2023 BOS series has implications to next season similar to 15 years ago

[sturt]

This is a statement series, imo.

 

Those of you who are insistent that ATL make one or more major changes to this roster for 2024... e.g., trading anyone in the starting line-up... should really hope for a 4-0 or 4-1 outcome... 4-2 is more iffy, but still might get you the outcome desired.

 

If this series goes 3-4, or if ATL wins the series... think the safe assumption would be that, short of some weird, totally unreasonable-to-expect trade offer, you're going to find a lot of enthusiasm for the working theory that Quin's capable of taking this group to true contender status.

And in that case, there could be major changes, but only if the head coach is convinced that one or more needs to be made. If it wasn't already the case, the gravity of Quin's opinion on any given player almost certainly will dictate whether that player is still here for the 23-24 season... yes, more than anyone else in the room.

 

That's different from being the architect, which is the role I've pushed that Quin should have--having the master vision, but then letting the GM operate as the master contractor who implements the work involved in construction, including shopping for the products necessary for building...

Rather, then, that would be edging toward Popovich status... e.g., having final say on the exact brand and model of appliances he wants to install, not just opaquely describing the qualities desired for the role of refrigerator, dishwasher and stove/oven.

 

For the record, not any difference in the starting line-ups of the 07-08 playoff team and the 08-09 opening night team: Bibby, Joe, Marvin, Smoove, and Horf.

While ATL 2023 has some 2nd unit players who could be pushing some higher salaried players for playing time in 2024, my Spidey sense is that Quin will be more inclined to adjust by doing just that--dividing minutes among what he's already got, i.e., rather than graduating, say, Yeka to starter status, and trading Clint for a new (ostensibly cheaper) back-up to Yeka plus other assets.

But maybe none of that will apply. Maybe ATL 2023 won't put up the fight that ATL 2008 did. Circling back to where this began, all options are on the table to the degree that BOS dominates this series.