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Jackie Mac: " (Celtics) not a Championship team as currently constituted"

When Jackie MacMullan speaks, I listen intently. She is a veteran and respected sports writer that is trusted by most folks associated with the NBA. On the Michael Holley podcast, Jackie had a few things to say about Kyrie Irving's disenchantment with the Celtics, but I promised I would put that to rest. Most of us agree that the current Celtics squad may possibly make it out of the East in the post-season, but Title hopes are few. MacMullan gave her view of the main reason for that.


In the podcast, Jackie stated that she felt Al Horford's loss to free agency was the major change for Boston - and why they aren't Championship-caliber (per Jackie MacMullen via Michael Holley Podcast):

... that's the biggest hole - the drop-off from Horford to Enes Kanter. ... but defensively, my goodness, it's a huge drop-off and that to me is the biggest problem.

On the plus side, Jackie Mac is optimistic about Gordon Hayward's resurgence. She referred to the solid 2017-18 pre-season before Kyrie Irving and Gordon got injured (per Jackie Mac):

Gordon's the reason people are underestimating the Celtics and he's also the reason the Celtics may be better than people think.

My guess is that Danny Ainge will look at whatever interior defense presents itself in training camp and pre-season, and make a decision on whether the addition of a veteran defensive-minded big man is needed.

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