The Celtic $15 Challenge

[Eddie Jurak]

https://www.celticsblog.com/2023/8/23/23842025/fifteen-dollar-challenge-build-dream-boston-celtics-starting-5-larry-bird-bill-russell-paul-pierce

You have $15 to spend - build a 5-man team from the following:

The 5s: Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale
The 4s: Jayson Tatum, Dave Cowens, Kevin Garnett, Bob Cousy, Robert Parish
The 3s: Sam Jones, Jo Jo White, Ray Allen, Cedric Maxwell, Tommy Heinsohn
The 2s: Don Nelson, Nate Archibald, Reggie Lewis, Jaylen Brown, Dennis Johnson
The 1s: Danny Ainge, Rajon Rondo, Bill Sharman, Frank Ramsey, Bill Walton

Without a lot of thought, I'm going with:

• Russell ($5)
• Bird ($5)
• Rondo ($1)
• Reggie ($2)
• Jaylen ($2)

 

[ifmanis5]

Russell, KG, S.Jones, Jaylen, Rondo.

 

[Jimbodandy]

$15 to spend is tight.

I'd probably go Bird, Russell, Jaylen, DJ, Ainge

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

https://www.celticsblog.com/2023/8/23/23842025/fifteen-dollar-challenge-build-dream-boston-celtics-starting-5-larry-bird-bill-russell-paul-pierce

You have $15 to spend - build a 5-man team from the following:



Without a lot of thought, I'm going with:

• Russell ($5)
• Bird ($5)
• Rondo ($1)
• Reggie ($2)
• Jaylen ($2)

Ok, I will bite (with the caveat that my team is playing yours and I can't have any of your guys).

Tatum ($4)
Garnett ($4)
DJ ($2)
Allen ($3)
Walton ($1)

My team might win 3 out of 10.

 

[RorschachsMask]

Edit: I changed my mind.

Rondo
Ainge
Tatum
Bird
KG

 

[moondog80]

What's the combined batting average for Hondo/McHale/Pierce getting picked? .0000, right?

 

[88 MVP]

With apologies to Russell,

C - Walton ($1)
PF - Bird ($5)
SF - Tatum ($4)
SG - Jaylen ($2) (debated Ray Allen here)
PG - Rondo ($1)

Multiple MVP or All-NBA level scorers, and capable enough on defense.

 

[Scoops Bolling]

What Walton are we getting? Walton at $1, if you're getting the healthy guy, is an absurd bargain.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

What's the combined batting average for Hondo/McHale/Pierce getting picked? .0000, right?

Just to try it...

McHale $5
Garnett $4
Lewis $2 (or perhaps Ray Allen)
Jaylen $2
Ainge $1

a buck left over for a few minutes a game of Bill Walton?

 

[DannyDarwinism]

What Walton are we getting? Walton at $1, if you're getting the healthy guy, is an absurd bargain.

Says in the article it's whatever version they were during their prime as a Celtic.

Edit: I changed my mind.

Rondo
Ainge
Tatum
Bird
KG

To win in the modern NBA, I think this is it.

 

[brendan f]

C Walton $1
PF Bird $5
SF Garnett $4
SG Allen $3
PG DJ $2

 

[jose melendez]

Says in the article it's whatever version they were during their prime as a Celtic.



To win in the modern NBA, I think this is it.

No 3s at the five and one?

 

[DannyDarwinism]

No 3s at the five and one?

Not sure I understand, but it's a true distributor, 3 wings and a big. Switchable with shooting.

Any team starting the Celtics version of Walton is drawing dead. Just way too slow.

 

[jose melendez]

You have two guys who can’t shoot threes. Not that much of that in today’s nba

 

[128]

Russell, Tatum, Reggie Lewis, Ray Allen, Rondo.

 

[Kliq]

Russell, Bird, Jaylen, DJ and Sharman.

Assuming everyone is being graded based on their ability in their era, Sharman for a dollar is a steal. He was 7x All-NBA, one of the best jump shooters of his day with easy three point range, was a well-regarded defensive guard and can play off-ball. I'd have DJ/Bird as my primary creators, with Jaylen and Sharman playing off-ball. Bird is my only questionable defender, and I have two god-tier defenders in DJ and Russell.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

You have two guys who can’t shoot threes. Not that much of that in today’s nba

Ah, I see. Even if he didn't take 3s, KG had range enough to keep things from clogging up, and the Bird/JT/Ainge shooting is enough to compensate. Gotta be sacrifices somewhere, given the options.

An all-shooting squad of Ainge, JB, Ray Allen, JT and Bird would be fun but size would be a problem.

 

[DannyDarwinism]

Assuming everyone is being graded based on their ability in their era,

Oh yeah, this makes a lot more sense as an exercise. But changes my answer to "no idea, really", other than Russ and Bird would need to be on there. Sharman's resume works for me too.

