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Jayson Tatum vs LeBron James By the Numbers

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I know how crazy this will sound. Who in their right mind would even consider comparing an unproven 20-year-old to arguably the greatest basketball player to ever live? Before you all get out the torches and sharpen your pitchforks let me explain.

This piece focuses on how much potential Jayson Tatum has. With some recent articles floating around social media making the case that Taco Jay is ‘overhyped’ I felt the need to come to his defense. There is no defense stronger than proving to the world that the 20-year-old talent put up comparative advanced metrics to the King in their respective rookie seasons. Let’s dive into the numbers.

Jayson Tatum Advanced Metrics for 2017-18 Season

LeBron James Advanced Metrics for 2003-04 Season

Player Efficiency Rating and Usage Percentage

The first metric that strikes my eye is each player’s PER (Player Efficiency Rating) vs their USG% (Usage Percent).

To clarify- the PER sums up all of a player’s positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments, and returns the per-minute rating of a player’s performance. The USG% figure refers to the percentage of team plays used by a player while on the court.

Jayson Tatum finished his rookie campaign with a respectable 15.3 PER against a modest 19.5 USG% in 2438 minutes played.

LeBron James finished his rookie campaign with a slightly higher 18.3 PER against a MUCH higher 28.2 USG% in 3122 minutes played.

Simply put, Jayson Tatum was only slightly less efficient than James while receiving significantly fewer touches and play calls. This comes as a testament to the abnormally high efficiency Tatum exhibited throughout his first season in the league.

Entering as a ball stopping ISO heavy talent, Tatum’s biggest question marks were his outside shooting and efficiency in an NBA offense predicated around ball movement. Tatum responded by shooting 43.3% from 3 (good for 8th in the league) and quickly proved he can do what is needed for the betterment of the team. His modest 19.5 USG% reveals that he was not the ‘ball stopper’ that he was predicted to be. In fact, it is Tatum’s malleability and selflessness that has quickly become his biggest strength heading into his 2nd season. His ability to get off whatever shot he desires at will coupled with the basketball IQ to know when to give up the rock bodes well for his future outlook.

True Shooting Percentage, Total Rebound Percentage and Win Shares

(Boston MA, 05/03/18) Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum celebrates after dunking during the second half of Game 2 of the Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers at the TD Garden on Thursday, May 03, 2018. Staff photo by Matt Stone

Jayson Tatum actually tops LeBron James in multiple advanced metrics in their respective rookie seasons. First, let me clarify what each of these statistics means.

True Shooting Percentage (TS%) measures a player’s efficiency at shooting the ball. It considers total points scored over all field goals made including free throws, 2-point field goals and 3 pointers plus free throws attempted. It is the most accurate measurement of a player’s overall shooting efficiency.

Total Rebound Percentage (TR%) is a statistic used to gauge how effective a player is at gaining possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw. Essentially the stat measures the percentage of missed shots the individual rebounds while on the court.

Win Shares (WS) is a bit of a complex metric but in a nutshell it estimates the number of wins a player produces for his team. It is essentially a measurement of how important the player is to his team’s success.

How Does Tatum Compare?

Now onto the fun stuff. Jayson Tatum’s impressive rookie PER shines through when looking at his TS%, which sits at 58.6%. Comparatively, LeBron finished his rookie campaign with a 48.8% TS%, nearly 10% lower than that of Tatum’s. This is directly correlated to Tatum’s shot taking decisions. He very rarely takes tough shots and doesn’t force anything. With everything he does he always appears to be comfortable and confident, as shown by his 49% shooting from 2 and 43% from 3 for the season.

Jayson Tatum finished his rookie campaign averaging 5 rebounds per contest. He accomplished a 9% TR%, 1.4% higher than James’. LeBron has gone on to average an impressive 7.4 rebounds per game for his career. Taking Tatum’s rookie season under consideration, there is no reason the 6’8” forward can’t accomplish the same if not better than the King in this department.

The final measurement that caught my eye in this comparison was Win Shares plus Win Shares per 48 minutes. LeBron James played 684 minutes more than Jayson Tatum in his rookie season. Yet it was Tatum who held a higher WS metric. Essentially, Jayson Tatum individually produced 2 more wins for the Celtics than LeBron for the Cavs in significantly less playing time. Taking it a step further, if that measurement is rounded out to 48 minutes (the length of a full game) Tatum still outshines James with .139 WS to .078, respectively. What does this mean? According to this metric one can make a legitimate argument that Jayson Tatum was more important to the Celtics his rookie year than LeBron James was to the Cavaliers.

Is Jayson Tatum ‘Overhyped’?

Jayson Tatum finished 3rd in the Rookie of the Year race and landed on the NBA All Rookie 1st Team. He was thrusted into the spotlight a mere 5 minutes into his first NBA game against (ironically) LeBron James. He averaged 13.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per contest as a 19-year-old. The team needed him to step up in the playoffs due to devastating injuries to valuable teammates. He responded by leading the entire roster in scoring through 19 playoff games. His 18.5 points per game scoring average got him within 1 point of tying basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most points scored by a rookie in the playoffs in NBA history.

Some believe that Tatum will end up being the best rookie to come out of his draft class. Doubters will shake their heads and say the guy has already peaked. That he won’t get much better than he is now.

What do I believe?

