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Post by Don Caballero on Apr 3, 2018 12:56:16 GMT -5
Yes you can trade Smart if he signs. Leonard’s injury doesn’t seem all that serious. The cluster is why he might be available but it seems like an internal issue with him and Pop. If you think you’re keeping Tatum and that Kings pick, I think you’re crazy. The question becomes the tax bill. They will need some assurances that Leonard will resign and extending him and Kyrie will give you 4 Max contracts. They can do it but it’s expensive. Leonard hasn’t turned 27 yet and he’s legitimately an MVP candidate. He’d become your best player and he might be the only guy in the league that can truly guard LeBron and Durant. You're probably right that the Spurs would ask for the Kings pick, but I'm not comfortable giving up Smart, Brown AND the pick (I hope Danny hangs up laughing if the Spurs ask for Brown AND Tatum). Problem with Kawhi is like you mentioned, he'd be way too expensive and the roster is currently set up to accommodate Brown and Tatum next contracts with the removal of Horford's max. I don't think Danny should commit those assets to a guy that they don't really need. On the other hand, a core of Irving, Hayward, Kawhi and Horford pretty much becomes the clear title favorite as soon as next season. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 3, 2018 15:52:37 GMT -5
Morris looks great recently. The one thing I always wondered is if Stevens system could increase his efficiency. Even after his horrible start he's having a career year across the board. He's on pace to have just slightly above league average PER for the first time in his career. If this is just him healthy and getting to know the system great. At the same time I wonder if this is just him getting hot and part of it being injuries means they use him more. The type of guy that plays a lot better with the starters than as a backup. He did start to go off right around the time we had a ton of injuries. So for me the playoffs will be huge for him. I want to see if he can keep his efficiency up. I won't say we should trade him, but I do wonder how he fits next year when were fully healthy. Valid questions but hasn’t he basically been playing with the same guys he’d play with in the second unit? Not really, Rozier is about the only one and he's not even the same player he was to begin the year. Look at last game he was tops in minutes. Playing a ton of minutes with the starters like Horford, Tatum and Brown. I also think Monroe could be a big reason . He's just a great team player. It really hard to tell because so much has changed since he started balling. If he can keep up this level of efficiency in a more limited role, he's a weapon. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 3, 2018 15:54:24 GMT -5
An argument can be made that Leonard is better than Davis.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 4, 2018 10:57:50 GMT -5
The Celtics just played maybe our first round match-up without their top 4 PGs. They still almost won. I love how this team fights. No Irving, Rozier, Smart or even Larkin, still take the Bucks to the final seconds.
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Post by jmei on Apr 4, 2018 20:51:43 GMT -5
Terry Rozier was playing out of control tonight. He still struggles to finish at the rim in traffic and doesn't quite have the handle or vision to consistently create for others. He's at his best as a secondary ball-handler who can stretch the floor, drive against close-outs and play strong defense and rebound. A useful rotation player, especially on a team with shot-creators at other positions, but he's not ready to be a primary ball-handler yet.
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 4, 2018 22:40:36 GMT -5
Now the Celtics are locked for the 2 seed.
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Post by Don Caballero on Apr 4, 2018 23:48:25 GMT -5
Terry Rozier was playing out of control tonight. He still struggles to finish at the rim in traffic and doesn't quite have the handle or vision to consistently create for others. He's at his best as a secondary ball-handler who can stretch the floor, drive against close-outs and play strong defense and rebound. A useful rotation player, especially on a team with shot-creators at other positions, but he's not ready to be a primary ball-handler yet. I think he was kind of overcompensating for not being completely healthy. But other than that I completely agree that he's not ready to be the team main ball-handler and with Larkin out he was the sole legit NBA ball-handler. The main problem with Rozier as a fit for this team is that Jaylen can't pass the ball and Jayson can't dribble it. I know they're very young and I expect them to improve at this, but as it is playmaking on the wings is a weakness on the currently healthy roster that makes Rozier's shortcomings even more evident. If Hayward was there maybe we don't even notice this so clearly. It's the toughest part about injuries, they shine a light too bright on guys that would do wonders as a more subdued supporting actor. It also makes me really miss Marcus Smart. |
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Post by jmei on Apr 5, 2018 6:31:14 GMT -5
Yeah, Smart’s ability to run a competent pick and roll is a huge boon for the second unit offense. Don’t think the Smart vs. Rozier debate is settled yet.
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wcp3
Veteran
Posts: 3,862
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Post by wcp3 on Apr 5, 2018 8:12:18 GMT -5
The Smart-Rozier is a really weird one because their games are perfect complements for one another.
I wish the Celtics could keep that duo together, but it wouldn’t shock me if they weren’t able to keep either player long-term.
