Reviewing our preseason Boston Celtics predictions (Employees 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 identical to to chuckle at ourselves and poke enjoyable at one another. Both approach, 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 right here.

Keith Smith

I really feel fairly good about my prognostication skills! I missed the Celtics file by one recreation and so they completed second within the Japanese Convention. I used to be additionally fallacious in regards to the rebounding, as Boston completed as the perfect defensive rebounding crew within the recreation.

On the proper aspect, the massive rotation has been in flux a lot of the yr. Joe Mazzulla’s inexperience did present up at occasions. They usually did run the primary guys a variety of minutes within the common season.

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

Andrew Doxy

I nailed the file. I believed 57-25 could be good for first within the convention, however that was the one minor element I did get fallacious. The Bucks have been up by 1.0 recreation within the standings with yet another win, so the Celtics must accept homecourt benefit in each collection besides the ECF. I’m exceedingly optimistic that that received’t matter. My prediction of successful the championship stands (although it’s a little iffy if the Clippers might be on the opposite aspect). You all ought to hearken to me as a result of I received the file proper. Put together a bottle of your most interesting champagne.

Trevor Hass

I be ok with my 54-28 prediction. No regrets there. I believed wherever between 50-60 was attainable and went with someplace within the center. I additionally appropriately known 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 in opposition to them to start out the season, I opted to be conservative and predict a 48-50 win season. Suffice to say, I used to be fortunately fallacious right here, and the Celtics ended up nearer to 60.

Shedding management of the primary seed was definitely unlucky, however this crew, 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 yr. It received’t be straightforward, however we’ve seen the Celtics overcome adversity a number of occasions this yr.

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

Harris Rubenstein

I used to be just a little bit overzealous with my common season win prediction. I believed they have 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 just a few video games. I used to be positively proper about the remainder of the East although. I wasn’t offered on Miami or Atlanta as influence groups this season and whereas Philly has been good, they nonetheless don’t fairly really feel like they’re on the identical stage as BOS or MIL. Playoffs would be the final decider, in fact.

Mike Dynon

What I received (barely) fallacious was the variety of wins. Final summer time the Cs have been a assured 60-win squad, till they have been blindsided by dangerous issues occurring in threes: the Udoka fiasco, Gallinari harm and Rob Williams surgical procedure. So I performed it secure, predicting 55 wins and no worse than second seed within the East. Regardless of the tough patch after the All-Star break, Boston completed sturdy (successful 12 of their final 16) to achieve 57 Ws.

What I received proper was that the preseason turmoil didn’t deter the Celtics from being not less than the quantity two seed. Sure, they missed the highest file by one recreation 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 necessary half, which I forecast would finish with a parade. And for the reason that Cs have been an NBA-best 33-15 vs. groups .500 and above, there’s no motive to alter that prediction.

Daniel Poarch

Estimating 51-52 wins proved to be somewhat conservative. I believed that the Ime Udoka turmoil, harm issues across the roster and the excessive probability 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. All the pieces we’ve seen from this crew and from others across the league suggests that’s completely right, and ending with the second-best file 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 yet one more Japanese Convention Finals with an excellent Philadelphia 76ers crew possible looming within the second spherical?

Invoice Sy

In my schedule prediction again in mid-August, I had the Celtics pegged at 59 wins and doubtlessly reaching the celebs 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 time, 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 influence from Derrick White. And would have thought that Sam Hauser, Blake Griffin, and Luke Kornet would have such a constructive 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 fitting vary. The most important factor I received fallacious was “It could take a while to gel underneath Mazzulla.” It didn’t take a while to gel underneath Mazzulla. They simply determined to coast for a month or two later within the yr. However hey, not less than they completed fairly sturdy and head into the playoffs on an upswing. Now on to fulfilling my greatest prediction. One other banner.