#56 Jabari Bird

ZMart100

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Cleaning up the end of the Celtics draft:
53 - Kadeem Allen PG Arizona
56 - Jabari Bird SG California
 

Ale Xander

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JBs from Cal are the new market inefficiency

I don't think he has a chance to make the team but we'll see
 

HomeRunBaker

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Mostly want Pierce back (just so the final transaction on his career is coming back here), but Jabari Bird (or any of the 3 2nds) don't seem to have spot on this roster.
There isn't a single 16th/17th man on ANY team in this league that will be on a two-way contract who will seem to have a role on their teams roster. He'll either be in Maine or playing overseas where we retain his rights should he be a late bloomer. That's drafting in the 50's for ya.
 

Eddie Jurak

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So... might Jabari knock Nader off the team next year? Or will have better NBA opportunities/money than the Celtics can offer?
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Mentioned this in game thread. Bird is prototypical DA draft pick: highly touted HS recruit who Didn't blossom in college. In his case, it's injuries. Bird missed a bunch of time this year with back issues.

Brad says there's no plans to make any roster moves for the playoffs: http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2018/04/are_the_boston_celtics_doomed.html. Seems curious to me because it doesn't seem like they'll be able to keep Nader and Bird next year but id the Cs are down to Nader or Bird playing important minutes in the playoffs, I'm guessing they're not winning that series.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Mentioned this in game thread. Bird is prototypical DA draft pick: highly touted HS recruit who Didn't blossom in college. In his case, it's injuries. Bird missed a bunch of time this year with back issues.

Brad says there's no plans to make any roster moves for the playoffs: http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2018/04/are_the_boston_celtics_doomed.html. Seems curious to me because it doesn't seem like they'll be able to keep Nader and Bird next year but id the Cs are down to Nader or Bird playing important minutes in the playoffs, I'm guessing they're not winning that series.
* Ainge does have a knack of flying on these guys late. Giddens, Orien Greene, Avery, Ojeleye.....who am I missing?

* I'd be beyond surprised if Ainge ate the next two years of Nader's dirt cheap deal to add a player in a post-season such as this.
 

tbrown_01923

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Thinking forward to next season though - who would offer more to this team? The team is most likely to lose some of these folks: Larkin (FA), Monroe (FA), Baynes (FA), Smart (RFA), Morris (5.4MM FA-19), Rozier (3MM, RFA-19). The other assets could be moved in a more dramatic move.

Isn't Nader only depth at the 3 - meaning if there was a depth issue at the 2, could he start at the 3 and force Tatum/Hayward down to the 2? Probably in the position-less swing nba. But Bird might provide more flexibility forcing Brown / Hayward "up" to the larger swing positions seems more ideal. I am hedging to prefer Birds athleticism and defensive presence - over Naders offensive performances in the G-League last year. But neither have been on the court a ton - so really just irrational excitement after one night.
 

lovegtm

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Thinking forward to next season though - who would offer more to this team? The team is most likely to lose some of these folks: Larkin (FA), Monroe (FA), Baynes (FA), Smart (RFA), Morris (5.4MM FA-19), Rozier (3MM, RFA-19). The other assets could be moved in a more dramatic move.

Isn't Nader only depth at the 3 - meaning if there was a depth issue at the 2, could he start at the 3 and force Tatum/Hayward down to the 2? Probably in the position-less swing nba. But Bird might provide more flexibility forcing Brown / Hayward "up" to the larger swing positions seems more ideal. I am hedging to prefer Birds athleticism and defensive presence - over Naders offensive performances in the G-League last year. But neither have been on the court a ton - so really just irrational excitement after one night.
That's definitely true in terms of scoring etc, but some of the plays that Bird made, his block in particular, were ones that you can't fake. He was clearly a massively plus athlete even alongside NBA athletes, and Nader has never shown anything close to that.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Thinking forward to next season though - who would offer more to this team? The team is most likely to lose some of these folks: Larkin (FA), Monroe (FA), Baynes (FA), Smart (RFA), Morris (5.4MM FA-19), Rozier (3MM, RFA-19). The other assets could be moved in a more dramatic move.