I believe that the sky is the limit for Jayson Tatum. He has every tool in his arsenal necessary to become one of the NBA’s elite. I would say he is arguably the most gifted talent that the Boston Celtics have drafted since Larry Bird (sorry Paul). The situation could not be more perfect for Tatum. The system around him will provide every opportunity to maximize his talents and realize his full potential. Now, he’s just got to go out and prove to the world that he can do it.

 

Drexler

Recapping The BIG3 Conference Call

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With the BIG3 coming to Boston this Friday, a conference call was held to preview the games and answer questions from the media. I had the privilege of being on this call, along with NBA Hall of Famer and BIG3 commissioner, Clyde Drexler, Co-Founder of the BIG3, Jeff Kwatinetz, and Chairman, Amy Trask.

The call started with Clyde Drexler recapping the night of games in Toronto the week prior. Drexler announced that Andre Emmett from 3’s Company was player of the week with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Emmett is a good example of the BIG3 having relative unknowns sometimes outplay the former all-stars. He also talked about the Young 3, which is something the BIG3 does in every city they go to as they help the communities grow. Amy Trask also explained that over four dozen countries are represented in the BIG3, and they look to expand in the upcoming seasons.

The call was then open to questions from the media.

The first question was what the people of the BIG3 think of some of the comparisons to the BIG3 and the old-time games that were played in the NBA during all-star break.

Clyde Drexler: “This is not old-time basketball. These guys are young and fresh out of the NBA. Most of them can still compete in the NBA. If the NBA put together 3-on-3 teams, they would have trouble competing with the BIG3. This is not Uncle Drew. These guys can play. The BIG3 will only continue to grow.”

Amy Trask: “Come to a game or tune in because Jeff and Ice Cube have skeptics. The skeptics went to a game and told Ice Cube that they were right; the league is competitive.”

The next reporter asked if the players were embracing the four-point shot.

Jeff Kwatinetz: “I think they are embracing it the right way. They are not using it as a novelty. They are taking them when they are open and it makes sense. The reason why we have a circle, not a line, is because we wanted to open the game.”

Amy Trask: “It was a lot of fun to see a game won on a four-point shot a few weeks ago.”

Clyde Drexler: “Because the shot is a circle, if you put a guy out there who can make it, the defense will have to stretch. It gives the guy with the ball a lot more room to operate if you have a great shooter on your team.”

The next question was how does the BIG3 perceive the amount of “chippiness” in the games.

Clyde Drexler: “Guys are competitive, trying to win, and are trying to get away with whatever they can get away with. We added a third official to take away from that chippiness because we want the game to be about the sport of basketball. We don’t want anyone to get hurt, and it has helped a lot. It has become more of a pure game of basketball. Still physical, but not so much of the chippiness.”

Jeff Kwatinetz: “I think the chippiness comes from the competitiveness and wanting to win. Also remember the nature of 3-on-3 puts big emphasis on defense. In the NBA, there are a lot of fast breaks and wide open shots. But in the BIG3, it is a physical demand to play defense. Some guys are not used to being defended so tightly that they do not like it.

I asked “How would you describe the process of signing former NBA all-stars and DPOY candidates to the BIG3 this past off-season?”

Jeff Kwatinetz: “The biggest reason is that the players that played in the first year enjoyed it and had a positive experience. That word gets around and gets other people wanting to play. A lot of the guys that come in are not done playing pro basketball. It is something they enjoy doing and competing. A lot of people did not get the vision right away. But they wanted to do it once they saw it was real pro basketball.”

Clyde Drexler: “We tried to get Kobe Bryant. We tried to get Paul Pierce. For everyone who leaves the NBA, everyone in the BIG3 will be calling them. They love the game, and ten weeks in the summer is not a big commitment to a lot of the guys. The league is for the players, is fun, and is very competitive. Everyone wants to be a part of the BIG3.”

Jeff Kwatinetz: “It is a very different league. There is a lot of strategy in it with the way the BIG3 plays. It is a hard process as you need to get in shape, which eliminates a lot of guys who are actually done. We are getting the guys who understand the commitment involved.”

My follow up question was, “With a lot of former Boston Celtics in the BIG3 this year, what kind of reaction are you guys expecting from the fans on Friday?”

Clyde Drexler: “Boston has some of the greatest sports fans in the world. Danny Ainge and the Celtics are the best team and have the best general manager in the eastern conference. They love basketball in Boston. The BIG3 is an extension of that great basketball history. I hope they all come out and enjoy the phenomenon that is BIG3 basketball. Nobody expected the BIG3 to be this popular or this good of a game. The game is very serious and the guys want to win. We have celebrities, we have the humor. Our coaches are mic’ed, which gives you a good feel of being on the floor. This is all great, innovative stuff that made the sport a summer phenomenon. I hope the fans of Boston will come out and experience it live.”

Amy Trask: “We have also placed tremendous emphasis on making the venue experience very family friendly. Our players and coaches always interact with the fans throughout the games. We offer what most leagues do not offer: a very interactive experience for the fans.”

 

This was the majority of the conference call for the BIG3. Clyde Drexler, Jeff Kwatinetz, and Amy Trask gave everyone some very thought-out answers on the call. If you want to see a more in-depth preview of the BIG3 in Boston, check out my article here.

