Tag Archives: Daniel Theis

Why the Celtics need to trade Daniel Theis

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In today’s NBA, every team is constantly looking for ways to improve their roster. Sometimes that means trading away a quality player in a position of surplus. The Celtics look to have four centers on their roster: Enes Kanter, Robert Williams, Vincent Poirier, and Daniel Theis. With a need for cap flexibility, and only so many minutes, someone has to go. Daniel Theis, sadly, fits this profile. Here’s why:

via celticswire.com

Size and Skillset

Daniel Theis stands at 6’8″ and has primarily provided the Celtics with solid bench scoring. Both Kanter and Poirier can also do that. The only difference is each stands two + inches taller than Theis. Unlike Robert Williams, Theis has little defensive upside on the floor. He also has had struggles rebounding (attributed to his size), while all three others are above-average rebounders. Daniel Theis seems to be getting squeezed out due to his smaller skillset in a Celtics system that favors versatility.

Contract Complications

The Celtics re-signed Daniel Theis to a two-year, $10 million contract. He is 27 years old, and will be 29 when he hits free agency. With the team hitting a youth movement, his contract is interesting. The team consists of young guys, long-term vets, and some minimum contracts. Theis has a trade friendly conract that’s easy to move, which bodes poorly for him.

via celticsblog.com

Net value to gain

What Theis does have going for him is that his skillset is very valuable to a title contender. Teams like Golden State, Utah and Houston would love to have a bench scoring big man to help improve their reserves. Those teams also are willing to give up draft capital in order to acquire his services. The Celtics can get more young assets to add while getting cap flexibility. Theis gets more minutes and a chance to play for a ring. A Theis trade would be a win-win for all.

Theis

Celtics Daniel Theis Out Indefinitely

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Boston Celtics big-man Daniel Theis is out indefinitely with a tear in his right plantar fasciitis. He suffered the injury against the Detroit Pistons on October 27. The German missed the remaining 15 games of the 2017-18 season with a torn meniscus.

In his 68 career games, Theis is averaging five points and four rebounds in 15 minutes per game. In his most recent games against Detroit, Theis recorded season highs in minutes (19:19), points (17), rebounds (8) and plus/minus (20).

Others role players will be forced to step up with the 26-year-old out indefinitely.

Although the word “indefinitely” is daunting, Brad Stevens exclaims that “the indefinite timeline sounds worse than the timeline we’ve been given”. He adds that “they think it will be a pretty quick recovery.”

Theis is expected to address the media on Tuesday, October 30.

Impact to Celtics Rotation

Aron Baynes

Teammate Aron Baynes commented on the injury stating:

“It’s unfortunate what happened to Daniel… He was starting to come along. But it’s one of those things, we dealt with a few circumstances like that last season. It’s next man up. I’m doing everything I can every single day to try to get right and be able to contribute to the team again. So as soon as they give me the clearance I’ll be ready.”

Theis

Via WKYC.com

Baynes has missed three consecutive games with a hamstring injury. With Theis on the shelf, Baynes will be integral for Boston. Per 36-minutes, he is averaging 18 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists in his three games this season. “Freight Train” Baynes has a plus/minus of plus 21 in just 45 minutes of play, showing he has a major impact on the court.

Boston will need Baynes to perform while Theis is absent.

Robert Williams

Williams, who has appeared in two of the Celtics six games, will surely see an increase to his minutes due to the Theis injury.

The 21-year-old was selected by Boston with the 27th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. In his two seasons at Texas A&M, Williams averaged 11 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 26 minutes per game. In 2017-18, Williams lead the SEC in an abundance of categories, including defensive rebounds (206), blocks (78), total rebounds per game (9.2), and box plus/minus (11.9).

Theis

Via Getty Images

Though Williams does not have the shooting prowess of either Theis or Baynes, he will bring the same defensive tenacity. We have not seen much of the rookie, but in eight minutes against Detroit, Williams recorded three blocks, two offensive rebounds, two points and an assist. With Theis out, we can expect more exciting performances like these from Williams in the near future.

Are the Boston Celtics Too Deep?

