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Bird

What To Do With Jabari Bird As He Continues To Impress (@jaxbrown725)

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It was in April when I tweeted about some kid from the The University of California who came off the bench for the Celtics with a firey style of play. The game was vs the Chicago Bulls and I instantly became a fan of Jabari Bird. If you check out the highlights, you’ll see a quick flashy guard who finishes well at the hoop. He can throw it down and if left open enough, knock down the J. But why is nobody talking about this dude?

Photo credit: usatoday.com

 Well, 8.8 MPG to go along with 3 PPG isn’t going to get you on SportsCenter. However, he did shoot 57% on all attempts, so there’s that right? Admittedly, he didn’t play much in the 2017-2018 campaign to get a great look, but if you’ve been following the Summer League, I wouldn’t sleep on Jaylen Browns old college teammate. Here’s why.

Jabari Bird History Lesson

At 6’6” and 190 lbs, Bird was a 4-star ESPN recruit from the class of 2013. Not only did he lead his high school team to an overall 100-8 record, Jabari was also named to the McDonald’s High School All-American game and was scouted as the No. 20 overall recruit in his class. He didn’t perform great in the game, but did show flashes of his hops and energy. Bird appeared to have stepped it up a bit and improved his game in his four years of college.

From 2013 to 2017, Jabari Bird was ballin’ out from the get-go. Having played with Jaylen Brown, he took a backseat to scoring, but soon afterwards took off. His ball handling and floor control was clearly what needed the most attention, but he could score. Just check out these numbers from Birds time in college:

Photo credit: californiagoldenblogs.com

Freshman: 2013-2014

11 – 10+ point games/ 2 – 20+ point games

Sophomore: 2014-2015

11 – 10+ point games/ 1 – 20+ point game

Junior: 2015-2016

21 – 10+ point games/ 4 – 20+ point games

Senior: 2016-2017

20 – 10+ point games/ 8 – 20+ point games 

Ending with 1,227 career points and finishing fifth all-time in Cal’s history in 3PM (187), Bird led the team in scoring in his final year with the Bears. Unfortunately, his team didn’t make the NCAA tournament in his last year, so the focus switched to trying to get on an NBA squad with a summer full of workouts and pre-draft screenings. Scouting report reading being athletic and having a decent shot, shot section and ball handling were hit points for some teams. Come draft night at pick 56, Danny Ainge made the call to select another Bird to wear Boston threads.

Maine Lobstah to a Bahston Celtic 

With being drafted, Jabari’s contract was two-way, which means he spends time with the NBAs team G-league affiliate, but not more than 45 days with the NBA team. This is to get players accustomed to the NBA life and style of play – a pseudo farm system. With that said, Jabari’s time with the Maine Red Claws, the C’s G league affiliate, was not wasted. He started in the 20 games, averaging 19.3 PPG in 35.2 MPG, continuing the sweet shooting he was known for. Adding to his resume, Bird was selected as an all-star for the G-League All-Star game before being called to Boston. So far, pretty impressive.

Photo credit: Pressherald.com

Swinging back around to April, Bird made five appearances sporadically until the game versus Chicago on the 6th. In that game, he played 24 minuets, shot 7/10 (70%), 1/2 (50%) from 3, and finished with 15pts, 3ast, and 3rbs. There were slashes to the rim, shots falling, and a few dunks thrown down that got Tommy and Mike out of their seats.

From that day, I knew he was special. He ended up with 9pts and 5rbs the next game, but you didn’t hear much about him after that. Why? A deep roster with a deeper bench will do that. Plus, he needed time to develop in the G-league. But have you seen him this summer?

Time To Leave The Nest? 

Summer League hoops is pretty entertaining if you’re into following players, progression, story lines and good old round ball. Sometime you get a few competive games and get to check out the talent.

Enter the young Boston Celtics. With a team already filled to the brim with talent, the summer league unit showed no less. Yabu, Semi, Bird, and Williams were straight up mashing.

Reaching the Summer League quarter finals, the Celtics fell to the Dallas Mavericks, but that didn’t stop Bird from showing out. Jabari led the team with 16.8 PPG on 57% shooting, 6 RPG, and 3 APG. It’s clear he can get the ball in the bucket, but what’s his value to the team at the moment? With the signing of Smart, it leaves less seats on the bench at his position and more of a reason for Jabari to spread his wings elsewhere.

You might not know the name now, but if you’re a die hard you might be familiar with the thoroughbred scorer who can add a layer to the bench if utilized correctly. It’ll certainly be tough to spread minuets, and you would hate to see a talent like Bird suffocate in the G-League. So what do you do? Do you trade him? A perfect scenario for a sneaky GM would be to low-ball Boston and get a gem. Or do you keep him, and see how next year pans out? Either way, keep an eye on this Jabari Bird fella, especially if he continues to play for the green and white.

Photo credit: Celticslife.com

No Fireworks Yet: Are the Celtics Striking Out This Offseason?

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If you’ve ever read an article of mine, you’d know that I’ve mentioned the ever-revolving door that is Celtics theatrics. From trading away near and dear to a franchise-altering trade, Danny Ainge has put the 2018-2019 Boston Celtics in position to reclaim the East. However, with names like DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, and Paul George each being linked to the Celtics this offseason, Boston has remained mum in the news and headlines. We’re all aware of the Game 7 loss to Cleveland in the ECF. But now that Lebron James has taken his talents to the West, do the Celtics need to make ANY changes to get to the next level? Some would say they’ve struck out, including with draft pick Robert Williams III, but have they? Let’s analyze the offseason so far, and where the Celtics either hit or miss…

Photo Credit: Getty Images

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it 

Lebron James – SF

From the time LeBron was linked to possibly becoming a member of the Boston Celtics, there were mixed reviews on the potential addition. Without question,  Lebron would immediately help any team he chose to be on; except maybe the Celtics.

With Tatum and Brown having exceeding expectations, there wouldn’t have been a need to add another ball-dominant wing player like Lebron James. He would ultimately hinder the young C’s development while possibly alienating them with the sideshow that comes along with an LBJ. His track record with players doesn’t fit the Boston mold, and the Celtics already have a GM and coach. If he decided to re-sign with Cleveland, there would have had to be a sign-and-trade which would force Boston to give up valuable assets. This is something Ainge worked hard to attain from New Jersey, then rob from the Cavaliers. Secondly, the Celtics would have had to rid itself of its three major contracts in order to make room for James, messing with Boston’s already high-caliber chemistry.

Hayward’s coming back from injury, and the young guys will certainly continue to get chances at offensive production. Oh, and how about that whole Kyrie Irving hating Lebron thing? As uplifting the idea may have been for LBJ to come to hang out with Tom Brady and David Ortiz, it would have done more harm than good in the long run. Any squad could use a Lebron James type player, but not everyone needs a Lebron James personality. Plus, what competitor joins their main adversaries when they struggle with beating them anyway?!

Hit/Miss: Home Run

 

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

Ye’ Olde Faithful 

Rajon Rondo – PG

There’s nothing like a classic: Pizza and fountain soda, the Mario theme song playing through your TV during childhood … and Rajon Rondo on the Boston Celtics.

Before there was Kyrie Irving, Rondo made it look easier driving to the hoop at will while dishing the regular no-look pass. Of course, playing with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen helps, but make no mistake that Rondo will forever be a fan favorite. From 07-14, Rondo averaged double-digit points, while averaging double digits in assists from 09-14 – all with Boston. Leaving the team in 2014, Rajon saw a dip in both categories. Even though he was playing for four different teams, his steady passing seemed to remain. Personality issues were what always surrounded Rondo, though you can’t take away the 4 all-star appearances he made while donning the green and white.

With Smarts free agency decision seemingly on the back burner (i.e. Aaron Baynes – $11 MIL/2 years, or $5.5 MIL/yr), Rondo would have made a sweet backup to Kyrie and would have most likely had a welcoming visit back to TD Garden. His defense shouldn’t be taken for granted, as he’s averaging 1.7 SPG and has been selected to four all-defensive teams to Smart’s goose egg. Rondo’s also a better ball handler and floor general. Though age is on Smart’s side, Rondo signed with the Lakers for $9 MIL/2 years, or $4.5 MIL/yr. Cheaper than what Baynes was, and a hell of a lot cheaper than the $12-$14 MIL/yr Smart thinks he deserves. Boston didn’t need to bring Baynes back, but they do need to prepare should Smart take off.

Hit/Miss: Grounded out 

 

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

One mans trash is another man’s treasure

DeMarcus Cousins – C

By now, names have come off the free agency board and the pickings are gettin’ slim. We get it, Al Horford is getting old and needs help. With that said, you might find yourself asking why the Celtics re-signed a center – Baynes – who averaged 6 PPG/5.4 RPG, over one who averaged 25.2 PPG/12.9 RPG – Cousins – for more money. In any world, you would never do that. Unless your name happens to be DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins isn’t the friendliest guy you’d meet in a dark alley. Still, he’s the same guy you’d want on your basketball team. Being an all-star for the past seven seasons, Cousins should be a household name. At 6’11 and 270lbs, there aren’t a lot of dudes, if any, that’s going to push him around down low. Already in the league for 10 years, Boogies averaged a double-double in eight of those seasons. He’s constantly in double-digit rebounds and points, can play the team’s bodyguard, AND won’t let you give dap to the other team .. what more do you want? Check out his unearthly stats below; Why didn’t the Celtics make a move for numbers like this when the Monstars of Golden State signed him for only $5.3 MIL/1yr??

