I actually like that guy for deep depth.
Nah, he’s just doing his pal Bill a solid by giving Boston fans something else to focus on.Geez Brad hates football doesn't he?
How many teams have a 3rd center that is playable in the playoffs? With this team, Tatum can, and will play many minutes at the 4.At some point Boston is going to need a 3rd big who can play in the playoffs, and Gabriel (26 years old and entering year 5) probably isn't it, but regular season depth is nice, too.
Not many, but not many teams have a starting center whose averaged just 50 games per year and a backup who is 37. Our center rotation is more delicate than most contenders, so our need is greater.How many teams have a 3rd center that is playable in the playoffs? With this team, Tatum can, and will play many minutes at the 4.
People keep saying this but it seems like too much risk aversion.Not many, but not many teams have a starting center whose averaged just 50 games per year and a backup who is 37. Our center rotation is more delicate than most contenders, so our need is greater.
Last year our center depth was a guy who has averaged even fewer games than that and a 36 year old. I don’t see how they are any worse off than a year ago when it was TL and Horford.Not many, but not many teams have a starting center whose averaged just 50 games per year and a backup who is 37. Our center rotation is more delicate than most contenders, so our need is greater.
6 of one, half dozen of the other. Maybe KP is slightly more durable than TL, but it felt incredibly lucky that Horford got through last season, and he's a year older.Last year our center depth was a guy who has averaged even fewer games than that and a 36 year old. I don’t see how they are any worse off than a year ago when it was TL and Horford.
I think we were well suited to playing a lot of two big lineups, which would've been plenty of minutes for the 3 legit playoff caliber bigs on the roster. Now it feels like we're limited to one big lineups, which both limits our versatility and may or may not be good for KP's health prospects (what's more dangerous, banging in the post or chasing players around the perimeter). It's unlikely to be an achilles heel, but it doesn't feel like a stretch to say our biggest need is now big man depth.People keep saying this but it seems like too much risk aversion.
Before the Jrue trade the Cs had too many starting caliber bigs and not enough ball handling. No NBA team is deep enough at each spot and in 2023-24, it feels like you want to prioritize your rotation at the expense of depth, especially if you are gunning for a championship.
In any event, Gabriel is a professional NBA caliber backup big. If they keep him he will be fine for whatever role he gets. And if that's a starting one next spring either he made one of the biggest leaps ever or the Cs are likely screwed anyway.
I’m sure it’ll be top priority at the trade deadline.6 of one, half dozen of the other. Maybe KP is slightly more durable than TL, but it felt incredibly lucky that Horford got through last season, and he's a year older.
I think we were well suited to playing a lot of two big lineups, which would've been plenty of minutes for the 3 legit playoff caliber bigs on the roster. Now it feels like we're limited to one big lineups, which both limits our versatility and may or may not be good for KP's health prospects (what's more dangerous, banging in the post or chasing players around the perimeter). It's unlikely to be an achilles heel, but it doesn't feel like a stretch to say our biggest need is now big man depth.
Yes he can actually step into an NBA game and not be out of place unlike Queta.I actually like that guy for deep depth.
Active BIG, played over 1000 minutes for the Lakers last year
Look you may be right in the end and we may wind up watching this team try to defend opposing bigs with Kornet and a band of wings and ballhandlers during the playoffs. That will suck. But it will suck less having Jrue in lieu of Brogdon. That upgrade right there is bigger than the hit to the Cs big depth imo.I think we were well suited to playing a lot of two big lineups, which would've been plenty of minutes for the 3 legit playoff caliber bigs on the roster. Now it feels like we're limited to one big lineups, which both limits our versatility and may or may not be good for KP's health prospects (what's more dangerous, banging in the post or chasing players around the perimeter). It's unlikely to be an achilles heel, but it doesn't feel like a stretch to say our biggest need is now big man depth.
Would Kabengele really be fine as depth though? SL and preseason minutes we saw of him he looked completely lost despite his athleticism teasing us.Gabriel is this year’s Kabengele. He’s not an NBA rotation player but would be fine as deep depth. I don’t see him being very likely to make it out of training camp though.
To be fairGabriel is this year’s Kabengele. He’s not an NBA rotation player but would be fine as deep depth. I don’t see him being very likely to make it out of training camp though.
I'm not saying I didn't like the move, just that the next path to upgrade is clear (if not easy to accomplish). I'm pretty pleased that we moved off 2 of our 3 biggest injury risks while simultaneously raising the ceiling of our closing 5.Look you may be right in the end and we may wind up watching this team try to defend opposing bigs with Kornet and a band of wings and ballhandlers during the playoffs. That will suck. But it will suck less having Jrue in lieu of Brogdon. That upgrade right there is bigger than the hit to the Cs big depth imo.
Yeah, ultimately I think if rotation big is the hole on the team, it’s the right hole for Brad to have left open. Those guys are cheap to acquire and are bought out all the time. You’re not going to get another TL that way but you can get someone who can bang and rebound and defend a bit. I’ll much rather be chasing that at the deadline than anything elseI'm not saying I didn't like the move, just that the next path to upgrade is clear (if not easy to accomplish). I'm pretty pleased that we moved off 2 of our 3 biggest injury risks while simultaneously raising the ceiling of our closing 5.
Unfortunately his knuckle curve wasn’t as good as we hoped.To be fair
Kabengele has played a total of 380 NBA minutes in his career. Gabriel played in 68 games and 1024 minutes for an NBA semi-finalist last season. I'd say Queta on a 2-way fills that Kabengele role (in case of emergency break the glass BIG)
Just a reminder Brad picked up a depth 5 in Mike Mussina for some pocket lint last year (2nds) at the trade deadline
oh damn, Old Man alertUnfortunately his knuckle curve wasn’t as good as we hoped.
Horford is talented enough to play both the 4 & the 5 at a high level, he really made 2 BIGz work.Not being able to play 2-big lineups is like not being able to play 3-guard lineups: you don't want to do it in the first place, and you only do it if your talent is imbalanced and forces that in order to get your best players on the floor.
Yeah, I think when people talk about both him and Smart, they're talking about 2022 guys whom we very well might not see again.Horford is talented enough to play both the 4 & the 5 at a high level, he really made 2 BIGz work.
Also a healthy TimeLord, as a defensive free safety, helped create a record-setting D
BUT keeping Rob intact for an NBA season was next to impossible
Agreed. DEN won the championship last year with Jeff Green and Christian Braun as their 7th and 8th guysThe difference between Kristaps/Jrue/(two other spots) is, honestly, I think, worth more than Smart/Grant/Rob/Brogdon, if they just fill those two spots with perfectly cromulent backups. Which I think they can.
If the Celtics get the injury luck that Denver had last year (after losing Murray for back to back postseasons and MPJ missing about 180 games over his first 4 years, they were due), we'll be just fine.Agreed. DEN won the championship last year with Jeff Green and Christian Braun as their 7th and 8th guys