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I’m sure the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings among others would love to be in the position the Boston Celtics are in. The franchise hasn’t missed the playoffs since the 2013-14 Season, yet lottery picks continue to pour in due to Danny Ainge’s brilliancy in the trade market. They boast three perennial All-Star talents in Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford. Oh, and the ‘other’ two guys in the starting lineup aren’t too bad, either. Boston has the potential to send five guys to the All-Star game this season. In more ways than one, this team stacks up relatively well to the likes of the juggernaut Golden State Warriors. They also happen to be younger.

Boston Boasts Arguably the Deepest Bench in the League

SOURCE: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Depth on this roster is no issue, either. Terry Rozier blew up last season as a key contributor down the stretch and throughout the playoffs. The 24-year-old point guard out of Louisville has been mentioned in the same sentence as Kemba Walker and Dame Lillard, both All-Star talents. Oh, and he isn’t even this team’s sixth man. That role belongs to $52 million-dollar man Marcus Smart. After signing a $13 million per year deal that retains his services in Boston for the next four years, Smart has now become one of the league’s highest paid bench players.

Worth it? Undoubtedly. The bulldog out of Oklahoma State won’t blow anyone away on the stat sheet, but he is the ultimate competitor and a true winner. He does all of the dirty things needed to be done to win, whether it’s ripping down a big rebound over a seven-footer to secure a big possession, or diving on the floor for a loose ball seconds after returning from a major injury.

The bench depth continues to roll on from there. Marcus Morris adds a lethal one-on-one option. ‘All of Australia’ Aron Baynes is a big body that started in 67 games for the C’s last season. Baynes is a starting caliber center that also happens to statistically be one of the best defensive players in the league. German forward Daniel Theis will assuredly compete for some quality minutes this season, perhaps against Rookie first round pick Robert Williams. Semi Ojeleye played some big minutes last season, often times tasked with locking down the opposition’s best player. Anyone remember when Semi bodied up Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Playoffs?

Believe in Brad Stevens

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 22: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics goes over the next play with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 22, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

No matter how you slice it, this team is DEEP and talented. Regardless of the position on the floor, there is a guy on this team that can step in and more than hold their own. That is just how Brad Stevens has designed this team to be. He likes interchangeability and trusts each player on his roster to perform when called upon. He gets the most out of the players he coaches because he believes in allowing them to play within themselves and refuses to limit a guy because of a weakness they may have. The trust he offers each player is returned, and that trust builds confidence. That confidence translates into production.

Now, Brad Stevens has yet another major task ahead of him. How will he find a way to manage arguably the deepest roster the NBA has to offer? Quite honestly, it’s a curious problem to have. Every team out there across any sport or level of play would love to have this ‘problem’.

Good Problem or No Problem?

Stevens, known as a bit of a playful guy with the media, had a humorous but logical response when asked about this ‘good problem’.

“I don’t think it’s any secret to anybody that there’s only 240 minutes in a game,” Stevens said. “If we all struggle with that more than just the human nature of being disappointed if you get taken out — that’s OK, that’s part of it — but if we struggle with that, then we won’t be very good. And if we don’t, we’ll have a chance to be pretty good.”

Of course, this would be an easy problem to solve if there were 240 minutes in a game. But to Stevens, it sounds like there isn’t an issue at all here. He even has the rotations written up ahead of training camp, and at this point is more concerned with ‘how’ they will play versus ‘who’ will play.

“I’m more focused on how we want to play than how we’re going to rotate,” Stevens said. “I mean, if last year’s not the best example, I don’t know what would be. Things can change. Your rotation can change in a heartbeat. So, you can work all summer on it, and you’ve got to adjust in one day. I think the bottom line is we have an idea of who will play together and who best fits together and what lineups we think we’ll try to use, but we’ll see how it all shakes itself out.”

It All Comes Down to Coach Stevens

(11/12/2017- Boston, MA) With 12 wins in a row, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has a lot to smile about during a victory over the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt West

The bottom line here is that as long as the team buys into the Brad Stevens philosophy and trusts that he will steer them in the right direction, this team will be successful. If this group of individuals can find a way to set aside their egos and personal desires for the betterment of the team there is no limit to what they can accomplish. Depth is a good problem to have, so long as the players have faith in their leader. Lucky for Boston, Brad Stevens may just be the finest leader out there.