Photo Credit: basketball-reference.com

Welp, because they didn’t get a chance. According to the Boston Globe, on Tuesday, a league source mentioned Boston never offered a contract. Having reached out to Cousins’ reps to gauge a possibility of signing the 6-time all-star, they were told he had decided with Golden State. Since Kobe, there hasn’t been another Achilles injury to a star player. It’s unclear how Cousins will heal and progress. Cousins did lead the league in technical fouls, but that didn’t stop him from posting eye-popping numbers before the injury. Interesting note, DeMarcus declined a $40 MIL/2yrs from the Pelicans to sign with Golden State. Tough loss for Boston, as DC will probably heal fine and be as dominant. Sure, Cousins comes with attitude. But wouldn’t you rather have a big man who does the dunking rather than one who’s getting dunked on?

Hit/Miss: Struck out looking with the bases loaded 

 

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

Who, What, Where, When, Kawhi

Kawhi Leonard – SF

Having taken the Kyrie Irving approach, Kawhi Leonard silenced himself in an effort to find a way to get traded from the San Antonio Spurs. Aside from James and Cousins finding new homes, Leonard’s names been a common denominator within sports columns and chat groups. While where he’ll end up is most questioned, which coast he plays on has taken a front seat on the latest episode of “As Kawhi’s World Turns”.

With stats not being the question, Leonard has been adamant that he wants to play for the LA Lakers. It’s widely assumed that if traded East, he’s leaving the year after. Same idea if traded West – though he might wind up going to the highest bidder per San Antonio “wanting to remain relevant”. Tall task. With the Rockets, Lakers, Warriors, and Thunder making headway, San Antonios aging team may have already seen its best days. Aside from Aldridge, can you name anyone on San Antonio that’s not Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili or Greg Popovich? Me either. The Celtics don’t look ready to sacrifice their future to the Spurs for a question mark. Asking close to a king’s ransom as a price, San Antonio surely realizes it must prepare for a life that doesn’t include Kawhi Leonard. Are his plans set for Boston though?

Probably not. San Antonios been eyeing Tatum as a centerpiece in talks involving KL but were quickly shot down. Danny would never trade the prodigal son of Bostonia, would he? Brown could be dangled with Rozier/Morris combo, but adding more than a Sacramento pick would be overkill. Plus, medical reports aren’t clean with Kawhi, and we don’t know what issues loom. Recent developments by Yahoo! reporter Shams Charania indicate that Kawhi has “little interest in the Boston Celtics scenario”. He also mentioned that the Clippers or 76s, if big enough players, could get Leonard to re-sign now that Lebron is in LA. There hasn’t been a bidding war – and it’s well known he’d like to go back home to Southern California. Chalk this one up in the ‘L’ column for Boston, no palm trees and surfboards over here.

Hit/Miss: 0-3 in discussions with San Antonio 

 

Photo Credit: The Boston Globe

‘Sleeper‘ Pick

Robert Williams III – C

If you haven’t seen my profile of the newest Boston Celtic, check it out here. Now that’s out of the way, someone gets this guy an alarm clock! Robert Williams III is the literal definition of a “sleeper pick”. Not only was he snoozing through an introductory conference call, he also missed his flight to his first day of practice with his new NBA club. The rookie is not off to a good start.

Williams mentioned that Brad Stevens had a conversation with him and that it was a “wake up call”. The irony of it is laughable

He did own up to his mistake(s) and indicated that he wanted to move past it as quickly as possible. These early issues and red flags could be a distant memory should he produce at a high level. Lest we forget, he was passed up on due to lack of effort by other teams. Here’s hoping those wake-up calls do the trick. His work ethic will need to do the talking, and that already needs attention.

Hit/Miss: AAA assignment (G-League)

Honorable Mentions:

 

Dwight Howard – C

A serviceable center who could’ve been useful off the bench. He put up good numbers in Charlotte with 16.6 PPG/12.5 RPG, but hasn’t stayed with a team longer than a season in the last five. Now with Washington, signed a $5.3 MIL/1yr deal that was the same as Cousins, but cheaper than Baynes. Locker room issues may have kept him away.

Hit/Miss: Pop Fly 

 

Jamal Crawford – G

A crowd pleaser off the bench and a lifeline for Kyrie. With just as much handle as the next guy, Crawford can pull up from half court and drain 4-pt plays in your grill. Or, break whichever ankle you need least. Always one that could go for 30+, a league veteran like Jamal would elevate the C’s bench aside from adding lethal scoring. Another NBA “old guy”, youth is Crawford’s only demerit. Cheap buy, big reward.

Hit/Miss: At-bat 

 

Report Card: C+

Not involving themselves with the LBJ sweepstakes was a major win for the Celtics alone. It didn’t take away from the main goal – defeating him. Also, resigning Baynes wasn’t terrible seeing the issues at Center for Boston. They could’ve done better though with Monroe most likely not returning, saving more cap space.

The circus of Kawhi Leonard docks Boston, time to put up or shut up at this point. Marcus Smart’s situation will figure out itself. Though it might be more of a loss if Boston can’t retain him without a plan B.

The Celtics don’t need a superstar or big name, they need to stay healthy. The East will be tough, but the West? Even tougher. A move for a bigger name big man could’ve possibly been a final piece. So far, so good. Bonus points for not adding anyone and destroying what you’ve built, yet.

Happy 4th of July!

Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @JaxBrown725

Anthony Bennett

From #1 Overall to the D-League: The Rise and Fall of Anthony Bennett

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Anthony Bennett – The Rise and Fall

Photo credit: thesportspost.com

16.1 PPG/8.1 RPG at 50% FGM are hardly the numbers that say “Let’s draft this guy with the #1 pick”. Still, that’s what happened in 2013 when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett to go first overall. Granted, the crop was slim with talent so anyone could’ve been a hit or miss, though in hindsight it couldn’t have gotten much worse. What a miss he was.

With the likes of Victor Oladipo, CJ McCollum, Rudy Gobert, Otto Porter, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo available, Cleveland rolled the dice and went with the 6’7” 240lb star out of UNLV. His defense was non-existent and he’d shown slight effort offensively to muster up the 16.1 he averaged while being visibly undersized and out of shape. There were red flags coming out of UNLV, so how did he go number #1? Move over Kwame Brown, there’s a new ‘biggest bust of all time’ in town.

Ceiling: Larry Johnson/Floor: Himself

Kwame Brown, Michael Oliwakandi, Kent Benson (who?). All of these players were drafted high but fell off the face of the planet very quickly. Bennett may be the worst of all.

Coined “the most talented player at UNLV in a generation,” Anthony Bennett started receiving serious interest coming off his one and only college season. That was disrespectful to the former UNLV star Larry Johnson, as Bennett didn’t put up superstars numbers. His frame and potential are what had scouts talking, but he was never in the discussion to be the #1 overall selection that year. Some GM’s even had him falling out of a lottery pick. Labeled a combo forward, reports focused on his length (7’2” wingspan) with game and athleticism of a “high-level wing scorer.”

Weird to hear this report in hindsight, right? It gets better. He was believed to have shooting range from distance with the ability to beat his man off the dribble, all while having the explosiveness to play above the rim. The premature projections were borderline outrageous:

“When he’s hitting from deep, he’s essentially impossible to defend. If you put Bennett in a 1-on-1 tournament against the rest of this class, he would win pretty handily.” – SB Nation, 2013

“Down the road, Bennett could give his team the best of both worlds as a small-ball 4. He has the size to match up with bigger 4’s on defense and the skill level to play on the perimeter on offense.” – SB Nation, 2013

Photo credit: nba.com

But the NBA is much more than a 1-on-1 tournament and guys are a lot bigger and faster at the next level. Even at the time, it was a strange pick, and as soon as he stepped on an NBA floor he was an immediate bust. Shoulder surgery certainly didn’t help his cause. His numbers took a serious dip and his career was short lived. Playing for four teams in four years, Bennett lasted 151 games and four NBA seasons. Where did it all go wrong?

The Lone Holdout

Chris Grant – former GM for the Cavaliers – was the only person that questioned Bennett as the first overall pick. There was a meeting before the draft with Cleveland’s front office regarding who should be selected and the 9-1 vote was in favor of Bennett. Who was the lone holdout? Grant. He wasn’t sold on Anthony’s work ethic, among other glaring factors, and noted that Bennett didn’t participate in the Draft combine nor played in the Summer League. There weren’t any clear sneak peaks at what he’d do in the NBA.

