Tag Archives: #BostonCeltics

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 Celtics are Interested in Mo Bamba

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There are reports that the Celtics are interested in Texas big man Mo Bamba. Boston is reportedly willing to move up moving up in the draft to take him. Bamba is a 6’11” prospect with a record-breaking 7’10” wingspan.

The Prospect

Considered the most NBA ready rim protector in his draft class, Bamba has the highest ceiling out of every prospect this year. He averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and an absurd 3.7 blocks per game in 30 appearances for Texas as a freshman. He possesses good lateral quickness for a guy his size, making him a deadly offensive threat if he can improve on his footwork. His 68% shooting from the charity stripe indicates potential for a consistent outside shot, adding to his respectable 28% three point percentage.

The main drawback with Bamba is his frame. As long as he is, he weighs in at only 216 pounds. As a comparison, Marcus Morris is three inches shorter and weighs 19 pounds more than Bamba. He also tends to have an inconsistent motor. He can sometimes get hot and score in bunches, and other times he is nonexistent on the court.

Bamba is a ridiculous physical specimen that, despite a few shortcomings, has perhaps the highest floor in the draft just as much as he has one of the highest ceilings. His length and athleticism will make him an instant rim protector from the get go. His most common NBA comparison is Rudy Gobert based on his physical attributes.

Will Boston Make a Move?

The Celtics have a major need for a rim-protecting big man that can hold down the paint and grab rebounds consistently. The team has implemented a rebound by committee approach that landed them ranked fifth in the NBA in boards. However, the team struggled to control the boards against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals. In three of their four losses to the Cavs, the Celtics were out-rebounded, giving up key second chance opportunities from offensive rebounds.

Mo Bamba is the one prospect that has all of the attributes the Celtics are looking for. It makes sense that the team is looking into moving up to snag him. The team already interviewed him at the Chicago pre-draft combine a few weeks ago.

Boston has the assets to make a trade, but the question becomes- is Danny Ainge willing to cough up enough to make it happen?

Trade Assets

The Celtics possess the Sacramento Kings’ first round pick in the 2019 draft. They have their own 27th overall pick this year, and the Memphis’s first round pick in 2019. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown surely will be inquired about in such trade talks. It is doubtful that Ainge includes either in such a deal.

The Grizzlies at number four and the Mavericks at five have both expressed interest in trading their picks this year. Mo Bamba has been projected as high as third but will most likely fall to the 4-6 range.

The most likely trade scenario would have to involve Terry Rozier. He has an expiring contract after next season, leaving him expendable. There has already been talk about concern of Rozier’s ultimate departure for a team willing to let him blossom as a starting point guard. His value blew through the roof during Boston’s playoff push this season, averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from three.

Boston could pair him up with next year’s Sacramento pick and toss in their own first round pick this year to sweeten the deal. Boston has the assets to make it happen, it’s only a matter of if they want to pull the trigger.

Who says no? Is such a deal worth it for Boston to add another intriguing prospect to the roster? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Marcus Smart’s Impending Free Agency

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Immediately following Boston’s Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Marcus Smart was asked about his future with the team.

With the Celtics’ season over, the team will shift their focus to free agency. Boston has six upcoming free agents, including Aaron Baynes, Greg Monroe, and Shane Larkin. None of these names are bigger or more controversial than Marcus Smart.

Marcus Smart and his looming free agency has been a topic heavily debated all season long. It is no secret that Marcus wants to get paid like a big time player.

“To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-14 million,” Smart told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”

Smart has a point. In his first four years as a pro he has made a name for himself around the league as a bulldog. His propensity to play 110 miles an hour for 48 minutes drives the energy level of his teammates up and gets in his opponents’ heads. When Smart is in the game fans know it. He is usually found on the ground under two or three players scraping for the ball, out-sprinting the fastest guy on the court for a loose ball, or finding a way to rip down a big offensive rebound.

Off the Stat Sheet

Marcus has a knack for making “game-winning plays” while elevating the effort level and skill of his teammates. Many of his teammates have called Smart the “heart and soul” of the team. Danny Ainge even told Smart that they plan on keeping him.

Why not just pay Smart the $14 million per year?

While the things he does that don’t show up on the stat sheet help the team tremendously, he has major issues shooting and turns the ball over far too frequently. He is a career 36% shooter and an abysmal 29% from three. He also gets off 4.2 three point attempts per game. Among every player in NBA history to have connected on under 30% of three pointers, only 13 of them have shot a higher volume than Smart.