The Celtics and Warriors go toe to toe in 2k19’s Player Ratings

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The two juggernauts could go to battle in the finals this season. Let’s see how 2k19 rated these star studded rosters.

Both Golden State and Boston enter this season with sizeable expectations. How will these rosters look in video game form you ask? No need to fear, as 2k19 has officially released team rosters for all 30 teams. While the team overall ratings have not yet been released, we can speculate those rankings fairly easily. But i’ll leave that open for interpretation.

Ratings for Golden State

  1. Kevin Durant sf, 97
  2. Stephen Curry pg, 95
  3. Demarcus Cousins c, 90
  4. Klay Thompson sg, 89
  5. Draymond Green pf, 87
  6. Andre Iguodala sf, 77
  7. Jordan Bell pf, 76
  8. Jonas Jerebko pf,76
  9. Shaun Livingston pg, 75
  10. Quinn Cook pg, 75
  11. Nick Young sf, 74
  12. Patrick McCaw sg, 73
  13. Kevon Looney pf,71
  14. Damian Jones c,70
  15. Chris Boucher pf,69

Golden State’s Takeaways

Demarcus Cousins receiving a 90 overall after missing almost two-thirds of last season comes as a bit of a surprise. What’s an even bigger surprise is the fact that he received a higher ranking than Klay Thompson. A pleasant surprise is the rankings of Jordan Bell and Kevin Durant. While many thought of Durant as a 99 overall talent, he still ranks in the top 5 again in this edition. Bell is a unique player that will develop over time. Fans could expect his overall to only rise from here.

Celtics lineup ratings

  1. Kyrie Irving pg, 93
  2. Gordon Hayward sf,88
  3. Jayson Tatum sf, 87
  4. Al Horford c, 88
  5. Jaylen Brown sf, 84
  6. Marcus Smart pg, 80
  7. Marcus Morris pf, 78
  8. Terry Rozier pg, 78
  9. Aron Baynes c,75
  10. Shane Larkin pg, 70
  11. Daniel Theis c, 70
  12. Guerschon Yabusele pf, 69
  13. Semi Ojeleye pf, 68
  14. Kadeem Allen sg, 68
  15. Jabari Bird sg, 67
  16. Robert Williams c, not yet rated

 Boston’s Takeaways

Although Boston’s roster is lower ranked that Golden State, this team still looks impressive. One point to mention- Shane Larkin is on the 2k roster, but has signed overseas during the offseason. While Al and Theis look a little underrated, the rating will adjust throughout the season thanks to the various amounts of game updates. While it is undetermined as of now, the rating for Robert Williams will be interesting to watch. Kyrie comes in as the 2nd highest rated point guard in the league behind Curry, and Jayson Tatum got a very favorable 87 overall after just one season. Brown rounds out the top 5 on the C’s frontline with an 84, but that number could easily rise by mid-season.

Conclusion

While we cannot debate a potential match-up off of a video game ratings list,  we can have fun playing it. This is one of the few variables that you can control in the palm of your hands. So enjoy 2k19 when it comes out, but do remember it is a video game. Let’s keep Jacksonville in our hearts as we play these competitive games in the future.

All ratings and info were received from 2kratings.com 

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 53 Days

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Welcome back to the Celtics season tipoff countdown!

Each day, we’ll give a review of news surrounding the Celtics. We’ll also look back in history to see what happened on today’s date in team history (August 24th). To round out the day’s post, we’ll give you stats and fun facts related to the number of days remaining before the first game (53 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

On Tuesday, the tribe that Kyrie Irving’s mom is a member of invited the Celtics point guard. The tribe celebrated the heritage of Kyrie and his sister, Asia, as they welcomed the siblings as members of the Standing Rock Sioux. The tribe gave Kyrie a traditional Lakota name of “Little Mountain”. He has been a vocal opponent of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the past, and the tribe based in North Dakota wanted to honor him for being outspoken about his heritage.