To no surprise, his conditioning limited him to 4.2 PPG/2.9 RPG in 12.8 MPG over 51 games. Some blame Mike Brown for not playing him consistently or during meaningful stretches. There may be some validity to this claim, but a strained left knee in March of that year led him to miss significant time. Though short, check out Bennett’s rookie shot chart over the course of the season:

Photo credit: SBNation.com

Aside from not being able to shoot, weight issues contributed to his conditioning, which ultimately led to his degradation. Sure, being the first overall pick comes with pressure that you’d have to overcome. Anthony Bennett did exactly the opposite. Grant also noticed that when things got tough for Bennett, he would often throw in the towel. Going so far as to question Bennett’s desire, David Griffin – current GM of the Cavaliers – was quoted as saying:

“The issue with Anthony was, and we had no way of knowing it at the time, the kid had no desire to overcome adversity whatsoever. As soon as it was hard, he was out”

Bennett sported below average numbers in his rookie campaign. A year later, the Cavs fired Grant and Griffin took over. In the 2014 draft, Bennett was traded in a package with Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love. The Philadelphia 76ers were used as a third team to help facilitate the trade, but essentially the trade was Wiggins and Bennett for Love.

But Wait, There’s More  

The Minnesota Timberwolves exercised Bennett’s rookie contract third-year team option in 2015, giving him another year and opportunity with the team in hopes of a revival. But the injury bug came back to bite him again in February of 2015; Bennett was out for two more weeks due to an injured right ankle. After recovering, Bennett appeared in only four more games to finish the 2014–2015 season. In 57 games for the Timberwolves, he averaged career and anemic highs of 5.2 PPG/3.8 RPG in 15.7 MPG.

Photo Credit: Chris Young/The Canadian Press vis Associated Press

That same year, Bennett was waived by the Timberwolves via a contract buyout. From 2015-2017, Bennett hopped around the league and eventually ended his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets. He was released and out of the NBA at the age of 23. In 2017, he signed with the Turkish League and averaged 1.2 PPG. He was released after one season. It was the conclusion of his professional career.

Rise From the Ashes? 

No one said being an NBA player is easy, never mind being the first overall pick. Anthony Bennett has been most recently affiliated with the Maine Red Claws, an NBA development team of the Boston Celtics. He’s been traded a number of times to get to this point but hasn’t given up on his NBA dream. Having posted some decent numbers in Maine, it appears that he has the backing and support of his coach and teammates. He averaged 14.8 PPG/6.3 RPG in the 2017-2018 season. The confidence seems to be coming back:

“Just having someone there that believes in me and tells me to keep shooting is definitely great to have in your corner .. While I’ve been in Maine, I definitely have that from everybody. Down the line from the coaches to the players. It’s definitely an important piece to anybody’s game, just having that confidence.” – Anthony Bennett 

Bennett scored double-digit points in 17 out of 20 games. In nine of those games, he posted more than 20 points. Seven of those games saw Bennett in the double-digit rebound column. All in all, that is not bad for someone who’s labeled as the worst first overall pick in history. Check out these stats from his time with the Red Claws this past season:

Fifth Times a Charm?

Like weathermen, you can be dead wrong as an NBA scout or GM and still have a job the next day. It’s true that you’ll never know how a player will turn out once the lights come on, but you have to have some sort of an idea how a player’s game will translate to the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers and their scouting team didn’t, but Danny Ainge might have an interesting situation waiting for him up north.

Bennett’s worked on his shot and has improved his range to go along with a solid field goal percentage. His rebounding numbers saw an increase as well. It’s nothing that’s out of the ordinary, but some respectable stat lines are occurring more often than not for Bennett in the G-League.

Will he bring life back into his NBA career? Should he have spent time in the G-League in the beginning to develop his game? Will the G-League be the road to get his name back on an NBA roster? Will the Celtics give a former first overall pick a shot to maybe win an NBA title? There’s a lot of questions surrounding Bennett. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

So far, Bennett has worked hard and has yet to throw in the towel. Bennett, now 25 years old, might have time to get his game to where it once was projected to be. Keep an eye out next season on the G-League; Bennett could be making a comeback.

Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @JaxBrown725

Big Boom or Big Bust: Robert Williams III

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What’s the old saying? The rich get richer? That’s what appears to have happened for the Celtics this past Thursday at the 2018 NBA Draft. Big names fell to where most mock draft boards had them going, but perhaps no bigger name (or shoes) in the draft felt more like a steal than the 6’10″ 240lb Texas A&M center Robert Williams III. Falling all the way to #27, Brad Stevens commented:

”Each pick we were hoping more and more he would be available at 27 .. The ability to block shots, the ability to alter shots, the quickness to catch up to guards shooting if they get a step and still be able to alter that …  and then, if you can have four shooters on the floor and a guy like that rolling to the rim, you can just throw it up in the air and he can go and get it and finish.”

Pretty much nailed it, and high praise for sure. The kid seems like he could fit the mold of a DeAndre Jordan or a poor man’s Dwight Howard (the good one) at best. At worst, he could resemble a Stromile Swift or Joakim Noah. For now, save your money on that Williams III jersey. The defense is elite from this guy, but he could use some work offensively, though. Let’s button down some projections and outlooks for the newest member of the Boston Celtics, Robert Williams III.

A Numbers Game 

With 2017-2018 behind us, Boston looks to recharge from an ECF exit. How do you add more electricity to an already supercharged team? You go to Texas and find Robert Williams III. Remember when you had that Nerf hoop and would put all your friends on posters? That’s pretty much what he does with any open look at the rim. RWIII has a wingspan of 7’6”, rivaling fellow draftee Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic, who measured a record 7’10”. To put it in NBA perspective, Rudy Gobert measured at 7’9”, which was the best in the league before Bamba. Williams III averaged four blocks per 40/min, which is incredible. Gobert is one of the best defenders in the NBA because of the measurement, and it’s an important one for Williams game too.

A smidge undersized for a center height-wise, Williams III’s 240 pounds of physical nature and bully-ball frame will be what gets him off the pine for Stevens if not for his at-the-rim athleticism. Not only does RWIII excel in transition, he’s a solid rebounder that pursues the ball well. With his length and frame he’s often bigger than his opponents, though adding some muscle and establishing a good footwork regimen could help this young spark plug establish a more dominant foundation down low. Don’t sleep on his blocking ability either. With reach like his and being a shot hunter, don’t expect any easy buckets when taking it to the hole.

Lob City 2.0? Possibly! Throw the ball anywhere near the hoop and Williams III will catch it and hurt your feelings. His added energy and try-hard attitude is exactly what Boston needs at the five spot. Baynes gets dunked on while Williams does the dunking. Monroe was serviceable, but he’s past his peak and could be gone sooner than later. Al Horford is where you get what you can’t teach, leadership. Theis will be back as well which could slide Al to his natural four spot, and falling into a mentor role wonderfully. Williams would be the second wind Horford desperately needs as his career winds down.

Adding someone like RWIII to the already #1 defensive team in the NBA seems unfair, and having him being able to throw it down from anywhere seems inhuman. He could be something special in a year or two, but he’s young, and college isn’t the NBA. Rim protector? 100%, as he did win the SEC DPOY his two years of college. Offensively, however, is where RWIII could spend some time on the farm.

Old McDanny

Lately, DA’s been right on the money when drafting young talent. Someone who would make any AAA team proud,  Ainge might be the best GM in the NBA. That Nets-Celtics trade that launched DA into GM superstardom was the most crucial moment for the Celtics post-2008. Out with the old, in with the new. Sure, he broke some hearts along the way, but that’s what rock stars do. With a cast of Brown, Rozier, Smart, and Tatum, Williams III seems to be the missing link between Game 7 and hoisting the Larry O Brien. Point of interest, Ainge addressed a major issue that Celtics had without giving up anything to get it. After all, defensive does win championships, and as previously mentioned, the new guy will bring that and then some.

His offense is the biggest question mark when translated to the NBA, though. Bluntly, he’s a poor shooter and fades in and out of games when he reverts to relying on teammates. Luckily he plays in Boston now, so he’ll have plenty of help putting the orange in the hoop and won’t have to carry a high volume scoring load. Still, even getting the ball to teammates might be tough as he’s even worse at passing out of tough situations or double teams, averaging 2.8 turnovers per 40/min. But, not all is lost. Someone named Irving usually handles the ball, so really Williams III just needs to get open. He won’t wow you with points, and his offensive blunders could have him spending time in the G League. If that is the case he won’t be there for long, if at all.

With recent, unexpected success coming so early from the Celtic youth, it’s hard to argue Danny didn’t get this one right too. RWIII isn’t going to blow you away on the offensive end every night, Boston has other players for that. DA drafted the exact player the Celtics needed: a defensive anchor. Another case of the Luck of the Irish seems to be the culprit, because a lot of teams needed the skill-set that comes along with a Robert Williams yet passed up on him twenty-six times. Why? Even tougher to find a real center anymore in the NBA, RWIII’s name could soon be coupled with Ayton and Bamba in years to come.

The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Williams was suspended to start his sophomore season at Texas A&M for an undisclosed reason that was dealt with at the school level. No doubt Danny Ainge did his own research, and even mentioned the red flags that come with Williams in a post draft interview. His college coach was quoted, “unfortunately, young people make mistakes”. Hopefully he was just caught self-medicating instead of some straight up criminal act. Which is better, right?