Turnovers have plagued Smart his whole career. He averaged 2.4 per game this season, and 1.8 for his career in 28.7 minutes per game. He ranked 355th in the league in turnovers per game and per 48 minutes (3.8). As great as his non-statistical attributes are, he simply isn’t a $14 million player on the stat sheet.

Money

Boston will extend a qualifying offer to Marcus Smart for $6.1 million dollars. Smart can either sign the offer or see what other offers he can get. Undoubtedly he will wait it out. If the other offers inflate too much, Boston won’t be able to match and Smart will be gone. He can either sign the qualifying offer, take the highest offer on the market, or sign a long term extension with the team well below his self-perceived value.

As much as the team want’s to keep him, they also have a ton of money locked up in future contracts. Al Horford is making $28.9 million next season with a player option he will almost assuredly opt out of. The team’s highest paid player in Gordon Hayward will make $31 million next year. Kyrie Irving is going to get $20 million. Terry Rozier will be a free agent in a few years looking for a big payday. Looking even further ahead, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will both be getting huge contracts once their rookie deals expire.

With such a loaded roster Boston just doesn’t have the cap space to pay Smart what he wants, no matter how much they desire to retain him. At the end of the day, the decision will rest sorely on his shoulders. Though he has stated that his heart is with Boston, his wallet may ultimately draw him to another team willing to pay a premium for a player with his unique skill set.

If this season does ultimately mark the end of Marcus Smart’s tenure with Boston, he sure left the fans with plenty of fond memories and plays that they will never forget. To his core he has embodied what it means to be a Celtic, and the fans will always love and appreciate everything he gave to the organization.

 

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.

Three Takeaways from Celtics’ Game 4 Loss

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The Celtics will head back to Boston after a rough two game trip to Cleveland, where the team dropped Games 3 and 4 to the Cavs.

Game 4 was much tighter than Game 3, where the Celtics were blitzed from tip-off to the final buzzer. Cleveland set the tone early, building a 16-point lead in the first quarter. All signs were pointing to another Cleveland shellacking, but the scrappy Celtics did a good enough job to hang around the last three quarters. Along the way the Celtics managed to outscore Cleveland in each of the final 3 frames.

In the end LeBron proved to be too much, as the Cavaliers continued to answer every time Boston gave any indication of a run. James finished the night with a game high 44 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.

These are three key takeaways from this game to focus on as the series shifts back to Boston:

Impact of Kyrie Irving’s Absence

If Game 4 proved anything, it’s that the Celtics could really use their star point guard. While the team has had a remarkable postseason run thus far, going up against arguably the greatest basketball player to ever step foot on a basketball court while battling for Eastern Conference supremacy has proven to be a whole new level of challenge. The area Boston is severely struggling with in this series is the ability to create offense consistently.

Kyrie Irving is one of the unique talents in the NBA that can create offense for himself and score efficiently and in bunches. In 60 games played this season Irving averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He shot 49% from the field and 41% from three. He led the team in offensive rating (108.7) and was eight percentage points higher in usage (30.7) than the second highest on the team (Morris).

As great as the team has been at scoring as a collective unit, the deeper into the postseason the more important it is for guys to get their shots off consistently. A guy like LeBron, or Kevin Durant, for example. Someone who can consistently give their team 30 to 35 points a game. Someone who can take over down the stretch of a tight contest and will their team to victory. Kyrie Irving is that guy for the Celtics, and it is showing now more than ever how much he is missed.

Can’t Win with Just Defense

Look at Game 4, for instance. As gritty as the team was in the match-up, they struggled to score consistently when they got big stops down the stretch. Boston deserves all the credit in the world for what they do on the defensive side of the ball. It isn’t a secret that they are in the position they are in being two wins from the NBA finals primarily because of their defense. But defense is only half of the equation.

The fact of the matter is Boston does not have a guy on their roster that can get his own shot efficiently. Tatum will get there, but he is only a 20-year-old rookie. Often during Game 4 and especially late in the game guys relentlessly attacked off of isolation plays, penetrating only to be met at the rim by 2-3 Cavaliers. More often than not those plays resulted in either missed layups or blocked shots. Cleveland finished the game with eight blocks, most of which came off of these types of plays.

Kyrie Irving would have unlocked Boston’s offense in this series had he been healthy. Boston may still have the defensive capabilities to scrape by, but there is no doubt having such a gifted offensive talent in Irving would have changed the dynamic of this series.

Rebounding

The implementation of Tristan Thompson into Cleveland’s starting lineup has proven key in this series, particularly on the boards. Cleveland out-rebounded Boston by 11 in Game 3, and followed the performance up with a +10-rebounding margin in Game 4. The Celtics gave up eight offensive rebounds in Game 3, and nine in Game 4. The combination of Thompson and Love have together dominated Boston in this area. The duo combined for 21 rebounds (five offensive) in Game 3 and 21 (four offensive) in Game 4.

Cleveland finished the season as the fifth ranked offensive team in the league. If Boston is going to retake control of the series moving forward, they can not continue to allow such a potent offense to get second chances.

With just over two to play in the third quarter of Game 4, Boston had just cut the deficit to eight on a mini run. They forced a missed layup from LeBron, but Larry Nance Jr. hauled in an offensive rebound, hit a quick put back plus a foul. The very next possession off of a Marcus Smart turnover they force another miss, this time from George Hill. That miss was yet again rebounded by Nance, who was fouled in the act and sank two free throws. The lead had ballooned back to 13, and after a quick 5-footer from Lebron Cleveland had flipped the script on the Celtics.

Grab Some Boards!

Right after a Rozier three to start the fourth, the Celtics again cut the lead to ten. On the ensuing possession Love tried to answer, missed and yet again the Cavs snag an offensive rebound. They scored on the second chance opportunity as Cleveland continued to pummel the Celtics on the boards.

The Celtics are a rebound by committee team. They do not have a player who can dominate on the boards like Tristan Thompson can. Staying disciplined and being attentive to where their match-ups are when a shot goes up is crucial to changing their fortunes in the rebounding department.

Despite their recent issues on the boards, Boston has proven they can compete with Cleveland. They out rebounded the Cavs in both Games 1 and 2, and in turn won the contests. They have the ability to pull it off, it will just take a more concerted effort moving forward with Thompson playing a bigger role in the series.

Comforts of Home

Given the team’s road woes, if the Celtics lose Game 5 in Boston, the chances of them stealing one in Cleveland to force a Game 7 is slim to none. The Celtics are a perfect 9-0 at home this post season, and an abysmal 1-6 on the road. A large amount of the disparity falls on offensive output. The team has produced 103 points per game at home to only 94 on the road.

Boston is a young team. Outside of veterans Al Horford and Marcus Morris, the team is very inexperienced in dealing with playoff environments. It is one thing coming in as first, second, or third year players competing on home court in front of 18,000 fans all rooting in your favor. However, It is a whole different story dealing with the opposition feeding off of a hostile crowd.

Role Players

Role players play better at home. The age old saying rings true with this Celtics squad. Take Terry Rozier, for example. He has been night and day when it comes to home production versus road. In nine home games he is averaging 20 points per game on 45.55 shooting. Over seven away contests he is averaging 13.2 points on 35.4% shooting. In Game 4 he shot 6-15 from the field and 3-9 from three.

Fortunately for the Celtics the series is now down to best two of three, with Boston in possession of two home games. Though the road concerns do not bode well for the team if they are to make the NBA Finals, if they can take care of home court they will be able to finally knock off LeBron James and end his reign on the Eastern Conference.
It all starts in Game 5, a must win contest for the Celtics.

The pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals will take place tonight at 8:30 PM in TD Garden.

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

LeBron, Cavs Send Message with 116-86 Pummeling over Celtics

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With their backs against the wall, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals 116-86. Cleveland dominated from start to finish, led by LeBron’s 27 points and 12 assists.

The biggest story in this game was the play from Cleveland’s supporting cast. As the saying goes- role players play better at home. George Hill set the tone early, scoring 11 first quarter points on his way to a 13 point, three rebound game. A total of six Cavaliers scored in double figures. Kevin Love produced 13 points and 14 rebounds. Tristan Thompson was also big on the boards, grabbing seven to go along with ten points. J.R. Smith finally got hot, knocking down three of four three pointers. Kyle Korver added 14 points off the bench.

Cleveland knocked down a staggering 17 threes on 50% shooting. It seemed as if nobody on the team could miss. The Cavs dominated on the boards, ripping down 45 rebounds (eight offensive) to Boston’s 34.

Ty Lue mentioned the team’s increased energy and effort, stating, “We challenged everyone, just to be aggressive and understand the game plan.”

Cavs Bring Back Memories of Last Year

Game 3 way eerily reminiscent of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics simply had no answer for LeBron and could not withstand the constant barrage of threes. Boston settled for too many tough jumpers, shooting an abysmal 39% from the field and 27% from three. The team made as many three pointers in the game (six) as Cleveland had in the first quarter. Carelessness with the ball led to a lot of easy buckets for the Cavs, as Boston turned the ball over 12 times.

Al Horford was asked about what went wrong postgame and he responded, “I can tell you right now off the top of my head there was a lot of breakdown defensively- it’s something we have to address, and be better at on Monday if we want to have any chance of winning.”

Al Horford did not attempt a field goal in the first quarter. He finished the game with seven points and seven rebounds. Terry Rozier chipped in 13 on yet another poor shooting game on the road, going 5-12 from the field. There wasn’t a first quarter breakout from Jaylen Brown this time around, as he was nowhere to be seen in this one. Brown didn’t register his first point until eight minutes left in the 2nd quarter. He ultimately finished with ten for the game.

Resiliency for Boston’s Youth

The one bright spot for Boston in Game 3 was the effort of Jayson Tatum, who refused to give up early on. When nothing was going for the team, Tatum relentlessly attacked the basket, getting to the free throw line repeatedly. He finished the night with a team-leading 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting.

After the game Brad Stevens said about the Celtics, “They always respond. This will be another challenge to respond to.”

The Road Ahead

Cleveland delivered a momentum-changing punch right to the gut of the Celtics. If they intend to steal a game on the road they will need to punch right back in Game 4. The Celtics will need to bring the energy and physicality for Game 4 and play with a much higher sense of urgency. If anything, this game should serve as a wake up call for the team.

Game 4 is set for Monday night at 8:30 pm on ESPN. LeBron and the Cavs will look to tie this series up, as the Celtics hope to head back home with an opportunity to close it out on their home court.

Did the Cavs Pull the Trigger Too Early on Isaiah Thomas?

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Despite Saturday night’s 116-86 loss to the Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics are still in good shape. They’re still up 2-1 on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston is two wins away from an improbable NBA Finals birth, despite the injuries to All-Star guards Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. The team dismantled the Cavaliers in the first two match-ups of the series. They blew Cleveland out in Game 1 by 25, 108-83. They then followed that up with a 107-94 game two victory. The biggest problem Cleveland has faced in this series is lack of depth outside of LeBron James and Kevin Love.

Which leads to the question- would the storyline of this series be different if the team hadn’t traded Isaiah Thomas?

Isaiah Thomas in Cleveland

Sure, the Cavs were struggling when the deal was struck. The team lacked any sort of chemistry or cohesiveness. Often they looked like a bunch of individuals all trying to “get theirs”.  Isaiah Thomas was still not fully recovered from the hip injury he sustained the previous season, which noticeably hindered his play during his short tenure with the Cavs.

In 15 games played for Cleveland, Thomas averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in 27 minutes per game. These numbers are vastly lower than his incredible 2016-17 campaign with the Celtics, where he averaged over 28 points per game and an All-NBA nod.

https://twitter.com/OurSportHistory/status/995305335408791554

Despite Isaiah’s slow start to the season, it is possible Cleveland pulled the trigger on the experiment too early. Isaiah finished the 2017 season as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he started in only one of his 17 games played. In 26 minutes per game as the team’s sixth man, Thomas averaged 15.6 points and 5.6 assists per game. He also started to showed flashes of his old self as the season wound down.

Now a year removed from his hip injury, Isaiah says he is feeling like his old self again.

A Few of Cleveland’s Role Players Still Haven’t Shown Up

Cleveland received Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson in the deal for Isaiah Thomas. The pair of bright young talents came to the Cavs on the expectation that they would bring newfound energy and scoring ability. Through three games against the Celtics, Larry Nance Jr. is averaging 2.6 points. Jordan Clarkson hasn’t fared much better. He has only appeared in games one and three of the series, where he has produced 6.3 points per game. 

Given the poor production of the duo, one must wonder if a now fully healthy Isaiah Thomas would have made a big enough impact to change the dynamic of the series. Sure, Isaiah does come with obvious issues on the defensive side of the ball. That being said, the guy is only a year removed from an All-Star season. A season that saw Thomas carry his Celtics all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cleveland has struggled to score consistently at times during this series, making LeBron do everything for the team. Given Isaiah’s history as an energy guy who despite his 5’9” frame has always managed to score at will, Cleveland could have had a lethal scorer to look to.

There’s no way of knowing what could have been for the Cavaliers had they not been so quick to pull the plug on Isaiah. But based on the performance of the team through three games, one has to wonder if the team’s front office is thinking the same thing right now

 

The Celtics and Cavaliers play Game 4 of the series Monday evening at 8:30 PM on ESPN. Boston leads the best of seven series 2-1.

Al Horford: The Celtics’ Pillar of Success

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In a league full of high-flying athletes, dazzling handle displays, flashy passes, and awe inspiring highlight real dunks, it is inevitable that Al Horford would be overlooked.

When people watch the Celtics, they see Kyrie Irving performing magic with the ball. They see Jaylen Brown slam home highlight reel worthy breakaway dunks. Fans might catch a Jayson Tatum finesse move at the rim finished off with a rim-rocking jam. They will also see plenty of big time Terry Rozier three pointers.

What they won’t necessarily see is everything Al Horford does to make these things happen. Fans won’t see Al set a hard screen on Kyrie’s man to give Irving space to make his move. They might miss him ripping down a rebound and heaving an outlet pass to a cutting Brown for a dunk. No one sees him set a pick and pop and run it to perfection, freeing up Tatum for his drive to the rim. They also won’t pay attention to the pass Horford makes out of a double team in the post to set up Rozier for the dagger three pointer.

The Man Behind the Curtain

It is not always what you see on the stat sheet that makes Al Horford special. Make no mistake- Al Horford is the most important player on a Celtics team two wins away from the NBA Finals.

When Gordon Hayward went down early, Horford was there. When Kyrie went down and was announced out for the remainder of the year, Horford was there. In a season full of injuries, on a team with four returning players and a roster full of inexperienced talent, Horford has been the savvy veteran for his teammates to rely on. He has provided the Celtics with a stabilizing force through the turmoil, and kept the motor churning smoothly at the heart of the team’s success.

Boston may not have escaped Milwaukee in the first round if not for Horford’s abuse of the Buck’s smaller defenders. He forced Embiid to the bench in crunch time minutes in the 76ers series. He was too quick to guard outside of the key, and too deadly of a shooter to leave uncontested. His help-side defense on Ben Simmons snuffed out the brightly burning flame that once was the promise of Philadelphia’s season.

The Celtics wouldn’t be up 2-0 on the Cavaliers if Horford didn’t dominate Kevin Love on both ends of the court in Game 1, and follow up the performance by taking over down the stretch in Game 2.

Al is a Leader

One of the things that makes Al Horford unique is his ability to fill whatever roll Brad Stevens asks him to fill. Some nights he might be a role player. He’d willingly take a backseat to the Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum show by setting up screens, making passes, and even running point. Other times he may be asked to be the focal point of the offense. He’d run constant pick and rolls and be fed in the post against undersized and outmatched defenders.

In the playoffs this year Horford has been the team’s veteran leader and star.

Playoff Al

Al Horford is averaging 17.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 57% from the field in 14 playoff games. He has a true shooting percentage of 65.4%, which is up from 57.5% in the regular season. He has been notably more aggressive when attacking the rim, throwing down momentum-shifting dunks and flexing his muscles for the crowd.

The team has taken notice to Horford’s increased production and energy on the court, particularly at the end of games. After Game 2 against Cleveland, Jaylen Brown was asked to comment on Al Horford’s production down the stretch.

“That’s why Al gets paid the big bucks,” Jaylen Brown said. “We lean on Al in those tough moments. And he really went to work. Hitting some big free throws, made some big post-ups, hit the 3. Al, when it gets close to crunch time, we look towards Al to make some big plays.”

Take this play, for example.

This play came right after Horford was intentionally shoved to the ground by J.R. Smith. J.R. was called for a flagrant 1 on the play, sending Horford to the line. Horford went on to make Cleveland continue to pay in the last few minutes to put the game on ice.

The job is not yet finished for Horford and the Celtics. The team is preparing for their next major task: going into Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. The team will look to steal at least one of the two and come back to Boston to close the series out.

Whatever the future has in store for these Celtics as they continue their quest for banner 18, without a doubt Al Horford will be at the heart of it all.

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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