BIG3 Boston Preview

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The BIG3 is a basketball league created by rapper, Ice Cube, in 2017. The league consists of mostly retired NBA players, including some former all-stars. Rules for the BIG3 are different than rules in the NBA or FIBA-sanctioned 3-on-3 games. There is a four-point shot, 14 second shot-clock, hand-checking, and more. Also, there is no time-limit as halftime starts when a team reaches 25 points, and the winner is the first to 50 (win by two).

In the second season for the BIG3, things have changed from the first season. The defending-BIG3 champs are now last in the league, and many new players have been added. For example, guys like Baron Davis, Carlos Boozer, Nate Robinson, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Metta World Peace all join a stacked group of retired NBA players. With all the changes from last season to this season, the standings have changed too.

Standings

  1. 3 Headed Monsters (6-0)
  2. Power (5-1)
  3. 3’s Company (4-2)
  4. Tri-State (4-2)
  5. Killer 3’s (2-4)
  6. Ball Hogs (1-5)
  7. Ghost Ballers (1-5)
  8. Trilogy (1-5)

Only one team remains undefeated, while three teams already said goodbye to the playoffs. With Boston hosting the second-to-last regular season week of the BIG3 this year, there are major playoff implications in some of the games.

3’s Company (4-2) vs. Ghost Ballers (1-5)

In the first game of the night, third-place 3’s Company takes on seventh-place Ghost Ballers. 3’s Company and Ghost Ballers are both coming off wins this past Friday in Toronto. The Ghost Ballers defeated defending champions, Trilogy, and 3’s Company took third place from Tri-State.

3’s Company

Coach: Michael Cooper

Roster: Dermarr Johnson (Captain), Baron Davis (co-Captain), Drew Gooden (co-Captain), Andre Emmett, Jason Maxiell, Dahntay Jones

3’s Company comes into Boston able to clinch a playoff spot with a win or Killer 3’s loss. Baron Davis did not play last week against Tri-State, but that did not affect the teams play. 3’s Company destroyed Tri-State 51-29. With Baron Davis out, players on 3’s Company needed to step up. Andre Emmett went off, having 23 points while captain Dermarr Johnson had 14. They will need to have another great performance with or without Baron Davis if they are going to clinch a playoff spot.

https://twitter.com/BBallSociety_/status/1020389464097656832

Ghost Ballers

Coach: George Gervin

Roster: Mike Bibby (Captain), Ricky Davis (co-Captain), Carlos Boozer (co-captain), Lee Nailon, Marcus Banks, Mario West

The Ghost Ballers entered week six in Toronto winless as they went up against defending champs, Trilogy. They were underdogs, but managed to pull off the 50-41 victory over the Trilogy. This team added two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer this offseason, and had high hopes. Even though they are out of the playoffs, they will still look to hold off 3’s Company’s playoff hopes. Ghost Ballers have two former Celtics on their roster (Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks).

This game between 3’s Company and Ghost Ballers is one of the more meaningful games this week. 3’s Company is able to clinch a playoff spot, while Ghost Ballers look to string together a few games.

Power (5-1) vs. 3 Headed Monsters (6-0)

Power

Coach: Nancy Lieberman

Roster: Corey Maggette (Captain), Cuttino Mobley (co-Captain), Glen Davis (co-Captain), Chris Andersen, Quentin Richardson, Ryan Gomes, Xavier Silas

The second-place Power are looking to overtake first-place for the first time this season. They have shown how dominant they are with guys Chris Andersen blocking shots. The Power have the leading scorer in the entire BIG3, Corey Maggette, who has 108 points in six games. He also top ten in rebounds alongside Power teammates, Glen Davis and Cuttino Mobley. In the Power’s last game, they beat the Killer 3’s by a score of 51-28. ‘Big Baby’ Glen Davis led the way with 14 points and two threes followed by Maggette and Mobley each having 11 points and seven boards. The Power have three former Celtics on their roster with Glen Davis, Ryan Gomes, and someone who played for them last year, Xavier Silas.

3 Headed Monsters

Coach: Gary Payton

Roster: Rashard Lewis (Captain), Reggie Evans (co-Captain), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (co-Captain), Jamario Moon, Kwame Brown, Salim Stoudamire, Qyntel Woods

The 3 Headed Monsters are entering Friday’s game against the Power with the best record. They are the only undefeated team in the BIG3 at 6-0. The 3 Headed Monsters are bringing back key pieces from last year including reigning BIG3 MVP, Rashard Lewis. They won their last game against the Ball Hogs in Toronto by a score of 51-45. Reggie Evans went off having 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Qyntel Woods had 11 points and six rebounds.

This game includes the top two teams in the BIG3. Guys like Reggie Evans and Corey Maggette will try to show off as they compete for this years MVP. The 3 Headed Monsters will look to stay undefeated, but it will be tough as they face the one loss Power.

Ball Hogs (1-5) vs. Trilogy (1-5)

Coach: Rick Barry

Roster: Brian Scalabrine (Captain), Josh Childress (co-Captain), DeShawn Stevenson (co-Captain), Andre Owens, Corsley Edwards, Jermaine Taylor

The Ball Hogs enter this week tied for last place with a record of 1-5. After being eliminated from playoff contention in Toronto due to a 3’s Company win, they don’t have much to play for. They did have a very competitive game against the undefeated, 3 Headed Monsters this past week though. The Ball Hogs were actually leading 26-20 at halftime before losing 51-45. Jermaine Taylor lead the Hogs in that game with 18 points and Josh Childress had ten. Taylor is the Ball Hogs leading scorer as he averages 12.6 PPG. The only Celtic on the Ball Hogs is Brian Scalabrine, but he only plays 7.3 minutes per game as he takes on a player-coach role.