We’ve covered Williams offensive struggles, but pay very close attention to this. His complacency in the offensive when he can’t get things going slows him down as well as forces him into bad shots and passes. He shoots reminiscent of JaVale McGee taking a jumper, something no one wants to see. He also shoots free throws like Shaq. Not the most consistent player on either end, either. He might have a big frame but he hardly goes left. If you can stop him going right, you’ve most likely stopped him all together. Also, yes he has “hops”, but that’s a double edge sword as he falls for the slightest of fakes. A could be defensive star, Williams would benefit from getting minutes to keep his at-times-questionable motor running.

Rosters moves could propel or prevent Williams from getting some love, but he’ll bring an instant impact when his name’s called. Having a sweet baby hook when his backs to the basket will be in for a treat. Tatum exceeded expectations, while Rozier and Brown have become household names. DA might’ve found himself another diamond in Williams III, and with elbow grease and polish to his game, there’s potential to be the center of the future for not only Boston, but possibly the NBA.

Rookie Projection

Watch out Easten Conference, Boston has its defensive juggernaut. Ainge didn’t have to make a major trade or give up assets for one, and that’s a win right there. He does appear far behind offensively, so as a rookie he might be able to only offer easy baskets, putbacks, rebounds and blocked shots. Which hell, isn’t too shabby if you ask me. He’ll most likely be used for his athleticism around the basket, though it wouldn’t be surprising if he spent time developing in practice. Can he follow in the footprints of a Clint Capela or a DeAndre Jordan, similar athletes who don’t need the ball or jump shots to be effective? Expect him to be mostly a role player for now with potential to anchor an NBA team down the road.

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Boston Harbor to the Big Apple?

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If you’ve never been, New England weather is crazy. Multiple blizzards in a week, snow showers in April, and trade winds all year. You can’t Google a sports team around here and not see a headline surrounding controversy, especially lately. Recently, Kyrie Irving’s name has come up as speculation that he may leave TD Garden for Madison Square’s next year with his upcoming pending free agency.

There’s been reported concern, said Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports/NBC Sports Boston on Thursday during his podcast, that the New York Knicks are a ‘real threat’. And it holds weight. Not only had Uncle Drew openly stated desire to break ankles in front of Spike Lee, but he’s been non-committal to Danny and the gang, which doesn’t always appease Ainge. You thought this year was funky? The fun hasn’t even started for Boston. For now, let’s examine some reasons Kyrie could be playing with a unicorn instead of a leprechaun.

The Grass Isn’t Always ‘Greener’

From the time Kyrie hit the court in Boston, he dazzled the crowd with shifty ball handling and magican-like passing. Scoring at a high level with 24.4 PPG, he’s the prototype PG you’d want on your team. Never selfish and always supportive, he proved himself the leader he sought to be when he forced his way from LeBron’s shadow in Cleavland. That shadow has seemed to eclipse what the Celtics had accomplished all year, and Kyrie’s future with a team, once again though.

Having ‘witnessed’ LBJ suffer a sweep in quest for #4 last night, and with a third decision coming for who he will play with next, Boston was cited as a team that James said he would be looking to “have a conversion” with. That’s not really a good thing if you’re Kyrie Irving. It touches on the underlying distaste Kyrie has for James. Adding LBJ to a team Irving made his own would unequivocally demolish the relationship he formed with Celtics brass.

Let’s not forget, Kyrie never wanted to play with LeBron in the first place. At the time when he signed a max deal in Cleveland, he was under the impression the Cavs were trying to build around him. Reported by ESPNs Brian Windhorst, it was said KI wanted out of Cleavland – for years. He especially didn’t want to be second banana to James. He was also tired of the lectures and drama that came with being his teammate. It’s just something Kyrie never signed up for. Why would Danny consider meeting with LeBron knowing the life Kyrie came from? Even the possibility of James coming to Boston could be enough for Irving to go where he really wants to play, for the New York Knicks.

Kyrie Irving “very badly” wants to be a Knick, he “wants to come home”

When rumors hit the internet, it leaves open an endless discussion of what if’s and how so’s. A breeding ground for trade scenarios and a platform for fans to express their hatred or likeness for one move or another. Enter Celtics fans. For months, it’s been speculated what Boston might do with Smart, Rozier, Horford, Brown, Lucky the Leprechaun, and the janitor who sweeps the court. Enter Kyrie. True, rumors are just that, but when a player outwardly expresses a desire to join a team (ex. Carmelo Anthony, Paul George?), you have to take it as truth. Players sign with who they want and for their reasons. Boston has important choices to make that would either continue their path to glory or slow the process. Enter Danny Ainge.

There was open conversation back when DA robbed the state of Ohio that Kyrie originally wanted to play for the Knicks. ESPNs Pablo Torre reported on ‘First Take’ last year that Kyrie “very badly wants to play for New York .. wants to come home” Why? A franchise that’s ended the careers of endless players, it’s team you went to die (i.e. also Melo). The players that go to New York seem to never be the same. Why in the world would Kyrie want to go there? Because it’s not that anymore.

Sure, the Knicks have been the laughing-stock of the NBA, but who hasn’t? With Kristaps Porzingis, aka the Unicorn, jumping over rainbows and defenders, the Knicks seemingly have some things cooking at MSG now with the hire of David Fizdale and a top-10 draft pick. Kyrie wants to be apart of that. And Boston is a lot further to New Jersey, Irving’s hometown, than Manhattan. New York is the place where the heart of basketball resides, and the orange is in Kyrie’s blood. Fifty major sports teams championships to 35 instead a bad touch, either.

Doesn’t he have all that in Boston, minus being only a little further from home and a few less rings? Can’t Irving help increase that number? Sure, but the NBA is an unforgiving mistress. Just ask IT. A business over all, Danny has things to think about in search of banner #18. Smart wants to come back, LeBron wants to find an easier way to a championship, and Kyrie’s knee is on its last legs (pun intended). Brown and Tatum are the future, and who better to mold both than Tatum’s idol, LBJ.

Trading Irving would rid a contract and make room for LeBron. It’s unlikely, but we’ve seen Danny pull rabbits out of hats before. Plus, DA isn’t fond of injuries or players who suffer from them, something Kyrie has a history of. He also took a page out of Belichick’s book and sheds players who speak loudly or are non-committal. Below is quote from today that shows Kyrie dodging a question on his future with the Celtics. He did this same sort of thing before leaving Cleveland. Remember when IT wanted the Brinks truck? That quickly turned into the ambulance. Kyrie says all the right things, but does he mean them?

Doesn’t know his astrology but knows where, and who, he wants to play with

In Kyrie’s mind, LeBron is the Joker to his Batman, the Earth is flat, and he wants to play in New York. The potential for NY getting back to being the ‘Mecca’ is premature, but adding a player who already wants to play for you in Kyrie could make him something of a ‘prophet’. Plus, the New York market for a 25-year-old with a sneaker line could have Kyrie seeing a different kind of green.

Kyrie has always wanted to be the one of, if not the main focal point for his team. With the emergence of young talent Boston’s been able to produce and Hayward coming off injury, would it be plausible to assume Kyrie might take a smidge of a backseat? He also wants no part of an LBJ reunion. In New York, he’d be top dog alongside Porzingis in a PG heavy, dish and drive Fizdale offense. Something Kyrie made an All-Star career out of. Check out this headline back in February, around the time KP suffered his season ending knee injury.

Point of interests, New York would have the money to sign Kyrie come 2019. They may also have a well established core in Frank Ntlikina and Emmanuel Mudiay, tied with a strong draft and free agency. That could be enticing enough to suit up in front Walt Frazier nightly. For now, as it’s been, this is speculation. And who knows, Kyrie also mentioned he wanted to join the Spurs, Timberwolves and Heat. They could also be on the radar but don’t look to deep into that. His shot total would see a hike if with NY. It might decrease with Boston at full strength, and so would his PPG. Again, Kyrie wants to be alpha of the group. With the pups in Boston growing into the big dogs, where would that leave room for Kyrie in an already Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown fan mindset?

Say ‘Uncle’

Earlier this morning when @SopanDeb tweeted, reports of “real fear” within the Celtics organization regarding Kyrie and his open desire to play in New York were alive. With the Celtics needing minimal roster improvements and the face of the franchise hating your biggest free agent target, what will Boston do that keeps Irving in the South Shore? Rather, what will Irving do to force DA to choose; the NBA’s prodigal son, or its Heavily Father?

Danny has the basketball mind of legends, with tales of his roster moves heard far and wide. Alas, heard just as wide are his exiles. Kyrie isn’t a stranger though to his own general manager moves, forcing a trade within days of the story breaking from a winning Cleveland team. A player of his caliber could certainly demand it, as he’s crossed up defenders on his way to a five-time All-Star and NBA Champion career so far. All while still taking you to the hole and finishing off glass. He has leverage, especially since helping Boston to a #2 seed in the East.

Not an easy one for DA, and might sting more than most former moves for Boston fans if he’s traded or goes elsewhere. It might hurt a little more if he leaves willingly to a divisional team like the Knicks, being in the same conference as well. Could KI be in NY sooner than he know it? The writing seems to be on the wall, so let’s get Ainge on board to NOT book a flight for LeBron to TF Green anytime soon. Kyrie is too valuable at his position, and Boston doesn’t have a Kyrie Irving talent in the wings. The C’s are on the brink of bringing back that ‘dynasty’ reputation but have their plate full with question marks. If Kyrie decides New York’s pizza is better than Boston’s, he could leave Boston hungry. Bon appetite.