In other news, Jayson Tatum turned some heads when he said he would be okay with the idea of coming of the bench. “I understand how deep our team is,” he said. “I just care about winning and doing what I can while I’m on the floor.” On a team loaded with talent, fans had to have been wondering about who would see their role reduced. It’s great to hear Tatum taking on the team-first mindset.

Tatum

: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On This Date

Apparently nothing happened on August 24 in previous years.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Daniel Theis averaged 5.3 points for the team. He did so while shooting 54% from the field before a season ending injury.
  • Jaylen Brown averaged 5.3 made shots per game. He took 11.5 each game, shooting 49 percent from the field.

Fun Facts

  • Four players have worn the number 53 for the Celtics. The most notable is Rick Robey, who wore it in his time with the team from 1979-1983.
  • The 1953 Celtics went 46-25 and finished third in the East.

That concludes today’s Countdown to Celtics Tipoff. Make sure to check back here tomorrow as the clock continues to tick towards the 2018-19 season!

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.

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.

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.

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics’ Ups and Downs – Week 9

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For the first time since the opening week of the season, there wasn’t a ton to like about the Celtics’ play. They went 2-2, which isn’t terrible, but it was more about who/how they lost. A blowout to the lowly Bulls and a loss at home against the shorthanded Jazz left a bad taste in your mouth, and wins over Denver and Memphis weren’t convincing enough to cure that. The Celtics are working through one of the most grueling parts of their schedule. Fatigue has played a big factor, but Boston hasn’t done a good enough job working through it. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about this team, but until then, lets check out some Ups/Downs from Week 9 of Celtics’ action.

The Downs

WE ARE SWITCHING THINGS UP THIS WEEK PEOPLE

The Celtics’ Bench Is Regressing to the Mean

During Boston’s 16-game winning streak, team defense and grittiness covered up some of the offensive deficiencies of the bench. In the last few weeks, though, those issues became more glaring. With Marcus Morris sidelined with more knee soreness, the Celtics’ bench has been even less effective than usual. As of Dec. 17, the Boston bench is ranked 23rd in scoring (30.4) and dead last in field goal percentage (37.4 percent). The bench is streaky and can get hot, especially at home, but the Celtics need a more consistent effort on the offensive end. Brad Stevens may need to think about switching up his rotations to avoid such devastating droughts.

Kyrie Sitting Out

Missing Parts Make the Machine Slow Down

During the Stevens era in Boston, the Celtics have run like a machine. With no transcendent talent prior to this year, you could swap personnel without too much going wrong. But adding Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward cost the Celtics some depth, and replacing All-Stars with rookies makes for a very obvious drop-off in talent. When Kyrie misses time, Boston struggles to make up that gap. We saw that in a loss to the Bulls last Monday. When everyone is healthy, this team is dangerous. But take out a few key pieces, and the high-powered machine starts to look like a beat-up toaster you found at a garage sale.

Rebounding Has Become an Issue, Again

After being a terrible rebounding team last season, the Celtics started this year’s campaign as one of the better rebounding teams in the league. Aron Baynes, Daniel Theis, and some great rebounding guards limited second-chance points and cleaned up defensive possessions. Through November the Celtics ranked in the top-10 in rebounding. Over nine games in December they rank 23rd. Boston doesn’t need to win the rebounding battle every game to win, but they do need to keep it close. The Celtics got out rebounded by at least 18 in two out of the four games last week, and that won’t cut it.

The Ups

The Celtics Don’t Stay Down

With the exception of the first two games of the season, the Celtics have not lost back-to-back games all season. With the recent stretch of, lets say, not so pleasant play, Boston has found a way to bounce back after each loss. A team this young could allow bad losses to turn into losing streaks, but thus far the Celtics have been able to compartmentalize ugly performances and stop any negative momentum.

