Figured it deserves its own thread like last year. The Hayward injury obviously sucks but outside of that, the play of our youngsters has been encouraging in a very small sample size.
they laughably overpaid for a guy from their biggest conference rival who's supposed to do that...They need to figure out who they're going to in the 4th to make the big shots. If only...
They kept the impending free agent who doesn’t deserve a massive contract and can’t even play until January?They need to figure out who they're going to in the 4th to make the big shots. If only...
Two games in and it is a "laughable overpay"...not jumping the gun here at all....they laughably overpaid for a guy from their biggest conference rival who's supposed to do that...
I was never a fan of the deal. It's not even about these games. They paid for a top 10 player and got a top 30 player back. That's just bad business.Two games in and it is a "laughable overpay"...not jumping the gun here at all....
My take has nothing to do with the last 2 nights.If what we saw in the 4th quarter tonight continues, then the critics of the trade will have been proven right.
But it is way too early to be making that judgment now.
This is still a very new team, with only 4 returnees, with 5 rookies, etc.
A huge part of the plan for the season (“the Kyrie and Gordon show”) was rendered worthless for the season less than 48 hours ago, a span of time during which the Celtics has to play 2 games.
Under the circumstances, the struggles the team has had this far are neither surprising nor unfixable.
If you really think that Jae Crowder was the best player in the deal, well then I know what to do with your basketball opinions. And yes I understand what the analytics are saying and no I'm not rehashing this.My take has nothing to do with the last 2 nights.
Celtics paid $1M for a $500k house. The opportunity cost is just huge.
You could be right, but it remains to be seen.My take has nothing to do with the last 2 nights.
Celtics paid $1M for a $500k house. The opportunity cost is just huge.
I'm not sure how being condescending actually helps you avoid rehashing things. It actually invites people to reply.If you really think that Jae Crowder was the best player in the deal, well then I know what to do with your basketball opinions. And yes I understand what the analytics are saying and no I'm not rehashing this.
But you have no idea what the Cs spent yet. If the BRK pick turns out to be #7, then they spent a lot less than you believe.
Given how good GS is, I prefer that the young guys take their knocks now and learn, rather than play limited roles on a team with capped upside.I don't blame Kyrie. I blame that they are playing way too many young / inexperienced players - historically those players don't know how to score / execute during winning time. Two games not a trend, but right now looking like the T-Wolves of last year. Blowing 2nd half leads due to lack of execution and scoring.
That isn't true; LeBron got one during his second career game when he was almost a full year younger than Tatum.May have been covered, but Jayson Tatum is the youngest player ever to get a double-double.
Second youngest? Dennis Smith Jr who did it one night after Tatum, and also in his teams opening game
Yeah, Dwight Howard got one in his first game, and he was a good deal younger too.That isn't true; LeBron got one during his second career game when he was almost a full year younger than Tatum.
This cracks me up.One thing I think looks clear through two games is that the Celtics do not have a great defensive option against wings. I like Jaylen and think he could end up being a great defender, but right now he was providing little resistance for LeBron or Giannis to do whatever they wanted in the fourth quarter.
We said this last year, particularly in the Cavs game where LBJ was being guarded at times (after switches) by 6'2" Avery Bradley and 6'4" Marcus Smart. It wasn't like Crowder was going to have a ton of success guarding LBJ, KD, or Giannis either.One thing I think looks clear through two games is that the Celtics do not have a great defensive option against wings. I like Jaylen and think he could end up being a great defender, but right now he was providing little resistance for LeBron or Giannis to do whatever they wanted in the fourth quarter. Maybe when Morris is healthy he could be that guy; but it seems like something that could be found at the trade deadline.
I'm not thinking of an all-defense level defender; just a larger wing that would be better than Jaylen Brown at this stage in his career. A guy like PJ Tucker, Luc Richard Mbaha Moute, Aminu, Thaddeus Young, etc. I think that is a roster improvement that could help this team later in the season.I don't think a good defensive wing is going to be easily available at the deadline, unless they're the sort that just destroys any spacing or ball movement you have. This is why Crowder was such a valuable player.
