Analysis of Celtics Games (2020-2021)

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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When did Harrison Barnes become a steadying, respected locker room presence? I am not against a Barnes acquisition as long as it doesn't hurt their ability to get a difference maker but I am not sure that he is perceived as highly around the league as he is here, in terms of character or basketball. Do you have any color on his relationship with Tatum and Brown?
 

lexrageorge

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Lacking confidence in his teammates is a roster construction issue. At this point I’m in favor of a complete Ainge overhaul with like 4 players being untouchable.

This stretch without Smart is telling.
Who is the 4th after Tatum, Brown, and Smart?

The most likely scenario is that they absorb someone's bad contract for some firsts. They might be a year or two finding that third guy to stack with the JayCrew.
Seems like a waste. Waiting too long for that 3rd player means the J's aren't signing their 3rd contract here. Ainge would deserve the vilification he would receive here for lighting the TPE on fire in that manner.
 

Cellar-Door

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When did Harrison Barnes become a steadying, respected locker room presence? I am not against a Barnes acquisition as long as it doesn't hurt their ability to get a difference maker but I am not sure that he is perceived as highly around the league as he is here, in terms of character or basketball. Do you have any color on his relationship with Tatum and Brown?
DOn't know how he's seen league wide, but he definitely is considered one of the leaders in SAC, and has been for some time. He's got a Horford type rep as a quiet leader who guys respect. Probably helps that he was a starter on a Championship team too.
 

shoelace

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Seems like a waste. Waiting too long for that 3rd player means the J's aren't signing their 3rd contract here. Ainge would deserve the vilification he would receive here for lighting the TPE on fire in that manner.
Do people really think this? I know Matt Moore and some other writers have talked about the idea that NBA contracts are maybe fake now and that the elite players can just demand to move whenever they want to, but I'm not sure the Celtics are comparable to the Pelicans or the Rockets or other recent super star trades. The idea that Tatum, before his extension kicks in, isn't going to resign here because Ainge won't trade for Harrison Barnes or something in the 2020-2021 season feels pretty insane to me. So much can change in the course of a season, let alone the several years they have to work with before Jaylen or Jayson's next contract is a thing.

A recent Chris Mannix piece said that Smart, Tatum, Brown and Walker have played a total of 28 minutes together this season. I realize that Kemba is the scourge of this board (though he played well last night and I feel like his issues recently have been shooting related, I don't see athletic issues with respect to his knee), but he does still command defensive attention that other players don't. I want to see some games with Walker, Smart, Brown, Tatum and Theis/Thompson/TL before I make final judgments on this roster. This isn't to say that they don't need to improve, I just don't understand the rush. I mean, other than that they suck to watch right now, which I get.

Maybe I'm biased, I think I'm more on the train to save the TPE for summer when teams are trying to clear cap space to make moves. It feels like that's a better time to get a good value for the TPE, when teams are delusional and convince themselves they need to clear space for player X. I really don't think the Celtics, with two young All-Stars, need to be in short term thinking mode quite yet.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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DOn't know how he's seen league wide, but he definitely is considered one of the leaders in SAC, and has been for some time. He's got a Horford type rep as a quiet leader who guys respect. Probably helps that he was a starter on a Championship team too.
That may well be the case but if he isn't able to help right the ship in Sacramento (check their results of late) with their young core, I am not sure what leadership he brings to Boston. My perception of his time in Golden State was that they would have moved on from him whether they had a shot at KD or not. This is not a sleight but simply that his intangibles, whatever they may be, simply don't add enough value to make up for the fact that his core skillset is fully valued by the market. He is essentially league average and gets paid a lot for that production.
 

128

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It almost feels like the universe is balancing itself after our incredible Nets deal. The good news is that Tatum and Brown are 22 and 24 so we have several years to get this right but it's just not going to be easy to find that final big piece.
Or karma intervened after seeing the C's use up and then spit out IT4. (I realize that's a vast oversimplification of what really happened.)
 

nighthob

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We haven't heard it this year, but it was annoying last year to read their leaks about how much they really loved Herro. If that's the case, spend some assets and move up a couple slots to get him.
I’ve covered this before, but the people drafting in front of Boston either weren’t moving or were moving up. The teams trading down into the 10-13 slots weren’t interested in trading down further. Boston needed to win one coin flip in 2019, it lost them all because of the Curse of the Kyriebo.
 

