[mgreener_34Participant]

So I usually don’t question Danny Ainge. I thought he was crazy at the time for trading the #5 pick for Ray Allen, the KG trade happened, and I stopped doubting him. Call it an over extention of the "In Bill we trast" slogan we have for the Patriots. 

I love the current team as constructed:

Horford- Baynes

Morris- Yabu

Hayward- Tatum

Brown- Smart

Kyrie- Rozier

Its clearly better than last years team, but its still lacking a tough, skilled big man. That’s why I think Danny Ainge’s biggest mistake this offseason was drafting Semi Ojeleye over Jordon Bell. 

Anyone who watched Oregon play in the tourny knew that Bells was the heart and soul of that team, best player, and showed all around skills. He rebounded, blocked shots, and even ran the offense making some great passes. A Brad Stevens player if I ever saw one, and a player who would fit in perfectly with this Celtics team. 

Once we drafted Tatum, even with the intention of trading Crowder, we still should have drafted Bell over Semi. Semi has the potential to be a solid NBA player, but I don’t see his doing that on a roster that will feature Morris, Hayward, Brown, and Tatum all at that position. Bell would be battle for minutes with Theiss and Yabusele…

I know hindsight is 20/20, but wit hthe recent moves that were made, I look at our roster and weep knowing that Bell could have been on it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[frogmanParticipant]

 I don’t think a team trying to win a championship needs to stress about their second round pick too much.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I completely agree that drafting another wing/forward combo was stupid. Also Bell has all the qaulities they need from thier big but shooting. Wouldve been a great fit and excellent student under Horford.

[markfitz14Participant]

He has consistently targeted Guards and Wings. I think it is because he likes a small ball quick lineup.

[LA12Participant]

 Bell isn’t really the prototypical big. If anything, he’s perfect for running a small ball lineup.

[Anton123Participant]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen as much pre-season hype about a second round rookie as there is around Bell. People are saying Bell will change the Warriors, would have really helped the Celtics… He’s still a 6’8 1/2” 224 lb center without terrific length or an offensive game. 

He might be good, but let’s not assume he will, especially as soon as next season. I’m pretty sure the hype will die down after he spends all of next season playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors.

 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 Word is they’re working out Thomas Robinson to help with that rebounding hole. Good pick up if you ask me if they do sign him.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 It’s not really whinning though, as it begs a serious question. How is Ainge going to improve the 4 or 5 on this team?

Horford/Baynes/Theiss/Yabusele is not a very promising group unless one of the later two break out big time to make Ainge look like a genius. While I’de like to see that happen, I just don’t think it will. Morris/Hayward/Tatum will all see a little burn at the 4, maybe even Morris starts there, but again, that’s not ideal for a team looking to win it all. If Celtics drafted Bell, than they would have had another young center to develope after trading Zizic. 

Who ever said Bell will be a good small ball center in right, and that’s exactly what we needed. His two best skills, rebounding and passing, would be welcome on this team. Now the only way for us to improve that position is to trade or draft. This is our assetts after the CLE trade:

2018 La Pick if between 2-5. 

2018 Bos 1st

2019 Bos 1st

2019 Sac/Phi Pick top #1 protected

2019 LAC 1st, lottery protected

2019 MEM 1st Top 8 protected (loses protection every year till 2020)

The Celtics will have about 9 players under contract through 2019, and at the cap or above it. To get another big man we either need to trade some of the above assetts, or/with players on the current roster. If that LA pick conveys, than Danny is looking impeccable, but if it doesn’t, the Celtics can again look to have another huge offseason in 2019. The La/Sac pick and Mem pick are worth a lot especially with Memphis about to blow it up, and that pick has minimal protection than none. 

I don’t think Danny is going to draft that player we need, he’s done drafting, so who can he get with those assetts? Players and all? I’m looking at:

Aaron Gordon (Buying high or low?)

Draymon Green (Someone has to leave eventually, right?)

Kevin Love (Kevin Loves career is going to be interesting)

Anthony Davis (Tatum/Horford expiring/Mem/Sac/BOS/LAC pick)

We have to power to make another huge move in a year or two, that’s for sure. We need that big man to really compete though

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 I don’t see them competing for a Ring this year. But over the next 2 or 3 years as this core of young Star level talent Bonds & gels, the Kyrie, Hayward, Brown & Tatum core give that Celtics organization a big upgrade over last seasons Veteran group

Nevertheless, the outstanding & rugged perimeter Defense provided by Bradley & Crowder HID a lot of Boston’s deficiencies where Interior Defense is concerned. Horford is a fantastic offensive talent but he does Not give much on Defense in the realm of Rim protection & shot intimidation 

I’m concerned about Boston’s lack of size, athleticism & Rim protection at the 5 spot. 

I don’t know if it is realistic, but I would LUV to see the Celtics land a player like Rudy Gobert or DeAndre Jordan or if that Lakers pick converts in 2016 at the 3 or 4 or 5 spot & they could get their hands on Moe Bamba makes the C’s So much more Dangerous b/c it gives players who are Not good defenders the confidence to press out & get in the shirt of opposing players & a Legit rim protector Instantly makes the Celtics transition game Deadly b/c of the Number of Easy looks it gives athletic finishers like Kyrie Irving, Jason Tatum & Jalyen Brown – the Confidence it generates translates directly to other parts of their Game.

I don’t know if Any of these options are realistic but if Anny Daigne could wrap his arms around a 5 w/ that kind of Defensive ability & Rim protection it would be a game changer for the C’s 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Captain LParticipant]

 I love Bell and think he was worthy of being a 1st round pick, I can’t believe GS were able to draft him, the rich get richer.  I would have loved to have my Jazz take Bell over Bradley.  I think Bell will surprise & impress and a lot of teams will wish they had pulled the trigger on drafting him.

[thetrademachineryParticipant]

injury is written all over Bell if he plays high minutes

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