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LeBron James Free Agency Preview

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Regarded and self-identified as the “best player in the world”, LeBron James has yet another ‘decision’ to make this summer. With the Golden State Warriors one game away from dropping him to 3-6 in the Finals, James could possibly be looking to take his talents, again, somewhere else. After a 2018 Finals run for the King and all his men, LBJ is presenting beat, worn down, and plain tired of carrying a majority of the load.

By now, we all know the name and what he brings, so why wouldn’t the Celtics try to make a run at him right? The dynamic would be interesting, but it could also be forever damaging. Danny, if you’re reading this, for the love of Larry Bird do not consider this move. The case for having LeBron on your team is hard to dispute. However, there’s better reason to keep the King in a far away land that goes deeper than stats. Here’s why:

Image result for lebron james celtics

Style and Grace

Over the years, Boston basketball has transformed from a slow-paced, give Paul Pierce the ball and move, to the run and gun, high-flying showcase we see today. Maneuvering with an up-tempo style and constant ball movement, it’s somethingRelated image LBJ is almost unstoppable at when he has room in the paint. Aside from a Tatum throw-down or a Brown slash to the hoop, Boston’s ability to get to the rim outside of Kyrie has been close to non-existent. They’ve relied mostly on long bombs and mid range shots. No one gets to the hole like LBJ. Stylistically, the fit would ironically work.

However, the Celtics have two gems in Tatum and Brown, plus Hayward being another piece to the Celtics’ puzzle. Having the ability to also slash and drive, prepare to sometimes watch him put dudes on a poster if he’s not splashing a three in your face. With that said, Boston doesn’t have a need for an elite SF, and the minutes LeBron would own (38 MPG), would deplete the development of Tatum and Brown. This could possibly make Hayward obsolete as well.

Positionally, LeBron would hinder the Celtics’ growth along with minimizing the true potential for this particular team. He would command a majority of the ball handling and shot taking, something he took away from Kyrie in Cleveland.

The Celtics have a GOOD THING right now with their roster. Also, and most importantly, Boston does not have anywhere close to the finances to afford LeBron James.

To make it even worth discussing, Boston would have to trade two out of the three contracts in G.H./K.I./A.H. to possibly make room for him. Also, and without a doubt, the C’s would have to break up the young core AND give up draft picks should LBJ agree to a sign a trade. He’s worth it, but not for this team. Potentially, this could rank right up there with the Boston Tea Party as a historical event that would change the face of Boston forever.

“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people”

I bet Gandhi didn’t know he’d be referencing the Boston Celtics with that quote above. Still, it holds true. Culturally, LeBron would be an awful fit for the guys in green. Boston already has established leaders, one of which whom left Cleveland to rid Lebron’s shadow and lead his own squad.  Concern and frustration with Danny Ainge would ignite riots on the streets of Boston.

Also, and probably most pronounced, the guy leading this team dislikes James like the plague. Usually the high-road kind of guy, Irving would never tell us that he has a genuine distaste for LBJ. But could it be more obvious? Not only did he silence his way out of a winning situation in Cleveland, he was sick of being second to James and his ego.

It’s expected that Irving wouldn’t be fine moving back to the backseat to James yet again. The C’s even meeting with LBJ could raise some eyebrows and be harming to No. 11’s relationship, with the likelihood of becoming a free-agent himself next year. Boston has too great a situation with Kyrie as their leader. LeBron’s barely showed he can lead a team himself. Let’s not forget, if not for Kyrie or Ray Allen, the “King” would be 2-6 in the Finals. That’s pretty important, and a testament to LeBron’s reliance of those getting him a get out of jail free card.

LBJ has a history of problems with his coaches, and player. Enter zone Zero Dark Thirty

Brad Stevens, despite the lack of props from his peers, has emerged as one of the NBA’s best coaches. Not one for showing emotion all the time, Stevens has set himself apart as a coaching savant in the face of adversity. He was the driving force behind late game defensive shifts and play calling that would mimic the Rockets or Warriors. His leadership also allowed a short-handed Boston a run into the ECF. Still, Stevens is a no BS guy. James trying to side comment or question Stevens, someone who’s praised James, wouldn’t let it happen in Boston. With Erik Spoelstra, David Blatt, Mike Brown, Tyronn Lue and Paul Silas taking the LBJ heat, Boston’s locker room seemingly has too much respect for Stevens to join the LeBron Side Show.

Try imagining LBJ holding Ainge hostage like he did with Dan Gilbert. Being a regular with highway robbery, it would be laughable to see LBJ upset with his situation and try forcing trading away a whole team. Keep in mind, ’twas King GM who suggested J.R. Smith get his money, and had a say in the moves to “bring every hurt, former All-Star in” approach last off-season. Besides that, he was solely the catalyst who drove one of the best young NBA players in today’s game far, far away.

The Celtics are too solidified to acquire by a 33-year-old individualist, and the synergy for Boston wouldn’t work. Fans would absolutely lose their minds. Great player? Sure. Good for Boston? Definitely not.

What if things weren’t in favor of LBJ? Would he stop speaking to Smart because he can’t hit a shot? Would he point and display his crying face to Baynes if keeps getting dunked on? Truthfully, they’d be gone in a day in Cleveland. Hell, if not for it being the Finals, so would J.R. Smith. Usually one to go off the grid during the playoffs, LeBron has a tendency to “shut out” players he’s not fond of, even if they play on the same team. It’ll be surprising to see Lue on the sidelines for Cleveland if LBJ is back next year, and less likely if they get swept should he have a say as the player-coach-president he tries to be.

Fools Gold

When you’re king, you get draped in gold. Crowns, clothing, but most importantly rings. Yes, LBJ has three, but two of them were won by others. Two of them came from last second shots from players who’s bailed him out of poor play and faulty execution. Of course, LBJ lovers wont see it that way, but facts are facts. Truth is, ANY team that acquires LeBron is agreeing to sell not only their soul to get him, but sacrificing any chance for a future of a franchise. Sure, said team will ride that train for a while, but they’ll inevitably come crashing down years later having to rebuild from scraps. Danny is in “if it’s not broke why fix it” mode, and most likely wouldn’t sacrifice the structure he’s put in place for a LeBron James. It just doesn’t seem like something that would really fit in Boston.

If any NBA Finals proved to be a LeBron stopper, it’s this one. Yes, Golden State has potentially two HOF’s in Curry and Durant, and maybe even three with Klay Thompson. This series showed that LeBron is human. His teammates haven’t been the best statistically, but he did have a hand in picking them at one point. And the dude can’t keep or be agreeable with a coach to save his life. Something also doesn’t yell out “team” when you say things like ‘I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world’, and still lose in the finals. In fact, he would still be win-less in the Finals since that quote if not for Kyrie Irving. Best player in the world? Mmm.

All Hail the King?

Aside from being soft, Boston has also been one of LBJ’s main foes during his career. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a team that’s been the close to cracking the LeBron James code, especially one sometimes not full strength. This could be a case of if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Something that’s been LeBron’s m.o. in search of more championships. More likely though, it’s closer to a “Thanks, but no thanks” scenario. For now, LBJ sits high on Cleveland throne, but it’s becoming lonely with no prince to take his place. So before history repeats itself, and he has a chance to live out his best King Richard III impression, it’d be wise to keep LeBron out of Boston’s castle towers.Image result for lebron james celtics td garden

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Smart Move?

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 Marcus Smart has been nothing short of being the electric spark that gets Boston fans excited nightly. The stats that don’t show up are what makes him extremely valuable in today’s NBA, which has earned him the respect he deserves. From hustle plays to his especially stifling defense, Smart might not be “flashy”, but he could be the right signing for the right price. Given his RFA status this off-season, he went on to say: “To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-$14 Million. Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up .. You don’t find guys like that.” Hmm. Maybe. Defense is pretty awful in the NBA, and it is tough to put a price on great D. But let’s take a deeper look to see how valuable Marcus is, and what would be the ‘smart’ decision that deals with his upcoming contract situation.

Dollar Dollar Bills, Y’all 

$12-$14 million doesn’t seem like a lot in professional sports, but to us mud bloods that’s a whole bunch of change. Unfortunately, as things stand, Boston will have three players (Irving, Horford, Hayward) with cap hits over $20 million next season. This leaves doubt that the Celtics would be able to afford Marcus. It’s tough to argue that the C’s are in need of a guard with Irving coming back and the emergence of Rozier. Plus, their newly reported interest in a big-man this coming draft is taking shape. His thumb is also an issue, and we all know Danny doesn’t like injured PGs.

No, Smart also doesn’t scream “floor general”, and his shot selection makes Boston yell “Why?!” at their TVs. Yet, when the game is on the line, he always seems to be in the center of the action. His passion and aggression are probably the pinnacles of his game. That’s pretty rare to find in any player, and in late-game situations his confidence on both ends consistently keeps the momentum in favor of Boston. You can’t beat a guy who gives you all that, but at $12-$14 million? In comparison to his current $4.5 million per year, Smart actually does deserve to make a bit more. Take a look at this list below. He certainly out plays most of these guys, solely on his energy and game changing defense. 10.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.5 RPG to go along with 1.3 SPG isn’t bad for 30 minutes, either.