Jimbodandy

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There are a lot of valid criticisms of Ainge in this thread, but the Thompson one is not one of them.

Sure, it looks great in hindsight that TL carried over his three weeks of good bubble play into not only continued improved play but also consistent availability. But if you had that crystal ball, then kudos to you for your prognostication because there was jack shit to base it on. And anyone who can blame Ainge for avoiding being one typical TL bad back away from Grant and Tacko backup 5 every night simply cannot imagine what a bloodbath that would have been. Theis himself is a magnet for hard contact (both giving and receiving), and without Thompson, it's conceivable that we have many weeks with Grant and Tacko as 1-2 big. Fuck that shit.
 

scottyno

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Or karma intervened after seeing the C's use up and then spit out IT4. (I realize that's a vast oversimplification of what really happened.)
What's the karma excuse for the 1-2 titles they lost in the new big 3 era? Given the horrid luck the Cs have had with injuries during his tenure it's a miracle that they won the first year.
 

JCizzle

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I’ve covered this before, but the people drafting in front of Boston either weren’t moving or were moving up. The teams trading down into the 10-13 slots weren’t interested in trading down further. Boston needed to win one coin flip in 2019, it lost them all because of the Curse of the Kyriebo.
That's totally fair, but they can also control the CYA self serving leaks. I find it annoying, but I recognize it's part of the game.
 

ManicCompression

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Co-signed. Solid, strong, high IQ defender who can switch confidently onto wings (which is clearly what Myers/Kerr liked about him, with Andre and Shaun having moved on) but pretty atrocious offensively. I mean, anyone who steps in for Steph is gonna seem like they suck in relative terms, but I don’t think it’s too much to ask your backup PG to shoot, score, and create for others at least little bit, none of which Wanamaker has done at an NBA level in GS. Biggest drop-off from last year has been the ability to hit open shots and threes, which has mostly been MIA. Without that, there’s not a lot there. Rumor is that Jordan Poole may be taking over his role as second-unit leader shortly.

On the other hand: GS currently has the #4 ranked D in the league, and I think Wanamaker may be a small part of that.
Wanamaker is obviously not the difference between the Celtics competing for a championship - there are a lot of things at play, health included - but I definitely think that his size in the backcourt was an underrated asset. We have five point guards (Waters, Walker, Edwards, Teague, PP) who are not NBA-sized players or athletes. That's almost a third of our roster. They can play bigger, but that's a major disadvantage every time we get on the court. Yes, Wanamaker sucks on offense, but at least he can be a physical presence and play defense. That's sorely lacking from our bench guards right now, and no amount of effort is going to change that.
 

nighthob

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I would like to see them go after Barnes, I think he’s the type of guy the Jays would respect and listen to.

The team has a ton of issues, but I feel a couple of moves could relatively fix it. They aren’t beating the Nets regardless, but the Jays need some help.
Yeah ... No. If Barnes is the answer you’re asking a really stupid question. He’s OK and marginally improves your chances of making the ECF, but the opportunity cost is going to be large. No thanks.
 

nighthob

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Who is the 4th after Tatum, Brown, and Smart?


Seems like a waste. Waiting too long for that 3rd player means the J's aren't signing their 3rd contract here. Ainge would deserve the vilification he would receive here for lighting the TPE on fire in that manner.
I mean they have three years before this even becomes an issue. Given the relationship between Tatum, Mitchell, and Brown, and that Boston has two of those guys, they just need to have open cap space Mitchell’s free agent year.
 

nighthob

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Or karma intervened after seeing the C's use up and then spit out IT4. (I realize that's a vast oversimplification of what really happened.)
The Celtics did not “use up and spit out” Thomas. Thomas himself admitted that he had a malformed hip. He chose not to have the corrective surgery because it would have interfered with his playing career and his hopes of landing a max deal. The implication is that he likely would have had the surgery after signing his new deal and his financial future was set. Unfortunately for Lil’ Zeke his hip gave out first.
 

Cellar-Door

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I mean they have three years before this even becomes an issue. Given the relationship between Tatum, Mitchell, and Brown, and that Boston has two of those guys, they just need to have open cap space Mitchell’s free agent year.
That's not really how the league works... most notably, guys start pushing for a move a good 2 years out if they're unhappy (2022-23 season for Brown).
Also... Mitchell isn't a FA until every single player on the roster has expired. The idea that your long term plan is... wait 5 years and hope guys re-sign in the meantime, but not so many or so expensive that you don't have a max slot... that's not a plan.
 

