How good are the 2002 Boston Celtics if they play in today's NBA??

[Lebron23]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2002.html


They won 49 games in 2002. Pierce and Walker averaged 26 ppg and 22 ppg respectively.


Record: 49-33, Finished 2nd in NBA Atlantic Division

Coach: Jim O'Brien (49-33)

Executive: Chris Wallace

PTS/G: 96.4 (12th of 29) Opp PTS/G: 94.1 (9th of 29)

SRS: 1.75 (9th of 29) Pace: 92.5 (5th of 29)

Off Rtg: 103.4 (18th of 29) Def Rtg: 101.0 (5th of 29) Net Rtg: +2.4 (10th of 29)

Expected W-L: 48-34 (9th of 29)

Preseason Odds: Championship +5000, Over-Under 35.5

Arena: FleetCenter Attendance: 659,751 (18th of 29)

NBA 2002 Playoffs:
Won NBA Eastern Conference First Round (3-2) versus Philadelphia 76ers (Series Stats)
Won NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals (4-1) versus Detroit Pistons (Series Stats)
Lost NBA Eastern Conference Finals (2-4) versus New Jersey Nets (Series Stats)


They lost to the New Jersey Nets in 6 games in the 2002 Conference Finals

[Kawhi_Why_Not]

Pierce is a rich mans derozan so they would be like a better version of bulls I guess

[Reggie43]

They would be like Tatum and Brown with less/worse help.

[Im Still Ballin]

They were a team that shot a lot of 3s for the time, playing Antoine Walker as a stretch 4. I don't think they'd be any better or worse... maybe slightly worse? I'm not sure. You could argue they were ahead of the curve strategically speaking and that they benefited from that. If that's your argument then they'd be worse today with teams that have better defensive strategies and personnel to cover a 3pt shooting team.

I honestly think they'd be essentially the same. The game plan matters but it's the talent that is the ultimate factor. Their win total would be less due to a stronger eastern conference; they'd be the same quality team but worse relative to the conference. Lucky to make it out of the 1st round.

[Im Still Ballin]

40-47 wins seems accurate.

[Wally450]

They would be like Tatum and Brown with less/worse help.

That's what I was thinking. At least with the Tatum/Brown to Pierce/Walker comparison. It would come down to their supporting casts.

I think they'd be a worse fit in todays game simply due to the increase in 3's taken. The East was very weak back then, and they almost made the Finals. Probably a 30-35 win team IMO.

[HoopsNY]

That's what I was thinking. At least with the Tatum/Brown to Pierce/Walker comparison. It would come down to their supporting casts.

I think they'd be a worse fit in todays game simply due to the increase in 3's taken. The East was very weak back then, and they almost made the Finals. Probably a 30-35 win team IMO.

Not sure why you feel that way. Pierce shot the three at a 40% clip and Walker just under 35%. Their volume was almost as much as Tatum and Brown who shoot worse from the distance.

With relaxed rules and more spacing, why would they shoot worse? '02 Celtics shot the three at a higher % than this year's Celtics. And they were also #1 in 3PA that year.

I think with more 3PA, they'd actually improve, since that has been the trend across eras.

[pandiani17]

They were a team that shot a lot of 3s for the time, playing Antoine Walker as a stretch 4. I don't think they'd be any better or worse... maybe slightly worse? I'm not sure. You could argue they were ahead of the curve strategically speaking and that they benefited from that. If that's your argument then they'd be worse today with teams that have better defensive strategies and personnel to cover a 3pt shooting team.

I honestly think they'd be essentially the same. The game plan matters but it's the talent that is the ultimate factor. Their win total would be less due to a stronger eastern conference; they'd be the same quality team but worse relative to the conference. Lucky to make it out of the 1st round.

Agree. They weren't a very good team, IMHO. Their role-players (Tony Battie, Walter McCarty, Kenny Anderson, Tony Delk, etc.) knew their function pretty well, though, and that was valuable in weak conference. Once the Eastern Conference became stronger, they became first-round fodder.

[PP34Deuce]

Team would still be a 3 4 seed.

Pierce with mire bounce and space.
Walker not facing legit PFs

Delk was a combo guard who could score. Battie was Mcgee like.

[FultzNationRISE]

Tough to say, bc the 02 squad never faced Lebron James, who has a habit of destroying teams mentally. So their results from that year are inflated relative to what theyd be in a Lebron league.

If I had to guess Id say they’re probably an 8 win team today. Altho if Bron happens to sit each time theyre matched up, I could see them racking up as many as 60, 65 wins. Something in that ballpark.

[Wally450]

Not sure why you feel that way. Pierce shot the three at a 40% clip and Walker just under 35%. Their volume was almost as much as Tatum and Brown who shoot worse from the distance.

With relaxed rules and more spacing, why would they shoot worse? '02 Celtics shot the three at a higher % than this year's Celtics. And they were also #1 in 3PA that year.

I think with more 3PA, they'd actually improve, since that has been the trend across eras.

I guess it would come down to the rest of the team. Pierce and Walker took 14.3 of the 23.7 3s taken that year. Would the other guys continue to shoot decent percentages with more shots?

[ShawkFactory]

Pierce is a rich mans derozan so they would be like a better version of bulls I guess

Oh is that how that works?

[HoopsNY]

I guess it would come down to the rest of the team. Pierce and Walker took 14.3 of the 23.7 3s taken that year. Would the other guys continue to shoot decent percentages with more shots?

I'd think so; Rogers, McCarty, and Strickland could all hit the three. And I think as a team with higher volume, they'd shoot slightly higher now than back then.

[jalbert009]

Tough to say, bc the 02 squad never faced Lebron James, who has a habit of destroying teams mentally. So their results from that year are inflated relative to what theyd be in a Lebron league.

If I had to guess Id say they’re probably an 8 win team today. Altho if Bron happens to sit each time theyre matched up, I could see them racking up as many as 60, 65 wins. Something in that ballpark.

Did you know Pierce scored 50 on Lebron? This was even before the Big 3 Celtics.