Shane Larkin Remains a Quality Backup

Shane Larkin

With Morris missing extended time, the Celtics were looking for some extra pop off the bench. Larkin has been a pleasant surprise this season and, much like a change-of-pace back in football, makes the most of his limited opportunities. Larkin competes on the defensive end, runs the pick-and-roll well, and has shown the ability to add a scoring punch off the deep bench. His 14 points on 6-6 shooting against Denver really helped turn the tides in Boston’s favor.

The Youngsters Bounce Back/Show What They Can Do

Jaylen Brown

Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum bounced back from some less than ideal play this week. Brown had a huge 26 points (9-12 from the field, 3-4 3PT) against Denver, and Tatum put up quality numbers after lack luster games against Chicago and Utah. Brown has been a bit too inconsistent so far this season, but Tatum shows real maturity in putting poor performances behind him.

Boston Big Men

The Celtics Have A Big Man Problem In the Best Way Possible

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The Celtics have had to rely on their depth more than expected early this season. Players who, in all honesty, shouldn’t even be seeing the floor, are getting extended minutes. So far it’s working. The Celtics own the league’s best record at 10-2, and are currently riding a 10-game winning streak. Would you like to know why? It’s not Kyrie or Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, although they all have been spectacular thus far. The Celtics are winning because of their rugged group of big men.

The depth of Boston’s front court, and their ability to contribute, has been a huge factor over the first 12 games. The play of Al Horford has been well documented, but the contributions of Aron Baynes, Marcus Morris, and Daniel Theis have gone somewhat unnoticed. This group of bigs are one of the more diverse in the league, and each player knows his role. They complement each other well, and impact the offense and defense equally. Lets dive in and break down what makes them so impactful.

Aron Baynes

Aron Baynes is the Perfect Celtic

Baynes embodies knowing your role. There will almost never be an offensive play called for him. He willingly crashes the boards, and has no problem battling with opposing bigs that may give Horford problems. Baynes is a perfect foil for bigs like Horford and Morris. While Horford and Morris excel on the offensive end, Baynes holds down the defense and takes his shots whenever they come. He never forces anything, and plays whatever role Brad Stevens asks of him. He protects the rim, gives the Celtics a physical presence in the middle of the floor, and has no problem starting or coming off the bench. Baynes is a matchup player. Traditional bigs like Greg Monroe and Jonas Valanciunas are his specialty. When the game calls for it, Baynes can even carry the offense:

Marcus Morris

Marcus “Mook” Morris is the Celtics’ X-Factor

Morris has only played three games this season, but he is already showing what his capabilities. With a polished offensive game, Morris is a rare power forward who can get his own shot. So far, he hasn’t shown the ability to grab a lot of rebounds or get others involved, but he can score the ball. Let me remind you that he is still working his way back into game shape, and still scored 18 points against the Lakers, in just his third game this year.

Morris’ versatility fits nicely alongside many of Boston’s other bigs. Slide him in next to Horford, when an opposing team is going small, and he can guard anyone from a quick shooting guard, to a bruising power forward. If Stevens decides Baynes is the best matchup to start, Morris can head to the bench and become the number one offensive option with the second unit. We can now expect the offense to come from people like Kyrie, Horford, Tatum, and Brown. If Morris can become a good spot up shooter, and be a plus defender against opposing wings, he can make this Celtics team special.

Daniel Theis

Theis, Theis Baby!

Theis is quickly becoming a Celtics cult hero. He has proven to not only be a spark off the bench, but a reliable backup big man who can give the starters a break without giving up a lead. The 25-year old rookie has years of experience playing professionally in Germany, and it shows. His basketball IQ is through the roof, and for a backup big man, he plays solid defense. While his stats won’t wow you, Theis has been one of the more consistent players when given minutes. Theis is shooting 53.8 percent from the floor, and is averaging 1.7 offensive rebounds per game. He’s an energy player that can crash the glass, block shots, and has already created a great chemistry with bench guards, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier.

The top four Celtics’ front court players are currently responsible for 39.6 points and 23 rebounds per game. This may not seem like a lot, compared to stacked front courts like New Orleans and Minnesota, but the improvement from last season is undeniable. With the injury to Gordon Hayward, every player will need to do more. So far, the Boston bigs have been helping to carry the load.