128

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What's the karma excuse for the 1-2 titles they lost in the new big 3 era? Given the horrid luck the Cs have had with injuries during his tenure it's a miracle that they won the first year.
Or with Reggie Lewis and Len Bias. Cosmic payback for Red's reign?
 

NomarsFool

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Who is the 4th after Tatum, Brown, and Smart?


Seems like a waste. Waiting too long for that 3rd player means the J's aren't signing their 3rd contract here. Ainge would deserve the vilification he would receive here for lighting the TPE on fire in that manner.
Is there a contract out there so bad (that still fits into the TPE) that a team would give up more than a 1st round pick to get rid of him? I realize that it is sunk cost, but since Boston gave up 2 2nd rounders, to only get draft picks 'in return' for the TPE AND absorb a contract (and tax implications) would look pretty poor to Ainge's boss.
 

nighthob

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That's not really how the league works... most notably, guys start pushing for a move a good 2 years out if they're unhappy (2022-23 season for Brown).
Also... Mitchell isn't a FA until every single player on the roster has expired. The idea that your long term plan is... wait 5 years and hope guys re-sign in the meantime, but not so many or so expensive that you don't have a max slot... that's not a plan.
Mitchell and Tatum signed the exact same deal. It’s pretty clear that they have plans to play together. Boston just needs for it to happen here. And given that Mitchell and Brown seem tight, that leaves Boston with the inside track.
 

reggiecleveland

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Whatever they decide, unless other guys make shots it is too easy to key on Brown
There are a lot of valid criticisms of Ainge in this thread, but the Thompson one is not one of them.

Sure, it looks great in hindsight that TL carried over his three weeks of good bubble play into not only continued improved play but also consistent availability. But if you had that crystal ball, then kudos to you for your prognostication because there was jack shit to base it on. And anyone who can blame Ainge for avoiding being one typical TL bad back away from Grant and Tacko backup 5 every night simply cannot imagine what a bloodbath that would have been. Theis himself is a magnet for hard contact (both giving and receiving), and without Thompson, it's conceivable that we have many weeks with Grant and Tacko as 1-2 big. Fuck that shit.
I like this guy!
 

Cellar-Door

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Mitchell and Tatum signed the exact same deal. It’s pretty clear that they have plans to play together. Boston just needs for it to happen here. And given that Mitchell and Brown seem tight, that leaves Boston with the inside track.
I mean.... it's 5+ years from now.

If you don't build success between now and then why are they coming here?
Why not all get together somewhere like Miami or DAL with better weather and taxes?
Or why wouldn't UTA snipe Brown in FA giving THEM 2/3 of the group (especially since they seem to be the more likely team to win a title at the moment)?
Even then, the more reasonable plan is to build up the best team you can with lots of assets, then get Mitchell to shoot his way out of SLC in the last year of Jaylen's deal so Jaylen can re-sign knowing his big 3 is set.

The idea that after the last 3 years you would plan around "let a guy get to FA then convince him to come back" after seeing that fail with 3 straight stars leaving for little or no return, AND do it 5 years out is..... Knickslike.
 

Auger34

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Mitchell and Tatum signed the exact same deal. It’s pretty clear that they have plans to play together. Boston just needs for it to happen here. And given that Mitchell and Brown seem tight, that leaves Boston with the inside track.
Is this a thing? I consider myself pretty well informed on these types of topics and I’ve literally never heard Mitchell and Tatum were close let alone that they are planning to play together.Brad Beal is the one that everyone always assumes wants to play with Tatum because they grew up in StL together

I know Jaylen and Mitchell would show up on each other’s Instagram stories a bunch during the bubble but that seemed like more of a running joke than anything
 

nighthob

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I mean.... it's 5+ years from now.

If you don't build success between now and then why are they coming here?
Why not all get together somewhere like Miami or DAL with better weather and taxes?
Or why wouldn't UTA snipe Brown in FA giving THEM 2/3 of the group (especially since they seem to be the more likely team to win a title at the moment)?
Even then, the more reasonable plan is to build up the best team you can with lots of assets, then get Mitchell to shoot his way out of SLC in the last year of Jaylen's deal so Jaylen can re-sign knowing his big 3 is set.

