[trelos6Participant]

With Brad Stevens in charge, Boston is operating a pace and space system.

Best case scenario, Hunter and Young become studs.  They shoot over 40% from 3pt land.

Sully, Olynyk, Jerebko all shoot 36% or better (Olynyk can potentially get 40%).

Rozier and IT are the PG who can create off the drible and push the ball.

Crowder, Bradley and Smart become 3 and D players.

 

I have faith in Stevens, and believe that his teams always perform greater than the sum of their parts.  

With this scenario, Celtics only really need one thing.  A beast down low.  A guy who can dunk with authority, roll to the rim and be a shot blocker.

It might be an unpopular move, but a guy like Roy Hibbert could be the answer.  While I do think Vogel is a great coach, a change of scenery might be what is required for Hibbert to return to the form he showed a few years ago.

Another option is trading a few young players (and a crap ton of draft picks) for Embiid.  If Philly think his foot and back issues will hinder development, he could be had.  He has the potential to turn into a stud, as long as he heals properly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 I think a Deandre Jordan type, long, athletic big would fit a lot nicer in an up down tempo system like Stevens  

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 I think a Deandre Jordan type, long, athletic big would fit a lot nicer in an up down tempo system like Stevens  

[trelos6Participant]

I highly doubt Celtics can land DJ.  But yeah, he’s the dream candidate.  Basically, it’s the Orlando 09 model.  4 shooters around Howard. 

[trelos6Participant]

I highly doubt Celtics can land DJ.  But yeah, he’s the dream candidate.  Basically, it’s the Orlando 09 model.  4 shooters around Howard. 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 I agree Boston needs a big that can block shots, set screens, get easy baskets, and rebound.  However I think that big needs to be a mobile athletic big like a Deandre Jordan.  Of course bigs like that don’t grow on trees.  Still I don’t think Hibbert is not the solution.  He’s inconsistent and not quick or mobile enough to get out on the break.  He would definitely be an upgrade at the center position but I don’t think he’s the perfect fit in Brad Stevens system.  If we could get him for cheap I’d be willing to take a chance on his expiring contract. 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 I agree Boston needs a big that can block shots, set screens, get easy baskets, and rebound.  However I think that big needs to be a mobile athletic big like a Deandre Jordan.  Of course bigs like that don’t grow on trees.  Still I don’t think Hibbert is not the solution.  He’s inconsistent and not quick or mobile enough to get out on the break.  He would definitely be an upgrade at the center position but I don’t think he’s the perfect fit in Brad Stevens system.  If we could get him for cheap I’d be willing to take a chance on his expiring contract. 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Wow, the Celtics are one athletic, Hall of Fame freak center from being somebody.

But, then again, aren’t we all?

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Wow, the Celtics are one athletic, Hall of Fame freak center from being somebody.

But, then again, aren’t we all?

[markfitz14Participant]

I don’t think the Celtics are a contender so the top tier Centers aren’t going to sign with them. The Knicks, Heat and Pacers are going to be back next year with improved rosters pushing the Celtics out of the playoffs.  I hope that these future picks fall somewhere amazing because it will take more than the current roster to put up Banner 18.

[markfitz14Participant]

I don’t think the Celtics are a contender so the top tier Centers aren’t going to sign with them. The Knicks, Heat and Pacers are going to be back next year with improved rosters pushing the Celtics out of the playoffs.  I hope that these future picks fall somewhere amazing because it will take more than the current roster to put up Banner 18.

[T Rex]

 OP, you forgot about Big Game James Young, and Reggie Jumper Hunter from Georgia State.

 

DeAndre Jordan Mickey can bring us 80% of what DeAndre Jordan would bring, he just brings it at PF mostly.

Until DeAndre Jordan sees how rock solid this Celtics franchise is, from ownership to management to coaches to young, talented, smart roster of high character guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 OP, you forgot about Big Game James Young, and Reggie Jumper Hunter from Georgia State.