 

[BaseballJones]

https://www.celticsblog.com/2023/8/23/23842025/fifteen-dollar-challenge-build-dream-boston-celtics-starting-5-larry-bird-bill-russell-paul-pierce

You have $15 to spend - build a 5-man team from the following:



Without a lot of thought, I'm going with:

• Russell ($5)
• Bird ($5)
• Rondo ($1)
• Reggie ($2)
• Jaylen ($2)

The 5s: Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale
The 4s: Jayson Tatum, Dave Cowens, Kevin Garnett, Bob Cousy, Robert Parish
The 3s: Sam Jones, Jo Jo White, Ray Allen, Cedric Maxwell, Tommy Heinsohn
The 2s: Don Nelson, Nate Archibald, Reggie Lewis, Jaylen Brown, Dennis Johnson
The 1s: Danny Ainge, Rajon Rondo, Bill Sharman, Frank Ramsey, Bill Walton

If I get them in their NBA primes, not just their Celtics years, then Walton for $1 is a steal.

So if that is the criteria, then my team would be:

1 Rondo
3 Allen
5 Havlicek
5 Bird
1 Walton

One incredible playmaker. Two absolute elite three point shooters. Havlicek can do it all. Walton gives you size, rebounding, defense, and passing.

If it's just the Celtics version of Walton though, then I'd alter it.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Not nearly enough defense on that team. And it is the Celtics version of Walton.

I'm kinda stunned how many people think that a team that has Bird needs a ballhandler like Rondo.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

My real one:

$5 Russell
$5 Bird
$2 Jaylen
$2 Lewis
$1 Ainge

You don't need a PG if you have Bird. Russell and Ainge are also plus passers---though you aren't getting much passing wise from the other two. You have shooting---I'm assuming that Bird is near Curry-level adjusted for era, Ainge is top-tier, and Reggie would hit more threes in today's game. It's not a spectacular defensive team, but you have Bill Russell and you aren't bad anywhere, plus you can switch a fair amount (yeah, Bird isn't great but he's smart, an all-world help defender, and at least he's long)...the whole team is between 6-5 and 6-9. You've also got three world-class athletes in Ainge, Russell, and Jaylen and a good athlete in Lewis, so you can move around and potentially run even without a traditional PG.

I would also pay money to hear the Bill Russell - Jaylen Brown conversations on the team bus. And with Bird and Russell there, you are going to play harder and smarter than the other guy almost all the time.

 

[BaseballJones]

Not nearly enough defense on that team. And it is the Celtics version of Walton.

I'm kinda stunned how many people think that a team that has Bird needs a ballhandler like Rondo.

That's ok. They'll score a million points.

 

[DGreenwood]

C Walton $1
PF Bird $5
SF Garnett $4
SG Allen $3
PG DJ $2

This is my team except I have Tiny in place of DJ for the same 2 bucks.

 

[jmcc5400]

Bird (5) KG (4, playing center, sorry Kevin), Ray (3), Jaylen (2), Rondo (1).

 

[Jimbodandy]

Tried to come up with the worst team possible from that list that still spends all $15:

Cowens, Chief, White, Nelson, Reggie.

 

[Ale Xander]

Depends on opponent. If no intimidating big man to oppose:
Garnett $4
Bird $5
Tatum $4
Ainge $1
Rondo $1

if there’s an intimidating unskilled big man,

Walton $1
Bird $5
Tatum $4
Jaylen $2
Rondo $1

if there’s a skilled big man,
$5 Russell
$5 Bird
$1 Sharman
$3 Ray Ray or Sam Jones
$1 Rondo

If I had to score 150 points

$4 Cowens or Tatum
$5 Bird
$2 Brown
$3 Ray Ray or Sam Jones
$1 Ainge

Against small ball
$5 Bird
$4 Tatum
$1 Ainge
$1 Rondo
$4 Cousy

If I needed defense(only time I don’t pick bird)
$1 Walton
$5 Russell
$4 KG
$4 Tatum
$1 Rondo

im surprised tatum and KG are a 4 while Mchale and Pierce are $5

 

[Ale Xander]

Ah, I see. Even if he didn't take 3s, KG had range enough to keep things from clogging up, and the Bird/JT/Ainge shooting is enough to compensate. Gotta be sacrifices somewhere, given the options.

An all-shooting squad of Ainge, JB, Ray Allen, JT and Bird would be fun but size would be a problem.

You have to somehow get Sam Jones in there if you want all-shooting
Bird, Ray Ray and Sam is 11
Unfortunately no way to get 2 guys with 4 with the younhave left

so I’m going to cheat
Ainge and Eddie House and I’ll spot the 15th dollar
I’ll take House over JB
Or maybe Posey is a 2?

 

[TrapperAB]

Can someone lend me a few bucks so I can reunite all the ‘86 guys?

 

[Devizier]

Weird to see this list without Easy Ed, there was a reason for the Hawks to trade for him.

Seems obvious to go Russ-Bird plus three more, so I’ll go a different direction:

Garnett-Tatum-Bird-Sharman-Ramsey

 

[brendan f]

Russell, KG, S.Jones, Jaylen, Rondo.

