[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

I’m a Celtics fan. I’m an optimist. I also over-analyze things. 

I like Brad Stevens as an NBA basketball coach. He knows how to create a team offensive and defensive scheme. I love the direction the Celtics are headed, but I think the time for patience is coming to an end. Stevens has set up his offense and established his coaching style in the NBA. They know, for the most part, who they have on their team and how well they fit in Stevens’ system. Smart, Sully, Olynyk, and Young will all continue to develop, but I think some limitations have been exposed that will not be fixed through player development. I’m worried that Ainge plans to let this ride out for two more years, until Wallace’s and Green’s contract ends and he starts to get the Nets’ draft picks.

I think they could start to pull the talent and the system all together. I’d like to see the system start to come together sooner. As I see it, there are several limitations to the players and the system with Stevens. 

1. Not only are they allowing the fifth most Opponent Field Goal Attempts at the rim in the league, but they are also allowing 54% shooting at the rim. The insertion of Tyler Zeller into the starting lineup has helped this (allowing a good 47% at the rim), but I’m not sure he is a long-term solution. 

2. Stevens’ system is predicated on the ability of his big men to shoot outside. Sullinger and Olynyk are both shooting well above 30% from three. This opens the court up for everyone. The problem is that their backcourt is shooting terribly from three: Rondo 24%, Smart 27%, Pressey 18%, Bradley 31%, Green 32%, and Turner 30%. Thorton has only gotten into the rotation this year because they need at least one non-big who can shoot on the floor. The guards’ terrible shooting combined with the big men shooting a lot of three means there are a lot of long rebounds and a lot of awkward defensive situations on the fast break. 

3. Point number two, I believe, is largely the reason that opponents are playing at a faster pace against the Celtics than opponents of any other team.  

4. Stephen’s system requires high IQ players that know how to make the extra pass. This is the reason why they are one of the, if not the, best passing teams in the league. 

5. Olynyk and Sullinger both need a point guard who knows how to run the pick and roll/pop game. For awhile, I was ok with the idea that the Celtics would trade Rondo. However, more and more I think that Rondo is in the perfect situation for himself and for them, and the problems with their offensive efficiency and defense need to be addressed elsewhere. 

6. Jeff Green should not be part of the Celtics future plans. He is posting career bests and looks really good some nights, but why did the Thunder get better without him? Why have the Celtics never been able to consistently rely on and win with him? The real plus/minus stat may give us a clue. Even though he is one of the top SFs in the league this year in scoring, he is the 52nd best RPM small forward. According to that stat, the Celtics are better with Gerald Wallace on the floor than Green. In other words, his presence is not creating success for his team. This confirms the eye test this year and the success of his teams throughout his career when he was on the court. 

7. To summarize, in order for the Celtics to continue to pull together in Stevens’ system, they need rim protection, high IQ ball players with good passing skills, and three point shooting. 

8. Will this make them contenders? Probably not. They still need another Allstar or two to be contenders. However, I think that Stevens’ system is based on maximizing talent. 

9. After working through this entire post to this point, I just read that Rondo may be on his way out the door to the Mavs. While I am thrilled that Ainge is possibly (fingers crossed) finally going to make a move, the timing is a bit odd to me. I am currently hoping that if this is true, they will get Harris and Wright back, while also pulling in a third team to absorb Wallace’s salary. Both players would give the Celtics what I think they need. Wright can finish around the hoop and knows how to defend the rim, while Harris would provide shooting and solid play at point guard. 

10. Other trade options were predicated on the idea that they would still have Rondo. Anyway, if you are still reading this, you might be interested to hear what I came up with. 

Clippers-Hornets-Celtics

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ouuplem

If Clippers are legitimately interested in Stephenson, this deal makes sense for everyone. Doc has a way with hotheads and Stephenson could really develop next to Paul. The Celtics get shooting that they desperately need. The Bobcats get a veteran wing defender and scorer to pair with Walker. Thorton is an expiring contract, so they essentially get out of the last two years of Stephenson’s contract. 

