![]() They struggled out of the gates last year, but should hit the ground running in coach Ime Udoka’s second season on the bench. So there’s plenty of reasons to (hesitate on a Durant trade and) believe that the Celtics will be better with continued growth from the young guys. The team that won the Eastern Conference has three starters who will be 25 or younger on opening night (Brown turns 26 less than a week later). Key question: What’s the ceiling for Brown, Tatum and Williams? That was the best mark for a lineup with at least 200 minutes played in the last nine seasons. The Celtics’ starting lineup - Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams III - outscored its opponents by 24.6 points per 100 possessions in its 443 regular-season minutes.The Celtics led the league in both opponent field goal percentage in the paint (53.4%) and opponent effective field goal percentage on shots from outside the paint (47.7%).Both in the regular season ( 97.7 per 100) and in the playoffs ( 89.1 per 100), they scored less than a point per possession with the score within five in the last five. That was the third biggest differential in the 26 years for which we have clutch data. In the regular season, the Celtics were 38-9 (.809, best in the league) in non-clutch games and just 13-22 (.371, second worst) in clutch games (those that were within five points in the last five minutes).Key departure(s): Daniel Theis (who played 20 total minutes in the Finals) Key addition(s): Malcolm Brogdon, Danilo Gallinari, Trade rumors If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter. NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. The league averaged 98.8 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 111.4 points scored per 100 possessions last season. NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank) OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)ĭefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank) ![]() Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank) The Knicks tried to add some offense and the Raptors returned home. Tucker took their talents to South Beach, and the Bulls loaded up. The Ben Simmons saga in Philly was still in its early stages, Kyle Lowry and P.J. Brad Stevens went from the bench to the front office, hired Ime Udoka, and brought back Al Horford. This time last year: Offseason Power Rankings: Nets, Bucks stand tall in the East - The Nets had their star trio back at full strength after barely losing to the eventual champs.April 4: Suns, Bucks hold top spots before final week.All stats refer to the 2021-22 regular season unless otherwise noted. As we run down the Eastern Conference, we have to start with the defending conference champs, who made one of the most significant additions of the offseason.įor these offseason rankings, we’re looking at each conference separately and we’ll have Western Conference rankings next Monday. Still, given how quiet things have become, it’s a good time for some offseason Power Rankings. With Donovan Mitchell also on the market and with Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving in not-so-comfortable positions with their current teams - and with a few other tradable vets being discussed - there’s plenty of potential for a major shake-up between now and when training camps open Sept. Maybe that doesn’t happen before the start of the season … and maybe it happens tomorrow. A month later and we’re still waiting for Brooklyn to find the right deal. Just as free agency was tipping off, Kevin Durant reportedly requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Of course, this league never really allows us to step away. There are still a handful of notable free agents unsigned and about 20 available roster spots, but there hasn’t been much movement on that front since the Phoenix Suns matched the Deandre Ayton offer sheet two weeks ago. 1 and in some ways, the offseason seems done. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics should hit the ground running in Ime Udoka’s second season on the bench.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |