Opening Night Hot Takes Roundtable

Today is finally here. The season is young. As KG would say, “anything is possible!”

Why not dump a bit of kerosene on everyone's excitement and keep the hype train chugging?

Here are 7 hot takes from 7 Celticsblog writers:

Andrew Doxy: Tatum will keep his starting spot throughout the year except for big matchups. Morris lost his spot by not being available during camp, and if Tatum can continue playing solid on defense, I think it’s now his spot to lose. His versatility on both ends and willingness to make the right play will help the team immensely

Mike Petraglia: Terry Rozier will emerge as the Celtics’ best guard off the bench. He’ll replace Skinny Marcus as the point guard of choice because of his development as a two-way point guard, able to distribute and run the offense and guard. BONUS: Kendrick Perkins returns to Boston and gives the Celtics the edge, physicality and toughness they desperately need.

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Sy: Marcus Morris and Semi Ojeleye get traded for Nerlens Noel. The Mavericks don't seem interested in keeping the former Everett High product, and the Celtics could really use a young building block at the 5. By December, Daniel Theis—not Guerschon Yabusele—will be a factor off the bench and make Morris expendable

Romy Nehme: The Celtics come blazing out of the gates and go 7-3 in their first ten. We've heard a ton about how much time it takes for new superteams to jell, and to not expect too much from the Celtics in the early going, but I don't buy it. Horford has been gushing about how quickly the young guys have come along, Rozier and Smart have made the leap, and the Horford-Hayward-Irving trio is simply too skilled, smart and experienced to let the offense stall out for long periods of time. Plus, this team has already shown signs of getting after it on defense.

Greg Cassoli: The Celtics finish the year with the third most efficient offense in the NBA, or better. There are all sorts of reasons I think this prediction won't come true, but if things are really clicking, this team is going to score a ton of points.

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Simon Pollock: Brad Stevens wins COTY of the year—by teaching Kyrie Irving how to play defense.

Daniel Theis makes us forget that we ever cared about anyone named Kelly Olynyk or Ante Zizic. The German big man will continue to have a cool, strong, competitive attitude on the court—and we'll all salivate watching him get from the arc to the rim in one strong dribble off side actions.

Mike DePrisco: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combine for 25 points per game. Especially if Tatum starts a lot of games and plays with Irving, Hayward, and Horford, both "Jays" will have plenty of open looks and one-on-ones to take advantage of. Both players have improved their spot-up shooting from previous seasons, and can feed off of each other's success on the floor.

Let the hyperbole flow! What are your bold predictions?

Ball on.