Slight variation of this and it's an all-time defensive team...
Russell KG Jaylen DJ Rondo

 

[Euclis20]

Gotta lean defense here:

Russell (5)
Garnett (4)
Tatum (4)
Ainge (1)
Rondo (1)

A defensive frontcourt of Russell/Garnett/Tatum would be like the 04 Pistons (Wallace/Wallace/Prince) on steroids. Offense might not be super at times, but between Rondo's passing, Ainge's shooting and Tatum's creativity (and two of the best rebounders ever), I think it would match up well with anyone.

 

[Ale Xander]

For a bit, I considered going 4 on 5
(4 being Russell, Bird, Tatum, Rondo)

 

[Pablo's TB Lover]

If only I could go with a 20 y.o. Walton for a dollar. To mix it up, I'll throw out a small ball lineup:

Havlicek ($5)
Tatum ($4)
Garnett ($4)
Ainge ($1)
Rondo ($1)

Edit: Damnit, Euclis20 beat me to the ideal lineup. Although Hondo's offense would be good to have if I am picturing a modern game...

 

[Pablo's TB Lover]

What's the combined batting average for Hondo/McHale/Pierce getting picked? .0000, right?

Would be interesting to watch these guys shoot 3-pointers side by side.

 

[santadevil]

Bird, Bird, Bird, empty, empty

 

[Eddie Jurak]

My real one:

$5 Russell
$5 Bird
$2 Jaylen
$2 Lewis
$1 Ainge

You don't need a PG if you have Bird. Russell and Ainge are also plus passers---though you aren't getting much passing wise from the other two. You have shooting---I'm assuming that Bird is near Curry-level adjusted for era, Ainge is top-tier, and Reggie would hit more threes in today's game. It's not a spectacular defensive team, but you have Bill Russell and you aren't bad anywhere, plus you can switch a fair amount (yeah, Bird isn't great but he's smart, an all-world help defender, and at least he's long)...the whole team is between 6-5 and 6-9. You've also got three world-class athletes in Ainge, Russell, and Jaylen and a good athlete in Lewis, so you can move around and potentially run even without a traditional PG.

I would also pay money to hear the Bill Russell - Jaylen Brown conversations on the team bus. And with Bird and Russell there, you are going to play harder and smarter than the other guy almost all the time.

I think this would be weak on ballhandling, hence my choice of Rondo > Ainge.

 

[mikeford]

Russell
KG
Cornbread
DJ
Rondo

 

[Ale Xander]

Russell
KG
Cornbread
DJ
Rondo

Not that much outside shooting there
Great D though

 

[bankshot1]

Depends on when/how the game is played and I get a healthy Walton.

My rules-pre 3, no zone

My 5

Russell 5
Walton 1
Bird 5
Rondo 1
Sam 3 (had to pick Sam, loved his shot )

Defense
Rebounding
Scoring
Ball movement
Brains
Attitude

 

[Swedgin]

KG 4
Bird 5
Jaylen 2
Sam Jones 3
Sharman 1

 

[nighthob]

I’m going Parish/KG/Tatum/DJ/Danny. Or basically throwing JT and KG on to the ‘86 Celtics. In 1986 that team wins 75 games.

 

[Ale Xander]

I’m going Parish/KG/Tatum/DJ/Danny. Or basically throwing JT and KG on to the ‘86 Celtics. In 1986 that team wins 75 games.

You’re taking away the league MVP from the greatest team ever?
What?

I’d rather take Walton over the Chief and have a point left over and keep 86 intact.

 

[RorschachsMask]

Ainge 1
Lewis 2 (or Jaylen)
Tatum 4
KG 4
Cowens 4

Would destroy.

 

[Ale Xander]

Best team not included in the players above?

KC Jones 3
Kyrie 3
Satch/Howell 3
Walker/Radja 3
McCauley 3

 

[bankshot1]

Best team not included in the players above?

KC Jones 3
Kyrie 3
Satch/Howell 3
Walker/Radja 3
McCauley 3

I want no part of KI. He's got a billion dollar handle and a 2 cent brain.

But I'd make room for Paul Silas and Marcus Smart in the top 25+.

 

[Ale Xander]

I want no part of KI. He's got a billion dollar handle and a 2 cent brain.

But I'd make room for Paul Silas and Marcus Smart in the top 25+.

Replacing Kyrie w/ Smart indeed sounds like a good idea

 

[nighthob]

You’re taking away the league MVP from the greatest team ever?
What?

I’d rather take Walton over the Chief and have a point left over and keep 86 intact.

Yep. In 1986 Jayson Tatum is raining death on opponents from the three line as those opponents are struggling to score 80 points a game against that frontcourt.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Pretty sure that there are more lineups in this thread without Bird than without Rondo. Weird.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Can someone lend me a few bucks so I can reunite all the ‘86 guys?

 

[nighthob]

Hey, if Marcus goes on the dollar list I’ll pair him with DJ. That would be a defensively psychotic team.