The idea that after the last 3 years you would plan around "let a guy get to FA then convince him to come back" after seeing that fail with 3 straight stars leaving for little or no return, AND do it 5 years out is..... Knickslike.
I mean if you’re expecting five years of covid19 randomness I can’t help you. This year has been a perfect shitstorm of games lost to injury and zero practice time to help develop the younger players. Next year will be a return to normalcy and I expect Boston to go back to being a tier 1a contender.
 

bankshot1

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only new take-away was Larry Bird or Superman ain't walking through that door this year on the TPE

WG expects to use it for a major piece next year.

so they basically have to fix what ails them with what's in-house.
 

benhogan

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only new take-away was Larry Bird or Superman ain't walking through that door this year on the TPE

WG expects to use it for a major piece next year.


so they basically have to fix what ails them with what's in-house.
fiscal prudence wins

avoid the repeater tax, not altogether shocking, makes sense
 

JCizzle

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only new take-away was Larry Bird or Superman ain't walking through that door this year on the TPE

WG expects to use it for a major piece next year.

so they basically have to fix what ails them with what's in-house.
That was a horrible interview, unless I missed some in the beginning. I guess it doesn't surprise me, but all they could come up with is: are you being cheap and do you regret the Kyrie trade? Really? Toucher and Rich aren't the super serious sportz guys and they still manage to come up with 20 min of questions for Danny.
 

Imbricus

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Gorman went on Toucher and Rich this morning and absolutely laid in to the Celtics, especially the Jays, for playing selfishly and being "sad to watch".
See, I think this is dead on, and Forsberg just had a similar comment:
Tatum and Brown display too much me-first basketball when things get tight.
I think we tend to cut Tatum and Brown too much slack with the "they have no one to pass it to" excuse. If they pass the ball, it's not like it's gone forever. It can be passed back. The other players know that Brown and Tatum are still the alpha dogs on the offense.

Passing the ball puts the defense in motion, and pounding it one on one usually doesn't.
 

benhogan

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See, I think this is dead on, and Forsberg just had a similar comment:

I think we tend to cut Tatum and Brown too much slack with the "they have no one to pass it to" excuse. If they pass the ball, it's not like it's gone forever. It can be passed back. The other players know that Brown and Tatum are still the alpha dogs on the offense.

Passing the ball puts the defense in motion, and pounding it one on one usually doesn't.
An open Tatum barking after a Pritchard basket the other night was somewhat bizarre and the optics weren't great
 

nighthob

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That's totally fair, but they can also control the CYA self serving leaks. I find it annoying, but I recognize it's part of the game.
It wasn't "a leak". A reporter covering Boston's draft reported that the draft room reacted negatively when Miami tabbed Herro.

Also, despite all the gloom & doom pearl clutching going on here, this isn't the worst year to finish with a pick in the teens given the talent drop-off after 20 or so. I mean yes, it sucks that Boston would have to rely on another younger player developing to help right the ship. But there are going to be actual guys that might have that ability in the mid first this year.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Totally agree---there is more going on than roster construction.

I'm puzzled what it is. Are the Js egos getting big? Do they not trust anyone and are doing what they think is best and others are frustrated by that? Are they doing about all they can and getting frustrated by all the marginal minutes being played around them by guys who don't have it? Is Stevens getting tuned out, and by whom?
The team played their asses off every night on the WC trip and when a better team like the Clippers were sleeping we snuck out with a win. Since then they have been sluggish......maybe the players don’t agree with the players Ainge is giving minutes too, benching Teague, etc. When players begin questioning a coach the locker room talk stirs up and that’s how a coach can lose his team. Is it a coincidence that Grant and Nesmith combined for 0 FGA and 0 pts in 28 min last game? Something may not be right with how the players are responding to these lineups.

Not saying that this is what’s occurring here bc I’m not there but it’s one of the possibilities.......and for better or for worse, this is Tatum and Jaylens team so how they feel about who is getting minutes does matter.
 

mcpickl

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The most likely scenario is that they absorb someone's bad contract for some firsts. They might be a year or two finding that third guy to stack with the JayCrew.
I think this is the least likely scenario.

There are a lot of valid criticisms of Ainge in this thread, but the Thompson one is not one of them.