Isn't Nader only depth at the 3 - meaning if there was a depth issue at the 2, could he start at the 3 and force Tatum/Hayward down to the 2? Probably in the position-less swing nba. But Bird might provide more flexibility forcing Brown / Hayward "up" to the larger swing positions seems more ideal. I am hedging to prefer Birds athleticism and defensive presence - over Naders offensive performances in the G-League last year. But neither have been on the court a ton - so really just irrational excitement after one night.
Why does it have to be either/or? There will still be backend roster slots available for both.
 

tbrown_01923

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Why does it have to be either/or? There will still be backend roster slots available for both.
it doesn't have to be either / or but the both option requires more turnover on the roster. I assume one of Baynes/Monroe will be replaced by another center (possibly one of them). And that larkin will be replaced by a ball handler (perhaps himself staying). There is the upcoming 1st rounder... not a ton of roster spots regardless of whether they draft a stash or not...
 

nighthob

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I don’t think it will be that hard to find a taker for Nader this summer. There are teams like Brooklyn willing to take flyers on anyone that could possibly help. Atlanta’s in the same spot.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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it doesn't have to be either / or but the both option requires more turnover on the roster. I assume one of Baynes/Monroe will be replaced by another center (possibly one of them). And that larkin will be replaced by a ball handler (perhaps himself staying). There is the upcoming 1st rounder... not a ton of roster spots regardless of whether they draft a stash or not...
It's tight but doable if they draft a fourth ballhander like Larkin or a overseas stash or they don't sign Marcus. But if they sign Marcus and draft a keeper in the first round, it's going to be tight. Here's the projected roster:

10 Locks = Brown, Hayward, Horford, Irving, Morris, Rozier, Tatum, and Yabusele, plus Theis and Semi.

They are clearly needing a veteran big = 11.

Smart = 12.

Nader = 13.

1st round pick / Larkin replacement = 14.

They could sign Bird to the 15th roster spot but as we saw this season, having the open roster spot helps with flexibility.
and Nader make 11.

Note that Allen is on a rare two-year, two-way contract so he would be one of the two-ways.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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* Ainge does have a knack of flying on these guys late. Giddens, Orien Greene, Avery, Ojeleye.....who am I missing?
A couple that come to mind are Justin Reed (who I didn't know passed away from cancer, RIP) was a Parade All-American and Gerald Green was highly touted high school player who slipped. Sullinger could fit in this category, I suppose, as could James Young.
 

benhogan

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Looking forward to seeing minutes from Bird the next 3 games.

Here are highlights from his 15pt game (24 mins played) on Friday vs.the Bulls.
Note that neither Ojeleye (11pt season high/1x in double figures all season) or Nader(11pt season high) have scored 15pts in a game for the C's this year.

BELOW: Go to the 1:29 mark on the turnover and the subsequent Bird block. Bird handily beats Semi down the floor.
I also noticed that Bird hustles back on defense after made hoops, no excessive celebrating. A pet peeve for me.

 
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tbrown_01923

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10 Locks = Brown, Hayward, Horford, Irving, Morris, Rozier, Tatum, and Yabusele, plus Theis and Semi.
I am not sure Morris / Rozier are locks. Another question that we would need to resolve (hypothetically) is the need for a BIG. They started the season with Horford/Baynes. Theis emerged and Tatum has rebounded better than I expected - but neither are really going to lean on a big BIG. They then added Monroe (before Theis went down).

Do they start the season with just one true Center (like they did with Baynes this year OR with two like they have now with Baynes/Monroe). Further what can we expect from Theis next year, should we anticipate as minutes increase which would limit the need at center depth. This could all impact the amount of roster spots available - of course you don't want to carry (Bird) on the roster if isn't going to get burn.

Off seasons are interesting - this year it will be fun to see how the roster is molded around a team that has a strong (but injured core), some free agents and a couple of contributors who are pending free agency a year out on excellent deals. I was unaware that Bird (and I assume allen?) are on two year two way deals - so that does provide some flexibility.

I am not sure Rozier remains on the team after this season - ainge hates seeing his assets expire. A question which i have considered is Irving for the Brow, leaving you with Rozier as the ball handler. I am not sure how you align a starting lineup (tons of wings). Anthony Davis extra year if control would cost an additional asset beyond Irving - but not Brown or Tatum.

Regardless - after his last performance it is going to be fun to watch Bird this afternoon.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Looking forward to seeing minutes from Bird the next 3 games.

Here are highlights from his 15pt game (24 mins played) on Friday vs.the Bulls.
Note that neither Ojeleye (11pt season high/1x in double figures all season) or Nader(11pt season high) have scored 15pts in a game for the C's this year.

