BOSTON CELTICS

Vegas Over/Under: 56.5

Fromal's Record Projection: 52-30

The Bet: Under with confidence



We're operating under the same assumption that led Vegas to set the over/under at 56.5 wins: Kyrie Irving is now a member of the Boston Celtics, since the onus is on the Cleveland Cavaliers to veto a trade that's close to processing.

Until that situation is resolved, we'll be factoring in a changing of the guard from Isaiah Thomas to Irving, as well as the departures of Jae Crowder and Ante Zizic.

Boston went through too much tumult this offseason to enjoy roster continuity. Few members of last year's squad remain, which is always problematic in a a league that has so many benefits gleaned from preexisting chemistry.

Talented as Gordon Hayward, Irving, Jayson Tatum and the other newcomers may be, they'll go through an inevitable adjustment period that prevents them from running away with the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.

Plus, we can't forget what they lost.

Avery Bradley was a crucial piece on both ends of the floor. The best-case scenario for Boston is that replacing him with Marcus Morris is a wash. But there's no way to replicate what Crowder brought to the proverbial table; the C's were 11.5 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.

This squad will still be one of the best in the East, competing throughout the year for top billing. By the time the playoffs roll around, the Celtics could even be the favorites to advance to the NBA Finals and end LeBron James' reign of terror.

Just don't be surprised when they go through some tough times first.

The Celtics are deciding between Andrew Bogut, Thomas Robinson, and even Tony Allen for their final roster spot.

Thomas Robinson e Tony Allen mi piacciono molto come idee.
Se non dovessi tenere conto che davanti siamo veramente leggeri andrei dritto su Allen in modo da avere un altro cagnaccio.

Ma lì davanti abbiamo Horford, Baynes, Morris, un rookie che deve debuttare e che arriva da un'operazione chirurgica e un tedesco che difficilmente si prenderà tanti minuti.

Se si dovesse infortunare uno tra Al, Aron e Marcus saremmo veramente messi male a frontcourt, secondo me è meglio rattoppare lì con Robinson visto che Bogut è uno di cristallo