Sure, it looks great in hindsight that TL carried over his three weeks of good bubble play into not only continued improved play but also consistent availability. But if you had that crystal ball, then kudos to you for your prognostication because there was jack shit to base it on. And anyone who can blame Ainge for avoiding being one typical TL bad back away from Grant and Tacko backup 5 every night simply cannot imagine what a bloodbath that would have been. Theis himself is a magnet for hard contact (both giving and receiving), and without Thompson, it's conceivable that we have many weeks with Grant and Tacko as 1-2 big. Fuck that shit.
Why do people keep saying this stuff?

Like, if Ainge didn't sign Thompson it's welp, now Grant and Tacko have to play backup 5 because RWill got hurt again.

Why is everyone acting like Thompson was the only center who was a free agent? You want to say he was the best available free agent center? Fine. But if Ainge didn't sign Thompson, he wouldn't have just thrown his hands up in the air and said well now I'm screwed because there just isn't another player on earth that can be a third string center that can play backup if one of my other two centers get hurt. Guess I have to play Tacko 20 minutes a night now, no other options.
 
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HomeRunBaker

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I think this is the least likely scenario.



Why do people keep saying this stuff?

Like, if Ainge didn't sign Thompson it's welp, now Grant and Tacko have to play backup 5 because RWill got hurt again.

Why is everyone acting like Thompson was the only center who was a free agent? You want to say he was the best available free agent center? Fine. But if Ainge didn't sign Thompson, he wouldn't have just thrown his hands up in the air and said well now I'm screwed because there just isn't another player on earth that can be a third string center that can play backup if one of my other two centers get hurt. Guess I have to play Tacko 20 minutes a night now, no other options.
Why do people keep associating TT with 3rd string centers? After the slow start after having nearly a full year off he’s been one of our best players the last half dozen games or so and certainly our best center.
 

PedroKsBambino

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I get not liking a big with the full MLE but TT was going to cost that much and to me is nowhere near one of the top issues with this team. And they clearly do need veterans--though to date he hasn't impacted things that way.

Teague was an interesting idea but a miss; would rather see them experimenting with others than playing him. He should be cut if there isn't a fake-value (e.g. protected second) available for someone who wants the depth. He had a role on last year's caliber team but on this one he's a bad use of minutes
 

Cellar-Door

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Why do people keep associating TT with 3rd string centers? After the slow start after having nearly a full year off he’s been one of our best players the last half dozen games or so and certainly our best center.
Because the argument "we should have gotten a mediocre bench wing instead of our starting C" doesn't sound as good as "we should have gotten a mediocre bench wing instead of a 3rd string C".

I agree though, he started slow, but he's played the 4th most minutes and he's been a very valuable piece since the new year, and without him we'd be much worse. His ceiling may be the lowest of the 3 centers, but his floor is much higher, as you see in games like tonight, where one of the key portions of the game was when he went out and ATL torched the Williams lineups.
 

lexrageorge

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I mean they have three years before this even becomes an issue. Given the relationship between Tatum, Mitchell, and Brown, and that Boston has two of those guys, they just need to have open cap space Mitchell’s free agent year.
Except the team already has a bad contract. Why take on another one at the cost of draft capital? At $28M, they should be able to find a player via sign-and-trade that can help them during the offseason. It may not be easy, but that is why Ainge is paid to be the GM. Chasing after a fantasy of landing a Mitchell 3 years from now should get Ainge fired.
 

Cellar-Door

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Except the team already has a bad contract. Why take on another one at the cost of draft capital? At $28M, they should be able to find a player via sign-and-trade that can help them during the offseason. It may not be easy, but that is why Ainge is paid to be the GM. Chasing after a fantasy of landing a Mitchell 3 years from now should get Ainge fired.
One note... it's almost impossible to get a $28M S&T this offseason unless they are dumping Kemba. S&T hard caps you and we won't have enough space under the hard cap to get $28M in
 

lexrageorge

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One note... it's almost impossible to get a $28M S&T this offseason unless they are dumping Kemba. S&T hard caps you and we won't have enough space under the hard cap to get $28M in
Yep, I had forgot that when I posted. Still, it's on Ainge to make good use of it rather than setting it aflame.
 

mcpickl

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Why do people keep associating TT with 3rd string centers? After the slow start after having nearly a full year off he’s been one of our best players the last half dozen games or so and certainly our best center.
Who's doing that?

Because the argument "we should have gotten a mediocre bench wing instead of our starting C" doesn't sound as good as "we should have gotten a mediocre bench wing instead of a 3rd string C".