Trilogy

Coach: Rick Mahorn

Roster: Kenyon Martin (Captain), Al Harrington (co-Captain), Rashad McCants (co-Captain), James White, Dion Glover, Al Thornton

The Trilogy have had a disappointing season to say the least. After winning the championship in the inaugural BIG3 season, they find themselves in last place. They have brought back the same team from last year, including Kenyon Martin and reigning BIG3 DPOY, James White, but have not succeeded like they did last year. Trilogy were eliminated from playoff contention, but still looked to win against the then winless Ghost Ballers. They could not defeat the Ballers as they lost 50-41. Derrick Byars lead the Trilogy with 15 points. With Kenyon Martin only playing in two games it has been hard on the Trilogy. They will look to get a win against fellow 1-5 Ball Hogs.

This game is meaningless in the playoff picture. However, it is a treat for Boston fans to see a fan-favorite in Brian Scalabrine play again in the Garden. Scal is now a commentator for the Celtics, and was a part of that 2008 team that won the NBA Championship. Both teams will look to win to not be in last place.

Killer 3s (2-4) vs. Tri-State (4-2)

Killer 3s

Coach: Charles Oakley

Roster: Chauncey Billups (Captain), Stephen Jackson (co-Captain), Metta World Peace (co-Captain), Alan Anderson, Ryan Hollins, Mike James, Josh Powell

The Killer 3s are entering Boston with a lot to lose. A loss for them would eliminate them from playoff contention. The Killer 3s have a lot of talent on their team, including five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups, while adding former NBA DPOY Metta World Peace. This season has not been something special for the Killer 3’s as they have not lived up to expectations. In their most recent game against the Power, they lost 50-28. This loss pushed them further to the brink of elimination. Metta World Peace led the Killer 3s in scoring with only nine points. Stephen Jackson leads the Killer 3s in PPG with 16.6, while Metta World Peace holds it down defensively. Chauncey Billups will not play this year, but he is not the only Celtic on the roster. The Killer 3s have Ryan Hollins and Mike James as other former Celtics.

Tri-State

Coach: Julius Erving

Roster: Jermaine O’Neal (Captain), Nate Robinson (co-Captain), Amar’e Stoudemire (co-Captain), David Hawkins, Robert Hite, Bonzi Wells

Tri-State has been one of the more fun teams to watch this BIG3 season. With big NBA names like Amar’e Stoudemire, Nate Robinson, and Jermaine O’Neal they are on the verge of the playoffs. A win here would clinch that for Tri-State. Tri-State could have clinched a playoff berth last week, but failed to do so as they lost to 3’s Company 51-29. David Hawkins led Tri-State with ten points in the loss. Amar’e Stoudemire has shown how dominant he is in these games on defense. He has seven blocks and 24 rebounds this season. David Hawkins is leading Tri-State with 17.5 PPG. Tri-State enters Boston with two well-known former Celtics, Nate Robinson and Jermaine O’Neal.

This game is probably the most important game of the night. With Tri-State able to clinch a playoff berth, and the Killer 3s looking to stay alive, it is one to watch.

With the playoffs approaching, there are many games with heavy implications this week. The first game will air on Facebook Live while the last three will be on FS1.

Bring Back Baynes?

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Aron Baynes averaged 6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. He only played 18.3 minutes per game, despite making 67 starts. He is technically a free agent this offseason. And yet, the Celtics seem locked in on re-signing him, despite spending a first round pick on rim-running big Robert Williams. Baynes even represented the team during Monday night’s NBA Awards Show.

It’s a surprising level of commitment to a center who has averaged only 5.4 PPG and 4.4 RPG over the course of his career. However, it makes perfect sense. Believe it or not, the Celtics actually, sort of, need Baynes.

Frontcourt Question Marks

Even after adding Williams to the mix, finding a way to retain Baynes is crucial for the Celtics’ frontcourt depth. Williams is plenty talented, but questions surrounding his attitude off the court played a major part in his slide to the Celtics at pick 27. His disappearing act the following day didn’t do much to assuage those concerns.

Even if Williams is a model citizen, Boston would still likely be reticent to lean on him from the jump. Rookies, especially bigs, often have a steep NBA learning curve. It’s tougher to make an impact offensively when you have to depend on others to get the ball, and your mistakes are more glaring on the other end when you serve as the last line of defense at the rim. Williams may mature into a Clint Capela or DeAndre Jordan caliber center eventually, but he won’t be there in October.

Daniel Theis showed flashes of promise as a 25-year-old rookie from Europe last year. Unfortunately, he tore his meniscus in March. The Celtics expect him to be ready to go for training camp, but there’s no guarantee he’ll hit the ground running right away.

Of course, Al Horford figures to start his fair share of games at center this season with the return of Gordon Hayward. However, if Boston wants him fresh for the spring, they’re going to have to pair him with another reliable big.

That’s where Baynes comes in. In addition to being extraordinarily reliable (he’s played 81, 75, and 81 games over the last 3 seasons), he’s, well, big. Theis is listed at 6-9, and Horford and Williams at 6-10. Baynes, while also listed at 6-10, is a full 15-20 pounds heavier than his fellow Celtic big men. He provides a different look and skill set, and some extra beef to stick at the rim when Boston plays larger lineups.

