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Why The Celtics Are Good Enough To Reach The NBA Finals

The 2019/20 Boston Celtics currently sit 4th in the NBA East. With a young roster and speed, the Celtics are good enough to reach the NBA Finals in June. With the additions of Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter, and Vincent Poirier the Celtics are more physical and healthier than last year. In this post, we will review three areas of why the Celtics can reach the Finals this season.                                                                                                                                                                                                     Why The Celtics Are Good Enough To Reach The NBA Finals This Year.                                                                                                                                                                                         Strong Physical Presence   Compared to last season, the Celtics are playing more physical and aggressive. With the addition of Enes Kanter and  Grant Williams, the rebounding department has improved significantly. Williams drafted out of Tennessee gives the team a boost off the bench.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Overall,  Enes Kanter and Daniel Theis average over 7 rebounds per game Center Robert Williams and Grant Williams average over 6.1 off the bench. Williams should be a huge factor come playoff time if he stays healthy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Balanced Scoring  With the addition of Kemba Walker the Celtics are shooting much better from the field this year. Walker is averaging 23 points per game. As a team, the Celtics are putting up 112 points per game 11th overall in the league.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Rookies Carson Edwards, Romeo Langford, Javonte Green, and  Tremont Waters contribute with their speed. Veteran Gordon Hayward has been a big factor when healthy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Guard Marcus Smart shooting has improved tremendously. In a recent game. Smart set a team record for consecutive three throws with twelve. He also had a career_ high of 39 points in a game.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Leadership And chemistry  The biggest difference this year, compared to last  is chemistry. There is no in_house fighting amongst teammates. Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris were impatient with the young players. Head coach, Brad Stevens has led the team better. The bench led by Bill Wannamaker is deeper.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The  Second Half  The Celtics need to play tough in order to win. The Bucks have the deepest bench in the league. In two meetings this year the Celtics won one and the Bucks won one. The east will be determined by defense and rebounding.

 

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Why The Red Sox Receive A Failing Grade This Offseason

http://bobphaneuf1957.com/2020/01/12/why-the-red-sox-receive-a-failing-grade-this-offseason/Thus far, this offseason the  Boston Red Sox receives a failing grade trying to put a winning team on the field. Do not expect the team to make a serious run against the Yankees or Blue Jays. Both the Yankees and Blue Jays got  better, while the Red Sox regressed. In this post, we will examine three areas  that the organization needs to do in order to be a playoff contender.                               

Why The Red Sox Receive a Failing Grade This Offseason                                                     

Lack Of A Proven Closer The team never replaced former closer Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel was a vital cog in the Red Sox championship season a year ago.  Closer by committee was the strategy last season. Relievers Brandon Workman and Ryan Brasier held the bulk of the load.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Overall, the bullpen was a disaster. The club also lost free_agent Rick Porcello to the Mets.With no one in the farm system ready look for Boston to sink lower in the standings.                                                           No New Additions   The only significant offseason moves were adding catcher Kevin Pawlicki and infielder Jose Parada. Pawlicki the ex _Met is younger than Sandy Leon. Numbers _wise he is not a huge improvement.                                                                                                                                                                                        Jose Parada was a Rule 5 transaction from the Reds. Parada is less expensive than current free agent Brock Holt.a hits for more power and can play every infield position. Look for the club to move on from Brock Holt.                                                                                                                                                                                                               Lack Of Starting Pitching   Currently, the Red Sox has four starting pitchers. Two are coming off an injury _riddled season. If David Price and Chris Sale are healthy the team may have a chance to compete.

The Red Sox finished third in the East at 84-74  Rick Porcello departing sets them back farther. With no help in the farm system,  it will be a long summer at Fenway. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez had a career year winning 19 games.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Trading David Price has been a constant rumor this winter. Price only pitched in 22 games last season compiling a 7-5 record. At 33 years old he is not in the team’s future plans.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Season Ahead  With the signing off Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley for a year the club can focus on winning. Whether or David Price stays in Boston, the pitching is thin. Owner John Henry is committed to reducing the payroll to 208,000,000 dollars.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     With no help in the farm system and lack of commitment from ownership  fans can expect a disappointing 2020. With Toronto and New York getting better  look for the Red Sox hover near the bottom of the division.