BELOW: Go to the 1:29 mark on the turnover and the subsequent Bird block. Bird handily beats Semi down the floor.
I also noticed that Bird hustles back on defense after made hoops, no excessive celebrating. A pet peeve for me.

Two things stand out the most on this...

- Monroe is a really, really good facilitator for a big. Did he have 4 assists off of Bird in that highlight? Great passing instincts.

- lots of points off of cuts. Hes a nice slasher. Having solid passing at point and center - Irving/Horford/Monroe - is going to lead to a lot of points for players built like this.
 

lovegtm

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I am not sure Morris / Rozier are locks. Another question that we would need to resolve (hypothetically) is the need for a BIG. They started the season with Horford/Baynes. Theis emerged and Tatum has rebounded better than I expected - but neither are really going to lean on a big BIG. They then added Monroe (before Theis went down).

...

I am not sure Rozier remains on the team after this season - ainge hates seeing his assets expire. A question which i have considered is Irving for the Brow, leaving you with Rozier as the ball handler. I am not sure how you align a starting lineup (tons of wings). Anthony Davis extra year if control would cost an additional asset beyond Irving - but not Brown or Tatum.
Morris will only get dealt if the team taking him perceives him as a useful part of the trade, not a salary match. His salary is too low, and he's too good--he has a ton of value as a 6-8th man on a contender.

Kyrie and the SAC pick as the centerpiece for Brow would be amazing: Danny would have effectively turned an 8ish pick and another high lotto into Anthony Davis. The problem is that Kyrie only has one year of team control remaining, and there is almost zero chance he'd re-sign with the Nola dumpster fire. Brown or Tatum give 7+ years of team control.
 

HomeRunBaker

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it doesn't have to be either / or but the both option requires more turnover on the roster. I assume one of Baynes/Monroe will be replaced by another center (possibly one of them). And that larkin will be replaced by a ball handler (perhaps himself staying). There is the upcoming 1st rounder... not a ton of roster spots regardless of whether they draft a stash or not...
Sure, there is roster turnover every year....we had only 4 holdovers from last years team with 11 new faces, 5 the year before, and 7 the year before that. What will become of Yabusele? Smart? The Silas spot. Baynes? Monroe? Larkin?

Don't you recall "The Roster Crunch" thread around the same time last year around this time about having no room for certain players. There will be plenty of moving parts this summer as well.....maybe not 11, but plenty for Ainge to retain a min guy that he likes "if" he actually does view him as having potential. There is a decent chance neither is here but it won't be due to a roster crunch.
 

TripleOT

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I'd like to see as much of this roster return as possible. They are a gutsy, team oriented bunch from top to bottom, and loaded up with athletes who love to compete.

Of the FAs, hopefully at least one of Baynes/Monroe returns. Larkin should draw some interest, and is probably gone, but is replaceable. I'm ambivalent on Smart. If he prices himself out of Boston, so be it. He's a unique, but flawed player. I haven't once thought "I wish Smart was on the court" since he's been on the shelf. I'm keeping Rozier over Smart if it's an either/or situation regarding who gets paid.

Re: this post, Bird over Nader by a mile. I love his athleticism and competitiveness. Nader tries like crazy, but just isn't athletic enough to do much more than three and (try his best on) D. Every time Nader tries to do an athletic move, he looks so out of place in the league. Plus it's fun to hear the PA guy say "Bird" again.
 

dhellers

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I'd like to see as much of this roster return as possible. They are a gutsy, team oriented bunch from top to bottom, and loaded up with athletes who love to compete.

Of the FAs, hopefully at least one of Baynes/Monroe returns. Larkin should draw some interest, and is probably gone, but is replaceable. I'm ambivalent on Smart. If he prices himself out of Boston, so be it. He's a unique, but flawed player. I haven't once thought "I wish Smart was on the court" since he's been on the shelf. I'm keeping Rozier over Smart if it's an either/or situation regarding who gets paid.

Re: this post, Bird over Nader by a mile. I love his athleticism and competitiveness. Nader tries like crazy, but just isn't athletic enough to do much more than three and (try his best on) D. Every time Nader tries to do an athletic move, he looks so out of place in the league. Plus it's fun to hear the PA guy say "Bird" again.
Re not missing Smart: when the games really matter (i.e.; the playoffs), Smart will be missed (if he isn't available)
 

nighthob

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I'm keeping Rozier over Smart if it's an either/or situation regarding who gets paid.
With Rozier/Smart it’s not either/or, it’s neither/or. If Rozier improves again this offseason he’s going to draw an Evan Turneresque offer from someone, and he has that Avery Bradley limitation due to size.