Aron Baynes Photos - 27 of 428

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Improved Shooting

Then there’s the matter of what happened in the postseason this spring. Baynes, who was 3-of-21 from behind the arc in the regular season, was 11-of-23 (47.8%) from three in the playoffs. At the risk of putting too much into a small sample size, this could be a substantial development. If Baynes’ new shooting touch is the real deal (and not coach Brad Stevens pulling a rabbit out of a hat) it paves the way for Boston to run 5-out line-ups nearly 100% of the time.

In a league where shooting is king, that would only raise the Celtics’ ceiling.

Other factors may come into play here. Marcus Smart may sign a max offer sheet, and the Celtics could match. Such a move may put Boston in luxury tax territory earlier than it’d like. Another team might offer Baynes a contract worth more than the C’s are willing to pay. Boston would have to opt for a more cost-effective option in that scenario.

Ultimately, Baynes is a perfect fit, and the Celtics would be foolish to move on from him too quickly. He’s a role player to be sure, but he serves a role no one else on the roster currently does. For a team with championship aspirations, the more players who fit that description, the better.

Celtics Select Robert Williams in NBA Draft

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The Pick

Boston has chosen Robert Williams at pick 27 tonight, their first and only selection in this year’s draft. Throughout the day, rumors flew concerning the Celtics trading up to select in a lottery pick. However, Danny Ainge decided to stay put at the end of the first round.

Williams is a big from Texas A&M. At 6’9 and 237 pounds, he primarily played the four spot in college, but will likely play the center position in the NBA. Williams is freakishly athletic with a massive 7’6 wingspan. He’s a stupendous shot blocker, and will add to the team’s already stifling defense. His offensive game is in development, but at his size, he should be able to play well around the rim.

Multiple sources said that Williams could have been selected with a lottery pick. However, concerns about his work ethic reportedly detracted from his stock. He was also suspended for the first two games of the season by A&M for an unspecified violation of team rules. There was some uncertainty surrounding the health of his knee as well. However, his ceiling is high, and if he puts in the work he could contribute in his rookie season, much like the last two first-round selections before him.

What It Means for the Team

Williams obviously won’t start this year ahead of Al Horford. However, this selection puts the jobs of Aron Baynes and Greg Monroe in jeopardy. Monroe’s future in Boston was already uncertain, and this move now makes him seem to be the odd man out. Baynes’ role seems more secure. As of this writing, Keith Smith reports that the Celtics still are fixated on resigning him. However, should the team decide that they want to go a new direction, Baynes could also find himself with a new team. It is also possible that Williams could be included in a trade package come July. With so many big names in play, Williams’ value could prove tantalizing to other teams.

For now, however, Brad Stevens will work hard to fit him right in with the already cohesive unit. It is likely that WIlliams’ first appearance in a Celtics jersey will come during the 2018 Summer League. He will wear number 44, the jersey last worn by fan favorite Brian Scalabrine. Hopefully, fans will become drawn to the new teammate in the same way. Welcome to Boston, Robert Williams!

Follow Jack on Twitter for more: @jackbuffett_

Which Celtics Target Makes the Most Sense at Pick 27?

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The Boston Celtics are slotted to select lower than 16th in Thursday night’s draft for the first time since 2012. The last time the C’s picked this low was in 2009. That year, they selected the immortal J.R. Giddens following their first NBA title in 22 seasons.

This, of course, is barring any last-second jockeying from President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. He could decide at any moment that the #27 overall pick would be better served as part of one of his infamous trade packages. Twitter has been buzzing with fake trades for Kawhi Leonard or a move into the top five. However, such moves seem unlikely. It appears we’re headed for a (relatively) straightforward night.

As of Monday, the Celtics have held pre-draft workouts with 17 different players, including:

  • National Player of the Year Jalen Brunson
  • Final Four Most Outstanding Player Donte DiVincenzo
  • Duke guard Grayson Allen
  • Arizona guard Allonzo Trier
  • Villanova forward Omari Spellman

Ainge mentioned in interviews earlier this month that he and his team had “tried to laser focus in to about 10 [players] at this point” for the 27th pick, taking a number of different factors into account. But which of those players makes most sense for the C’s?

Needs and Wants

Guard is the most pressing area of need roster-wise. That explains why Boston has worked out so many high-pedigree players at that position. Marcus Smart is a restricted free agent. Terry Rozier proved his value in the postseason, but his contract expires after this season. Shane Larkin was serviceable as a spot up shooter and fringe rotation guy. However, he’s more of a nice depth piece to have in the mix than an irreplaceable rotation player. And of course, Kyrie Irving‘s health and impending free agency have spawned hot takes and think-pieces across the internet for well over a month.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Celtics are thin at big.  Al Horford is Brad Stevens‘ Swiss Army Knife and Boston’s most important player. He also turned 32 on July 3rd. Aron Baynes was surprisingly effective last season. He’ll hopefully figure into the team’s plans next season. Daniel Theis is coming off a torn meniscus, and Greg Monroe is not a viable modern center.

Ainge seems to favor gritty guards and wings with strong intangibles (Rozier, Smart, Avery Bradley, Tony Allen, Jaylen Brown), especially with first round picks. That rules out a player like Trier, whose scoring is offset by often lazy defending and lack of focus.

Spellman and DiVincenzo could be high ceiling options who fit the mold. DiVencenzo has wowed at both the combine and in his individual workouts, which has only perpetuated a stock rise. Spellman could be the type of multi-faceted offensive big Ainge hoped to get with Jared Sullinger. However, I’d be surprised if either are still there at #27 based on their pre-draft buzz.

Best Options

Ultimately, I think the best bet here is Brunson, followed closely by Duke’s Allen and Georgia Tech shooting guard Josh Okogie. Brunson’s feel for the game is unmatched by anyone else in this draft class. He’s also a terrific shooter (52/41/80 shooting splits last season) with a diverse offensive arsenal that includes a developed post-game. Plus, Brunson has proven himself on the biggest stage, winning two national titles as a starter. In other words, he’ll be able to contribute immediately.

The Same can be said for Allen, who, despite his on-court antics and volatility, has been a top contributor on one of the best teams in the country throughout his college career. Okogie is a project with tremendous upside. He has all of the physical tools (6′ 4″ with a 7′ wingspan). He was also a 37.6% three point shooter at the college level. Okogie may be rough around the edges, but would be a welcome addition to Boston’s ever-growing stable of switchable wings.

Ainge will take the best player available on the board, there’s no denying that. But part of the beauty and fun of the draft is “the best player on the board” could be anyone. It all depends on who rises, and who falls. All things considered, if that player is Jalen Brunson, expect commissioner Adam Silver to call his name when the Celtics are on the clock.

Free Agents the Celtics Should Look at this Offseason

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With NBA free agency starting on July 1, the Boston Celtics are again one of the more fun teams to watch in free agency. In 2016, the Celtics signed 4-time all-star center, Al Horford to a 4-year deal. In 2017, the Celtics signed one of the biggest names in free agency, Gordon Hayward, who was coming off his best year yet and made his first all-star appearance. Now in 2018, Boston looks to continue to add pieces to bring them to their 18th title. These are some of the free agents they should consider signing:

Lebron James, Forward (Player-Option):

Starting this off with arguably the greatest player of all-time. Lebron James will most likely look to join a new team after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the second year in a row. Lebron is now poised to join a new team for the 3rd time in his career. This has left many to believe that the Celtics are one of the destinations he will consider.

Boston is one of, if not the best, options for Lebron to win a championship. However, it also leaves some problems for the Celtics. One of the main reasons Kyrie Irving is in Boston is because he wanted to have his own team and leave Lebron. This leaves the main decision of what do the Celtics value more, Lebron or Kyrie. It is a decision the Celtics should look at and consider.

Rodney Hood, Forward (Restricted):

One of Lebron James’ teammates from the 2017-2018 season, Rodney Hood, seems like a smart fit for the Celtics. Hood showed that he was a knockdown shooter and solid-defender during his time in Utah where he averaged 13.1 points per game during his 3 and 1/2 year career. He got sent to Cleveland halfway through the season, and his PPG numbers dropped off to 10.8. Rodney Hood has shown why he is a very solid go-to option off the bench which is what the Celtics lacked at certain moments last year.

Shabazz Napier, Point Guard (Restricted):

Shabazz Napier showed flashes of what made him so highly-touted coming out of college. Napier had a rough start to his NBA career where he was only averaging 4.3 PPG. However, in 2018, he had a very good season for the Blazers where he posted career highs in PPG with 8.7 and FG% shooting with .420 percent. Napier would be a solid backup option if anything happens to Rozier or Kyrie this off-season.

Nerlens Noel, Center (Unrestricted):

The Massachusetts-native Nerlens Noel has been centered around many trade rumors throughout the years to Boston. Noel has fallen off in his recent play for the Dallas Mavericks where he comes off the worst year of his career, averaging 4.4 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Noel has been a solid player throughout his career though while he is averaging around 9 points and 7 rebounds. The Celtics could use a big man who can score in the post, grab rebounds, and protect the rim.

Nemanja Bjelica, Power Forward (Restricted):

A relatively unknown compared to the other players on this list, Bjelica is becoming one of the biggest sleeper free agents in this class. He is coming off his best year in 2017-2018 where he started 21 games for the T-Wolves and put up career highs, 6.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and .415 3-Point FG%. Bjelica can come off the bench for the C’s and provide a spark from three and grab some much-needed rebounds. The Celtics were one game away from making it to the NBA Finals last year. Maybe one of these guys are the people to send them over the top.

Maddy Meyer

Kyrie Irving Happy in Boston, Focused on ‘Redemption Year’

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Concerns about Kyrie Irving’s future in Boston arose due to his decision not to resign with the team this summer. There are some who speculate that because of this Irving is a “flight risk.” These views could not be further from the truth.

The Interview

Kyrie Irving sat down with the Boston media on Tuesday to discuss his plans moving forward. He spent the entirety of the meeting gushing about the team and his excitement heading into next season. His main focus is on staying healthy and doing what he can to help the team contend for a championship. He labeled the upcoming season a “redemption year”.

“I think you guys can feel my attitude is really just redemption next year. Really integrating myself with our team again and really focus on winning a championship. That’s the only thing I’m really worried about.”

Irving made a point to talk about his desire to deflect the attention he is garnishing over his impending free agency.

“The focus is solely on winning a championship next year. I don’t think [impending free agency will] necessarily have an effect. I’m doing my best to kind of deflect all that and focus on what’s in front of us.”

Kyrie praised what the team accomplished this season in his absence.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what [Boston’s young players] experienced — I mean they went to Game 7 of the frickin’ Eastern Conference finals.”

Irving went on to rave about the potential of the young guys on the team, stating that, “there are guys that are literally gonna be stars in this league for years to come.” Kyrie cracked a big smile when he mentioned Gordon Hayward’s return, adding, “and now getting my man Gordon back — I’m excited man. I’m excited.”

Kyrie believes that with the experience the young guys got in the absence of both him and Gordon the team now has championship pedigree. He fully expects the team to contend for a championship next year and many years to come.

What the world can take from this interview is that in the present Kyrie Irving is happy. He’s pumped to get back to basketball and play with a good young group of guys. Kyrie cannot wait to see fellow All-Star Gordon Hayward back at full health. He’s also ecstatic about the direction the organization is heading in, and he is excited to be a part of it.

Kyrie Will Not Re-Sign with Boston This Summer, nor Should He

Irving knew the question would be coming. When questioned about signing an extension with the team this summer, he gave a brief response.

“Contractually, financially, [an extension] just doesn’t make any sense.”

This is the statement that has fans around the NBA talking and analysts debating. Kyrie Irving is not willing to consider signing an extension with the Celtics right now. What many may not know is that he shouldn’t be expected to.

Here is a breakdown of his current financial situation.

Irving would stand to lose upwards of $80 million dollars by signing an extension with the team this year. If Kyrie waits until the summer of 2019, then chooses to opt out of his player option (which he will) he will become an unrestricted free agent. At that point Irving can choose to re-sign with the Celtics on a 5-year $188 million-dollar max contract or leave the team for a 4-year $139 million-dollar max deal.

Even for a guy worth as much as Kyrie Irving $80 million dollars is a whole lot of change to leave on the table. It would make absolutely zero sense for the man to re-up at this time. Kyrie even mentioned in his meeting with the media that he has yet to have a talk with Ainge about his contract. As much as Danny Ainge would like him to re-sign now, he won’t expect the 26-year-old to do so.

The Case for Irving’s Eventual Re-Signing

According to Adam Kaufman of CLNS Media, the Celtics can offer Irving more than anyone else can next summer. With the ability to offer a 5-year max deal Irving can make $49 million more by re-signing with Boston than he can in a 4-year max offer from anyone else. As per league rules Boston has the sole opportunity to offer Irving a 5-year deal, whereas everyone else can offer a maximum of 4.

Boston gives Kyrie Irving the best chance to win moving forward. The team consists of a very young core with overflowing potential. With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the team has two future all-star talents at the wing positions. Gordon Hayward and Al Horford are NBA All-Star veterans with playoff experience. Terry Rozier is a starting caliber point guard that will be coming off the bench behind Irving next year. The team is also very deep, with Marcus Morris, Marcus Smart, Shane Larkin and the emerging German Daniel Theis rounding the meat of the roster out.

The sweetest part for Kyrie? He will be given the opportunity to head arguably the league’s most talented team for years to come.

Irving trusts Danny Ainge and the franchise’s management group. He feels that having faith in the front office “puts things at ease” and allows himself to focus on what is important going into next season. He talked about having an “open book relationship” with the guys in charge, something Irving has openly expressed a desire for in the past. In fact, it was his lack of faith in Cleveland’s front office that became one of the major factors behind his discontent and eventual departure from the Cavaliers.

The Brad Stevens Effect

Perhaps the biggest chess piece Boston holds in the eventual Kyrie Irving sweepstakes is head coach Brad Stevens. Stevens turns 42 this October and is already considered one of the greatest minds in the league today. He is a finalist for the 2018 NBA Coach of the Year award, and just capped off his fifth season as an NBA head coach. He has improved the team’s record in every year of his career. Brad Stevens has always had an ability to draw the most out of his players. He does a phenomenal job at putting them in the best possible position to succeed.

When Irving landed in Boston last summer he spoke about his desire to build upon his craft. He wants to develop his game and become a more well-rounded athlete. There is no coach who suits Irving better with his personal goals on the basketball court than Brad Stevens.

All is Well, For Now

Kyrie Irving has yet to meet with Danny Ainge to discuss his future with the franchise. When he does, this meeting will take place behind closed doors. Ainge will have the chance to ask Kyrie if he see’s himself in Boston long-term. If the world discovered anything about Kyrie Irving after last year’s Cavs drama it’s that the man is very honest. He did not shy away from his feelings with (former) Cavalier GM David Griffin when they sat for such a meeting. He gave Griffin a list of teams he was interested in, and the rest is history.

It is presumable that Irving will offer the same level of transparency with Ainge as he did with Griffin. If the unexpected happens and he shares with Ainge a desire to play elsewhere things in Boston will get interesting.

Boston’s front office is famous for getting maximum value out of every transaction they make. In the scenario where Kyrie decides he wants out, they will not hesitate to move the young star. If trade talks begin to arise surrounding Irving this offseason, then that is the time to be concerned. Assuming he isn’t dealt by the start of the season, then chances are good he will re-sign with the team.

Until then fans can rejoice in the fact that Kyrie Irving will be back and fully healthy for the team next season.

