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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 3, 2016 8:56:25 GMT -5
Training camp is underway so it's officially the season of "best shape of his career" and "break out season awaits" stories. Keeping that in mind the early stories about Smart and Rozier are exciting. It's too bad we don't have similar stories about KO as his shoulder is still keeping him out which really makes me think his impact will be minimal this year (if he's not draining outside shots - hello shoulder - then he's not so useful). That would mean more smaller ball lineups featuring Crowder at the "4".
Smart and Rozier could push this team into the next level. If Smart, can take that leap and play how he did in the playoffs then this is a much more dangerous team. Last year he was the worst 3 point shooter in NBA history. However, his already poor shot was completely derailed with a couple finger injuries plus a knee problem. Remember his rookie year, in the same number of attempts he shot 33.5%. That's not good either but it's reasonable to think there's a good chance last year was the outlier year and he's really building off the 33.5%. He's changed his approach and worked extremely hard on his deep stroke this summer. If he can add 3-5% to that figure then a 36.5-38.5% shooter from deep is respectable. He can already get to the line and him adding that's I'll open more driving opportunities for him and slashing opportunities for teammates.
Besides health how good Smart and Rozier are could have the biggest impact on how good this team is.
They have the potential to be able to matchup with Cleveland.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Oct 14, 2016 2:34:34 GMT -5
I love the upside of this team, but everything needs to break just right to have any type of chance against Cleveland. The thing I really worry about is rebounding. We were not very good last year and Horford is a downgrade from Sullinger. If Mickey can earn rotation minutes it would really help, he seems to be the only pf/c that can really rebound well above average. Never mind we could really use his ability to block shots.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 14, 2016 10:25:00 GMT -5
I'm going to reserve judgment on Horford as a rebounder. He averaged 9-10 rebs (save his injury shortened year) until Millsap showed up. Was it that that impacted his rebounding? I didn't watch enough to know. Now, even if that DID impact his numbers, he's older now and that could impact his numbers.
I also think that they COULD make up at other positions (depending on lineups) where Smart, Crawford, Brown and even Rozier (despite his size, he showed a knack for getting boards) could be better than their opponents.
That being said, I agree that rebounding (and shooting) are the weaknesses. I'm very excited about the year though.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Oct 15, 2016 0:43:38 GMT -5
I would really like one of Rozier and Smart to step up and take a starting role. Thomas and Bradley combined for 5.9 rebounds a game, Smart and Rozier alone could get that many rebounds each if given the minutes. Thomas as our 6th man would be a huge weapon and would really help rebounding balance out. Can you imagine Bradley, Smart, Horford, Johnson and Crowder that would be a great defensive starting 5.
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Post by bookiemetts on Oct 17, 2016 20:23:16 GMT -5
My thoughts so far from preseason: - Horford is a really good all-around player and fits very well with the team
- Avery seems to be getting better every year
- At times Marcus Smart can just take over defensively
- Rozier looks great and can actually shoot
- Brown is more NBA ready than I thought; attacks the rim like crazy and gets to the line
- The Nets suck
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 18, 2016 7:56:42 GMT -5
I'm very excited to get this season started. I actually hope the team doesn't make any big trades and rolls with the team this season and uses the Nets pick. At that point trying to sign Griffin works well then you go into the tax to resign Thomas and Bradley and add top tier longer term talent with the Nets picks.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 18, 2016 8:08:52 GMT -5
As for this season, the sky is the limit or at least the NBA finals is. Might be getting ahead of myself but that's the ceiling this team possesses, as is, and it's not out of the realm of reality. Cleveland is the favorite and should be and without a debate but they aren't flawless.
The Celtics look poised to take the next step. Horford is a perfect fit all around on this team. There is reason to believe the system in Atl made his rebounding numbers worse than his true ability. Other than rebounding he's a massive upgrade over Sully in ever other aspect of the game. My god, think of all those bricks we watched Sully put up. Now Horford takes those shots or makes that pass. This team seems to fit really well together and has players who work hard and improve their games from one season to the next so individual growth is as big a reason for optimism as the addition of Horford. Just some comments on that..
Rozier - Looks like he's going to be a legit NBA rotation player who brings value.