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 5, 2018 12:07:06 GMT -5
Terry Rozier has now started 13 games in his career. I find it funny that after he comes back from a bad ankle people are going to judge him about that game. Yea it was by far his worst game that he has started, one of his worst games of the year. The thing is not a single person commented on his game before he got injured against the same team, which was one of his best games. Overall I think on most nights Rozier runs Steven's offense better than Irving. He's willing to drive and pass, where Irving locks in on driving to score more than he should for a PG.
His biggest issue by far is finishing at the rim. He can get almost anywhere he wants and gets very good looks, but misses a bunch of easy shoots. His second biggest issue is playing in the system and not going back to playing like he did in College. You don't want him thinking he needs to look for his shot, just let the shots come in the flow of the offense. Injuries forced him into more of a need to score role at times and that's not what you want at this stage for him.
Let's all remember Rozier was brought a long slowly, unlike Smart. Smart has started 83 games and played 7,488 minutes. Rozier has started 13 games and played 3,554 minutes in his career, with 1980 of those minutes this year. He's going to have some ups and downs, Smart sure did. I think the debate about who's better is over. Smart was way more ready day one, but he's basically the same player. Rozier keeps getting better each year. I would love to keep both and you can debate who you want to keep. At this point Rozier is going to cost more. Teams are going to target him. Smart is going to be a lot easier to keep right now.
Say everything you want but I have zero worries we can win our first round series with Rozier as the starting PG. He's already a net positive player on both offense and defense. He's helping you more than hurting you overall right now. So lets not just look at one game and forget his complete body of work.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Apr 5, 2018 12:17:39 GMT -5
Kyrie Irving is reportedly done for the year after left knee surgery.
Oh well. Time to let the kids loose without any pressure I guess?
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 5, 2018 12:29:33 GMT -5
Kyrie Irving is reportedly done for the year after left knee surgery. Oh well. Time to let the kids loose without any pressure I guess? Yup, no Smart no Kyrie - first round exit... is what it is. |
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Post by Don Caballero on Apr 5, 2018 12:32:16 GMT -5
Kyrie Irving is reportedly done for the year after left knee surgery. Oh well. Time to let the kids loose without any pressure I guess? Man this is some f-ing bullshit and a terrible job by the medical staff. His timeline is goddamn goofy, from tendinitis to needing rest to needing a minimal procedure to being out for 3-6 to now being done for the year and possibly having to do yet another surgery. I'll wait for more details before I'm REALLY pissed off but man it does not look look. Someone was asleep at the piano here. Hopefully there's no long term concern, but I just don't believe anything anymore. This sucks. |
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Post by pedrofanforever45 on Apr 5, 2018 13:09:10 GMT -5
Goes to show that there is nothing minimally invasive about knee problems.
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Post by Coreno on Apr 5, 2018 13:27:15 GMT -5
Kyrie Irving is reportedly done for the year after left knee surgery. Oh well. Time to let the kids loose without any pressure I guess? Yup, no Smart no Kyrie - first round exit... is what it is. Not so sure about that. They most likely weren't going to have either of those guys in the first round as it was, so I'm not sure how this changes anything. They could definitely still get past the Heat, Bucks, or Wizards with how they've played the past few weeks. This definitely sucks for the outlook past that but idk about a first round exit if the rest of the guys can stay healthy enough. This team has really been crushed by the injury bug this year. |
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Post by umassgrad2005 on Apr 5, 2018 13:43:56 GMT -5
You just need both Rozier and Larkin healthy. You can't be playing Allen big minutes in the playoffs. The only team that scares me even a little is the Wizards. Wall is now healthy, so lets hope they pass the Heat.
It sucks about Irving, what a season. Still pumped for the playoffs. Can't wait to see Tatum, Rozier and Brown make there marks in the playoffs. We have to stay healthy, but win in the first round. Get Smart back and I can't wait to see them play the Cavs. This team just fights and never gives up. I won't count them out, not the way they play D and compete.
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Post by voiceofreason on Apr 5, 2018 13:52:26 GMT -5
So Kyrie has an infection in his knee and needs a 2nd surgery, hopefully that is all it is as infections can be a bad thing. Just makes any last hopes of going far in the playoffs this year disappear. I am not all that disappointed based on how the season has gone and with the injuries to both Smart and Kyrie it has been a foregone conclusion that the C's were done this year.
If Rozier can be healthy we could still win in the first round and that would be good for the guys that are still healthy but hey it is just time to look forward to next year. Starting the season most of us felt this was a development year and then when GH went down it was even more so. We have always been looking to next year. Maybe not grinding thru a long playoff schedule will make them fresher next year, maybe not. Sure the young guys need the exposure and they will get some but Al might be better off.
Silverlinings to the extreme I know but IMO not a disappointing season. And a lot to look forward to next year!!