Boston isn’t going to pay that much for Irving’s backup. So if Smart gets a huge offer (which is unimaginable at this point), they’ll just find a new backup PG (presuming they don’t draft one this year), and go from there.
 
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lovegtm

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With Rozier/Smart it’s not either/or, it’s neither/or. If Rozier improves again this offseason he’s going to draw an Evan Turneresque offer from someone, and he has that Avery Bradley limitation due to size.

Boston isn’t going to pay that much for Irving’s backup. So if Smart gets a huge offer (which is unimaginable at this point), they’ll just find a new backup PG (presuming they don’t draft one this year), and go from there.
Right, and the team is built to have a lot of offense initiated out of wings and bigs, once Hayward comes back and Jaylen/Jayson get another summer of work in, so there's zero chance they'll overpay for a backup point guard.
 

Marbleheader

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It would have been nice to have him coming off the bench yesterday. The bench is so thin and he could be a real difference maker. I don't know how he's not better than some of the guys they were rolling out there.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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It would have been nice to have him coming off the bench yesterday. The bench is so thin and he could be a real difference maker. I don't know how he's not better than some of the guys they were rolling out there.
Brad shortened his bench to 4 guys. As much as I like Jabari, he's not better than MaMo or Monroe and he's not a PG like Larkin.

Semi was in only to give some defensive change-up against Giannis.

Jabari was never playing in this game.
 

Marbleheader

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I don't know about that. There were stretches where they could have used a spark. Nader is never going to provide that. Just because he didn't play doesn't necessarily mean that Bird wouldn't have.
 

Koufax

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I meant to get a thread started about whether he should have been added to the playoff roster. In favor, yes he could be a spark plug.

Against: It would have started his clock a year earlier, and if you think he has value, I don't know that a remote chance of his being useful in a game or two is worth a year of a rookie contract.

Also, it would have meant cutting Nader, which has salary cap implications. The hope is that once the playoffs are over he can be traded for a highly conditional second round pick, thereby getting his salary off the books.

Weighing all this, I would not have cut Nader to put Jabari on the roster, but the temptation is understandable.
 

the moops

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I don't know about that. There were stretches where they could have used a spark. Nader is never going to provide that. Just because he didn't play doesn't necessarily mean that Bird wouldn't have.
Perhaps, but your post said he was a better option than some of the guys they rolled out. They didn't roll anyone out who was a worse option.
 

JakeRae

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I meant to get a thread started about whether he should have been added to the playoff roster. In favor, yes he could be a spark plug.

Against: It would have started his clock a year earlier, and if you think he has value, I don't know that a remote chance of his being useful in a game or two is worth a year of a rookie contract.

Also, it would have meant cutting Nader, which has salary cap implications. The hope is that once the playoffs are over he can be traded for a highly conditional second round pick, thereby getting his salary off the books.

Weighing all this, I would not have cut Nader to put Jabari on the roster, but the temptation is understandable.
Cutting Nader costs $900k in dead money plus a roster slot. Keeping him costs $1.38 million. Overall, cutting him is basically a wash moving forward.

The main issue is that we don't need Bird for anything. He isn't cracking the current 9-man rotation and he certainly isn't cracking the likely 8-man rotation once Smart returns.
 

Manzivino

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Cutting Nader costs $900k in dead money plus a roster slot. Keeping him costs $1.38 million. Overall, cutting him is basically a wash moving forward.

The main issue is that we don't need Bird for anything. He isn't cracking the current 9-man rotation and he certainly isn't cracking the likely 8-man rotation once Smart returns.
I think you have this backward, he’s only guaranteed $450k next year. And they have the 2020 non-guaranteed option to pick up before they waive him to spread out the dead money. It’s why i keep saying he’s getting Demetrius Jacksoned this offseason.
 

lovegtm

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I don't think Bird would have made the difference, but they absolutely need to get more out of the bench.
Agree, I think he could have gotten some playing time in this series. That said, the team is REALLY going to need cheap, cost-controlled talent the next few years, so the decision makes sense.