A Penny Saved Is a Penny Earned

Previously, I highlighted some trade scenarios that could land the Celtics a prime-time big man. Being said, the move now might be to use Smart’s value as a bargaining chip to get the big man they desire instead of trading a core player. The Dallas Mavericks come to mind, as they are in search or a stable SG themselves. Mo Bamba, the lengthy beast from Texas, has been mentioned leading up to the draft as a potential Celtics’ wish-list target. It’s being forecast though that he falls to either Memphis or Dallas at #4/#5 respectively. Projected to land between #3-#7, the 7′, 225lb, 8′ wingspan stud could be gone before you know it.

It’s no secret the C’s need a big with Horford on his last legs. Theis is a good backup, and Baynes is just okay. A sign-and-trade would have to be the go-to in order to use Smart as bait, otherwise he leaves the C’s getting nothing in return. Still, Boston would only be able to offer a $6 million tender to stay. They may also match any offer that’s made by another team, but unlikely. It would financially burden Boston and that’s something Danny Ainge seldom does. Still, he could take the qualifying offer from the C’s and play one more for Gang Green, become an unrestricted free agent in 2019 when all teams will have more money to throw around. Now would be the time to use his value before Boston ends up empty-handed.

‘Cobra’ Commander

Packaging Smart and a pick or two could be enough for the Dallas Mavericks. Pair him with emerging rookie Dennis Smith Jr., sharp-shooter Wesley Mathews, rim-attacker Harrison Barnes, and a young big in Nerlens Noel. It would give Smart the opportunity to lead the charge and command ball handling aside from DSJ. Earning the nickname “Cobra”, Marcus is always ready to strike. There potential for an increase in minuets should he go to Dallas, and it would allow him to excel in that run and gun offense and be more apart of the action. That 10.2 PPG could get as high as 15-16 in the right place.

Setting up Boston with the #5 pick, it gives hope that Bagley, Ayton, Donic or Johnson is taken before Bamba comes off the board. Dallas will have money to play with, so adding a vet PG/SG like Smart could give Dallas the edge they need to get back to the Western Conference elite. I can’t show what a trade would look like via ESPN trade machine, but trust me, it would work financially.

 

 

Boston receives:

#5 pick – 2018 NBA draft

Dallas receives:

Marcus Smart

2019 1st round pick – Sacramento

2019 1st round pick – Memphis

Not only does this help Boston with a big-man, but it’s a lovely move for Dallas and their future.  The Sacramento pick could be top-5 next year depending how poorly they do, which would be great for Dallas. Boston adds a young center to their already crazy talented core, and Dallas gets their enforcer with Smart with high hopes for high picks in the future. It’s a tough call, but Danny is a tough guy, and Mark Cuban just might be crazy enough to pull the trigger.

Valley of the Sun

Marcus absolutely wants to remain a Celtic. There’s potential for a ring, yearly battles deep into the playoffs, and a young core ready to take over the NBA. It would be SMART for him to stay put. Sure, he wont make as much money or be the starter, but coming off the bench for a ready-to-be-champion team would be silly to think about going elsewhere. Perhaps inevitable, Brown and Tatum aren’t leaving in a package anything less for a Hall of Famer, but he and Rozier are the most available trade pieces should Smart re-sign with Boston.

Phoenix would be a tremendous landing spot for the PG/SG if not traded, as Jackson, Booker, and Chriss already have something brewing. Plus, they have the #1 pick in the draft, which is looking like center DeAndre Ayton. The Copper State is nice, plus it beats New England winters. They could give him the money and situation he wants, too; something Boston can’t. But, the Celtics CAN hand over a pretty good promise of a championship and beyond, plus a key bench role to keep the juices flowing around 100 Legends Way. It’s really all up to Marcus and how he wants to navigate his future and how much love he has for the city.

“Everybody is Replaceable”

The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of defense, and so are the Dallas Mavericks. Adding a spark like Smart would be a big step in the right direction. However, Marcus breathes Boston air, and this past Thursday, Ainge spoke about the situation:

“I think that everybody is replaceable. If there was ever a situation with a team where guys would know that, it would be this team that just went through what we went through this year. We’re all replaceable, and we’ll be able to move on and move forward without any players. Nobody is irreplaceable, but Marcus certainly is a player that has been big for us over the last few years.”

Knowing how the C’s rock and roll, Smart might’ve seen his last days in the green and white. An elite defender and spark plug for any lineup, no question. However, with speculation over acquiring a coveted big man, it could be what brings Boston to cut ties. Smart would be an excellent asset to dangle as Rozier could be the backup Kyrie needs. The bench also gets a little smoother with Hayward back, burying Smart on an already lengthy bench. Ainge would be wise to utilize him to a acquire a pick that might land that down low juggernaut, if he can.
I guess well see. All this is speculation at this point. Could he re-sign for $6 million and play one last year for Boston at 24 years old? Will he be used as trade bait for a draft pick or otherwise? Is $12-$14 million a year too much for spotty shooting and questionable ball handling? One thing’s for sure, the Celtics never seem to be short of theatrics.Image result for marcus smart celebrate
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The “Big Man” Factor: The Celtics’ Missing Piece

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Now or never

Make no mistake about it, the memorable 2018 run for this Celtics squad ranks up there with the team’s history. From young talent to cinematic drama, The Celtics have done its part to remain among the elite. With the setting for the future becoming more clear, Danny Ainge put the pieces and personnel together to excite and deliver. To somewhat no avail though, as a championship seems to be the in-reach goal yearly, Gang Green hasn’t seen the Finals since 2009-2010. Eight years is a long time for Celtics fans, and it could be longer. Big Al’s been essential, and the group of young guns? Stellar. But the need for a young, pure big man is what the team might need to make it over the almost decade long hump. Easier said than done. Gordon Hayward will be back, as will Irving, back to himself in no time.

Having short, easy-to-break contracts is perfect for the Celtics. Two huge names come to mind for Boston, with K.A.T. not enjoying the cold in Minnesota anymore, and Anthony Davis tired of losing in New Orleans. Cousins may even be attractive as he brings that no-bull you-know-what attitude, but unlikely unless in a sign and trade. The jury’s still out as we don’t know his plans for New Orleans and signing him outright isn’t possible. LeBron’s the brick wall in the east, and both Philly and Milwaukee are right on the Celtics’ heels. Let’s explore two ideas that would intrigue Boston fans, but satisfy the loss of a potential beloved player. Time to rip off the band aid.

Karl Anthony-Towns – C

KAT Attack

Baby Shaq is something that comes to mind with this guy. A seven-foot house down low, and smooth as silk outside. Ok, maybe not quite Shaq, but nonetheless as dominant as we’ve seen since a young Dwight Howard (RIP). Since entering the league, Karl-Anthony Towns proved an intimating and ferocious presence for the NBA landscape. He doesn’t let a shot get by without being around and if you give him the ball, move. Drafted three years ago, his numbers have seen an uptick as he continues to grow into his own. Shooting an astounding 55% from the floor on average, a 25.1 PPG/12.3 RPG campaign in ‘16-‘17 really secured his name on the board. He saw a drop at 21.3 PPG/12.3 RPG in ‘17, but the emergence of Andrew Wiggins and addition of Jimmy Butler took that away a little bit.

Still, the kid’s a beast and one of the best young talents the NBA has to offer. The Celtics would breeze through the East with the addition of KAT, easily. Al swings to the 4, Barnes/Monroe/Theus help out the front court off the bench. Brown comes through from the 6th man or even start at SG, and Smart the 7th. Imagine that starting line up? Match made in heaven really. Interesting note, Al Horford and KAT’s moms are BFF’s, and KAT mentions Horford as a mentor. Hmm.

Tough Tradeoffs

Here’s the tough part, Jayson Tatum has to go. Both he and Brown undoubtedly have been at the center of it all for the Celtics, but Brown wouldn’t get the juices flowing for Minnesota with Jimmy Buckets starting, Wiggins on the wing, and Jamal Crawford off the bench. Jeff Teague will need a back-up and that’s where Terry Rozier’s value could sweeten the pot. Wiggins also isn’t happy in Timberwolves Town, so Tatum would be a better replacement. C’s could add both Sacramento’s 2019/LA’s lottery-protected pick in 2019 to get the deal done. Towns only makes $6 MIL year and Tatum $5 MIL. Add Roziers $2 MIL and you got yourself a blockbuster.

Tatum is limited with his quickness and athleticism, so at best he may translate to a Paul Pierce, which still isn’t bad. But I’d rather have Baby Shaq then Pierce right now.