I agree though, he started slow, but he's played the 4th most minutes and he's been a very valuable piece since the new year, and without him we'd be much worse. His ceiling may be the lowest of the 3 centers, but his floor is much higher, as you see in games like tonight, where one of the key portions of the game was when he went out and ATL torched the Williams lineups.
And this is also not an argument I've made, but is clearly aimed at me.

You can "fuck off with this bullshit"
 

HomeRunBaker

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Who's doing that?
Wait, you’re serious?

You literally did it in the post I quoted tonight. You did it several times yesterday including providing a list of “3rd string centers” Ainge could have signed instead of TT.
 

mcpickl

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Wait, you’re serious?

You literally did it in the post I quoted tonight. You did it several times yesterday including providing a list of “3rd string centers” Ainge could have signed instead of TT.
Yes, I'm serious.

I never said Thompson was a 3rd string center, or that those guys were as good as Thompson, because they're not.

My argument is, and has been since the day he signed, that I'd rather they spent their money on a wing, and taken on a lesser cheaper center who would be a 3rd string behind RWill, than spend the money on TT to be ahead of RWill and have trash at the wing spots.

So no, I've literally never once made the argument you keep dishonestly claiming I did.
 

reggiecleveland

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Yes, I'm serious.

I never said Thompson was a 3rd string center, or that those guys were as good as Thompson, because they're not.

My argument is, and has been since the day he signed, that I'd rather they spent their money on a wing, and taken on a lesser cheaper center who would be a 3rd string behind RWill, than spend the money on TT to be ahead of RWill and have trash at the wing spots.

So no, I've literally never once made the argument you keep dishonestly claiming I did.
That is assuming Theis you are comfortable with Theis, Timelord, and somebody significantly worse, and so cheap they may useless. Not an appealing option
I guess whoever that 15 million vet wing would be the person we were blaming.
 

mcpickl

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That is assuming Theis you are comfortable with Theis, Timelord, and somebody significantly worse, and so cheap they may useless. Not an appealing option
I guess whoever that 15 million vet wing would be the person we were blaming.
Yes, as I've said a bunch I am comfortable with this, because I think the current wing depth is even less appealing.
 

reggiecleveland

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Yes, as I've said a bunch I am comfortable with this, because I think the current wing depth is even less appealing.
If Theis was hurt now and not Smart you would probably be shitting on the 15 million dollar wing and 7 foot 3rd string stiff. And it is almost guaranteed at some point Smart will be back and This will be out. There is only one forward playi9ng most of the time. You can't play that bum on the weakest big on the other team, like you can Semi or Nesmith or Pritchard.

It's all about Kemba. He needs to play well for the team to have a chance.
 

mcpickl

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If Theis was hurt now and not Smart you would probably be shitting on the 15 million dollar wing and 7 foot 3rd string stiff. And it is almost guaranteed at some point Smart will be back and This will be out. There is only one forward playi9ng most of the time. You can't play that bum on the weakest big on the other team, like you can Semi or Nesmith or Pritchard.

It's all about Kemba. He needs to play well for the team to have a chance.
No, I wouldn't. I didn't like the move at the time man, this isn't hindsight. (though I don't know where you're getting this 15 million dollar wing. The MLE was a max of the 9.258 Thompson got) Also don't know what you mean by there is only one forward playing most of the time.

Because as I said at the time, it was more likely one of Smart/Brown/Tatum would get hurt, than Theis would get hurt, because of math. Not that it matters much anyway, injuries are fairly random. But they aren't short at the wing because Smart is hurt, they are short at the wing with Smart. Even if healthy, I think they need two wings(or whatever we're calling them now. two guys who are neither PGs or Cs) I think for a decent rotation you need 2 PGs, 2 Cs and 6 guys in between. I don't trust any of the middle guys outside of the starters.

It really doesn't seem like the hottest take to me that going into free agency, the best bench player the Celtics had was Rob Williams. Yet that was the spot they chose to fire their biggest bullet to upgrade.

Fit matters. Like, I don't think Philly made a huge talent upgrade in their starting lineup swapping out Horford and Richardson for Green and Curry. But the team fits much better having Tobias move to the spot he should be playing, and improving the shooting. In a vacuum, I'd rather have Horford/Richardson, on Philly I'd rather have Green/Curry(talking just the players, not the contracts)

I mean, if the best player available to the Celtics at the deadline is a center, is that who they should trade for? Or if there was a player not quite as good, but was a wing, would it make more sense to trade for that guy?