Ramp to Camp: Predicting midseason headlines for 2024-25 Celtics

Ramp to Camp: Predicting midseason headlines for 2024-25 Celtics initially appeared on NBC Sports Boston

We’ve spent most of our Ramp to Camp sequence analyzing the large headlines because the Boston Celtics put together to open protection of their 2024 title. However what sort of headlines may we see later within the season?

For the thirteenth installment in our preseason sequence, we requested our NBC Sports activities Boston panel to quick ahead to 2025 All-Star weekend and predict a big-picture storyline surrounding the Celtics on the midseason mark.

(Take a look at our full Ramp to Camp series here.)

In case you rewind to February 2024, the Celtics sailed into the All-Star break with a 43-12 report after a 50-point blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. The headline from our podcast throughout a go to to All-Star weekend in Indianapolis learn: “Tatum, Celtics are the talk of the town at All-Star weekend.”

Will the Celtics nonetheless be dominating the league dialog in February 2025?

We normally attempt to avoid instantly repeating any of our panel predictions, however considered one of our respondents just about nailed our preliminary selection of headlines. So we’ll simply tee him up right here:

Are these Celtics even higher than the 2024 championship squad? 

I’ve the 2024-25 C’s ending with 4 fewer wins than final season’s crew however I would not be stunned in the event that they’re much more dominant on their quest for a repeat. Since I do not anticipate any juicy commerce rumors, I believe the discuss across the crew will principally be about their probabilities of successful a second straight title.

When our panel did record predications in this series, we famous how we love the 2008-09 Celtics as a comp for this yr’s crew. Each groups discovered instant chemistry, had been relentlessly motivated by successful, and raised banners of their first season collectively. However what’s typically forgotten is simply how good that 2008-09 crew was whereas bringing again almost all the title core (sans James Posey).

Even in case you suppose the East is healthier, there’s an actual alternative for the 2024-25 Celtics to hit the bottom operating primarily based on their chemistry and continuity. Whereas the Knicks are determining the way to combine Mikal Bridges, and the 76ers work out a brand new Large Three of their very own with the addition of Guerschon Yabusele (errr, we imply Paul George), the Celtics ought to want no such acclimation interval.

Boston hadn’t absolutely jumped on the accelerator by the midseason mark final season. It’s straightforward to overlook given their lopsided lead within the East by season’s finish, however the Celtics had been solely up 5.5 video games on Cleveland in mid-February.

If the Celtics preserve their success without Kristaps Porzingis to open the season, then get a jolt from his return, we expect there may very well be an unimaginable quantity of buzz about simply how good this crew has been within the 18-month span from 2023 tipoff to 2025 All-Star break.

Possibly complacency kicks in. Possibly extra accidents occur. But when this crew stays wholesome and centered, it certain looks like there’s no motive their dominant methods ought to ease up. This crew is that deep and that good.

Listed below are the remainder of the storylines our panel got here up with:

Ought to the Celtics simply maintain out Kristaps Porzingis till the playoffs?

All that issues is June, and so they can get there with out him. As he proved within the Finals, even a style of Playoff Porzingis places them excessive. What a luxurious.

Tom Giles, Multi-platform host

Again to full power, the Celtics as soon as once more are the NBA’s crew to beat.

I do know Porzingis may very well be again a lot earlier, however within the occasion that they wish to take their time with the large man, he may have them peaking heading into the break.

Are the Celtics deep sufficient to repeat with out Porzingis?

In an excellent world, Porzingis is again by Christmas and Boston is off and operating. However there’s additionally an opportunity Porzingis has a setback that places his postseason availability in query. The Celtics went 10-2 within the 2024 playoffs with out their star large man; can they do it once more?

The Celtics look primed to repeat.

I do not see the Celtics taking their foot off the gasoline within the common season. This crew sounds motivated heading into 2024-25. Whether it’s the Olympic drama or the problem of being the primary crew to repeat since 2018, this group needs to be locked in all year long. It might be shocking if the C’s aren’t main the Japanese Convention standings on the All-Star break.

Kevin Miller, VP, Content material

The Celtics stay in prime half of the East however are on a surge as Kristaps Porzingis makes his return in early January and appeared nice.

The crew wastes no time in gelling once more and are getting greater than anticipated contributions from the bench, particularly Payton Pritchard, Xavier Tillman, and Lonnie Walker IV.