Kyrie Irving Readdresses Future with Celtics

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It’s been just a day since Kyrie Irving caused a storm of rumors centered around his future with the Celtics. On Monday, he spoke once more on the topic. In an interview with Boston Sports Journal, Irving expressed his excitement to get back on the court next season and play with a completely healthy group.

“I’m just excited to see what that looks like, really getting that experience with (Hayward) and seeing what other pieces we have going forward,” Irving told BSJ’s Brian Robb. “I think that’s the exciting part about all this is that when you’re shaping up to gear up to be a championship-caliber team for years to come- which I think (Danny Ainge) has echoed for a little bit. I’m just appreciative to be a part of it and see where my career can take off as well. I’m excited.”

It’s safe to presume that Kyrie Irving is excited about next season and what the future has in store. While this statement does expand upon his earlier quote published by NY Times’ Sopan Deb, it still leaves a bit of ambiguity in the air for further interpretation on his long-term future with the team.

Esoteric Kyrie

Anyone who knows Kyrie Irving should expect this level of vagueness out of him in response to such a question. Irving has always been the ‘live in the present type’ of guy. He is famous for his obscure statements about topics such as the flat Earth theory, diet preferences, faked moon landings, and the nonexistence of dinosaurs.

Kyrie Irving is either a major conspiracy theorist, or one of the NBA’s biggest trolls. He tends to take long-winded routes to his response to even the simplest questions. Take this post game interview with Jaylen Brown for instance.

If Kyrie Irving was asked about what he was going to eat for dinner later, he would probably tell you that he needs to focus on lunch first. He would follow that up with another two or three sentence response about why he feels that way. Expecting Kyrie to commit his future to the Celtics with a year left on his contract just isn’t realistic.

Kyrie In the Present

What the world knows now is that in the present Kyrie Irving is happy. He is excited to get back to basketball and play with a good young group of guys. Kyrie cannot wait to see fellow All-Star Gordon Hayward back at full health. He’s also ecstatic about the direction the organization is heading in, and he is excited to be a part of it.

The Celtics will have to wait another year before Kyrie Irving makes a decision on his future with the franchise. Until that day arrives, Celtics fans should relax and enjoy the ride. Oh, and definitely some more of this.

LeBron is Tired and the Cavs Are Dead

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Following Cleveland’s Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 loss to the Celtics, LeBron James was asked about his level of exhaustion.

“I had my moments. I think everybody at this point is tired or worn down.”

LeBron James is turning 34 in December of this year. He led the entire NBA in minutes played this season. James currently leads all players in postseason minutes played. He has played long into the postseason for most of his career, making it to an absurd seven straight Finals. The man has every reason to be exhausted at this point.

LeBron Needs a Break

LeBron has a usage rate of 35.7% this postseason, second among all players (behind James Harden). He has scored nearly as many points this postseason as his three closest teammates combined. He leads the team in assists, steals, and blocks.

Perhaps the depletion of energy has to do with the fact that he has had to carry the team on his back all year. Maybe the relentless and physically bruising defense exhibited by a younger Celtics squad is finally getting to him.

Fatigued in the Postseason

Whatever the case may be, LeBron was undeniably drained of anything left in the tank during Game 5. At times he could be seen bent over with his hands on his knees, panting for air. During timeouts he sat hunched over on the bench with a towel over his face, soaking in every moment of down time possible. He uncharacteristically lost fast break foot races to the Celtics, failing to even attempt a chase down block on a cutting Jayson Tatum. He was caught jogging back on defense, which lead to a big Morris three late in the game.

James constantly argued non-fouls, leaving much to be desired on the defensive side of the court. His refusal to attack mismatches when given the opportunity was curious. Getting Terry Rozier switched onto him was a key part of Cleveland’s success in Games 3 and 4. When he got these mismatches in Game 5 often he would settle on fade-away jumpers or just pass out of it.

The Celtics took notice of this, particularly Marcus Morris.

“He has to do a lot for that team, everybody knows at the end of the day these games are coming up pretty quick.” Marcus Morris said in a postgame interview. “We just played on Sunday and these games are coming fast. At the end of the day, I mean, **** I’m tired. Everybody else is tired. We’ve still got to play. He does a lot for his team. Scores, assists, rebounds, I would think he gets a little tired.”

Is This the End for the Cavs?

Not only did James reveal to the world in Game 5 how little he has left, he looked completely disinterested. His nonchalant demeanor and lackadaisical defense doesn’t bode well for Cleveland moving forward. Also, the absence of emotion in his play was all too transparent, and if you didn’t know any better it looked as if he was playing in a mid-regular season game.

The last time the Celtics defeated LeBron James in the playoffs it was 2010. That series marks the last time LeBron lost to any Eastern Conference team in a playoff series. The Celtics sent the king packing to Miami that year, seeking greener pastures with a better supporting cast. Many wonder if the Celtics bring down LeBron this year he will once again seek a brighter future as part of a different organization.

The Celtics are now closer than they have ever been since that fateful playoff series. They are one win from the NBA Finals and one win from sending LeBron to a long summer’s rest. A summer in which he will spend much time pondering his options. A summer full of questions.

Given what the world saw from him in Game 5, there is doubt even the king himself will be able to muster up enough of his reserve to pull out two straight wins. The Celtics have LeBron against the ropes, and it looks as if his knees are about to buckle.