 

DeAndre Jordan Mickey can bring us 80% of what DeAndre Jordan would bring, he just brings it at PF mostly.

Until DeAndre Jordan sees how rock solid this Celtics franchise is, from ownership to management to coaches to young, talented, smart roster of high character guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[T Rex]

 I just really hope Danny Ainge doesn’t F it up by trading Smart for a center not much better than Zeller, KO, and Sully (and DJMickey).

 

 

[oc1234Participant]

Why wouldn’t you? Rozier is already a better ballhandler than Smart is and he is just as feisty of a defender. I think Day just realized he really messed up on Smart at 6th overall and he is moving on already. I hated on Danny for grabbing Rozier, but I was also preaching that we should take Payne if he fell to us so I’m actually kinda satisfied with the pick. Hopefully we can swap Smart for a Noel or other young big. 

[T Rex]

 Smart is 30-35 lbs bigger than Rozier, and is already a very solid SG/combo-guard. His defense already is Tony Allen level, though he defends SGs a little better than PGs. And Smart can switch on to SFs and even PFs very well, extremely well for a combo guard.

Smart was tied for second in the league in offensive fouls drawn, which when combined with steals puts him as the #1 player in the NBA in Steals + offensive fouls drawn, per 48 minutes pace adjusted.

That’s as a rookie who took half a season to fully figure out how to play consistently elite defense.

And that was just his rookie year. He could literally win DPOY this coming year, and will at the very least get extremely strong consideration for 2nd team all defense.

And he’s already an average 3 point shooter. As a rookie who shot a lot. 

With a point guard like Rozier who can get into the lane, something the Celtics didn’t have until IT4, who doesn’t start, Smart will get a lot more good, open looks from 3. Because in those opportunities Smart was probably close to 40%.

He just needs to improve his shot selection, and I’m pretty sure he’s re-focusing on his ball handling and scoring at the rim, along with his floater, as opposed to focusing on his 3 point shot last summer.

It’s not like Rozier is a true point guard anyway, and you don’t want an Avery Bradley or James Young needing to be the secondary ball handler.

Rozier/Smart might be an even better backcourt than Elfrid Payton/Oladipo.

 

[T Rex]

 Smart is 30-35 lbs bigger than Rozier, and is already a very solid SG/combo-guard. His defense already is Tony Allen level, though he defends SGs a little better than PGs. And Smart can switch on to SFs and even PFs very well, extremely well for a combo guard.

Smart was tied for second in the league in offensive fouls drawn, which when combined with steals puts him as the #1 player in the NBA in Steals + offensive fouls drawn, per 48 minutes pace adjusted.

That’s as a rookie who took half a season to fully figure out how to play consistently elite defense.

And that was just his rookie year. He could literally win DPOY this coming year, and will at the very least get extremely strong consideration for 2nd team all defense.

And he’s already an average 3 point shooter. As a rookie who shot a lot. 

With a point guard like Rozier who can get into the lane, something the Celtics didn’t have until IT4, who doesn’t start, Smart will get a lot more good, open looks from 3. Because in those opportunities Smart was probably close to 40%.

He just needs to improve his shot selection, and I’m pretty sure he’s re-focusing on his ball handling and scoring at the rim, along with his floater, as opposed to focusing on his 3 point shot last summer.

It’s not like Rozier is a true point guard anyway, and you don’t want an Avery Bradley or James Young needing to be the secondary ball handler.

Rozier/Smart might be an even better backcourt than Elfrid Payton/Oladipo.

 

[T Rex]

 Coach Stevens already stated that we’re going to see some "very small lineups" in summer league, which means we’re going to get a nice long look at Smart playing SF.

If you want to point to a possible next trend in the NBA, it could be something like that, a three guard lineup with a do-it-all bulldog at SF.

 

 

[T Rex]

 Coach Stevens already stated that we’re going to see some "very small lineups" in summer league, which means we’re going to get a nice long look at Smart playing SF.

If you want to point to a possible next trend in the NBA, it could be something like that, a three guard lineup with a do-it-all bulldog at SF.

