Forgive me for looking past the stretch run of the 2020-21 season, but the Boston Celtics have given fans very few reasons to be excited for what the next two months have in store.
Since the trade deadline, the Cs have had two inspiring victories and two soul-crushing losses. After an eventful Thursday morning, the Celtics were able to knock off the Milwaukee Bucks in a major post-deadline, back-against-the-wall victory that brought them to just one game under .500 heading into a Saturday night clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder. A predictable win followed.
Heading into Evan Fournier’s debut this past Monday, Boston had tangible momentum to dig themselves out of an early-season hole with a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Fournier had what could optimistically be described as an off-night, though, and Jaylen Brown’s absence on both ends aided in the Cs coming up short against a Pels squad that got 53 points from the Zion Williamson-Brandon Ingram duo.
Things got worse last night when the Boston Celtics fell to Luka Doncic–owner of a 36-point, eight-rebound, five-dime performance–and the Dallas Mavericks for their second straight L at home. Fournier improved on his 0-10 performance Monday with a 3-6 (six points) outing on Wednesday.
Fans have only seen pitfalls in person, as the stands being filled has yet to ignite Boston to be triumphant at the TD Garden in their last two outings, the first two contests with seated Cs fans in attendance. Danny Ainge made deals that moved the needle, but nowhere near enough to realistically combat the titans of the Eastern Conference.
This offseason could provide a chance to once again reset, though, with the possibility of using Fournier in a sign-and-trade. In the past, I have identified the Mavs and the Indiana Pacers as potential sign-and-trade options in the past, and today, the Houdini is putting together possible Fournier packages: