C's probably better than 50/50 shot to win the East since Cleveland knew seeding was irrelevant to their playoff run last year and likely will feel the same way this year. if Irving or Lebron are removed from the equation, the C's should have the #1 seed fairly handily. Only wrinkles in that plan are IT having health issues during the year and the loss of AB having a bigger impact on the team than expected.
Our defense used to start at the point of attack well before mid court with Avery applying pressure. That is likely gone unless we start Jaylen at the 2. He is probably the only one with that ability. I don't see Smart, Hayward or Crowder performing in that role. Just going to be a different type of thing. Hope it is fun to watch and not a desperation thing where Marcus struggles. If he is alongside Rozier it will probably be OK, but will we use that to start games? Not a chance.
AB was a role player, albeit a very good one. I would have loved to keep him, but definitely approve of the choice Danny made and am happy to get a player like Morris with an extra year on his contract. While AB did his job on offense, Hayward is on another level and will provide so much more versatility on that end.
What AB did best was lock down another team's [best] player in a 1-1 situation when we needed a stop. While we may need more of a team oriented approach with this going forward, I am perfectly confident with Brown's and Rozier's defensive attack at half court and Smart's containment in and around the perimeter.
Loved AB, but he was not the best fit next to IT. Having more length at the 2 is going to help on D.
Biggest questions to me are whether JB can earn starting minutes at the 2 and whether Marcus can become a league average 3-point shooter. A defensive end of game lineup of MS, JB, GH, Al, and one of Baynes, Morris, or Crowder, depending on matchups, should be very stout. Switch almost anything, with plus to elite on-ball defenders. .