulla changed Ime Udoka, Rob Williams had a subsequent surgical procedure proper earlier than coaching camp, and Danilo Gallinari was misplaced for the season after tearing his ACL in worldwide play. Contemplating how the season began earlier than it really began, 57 wins ain’t dangerous.

Regardless of that inauspicious summer season, there are such a lot of issues that I couldn’t have predicted. I knew Malcolm Brogdon was good, however not sixth Man of the 12 months good. I’d have by no means anticipated the enhance in three-point taking pictures and defensive affect from Derrick White. And would have thought that Sam Hauser, Blake Griffin, and Luke Kornet would have such a optimistic have an effect on so deep within the rotation?

Jeff Clark

I picked them for 2nd within the East so I received that proper. I hedged on who could be forward of them however I knew it will be the Bucks or Sixers. 53 wins was a bit low, however in about the correct vary. The most important factor I received flawed was “It could take a while to gel underneath Mazzulla.” It didn’t take a while to gel underneath Mazzulla. They only determined to coast for a month or two later within the 12 months. However hey, at the very least they completed fairly robust and head into the playoffs on an upswing. Now on to fulfilling my largest prediction. One other banner.