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

Yea Smart can’t shoot a lick. He does everything else good though. Not a big fan of his potential. Had no other choice at 6 though. We are forced to develop him this year to see what his value is. His value is just not that high right now. Def would have to add a first and smart for Noel. Not worth it right now. Hate this waiting game but its where its at.

[T Rex]

 Smart shot 34% from 3. He just needs to shoot less from mid-range. He could be as good as Wes Matthews this season with one year under his belt. Easily. He’s already a better defender.

Noel and Smart are both defensively dominant, Noel just plays a more valuable/rare position to be a dominant defender. So while Smart doesn’t have Noel’s trade value, his impact is probably greater.

Most importantly and not understood by most people is that guards have way more opportunities to force turnovers than do bigs. Because the ball is handled by guards mostly. And guards like Smart have more opportunities to get other players, including bigs, in foul trouble by drawing offensive fouls. Like when big men set picks and end up setting a moving screen because Smart is so good at fighting through them.

Of course with all these quality guards, Noel is more valuable to us than Smart, but that’s no reason to not be pumped up for another season of improvement, with a roster full of high character, team first, talented young guys.

I can definitely see Houston being a trade partner for us. They just drafted Montrezl and picked up Christian Wood after the draft. Those two together can definitely replicate most or all of Clint Capela, who we could really use.

IT4 for Clint Capela or somebody of that caliber could be a real possibility. I get the feeling IT4 might be the odd man out, since the Celtics drafted Rozier and Marcus Thornton.

Maybe IT4 showed an inflexibility about being a 6th man, as was the case in his two previous stops.

 

[T Rex]

 Smart shot 34% from 3. He just needs to shoot less from mid-range. He could be as good as Wes Matthews this season with one year under his belt. Easily. He’s already a better defender.

Noel and Smart are both defensively dominant, Noel just plays a more valuable/rare position to be a dominant defender. So while Smart doesn’t have Noel’s trade value, his impact is probably greater.

Most importantly and not understood by most people is that guards have way more opportunities to force turnovers than do bigs. Because the ball is handled by guards mostly. And guards like Smart have more opportunities to get other players, including bigs, in foul trouble by drawing offensive fouls. Like when big men set picks and end up setting a moving screen because Smart is so good at fighting through them.

Of course with all these quality guards, Noel is more valuable to us than Smart, but that’s no reason to not be pumped up for another season of improvement, with a roster full of high character, team first, talented young guys.

I can definitely see Houston being a trade partner for us. They just drafted Montrezl and picked up Christian Wood after the draft. Those two together can definitely replicate most or all of Clint Capela, who we could really use.

IT4 for Clint Capela or somebody of that caliber could be a real possibility. I get the feeling IT4 might be the odd man out, since the Celtics drafted Rozier and Marcus Thornton.

Maybe IT4 showed an inflexibility about being a 6th man, as was the case in his two previous stops.

 

[markfitz14Participant]

Yea Smart can’t shoot a lick. He does everything else good though. Not a big fan of his potential. Had no other choice at 6 though. We are forced to develop him this year to see what his value is. His value is just not that high right now. Def would have to add a first and smart for Noel. Not worth it right now. Hate this waiting game but its where its at.

[oc1234Participant]

Why wouldn’t you? Rozier is already a better ballhandler than Smart is and he is just as feisty of a defender. I think Day just realized he really messed up on Smart at 6th overall and he is moving on already. I hated on Danny for grabbing Rozier, but I was also preaching that we should take Payne if he fell to us so I’m actually kinda satisfied with the pick. Hopefully we can swap Smart for a Noel or other young big. 

[T Rex]

 I just really hope Danny Ainge doesn’t F it up by trading Smart for a center not much better than Zeller, KO, and Sully (and DJMickey).

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

It is being reported that Smart is still being shopped, guess Ainge wants IT to be the starting PG.  

[markfitz14Participant]

It is being reported that Smart is still being shopped, guess Ainge wants IT to be the starting PG.  

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