NBA: 2020/2021 Thread

Too many bad drafts left the Cs with a depleted bench, Walker is useless.  Tatum and Brown, while very good players, aren't leaders.  This is exactly what I said after the playoffs last year.  This team is lacking in talent and without Smart out there, competitive spirit.  In retrospect they overachieved last year, all things considered.  Major changes are imminent.  Stevens will be gone (and I'm not blaming him alone, but he has to accept part of the blame) and Ainge should join him, frankly.  

Look at Ainge's picks since Tatum at #3 in 2017.

Semi Ojeleye (generally useless)
Kadeem Allen (?)
Jabari Bird (?)
Robert Williams (coming on of late, a serviceable big man if not a true difference maker)
Romeo Langford (terrible)
Grant Williams (a poor man's Semi Ojeleye)
Tremont Waters (can't escape the G League)
Aaron Nesmith (useless so far)
Payton Pritchard (a pleasant surprise so far)

And I know there's stuff beyond Ainge's control.  Kyrie wigging out, Horford bolting, Hayward's injuries and eventual exit; but he's had plenty of opportunities to make trades to improve this roster, and sat on his hands as the team got worse.  Whatever vision he had for the future of this team blew up in his face, and we need a new direction.  

As for Brown and Tatum.  Like I said earlier, both great players, but neither are true alphas.  They can't rally a team or raise everyone else's game through force of personality.  They put up points and go home with the loss.  There's a term for that kind of player, it's called a 'good stats/bad team' player.  Kemba Walker was clearly that guy in Charlotte, put him on a franchise with actual expectations and he's total garbage.  I don't want to be overly critical of Brown and Tatum.  Either of them is a great second option on a championship contender, but neither of them knows how to be 'the guy.'  You can still build around what they bring to the table.  I always thought giving Kemba Walker a max deal was a huge mistake, though.  Fuck that guy, I wouldn't care if we straight up cut him and ate his contract.       

Unfortunately for Stevens (again he isn't completely innocent but I also don't think it's entirely his fault), he won't last the season.  Ainge knows his job is also on the line and I think we're going to see fireworks at the deadline.  And that doesn't necessarily mean a blockbuster deal that miraculously makes us a contender this season.  One way or another this team has to be blown up.