Crowder - was a weapon as a spot up 3 point shooter last year. This year with Horford around he should get more open looks. On top of that he's worked hard to shoot better off the dribble so if that comes to fruition you will see a much more dangerous offensive player.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 18, 2016 8:18:43 GMT -5
Avery Bradley deserves his own post - I was very wrong about him as a player. I still contend I was right that they signed him earlier than necessary and gave him top dollar at the time which is typically not a good idea. However, Ainge knew he had a guy with both talent and the drive to develop said talent. He just improves every year more and more. He works on part of his game and makes it legitimate. He was always a great defender. Then he added some offense like back door cuts and mid range stuff , then corner 3s then an all around deep game. This year is looking like he's adding play making to his arsenal and becoming dangerous off the dribble. If he pulls that off he's one of the best all around guards in basketball.
I can't believe I'm the one saying this, but we talk about big 3s and needing to add another all-star to Thomas and Horford. People mention Crowder as being a borderline guy but Bradley actually could be that guy.
When Butlers name comes up in trade and people mention the Nets first plus Crowder or Bradley I think they are crazy. One can argue that Crowder and Bradley on their contracts are more valuable than Butler alone.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 18, 2016 8:50:01 GMT -5
I think the concern for me with AB being that guy is, ideally, he's the 3rd star (think Ray Allen with great D) but we really need a 1st star. Thomas has the 1st star mentality but we saw him get swallowed up at the end of games trying to make the last shot.
That's why the Butler/George type is ideal. They have the talent/mentality AND size/strength to give them the ball at the end of the game and watch them make the play.
Of course, it all depends on the cost (probably don't need to say that anymore).
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 19, 2016 8:26:17 GMT -5
If you add Butler, he's not a "first star". If Horford, is not a first star player then neither is Butler. George may be borderline.
I know I brought up the 3 all-star thing above but I think we get carried away with that too much at times. There are all different ways to win. The Pistons didn't have a traditional first star when they were winning but they had a deep roster with 5 guys that were all very good. Horford - Thomas - Crowder - Bradley arguably gives you 4 of those guys. Think 2 years from now with those guys growth (Horford will be older and not better but I don't expect him to be worse), plus say a Blake Griffin and a top 3 pick next year. Then u have the growth of Smart - Rozier and Jaylen Brown to that mix... that's a pretty exciting proposition to look towards.
That's why a Butler trade at the costs talked about makes no sense to me.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 19, 2016 8:30:39 GMT -5
On to this year.... what will you guys be looking at the most as a key piece that they need and we are unsure of to be a very dangerous team. For instance, we all know/expect them to be a top 5 defense and perhaps even top 2/3 and that's key to their team so let's ignore that.
For me, I'm most interested in their three point shooting. On the surface it looks weak, but I have a suspicion it may actually be quite good this year. Not top 5 in the league good but top third maybe... Horford replacing Sully is a huge net positive. Then I expect improvement from Crowder, Bradley and Thomas. Plus, Smart was the all time worst last year and that won't repeat itself.
I know it's silly to say all those guys will improve without regression from any, but the trends for them has been improvement- it's been a focus and adding someone like Horford opens space for easier shots. So I mostly expect the improvement to come from the improved spacing - ball movement and Stevens putting them in better spots to succeed.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Oct 19, 2016 14:20:32 GMT -5
A few thoughts on the last couple of posts;
Avery Bradley is nothing like Ray Allen. He is better on D, and a good 3 point shooter. Allen could create his own offense, Bradley can't. Bradley is basically a 3 point shooter that also has a nice mid range pull up jumper. He basically can't drive and hardly ever gets to foul line. I'm a big fan, but if he's your #3 you need a stud #1 or a great #1 and #2, which we don't have.
Looking at our starting 5 Thomas is still really the only guy that can create his own offense. That's going to be a problem in playoffs if you want to get through Cleveland. Players like Rozier and Brown can create their own offense, so there development is huge for me.
Overall I don't worry about 3 point shooting, but I do worry about Crowder. He killed us in playoffs, missing wide open three's game after game. If he can become even average for the whole season it will be huge.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 21, 2016 12:32:08 GMT -5
Not surprisingly:
Georges-Hunt, Lee, Jones and Bentil were waived.
Wojo saying that Boston is still trying to get a 2nd for Hunter or Young.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 21, 2016 12:55:20 GMT -5
Related thought - looks like the new CBA is going to be 1 year too late (on this front) for Boston.
The proposal seems to include 2 more spots on the roster (for 2-way contracts).
Would've loved to see what Bentil can do and I don't love giving away a recent 1st rounder (but, alas, it happens and 1st rounders don't always work out).
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 22, 2016 8:33:37 GMT -5
I wonder who's filling out the starting lineup to start most games.
You know Horford, Bradley, Crowder, and Smart or Thomas are starting most games.
I just wonder who's filling out that fifth spot. Is it Smart, Olynyk, Amir Johnson?
I guess it probably depends on matchups I suppose but I'm interested to see if Stevens rotates that last spot in and out throughout the season.
Also with Brown, Smart, Rozier, Olynyk/Johnson the Celtics should have one of the best benches in the NBA. We will see if it plays out that way.
Rozier's development offensively will play a huge role this season because Smart might never be a point guard offensively. He can't create his own shot and he has a bad offensive game for the most part.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 22, 2016 8:38:15 GMT -5
My thoughts so far from preseason: - Horford is a really good all-around player and fits very well with the team
- Avery seems to be getting better every year
- At times Marcus Smart can just take over defensively
- Rozier looks great and can actually shoot
- Brown is more NBA ready than I thought; attacks the rim like crazy and gets to the line
- The Nets suck
I love hearing that last point. The Nets sucking is going to give the Celtics presents for 2 out of the next 3 years. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 23, 2016 8:48:18 GMT -5
Not surprisingly: Georges-Hunt, Lee, Jones and Bentil were waived. Wojo saying that Boston is still trying to get a 2nd for Hunter or Young. Danny said Bentil will likely go to another team for D League opportunity because Boston is loaded at that spot. References the guys on the roster but also there is Zizic next year. Which begs the question, why draft the guy? I find it hard to believe there wasn't another draft and stash they could have snagged. The early games from Zizic look really good. Granted it's not a great league but it's not a bad one and him as a 19 year old putting up those numbers is very impressive. Tape I've seen looks nice too. I'd keep James Young over RJ Hunter. He's younger than him and his upside is better. Also, he's kind of on schedule from where we drafted him. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 23, 2016 17:49:02 GMT -5
The ringer wrote and article about why the Wizards should trade John Wall. theringer.com/trade-john-wall-washington-wizards-nba-fe510a974fa2#.45wu5fm0rThey suggest Bradley, Jerebko and a Nets First rd pick for Wall. On the surface that trade makes all the sense in the world for the Celtics. On close review, I think it highlights why it's so hard for Danny to make a deal right now. Does that trade make the Celtics better right now? Yes for sure. But it limits their ceiling. Basically, by not making the trade, you can keep Avery, sign a max free agent (Griffin?) and add a top 5 pick (maybe number 1) next year. By signing that max guy they can go over the cap to resign Thomas and Bradley the following year and still have a great pick to trade. |
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Post by Don Caballero on Oct 24, 2016 8:03:12 GMT -5
There also the fact that John Wall is not worth that package IMO.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 24, 2016 10:55:26 GMT -5
Wojo reporting that Young is #15. No word if that means Hunter has been cut (more likely) or traded.
EDIT- Hunter Waived per Jeff Goodman
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Oct 24, 2016 12:47:18 GMT -5
I wouldn't trade Avery Bradley alone for John Wall. Bradley is a way better overall player.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 24, 2016 12:56:52 GMT -5
Avery Bradley better than John Wall? Eh that's a stretch but Avery at his salary I believe is likely more valuable.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Oct 24, 2016 13:25:57 GMT -5
Bradley is no where near the player Wall is, come on it's not even close. I'm not sure I make that trade because this year's prospect class looks stacked at the top. You would have to consider it though.
As for Bentil and Hunter getting the axe, this is a said day. Those are two players that can play in this league and we never gave them a chance. What a waste, we are just wasting resources at this point.
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Post by rjp313jr on Oct 24, 2016 13:36:49 GMT -5
What would you have done instead? Cut someone else? If Hunter pushed Young to grow up and work on his game and Young turns into a better player isn't that a win?
Bentil, I think should have been a draft and stash pick.
But making a trade for the sake of making a trade isn't a smart move. If those guys are clear NBA players another team would have given up a second round pick for them....
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Post by texs31 on Oct 24, 2016 13:45:05 GMT -5
Regarding the pick of Bentil, remember, Danny probably felt he was making a big deal at some point which likely would've opened up multiple roster spots (or used that player in the deal). For either scenario, you probably would want the BPA (and there were plenty of lists that would've put Bentil as BPA).
As much I would've love to see what Bentil could do, once the pick was made, he had to go (and I wouldn't go crazy over Young over Hunter or Hunter over Young).
Generally, I agree. You don't want to make a trade just to do so. But, we just saw that sometimes, you are forced to make a trade (at lower value than you want). That is the peril of having all of theses assets. Eventually, you're going to run out of room and not be able to use all of them (or lose some for nothing like Hunter).
Obviously, that's the balancing act Danny is faced with right now.
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