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Apr 5, 2018 16:30:59 GMT -5
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 7, 2018 9:18:57 GMT -5
Nice to see Jabari Bird have a good game last night. Wonder, if he will take Larkins spot next year; even though he’s not a PG in the same mold.
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Post by voiceofreason on Apr 8, 2018 7:58:11 GMT -5
Just heard a stat that the C's, Stevens, have for the past 2 years led the NBA in points after time outs to set a play. Just a sign of a great coach.
The debut of Jonathon Gibson is a great story. Turns the game in favor of the C's when he comes in during the 4th qtr with 9 points and 2 assists in the first 4 and a half minutes of his debut. This coming all within 24 hours of him even finding out the C's were interested. Could the C's have found a microwave? Just one more interesting thing to watch for.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 8, 2018 9:36:12 GMT -5
Just heard a stat that the C's, Stevens, have for the past 2 years led the NBA in points after time outs to set a play. Just a sign of a great coach. The debut of Jonathon Gibson is a great story. Turns the game in favor of the C's when he comes in during the 4th qtr with 9 points and 2 assists in the first 4 and a half minutes of his debut. This coming all within 24 hours of him even finding out the C's were interested. Could the C's have found a microwave? Just one more interesting thing to watch for. Keep in my Gibson is not eligible for the playoffs so you won’t really get to see much. Also, no knock on Stevens and I agree it’s a great sign but Doc was amazing out of timeouts when here too |
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Post by voiceofreason on Apr 8, 2018 9:54:22 GMT -5
Totally spaced the ineligible part for Gibson, I was hopeful for a great story.
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 9, 2018 7:49:14 GMT -5
So interesting development on the bottom of the Celtics roster. Jabari Bird has looked like a solid NBA player these last couple games at a position of real need for this team. He is not playoff eligible as he’s a 2 way contract player. If they wanted to get him for the playoffs they’d need to sign him to his entry level contract and cut a player. Most likely, Abdel Nader. Bird has already flashed more than Nader (even though I’m not ready to give up on Nader) and would likely be more useful for this years playoffs.
The other question to consider besides losing Nader is whether or not it’s worth starting Birds clock a year early for a playoff run that’s basically doomed from the start.
I think preserving the year of Birds services and keeping roster flexibility for the offseason (can include Nader as filler in a trade..) means you don’t sign him. But it’s nice that he’s played so well and could maybe one day fill in for Smart or Rozier depending on who leaves in a year or two.
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Post by voiceofreason on Apr 10, 2018 4:06:09 GMT -5
An argument can be made that Leonard is better than Davis. It would not be the right argument, IMO. |
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Post by rjp313jr on Apr 10, 2018 5:33:10 GMT -5
www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2768848-those-kids-arent-getting-educated.amp.htmlAn interesting article that got me thinking about the NBA. I hope they do something about the “one and done” and guys coming into the league who aren’t ready. People should be able to enter the NBA whenever they want so they can start making a living. However, teams also need to be given the time and roster space to develop these players so they can actually do it correctly. One thing that stood out to me about the one and done is the compete lost year of development for these players. Besides getting game experience, many of these top guys get no coaching. Colleges don’t invest any real time in teaching them an players are clueless then they are right into the draft process. These kids need to be taught everything, from how to guard a pick and roll to how to workout and eat to how to manage money. Starting next year, every NBA team should have its own G league affiliate which makes a minor league team possible. The addition of the two way contracts for 2 players this year was a good step, but more needs to be done on that front so teams can develop more players. Here are some off cuff thoughts: 1. Create a system where teams can have a minor league team of players they are paying real money to without it affecting the salary cap. Have limits on these salaries but guys should be able to earn rookie contracts while playing there and the team shouldn’t have to have that affect their cap number on the Varsity squad. Maybe rookie contracts don’t go against the salary cap or luxury tax. 2. Teams need longer player control for younger players: A) right from HS... 6 year contracts B) freshmen.... 5 year contracts C) the rest.... 4 year contracts All these contracts would follow same rules as now, with regards to extension eligibility, qualifying offers and restricted free agency. 3. Allow minor league players to be around and practice with the NBA team without any real restrictions. NBA teams need bodies for practices during the season to get back end guys work but need to rest starters to protect their health. This should be about player development and player safety. You won’t keep guys around all the much anyways because they will want them to play in games but having this ability is valuable. There’s so much good talent that’s gone to waste for the simple reason they were never given an environment for them to develop properly. AAU programs only care about winning, High School programs aren’t equipped with enough quality coaches, Colleges don’t care or have he time when you are one and done. Then in the NBA teams barely practice during the season, they are faced with roster crunches so guys who don’t swim nearly right away get cut and the current G league set up it’s a true minor league system where guys can learn a teams system.
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