UGH! PJ Tucker, great defender is a myth at this point in time!I'm not thinking of an all-defense level defender; just a larger wing that would be better than Jaylen Brown at this stage in his career. A guy like PJ Tucker, Luc Richard Mbaha Moute, Aminu, Thaddeus Young, etc. I think that is a roster improvement that could help this team later in the season.
Like Marcus Morris?I'm not thinking of an all-defense level defender; just a larger wing that would be better than Jaylen Brown at this stage in his career. A guy like PJ Tucker, Luc Richard Mbaha Moute, Aminu, Thaddeus Young, etc. I think that is a roster improvement that could help this team later in the season.
Yeah Morris might be that guy; like I said in my OP, although we'll see how he fits in the Celtics system once the season stars.Like Marcus Morris?
I wonder if one reason DA wanted Tatum is because when he looked at JT's length and athleticism, he saw a guy who might be able to guard the KDs, the LBJs, and the GAs of the NBA.I'm fine with the defense as it is, plus Morris. Inexperienced players are going to struggle against the LeBrons and the Giannises, but, well, who isn't going to struggle against those guys?
Yea, I totally misentered my parameters in b-ref. YikesYeah, Dwight Howard got one in his first game, and he was a good deal younger too.
I think that was part of it.I wonder if one reason DA wanted Tatum is because when he looked at JT's length and athleticism, he saw a guy who might be able to guard the KDs, the LBJs, and the GAs of the NBA.
We have no idea who will be available at the halfway point (Jan 3), trade deadline (Feb 8) or by DPE expiration (March 10)?I don't think a good defensive wing is going to be easily available at the deadline, unless they're the sort that just destroys any spacing or ball movement you have. This is why Crowder was such a valuable player.
I've seen some reports that Bosh is looking to make a comeback. If he's healthy enough I would absolutely love to sign him because if he plays 25 games his salary goes back on Miami's books and screws with Pat Riley. As a bonus, he'd help the team a ton because we're still short on bigs.That's a terrificly informative article, thanks for linking.
But one area it seemed to gloss over, -- are there any recently "retired" veterans who might be interested in coming back mid-season, a la PJ Brown in 2008?
I see on RealGM a long list (capped by Paul Pierce), but could any of these guys help?
I'd rather have them wait and not use the DPE at the moment (once it's approved by the League).That's a terrificly informative article, thanks for linking.
But one area it seemed to gloss over, -- are there any recently "retired" veterans who might be interested in coming back mid-season, a la PJ Brown in 2008?
I see on RealGM a long list (capped by Paul Pierce), but could any of these guys help?
Agreed. Grande and Max were speculating about Green coming back on Wednesday night and they too thought it made a lot of sense.I don't think J-Smoove has anything left in the tank. At the moment I think a Gerald Green at the min signing might be a better move, allowing them to hold on to the DPE for later in the year.
But whoever they get will only be on the team for like 25 games. As we're seeing tonight, this team is paper thin. It'd be nice to shore that up sooner rather than later.I'd rather have them wait and not use the DPE at the moment (once it's approved by the League).
I think the sweet spot is to sign a player (that is bought out) between Feb. 8 and March 10. The trade period will be over and teams out of contention will be:
1. looking to play young, controlled, cheap players they may have recently drafted
2. save some money this year and next season, with a discounted buyout (see Dwayne Wade buyout)
The Celtics will get a bigger bang for their buck and have more free agents available if they are patient.
Does it even matter whether they make the playoffs? All this season can provide is development minutes for Brown/Tatum and the cost of Smart’s extension. Sign Green because you need bodies and he knows the system, but I’d treat this as a pure process year otherwise. Baby Kyrie and Al to keep the longterm wear and tear down, play the young guys a ton, if they lose a lot and miss the playoffs so be it.But whoever they get will only be on the team for like 25 games. As we're seeing tonight, this team is paper thin. It'd be nice to shore that up sooner rather than later.
They're not contending for anything anyway. It seems like there's a pretty real risk that they miss the playoffs entirely without some help sooner rather than later however.