Minnesota receives:

SF – Jayson Tatum

PG – Terry Rozier

2019 1st round pick from SAC

2019 1st round lottery protected from LAC

Boston receives:

C – Karl-Anthony Towns

Anthony Davis – C

AD Busts Out in the Bayou

When you’re in the MVP discussion, you have to be pretty good to even get a mention. After bringing the New Orleans Pelicans to the second round in the playoffs, first in franchise history, it was no doubt Anthony Davis put the bayou on his back and soared through the NBA. One of —  if not the most —  prolific big man the league has today, unquestionably. Throw the guy an ally-oop and watch your head. Out on the perimeter? Good luck. On the block? Thank you, come again. You will not stop this guy point blank. 5x all-star, 2x All-NBA and 3x block champ, Davis’ 28.1 PPG/11.1 RPG has gained him the notoriety he deserves. Adding to that, he managed 28 PPG/11.8 RPG in ‘16-‘17 and 24.3 PPG/10.3 RPG in ‘15-‘16, which earned his way to the front of the young NBA culture.

He’s a freak with a crazy wingspan and game altering defense. Another Kentucky product like Towns, he’s equally, if not better, as good a defender and offensive producer. Listed at 6’11, he’s probably closer to 7’. With all of the above into account, you’re definitely going to have to give up a bit more to get him. Rozier’s value can be used since NO has a PG issue looming with Rondo, plus Brown would fit nice with Jrue Holiday and Cousins if he comes back. But who else would you add?

AD makes upward of $23M a year, so giving up younger players with small contracts won’t leave much meat on the bone for the Celtics. That leaves Hayward, Irving and Horford as the most available pieces to trade away. Irving isn’t going anywhere, and Hayward signed a stay-put contract.

Al Horford is aging, no matter how supportive he’s been to the Celtics success. Still, second on the team at $27.7M a year, you save money sending him away, and gain what could be a Hall-of-Fame big man in Davis. To secure his services, adding Jaylen at $5M and Rozier at $2M could just make it happen. Throw a pick or two depending on how greedy New Orleans can be, but they have a right with Anthony Davis. NO adds E’twuan Moore at $8.5M which still saves the Celtics $2M.

Ainge doesn’t like a luxury tax and keeps Boston’s books clean for the most part. Moore could add 12 PPG a game off the bench, and Boston keeps Tatum. The bro wants to win, and with Rondo/Cousins free agents, AD might take his talents to Boston Harbor instead. Al is loved, but Danny doesn’t care about feelings. Break out the beads and masks, it could be a party in Boston.

New Orleans receives:

C – Al Horford

SG – Jaylen Brown

PG – Terry Rozier

2019 1st round pick SAC

2019 1st round lottery protected pick LAC

Boston receives:

C – Anthony Davis

SF – E’twaun Moore

Al Horford – Keep ‘em

Al

Master Horford Leads Young Grasshoppers

The Godfather has showed his vet status as the playoffs progress. A steady 12.9 PPG/7.4 RPG got it done on a nightly basis. He was a leader in the locker room with the experience to pass off to the young guys, all while keeping them grounded in times of turmoil. His stats don’t say “look at me”, but enough to make the all-star team and currently two games away from the Finals, somewhere he’s never been. Registering 53 10+ point games with 11 putting up 20+, he also gave Boston 14 10+ rebounding games. He passes pretty well too for a big man, and he doesn’t demand the ball like an Anthony-Towns or Anthony Davis. He’s also not the worst on defense, having 23 multi-block nights.

You could send a Terry Rozier off for a pick somewhere mid-teens, or package something with Marcus smart for something a little higher, but the big men in this draft aren’t much more than DeAndre Ayton and Mohamed Bamba. Wendell Carter and Omari Spellman are big college names, but harder to tell if their non-traditional size at C will bode well next the NBA.

Its hard to find someone who has the resume Al Horford does. Older guy who’s seen some things, but wants to win before it’s over. Young guys respect him, coaches love him. That Kyrie/Horford pick and pop was excellent.  Imagine adding Hayward on the wing ready to launch from a sharp eyed big passing off the block. Ainge is known for trading a previous Big Al from Boston for a one Kevin Garnett, so will he do the same for the sake of the crown?

Celtics get:

An expeinced veteran who’s still servicable, and will anchor down a locker room. Great tutor for the already successful young core. Possibly a draft pick for right scenario without breaking up youth.

*Bleep* or get off the pot

Win some, lose some

With hopes of a 2018 title run, even if they manage to get past the king and all his men, Golden State or Houston could show why Irving and Hayward are missed. That’s not a shot at The Celtics, but to get this far has been one Hail Mary short of a miracle. They outlasted The Greek Freak, broke The Process, and have shoved their flag in The Land. Will it be enough to make it home?

Not so likely. Monroe/Baynes have been mediocre to say the most. Aside from Hordford, Boston has seen lack luster rebounding and down low defense. When Al comes out of the game, The Celtics heavily rely on the wing players and long-bomb three’s. Yes, it’s worked up to now, but how long can it last? They’re going to need a big man day in and day out that’s younger whos ready to shake and move.

My gut says go with KAT. Youthful, hungry, and would put the NBA on notice in a place like Boston. I think AD could do more, but his super-star element might take away from the Celtics core. You lose Taytum, but gain 3,4,5,6 championships? That big three of KAT, Irving, Hayward? My goodness.

That’s what I think would best benefit the Celtics best. Could AD be that bright spot? Will Ainge make the blockbuster move for Towns? Right now the stars are aligned for both of these big men to conquer another coast and move on to greener pastures. Pun intended. Hopefully DA sees the value in what a big man like those two can bring to an already dynamic, high-caliber team.

 

Please follow me on Twitter at @JaxBrown725

Celtics on the Clock with Terry Rozier

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In a season filled with turbulence, the Celtics still manage to take out top-tier teams to remain deep into the playoffs. Despite an off-season filled with drama, trades and free agent signings, the C’s put themselves in place to remain as one of the NBA’s elite. With two wins away from the Finals, the possibility of hanging banner #18 is looking more likely. How did this all happen? No Irving, no Hayward, an aging big man, and too much inexperience had some thinking next year would be the year.

Wrong. Big Al has played like the anchor he is.  Meanwhile, the young talent continues to producing on a All-Star level. This year could be it, as everyone on the roster has emerged as a big-time performer when it matters most.

Enter Terry Rozier. A hot-shot PG gaining a cult-like following in the city of Boston, and rightfully so. Come the summer of 2019 though, Rozier becomes a free-agent, and Danny Ainge will have a decision to make. It begs the question however, will Ainge continue the trend of trading high-caliber points guards for the future? Will he pull an IT4 and trade Irving because of the knee? Let’s talk about it.

Sell High

No secret that Terry Rozier wants to start for an NBA team. He never foresaw that the opportunity would come this quickly, however.

In the 2018 playoffs, Rozier has absolutely stepped up, averaging a wild 17/6/6 for the guys in green. With that, he’s also started in all 14 playoff games. In five of those games, Rozier went for 20+ points. He passes the ball at a high level (nine games with over five assists), coupled with strong defense when the C’s need a stop.

Terry has done an incredible job filling Kyrie Irving’s spot in the lineup, with seat clearing three-pointers and some nifty ball handling. Hell, he’s even formed a weird, yet enjoyable, relationship with Drew Bledsoe. Still, in Celtics Land, where Danny Ainge reigns supreme, even TR12 isn’t safe.

At this point, Rozier’s market value could hang with some of the best in the league. He’s young, can lead a team, and clearly can score the ball at tremendous frequency. But, even with 17 PPG in the playoffs, he only averaged 11/2/5 during the regular season. Make no mistake about it – during the months of March and April the dude went OFF. But, the Kyrie Irving situation allowed him to do that. Uncle Drew will be back next year (hopefully without complication), which will force Rozier back to the bench. Nonetheless, he did produce, even with Irving in the lineup, but he won’t want to do that forever.

TR n’ FA

Rozier becomes a free agent next summer, where he’ll attract curiosity and interest. Before that happens,  Danny Ainge possibly could move him with the value of the PG increasing daily. Using him in a trade package could work, but the C’s would have to include another young star to make a franchise-altering move. Before TR12 potentially takes off, leaving the Celtics empty-handed, DA might consider a shake up if he can’t get him to commit to a sixth-man role. Coupling Rozier’s value and some picks, maybe a talent or two, could land a bigger name for the future if he continues this level of play.

Déjà Vu

Never get attached to a player, unless they’re Paul Pierce, and even then your heart could get shattered. The C’s have a brutal history of trading away fan favorites, most commonly elite level or franchise favorite PGs. Maybe a Danny Ainge thing, maybe “just a business.” Still, it’s hard to keep trust in a guy who would trade away his mom for a top-three pick. In theory, these moves would create a better team and make improvements for the future, which in most cases holds true. The Celtics have improved their record and core, so it appears like that formula might be working. At what expense though? Let’s take a look at some names that once donned the Celtic green, now exiled in the dungeons of TD Garden:

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Rajon Rondo

What a PG. Sure, had a few good guys around him, but his triple threat of passing/scoring/rebounding earned a reputation around the league. Personality problems were his ticket out of Boston, and he wound up in Dallas in a deal for essentially Jae Crowder. He’s produced handsomely for New Orleans since. Not a Kyrie Irving or an Isaiah Thomas, but still.

