Horford to Boston!

[ishmael]

I too don't really see the any reason not to love the Horford signing.
He instantly becomes the Celtics best player.
He fills a position of need.
He makes the Celtics one of the top few teams in the East (behind Cleveland, but arguably as good a team as any other team)
The money with the new cap and the cap going forward will end up being reasonable (and is a free agent bargain compared to the money being thrown at free agents this past week) in the new economics of the NBA.
If they didn't sign him, I am not sure where they could have used the money and an impact free agent shut out was possible.
Adding on one of significance, and saving the money does not necessarily lead to a bonanza in 2017 free agent market (1 in hand is worth 2 in the bush)
and the Celtics now have perhaps a 25% to land KD vs. a <1%. (I know you can argue the numbers, but the fact remains that the Celtics now have a much better chance to land KG)
I guess to me I would much rather have Horford + max contract room now, than 2 max contract room next year.

If the Celtics land KG, Ainge deserves GM of the decade.

THIS.

If the C's don't sign Horford, they probably use the same salary slots for mediocrity like Jared Sullinger+Courtney Lee/Jared Dudley or Evan Turner+Cole Aldrich or Myers Leonard+Aaron Aafalo.

This deal sets the team up nicely to get production from 4 quality NBA starters locked in on market/below market deals (IT/Bradley/Crowder/Horford) and then fill out the roster mainly with guys on rookie deals that are still developing (Smart/Jaylen Brown/KO/Rozier/Mickey). If they miss on Durant, then they'll also bring back Amir+JJ on reasonable one year deals that leave them flexibility to go hard after Cousins in-season or another max free agent next summer.

 

[djbayko]

The best presser ever was Ainge promising to "turn this thing around" as the Celtics were in the middle of a playoff series. I'm sure the players were thrilled to hear that.

I had forgotten all about that. Considering the 90's happened, things didn't seem so terrible at the time. Thank goodness Danny didn't like what he saw.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

The best presser ever was Ainge promising to "turn this thing around" as the Celtics were in the middle of a playoff series. I'm sure the players were thrilled to hear that.

And he did, they weren't a playoff team the next year and had a coach quit in protest.

 

[CreightonGubanich]

Checking in here after the weekend, I'm surprised about the negativity surrounding the Horford signing. Obviously it would have been great it if it led to Durant, but even in a vacuum I think it's a great move. He doesn't give the Celtics their primary offensive option, but they're still well positioned to add that guy. They have max level cap space, no bad contracts, and the assets to trade for any available superstar. But Horford gives them a ton of flexibility. Big men who can both protect the rim on defense and stretch the floor on offense are chess pieces in the NBA today. Horford would be one of the few frontcourt partners who would make sense with Blake Griffin, as an example. He's the perfect 5 in a small-ball lineup. He lets you do so much both offensively and defensively, and he's a massive upgrade at the C's worst position.

 

[Bleedred]

Checking in here after the weekend, I'm surprised about the negativity surrounding the Horford signing. Obviously it would have been great it if it led to Durant, but even in a vacuum I think it's a great move. He doesn't give the Celtics their primary offensive option, but they're still well positioned to add that guy. They have max level cap space, no bad contracts, and the assets to trade for any available superstar. But Horford gives them a ton of flexibility. Big men who can both protect the rim on defense and stretch the floor on offense are chess pieces in the NBA today. Horford would be one of the few frontcourt partners who would make sense with Blake Griffin, as an example. He's the perfect 5 in a small-ball lineup. He lets you do so much both offensively and defensively, and he's a massive upgrade at the C's worst position.

I like the deal, but can Horford really be characterized as a rim protector? Better than what we had before the deal certainly.

 

[ElcaballitoMVP]

I like the deal, but can Horford really be characterized as a rim protector? Better than what we had before the deal certainly.

Yes, he can. He's not a high flying shot blocker like Whiteside or DeAndre Jordan, but he would've had more blocks than anyone on the C's last year (1.5 per game). He also upped his game in the playoffs to 2.4 per game to go along with over a steal per game. He's smart, knows where to be, and long enough to disrupt shots in the lane. He's also much more disciplined than someone like Whiteside, who sells out for weak side blocks just to make Sportscenter.

 

[CreightonGubanich]

I like the deal, but can Horford really be characterized as a rim protector? Better than what we had before the deal certainly.

He's not an elite rim protector, no, and the advanced stats bear that out. But he's generally pretty good at everything - he can protect the rim well enough to pair him with a small-ball 4, he has the bulk to defend bigger centers in the post, and he can switch onto (some) guards and wing players out of the pick and roll.

 

[GotMyESPY]

Is there any reason Horford couldn't play the 4 next to a guy like Noel? I still think that's on the table because Philly absolutely has to balance its roster. It might cost us Smart and another player but there's your rim protector for the next five years.

 

[the moops]

Is there any reason Horford couldn't play the 4 next to a guy like Noel? I still think that's on the table because Philly absolutely has to balance its roster. It might cost us Smart and another player but there's your rim protector for the next five years.

No chance they get something more than Smart for Noel. Noel has one less year of control, and is going to require a huge investment after next year, for someone will throw a ridiculous offer his way.

I would think if anything it would be Noel + for Smart

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

If the C's want Noel they should wait a year, offer sheet him (local guy) and force Philly to make a hard decision when they're already stuffed with bigs.

I think Ainge may prefer max flexibility going into next summer, though Noel would certainly make for a pretty fierce defense.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I like the deal, but can Horford really be characterized as a rim protector? Better than what we had before the deal certainly.

That's the thing right there.....better than what he had before in taking Sullinger and Olynyk's minutes not only inprotecting he rim but in contesting jumpers on switches. Horford is much better at closing out on shooters than either of them.

 

[DJnVa]

 

[The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa]

So he picked #42 to honor Mark Acres, right?

 

[Dummy Hoy]

Vin Baker.

 

[GreenMonsterVsGodzilla]

Seeds

 

[NoXInNixon]

The Answer!