Rockets-Celtics

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=owybtjz

This is my favorite because of the Rockets’ cap wizardry. With only a little salary going out, they are able to take a lot of salary back in. Green provides them with versatile wing/stretch4 player and Bass is a solid veteran who has already played next to Howard. The Celtics get Terry’s geriatrics and expiring contract, along with Motiejunas, a solid defender at the rim with shooting range, and Papa, who might fit in nicely at the three in Stevens’ system. 

Bucks-Celtics

The Bucks might be interested in a Green for Sanders swap, especially if the Celtics threw in Faverini and/or a draft pick. 

Jazz-Celtics

The Jazz will have to make some tough decisions about their team coming up. Kanter is really good on offense, but awful on defense. Favors and Gobert both play the same position, and they just gave Favors a lot of money. In the end, I think Gobert could be had for the right price. What about Zeller plus a future Nets draft pick for Gobert? 

Wolves-Celtics

What do they want? Martin is a good fit as a shooter/scorer next to Rondo/Smart/Bradley. What about Brandon Bass’s expiring contract and getting out of a long-term commitment to Kevin Martin? 

One team that I think should think about Rondo is the Pelicans. I like Evans/Holliday/Gordon, but not as stars to pair with Davis. A Rondo/Davis/Anderson combination would be really good if they were able to keep one of the other three guards. Something like this >> Celtics get Evans, Motiejunas, and Papa. Rockets get Holliday and Bass. Pelicans get Rondo, Green, and Terry. I think that would make them a legit playoff team this year and a team that no one wants to play in the playoffs. 

Anyway. This possible Rondo trade has me rethinking how the Celtics will continue their rebuild. It remains obvious that they will need rim protection, shooting, another scorer on the wing, and the opportunity to unload Jeff Green. Maybe this team will start to take form over the next few days. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

 No way the Bucks give up their best rim protector for someone to logjam the SF spot (barring Jabari’s injury).

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

 No way the Bucks give up their best rim protector for someone to logjam the SF spot (barring Jabari’s injury).

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Have been discussing this trade in another thread in here:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=n5btwas

Why it works for Oklahoma City: Rondo can facilitate to Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka, and the other young players; allow Westbrook/Durant to play off ball more, similar to Ellis/Nowitzki in Dallas; allow Westbrook to dominate the ball with the second unit; maybe Rondo signs for less than the max, if it doesn’t work out let him walk

Why it works for Boston: Most importantly, don’t lose Rondo for nothing or late 1st/2nd round draft picks; add another young player/asset in Jackson, who they can afford to pay and sign long term.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Have been discussing this trade in another thread in here:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=n5btwas

Why it works for Oklahoma City: Rondo can facilitate to Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka, and the other young players; allow Westbrook/Durant to play off ball more, similar to Ellis/Nowitzki in Dallas; allow Westbrook to dominate the ball with the second unit; maybe Rondo signs for less than the max, if it doesn’t work out let him walk

Why it works for Boston: Most importantly, don’t lose Rondo for nothing or late 1st/2nd round draft picks; add another young player/asset in Jackson, who they can afford to pay and sign long term.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Draft is a needle and a haystack and they are loaded with pics already. I dont think he gets traded while they are in the playoff hunt. I think the Celtics are fine. They have young talent and more pics then anyone would need. They are improving. Sully and KO would be less effective without a pg like him. They score a lot because of him. Green is scoring well because of him. They can get into the playoffs this year and improve from last year with a lot of first round picks already. I would play it out until the deadline, see where the team is at in the playoff race. Business wise a playoff appearance for Stevens and Ainge would show a sign of a quick turn around. They are sitting good now as long as the team improves as the year goes. Never suck on purpose when your team clearly is improving and your future is set with picks. They are in a good position if they dont f it up.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Draft is a needle and a haystack and they are loaded with pics already. I dont think he gets traded while they are in the playoff hunt. I think the Celtics are fine. They have young talent and more pics then anyone would need. They are improving. Sully and KO would be less effective without a pg like him. They score a lot because of him. Green is scoring well because of him. They can get into the playoffs this year and improve from last year with a lot of first round picks already. I would play it out until the deadline, see where the team is at in the playoff race. Business wise a playoff appearance for Stevens and Ainge would show a sign of a quick turn around. They are sitting good now as long as the team improves as the year goes. Never suck on purpose when your team clearly is improving and your future is set with picks. They are in a good position if they dont f it up.

[Author]

Posts