Isaiah Thomas

Wow, Danny sure hustled the league with this guy. Poor IT4. Brought to Boston in ’14-’15 because 15 PPG and four APG wasn’t enough for Phoenix to keep him around. He was acquired via trade averaging 19/5 for Boston.  As an NBA “frequent flyer”, he returned in ’15-’16, and IT4 didn’t waste a minute trying to find a home. He dropped 22.2 PPG in ’15, and an astounding 28.9 PPG in ’16, and STILL didn’t earn the love of Father Danny after three years of improvement. It also didn’t matter that he alone carried Boston the entire year, including a memorable run into the playoffs.

This will always be one of those heart-breaking cases, as IT4 only wanted to fill a workhorse role for the team and find glory. After Danny found out about the bad hip, he took his horse behind the stable, and that was that.

Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce

Taking away the whole ‘old’ thing, this was just pure robbery from the Celtics. After dealing two Hall-of-Famers to Brooklyn for what would later turn out to be Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Danny made sure the Nets would never see light again. Perhaps this could be one of those “sell-high” cases, but let’s be honest.  Both guys dropped production, so this infamous deal was based on names. Getting rid of Pierce was tough for Boston, but where the franchise stands today stems from that landscape-changing trade back in 2013.

Kyrie Irving?

So Danny wakes up one day and breaks all of Boston’s hearts and trades Kyrie. He looks at the knee, talks to the doctors, and off he goes for the future of another NBA franchise and 20 draft picks over the next five years. Unlikely? Maybe not. IT4 would be the biggest example. Notably, it isn’t first time Kyrie has had an injury, as he missed a majority of his only year in college from a ligament tear in his right toe. He also fractured his left knee-cap in the 2015 playoffs. Fast forward to 2018.  A right knee surgery side-lined him for the playoffs and during points of the season. Issues like this seem to always scare Ainge, so if you love Irving now, maybe don’t get too attached.

No doubt of Kyrie’s elite PG status as one of the top ten players in the league. But as history shows, could he be the next head Danny puts on a stake outside of the Garden?

The Decision

No one but D.A. knows his plans when this summer hits for the Celtics. Rozier would be an attractive piece for any team, but do displays of high-caliber play prove more of a faux pas for what Scary Terry can actually do?  No doubt a main factor for the Celtics 2018 playoff run, but his run in Boston could be coming to an end. Hopefully not, because this guy is beloved by the same fans who loved similar PGs before him. Boston fans are faithful; management not so much. But hey, that’s why they say it’s a business.

If it comes down it, TR12 should really do whats best for him and his goals. Outlasting or even out-performing Kyrie Irving is no small task, yet neither is leading a team to the Eastern Conference Finals. But, here we are. Does Rozier get to spook teams from Boston another day, or will Your Grace Danny Ainge send him on his way from House Celtics? Your guess is as good as anyone’s, but no one can forecast what Boston will do. Probably not even this guy below. Here’s hoping for you, TR12.

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Elephant in the Room: Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown

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Elephant in the Room

With the young C’s surging in the 2018 playoffs, there’s no question the amount of productivity that’s come from everyone on the roster. With All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward out for the season, every single player has stepped up. There was even a Jabari Bird (who?) sighting late in the season, who gave the Celtics some key minutes. Still, there’s been this weird debate Boston faithful has brought up with the emergence of both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and that’s “Who would you rather keep?”. This stems from possible trade talks surrounding both Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard, which you’d have to give up one in said scenarios, right? Most likely. Even so, the resounding opinion seems to be keep Tatum, but have we forgotten just how valuable JB is? I’m not here to pick sides, but let’s take a look at some variables to see if this is as clear as most think, or clouded judgment. You be the judge.

Jaylen Brown, Round 1, Pick 3 – 2016/2017

Being his rookie year, JB came into the league as an athletic G-F who had a sweet stroke and a smooth game. Young sure, but poise is what separated him from his rookie class, establishing a quiet, yet fierce, demeanor. Having to ride pine behind Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder, Brown was still able to excite TD Garden for about 17 MPG. However, he could only muster up 6.6 PPG through 78 games and 20 starts. Hardly the Jaylen Brown we know today. Having been offense heavy with ol’ faithful IT4, JB still found a way to contribute nightly, delivering 26 10+ point nights and some flashy play. He fell off a bit in the playoffs, still his promise and intrigue is what kept fans excited and hopeful.

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Final 2016 Stats:

  • PPG – 6.6
  • MPG – 17.2
  • FG% – 45.5
  • 3P% – 34.
  • RPG – 2.8
  • APG – 0.8
  • BPG – 0.2
  • SPG – 0.4
  • FT% – 68.5
  • TOPG – 0.9

 

 

 

Jayson Tatum, Round 1, Pick 3 – 2017/2018

With the NBA draft lottery over, and the luck of the Irish in place, the first pick in the 2017 NBA draft was awarded to the Boston Celtics. However, trading that pick with the Philadelphia 76ers for the number three pick confused fans. But let’s fast forward to now, where Jayson Taytum dons the old Walter McCarty and is shaking and baking defenders on a nightly basis. Added to the core of Brown, Smart, Horford and Rozier, the Celtics coupled a soon-to-be fan favorite in JT with the bunch. It was tricky to think how he’d fit in, but it left no doubt in C’s fans’ minds that he was something special.

Adding Irving, Hayward, and some other pieces, Boston created a formula of success in young talent. Since the start of the 2017, Tatum came in right away and was a clear choice for the Celtics future. He brought the sexy shooting and slashing prowess, while triggering defensive sparks and led fast breaks with high-flying dunks. No question this guys a pure bred scoring machine, totaling 65 10+ point nights in his rookie year, ten of those being for 20+. Interesting note, he also started 80 games for the C’s as well. Not to be diminished though, Hayward’s season ending injury and Kyrie going in and out of injury and eventually for the season allowed Tatum to excel and advance. That’s not to say he wasn’t a star because believe me, he will be and certainly was for Boston thus far. Here are his stats from season one:

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Final 2017 Stats:

  • PPG – 13.9
  • MPG – 30.5
  • FG% – 47.5
  • 3P% – 43.4
  • RPG – 5.0
  • APG – 1.6
  • BPG – 0.7
  • SPG – 1.0
  • FT% – 82.6
  • TOPG – 1.4

 

The Breakdown

No doubt JT had himself a rookie season, even earning himself some playoff records as a young gun. He is simply a basketball player. He can shoot over you, dribble past you, and dunk over you. Who wouldn’t want a guy like that? BUT, let’s not forget about the other young C, Jaylen Brown. The dude has been equally as stellar, delivering big moment after big moment down the stretch of games. He’s truly been as clutch as any other player in the league, and has turned into a prolific scorer in the interim. He went from 20 starts to 70 (+50), and added 51 10+ point games with 17 20+ point games (seven more than Tatum), and three with 30+. He also was one of the main factors in the first round of the playoffs, and added to his game since last year. Let’s take a quick peek at JB’s 2017 stats compared to JT:

              2016 Stats:                             2017 Stats:                            Tatum 2017 stats:

  • PPG – 6.6                              PPG – 14.5                                 PPG – 13.9
  • MPG – 17.2                             MPG – 30.7                             MPG – 30.5
  • FG% – 45.5                             FG% – 46.5                              FG% – 47.5
  • 3P% – 34.3                                3P% – 39.5                               3P% – 43.4
  • RPG – 2.8                                RPG – 4.9                                RPG – 5.0
  • APG – 0.8                                APG – 1.6                               APG – 1.6
  • BPG – 0.2                                BPG – 0.4                                BPG – 0.7
  • SPG – 0.4                                SPG – 1.0                                 SPG – 1.0
  • FT% – 68.5                              FT% – 64.4                              FT% – 82.6
  • TOPG – 0.9                             TOPG – 1.8                              TOPG – 1.4

Comparably, these two seem almost like the same player. Some stats have a few numbers north or south, but nothing that really stands out. Both are electric and can get the fans behind them in an instant, and both are part of the youth movement in the NBA. Tatum, without a question, will thrive with the ball in his hands. Brown will also, but think of him as a mid-level Dwayne Wade. Without boring details, Brown actually has better stats than Wade did in his second year. But then again, so does Tatum.

Who Do You Love, Are You for Sure?

In 2021, the Celtics will have to deal with the question everyone is wondering: do you keep Jaylen Brown? The answer should be yes. Obviously, Tatum will bud and flourish and will be a household name in all of New England and beyond. But Brown will eventually want more money and longer security. Assumed the same for Tatum, added with Kyrie, Horford and Hayward, Celtics fans will have to break out the paper and pencil to do some math. Boston just wont have enough, and they kind of put all their eggs in the baskets of Kyrie and Hayward. Horford in getting a little seasoned, so he may be out soon. It’s a tough call either way.

Brown certainly deserves more credit than he gets, and Tatum hasn’t gotten the praise he will in the future, but both deserve to be loved by all of Celtics nation. Without either, the Celtics may not be on the verge of dethroning LeBron. Still, don’t snub JB just yet. Not to take anything from the once-in-a-blue-moon rook in Tatum, but Jaylen has doubled in points since last year, made himself more of a scorer and deep threat, AND is work horse on either end of the floor. What more can Brown do for you?

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