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Post by DERRENMATTS on Feb 23, 2017 15:42:34 GMT -5
Both the Bulls and the Pacers wanted way too much from us. Multiple key core players AND the Brooklyn pick. Understandably, Ainge did not budge.
So now what? Are we screwed?
Not really. We are still the same team that is trending upwards. We still have cap space to go after a max contract this summer. We still have Brooklyn's high lottery picks. We still have developing young players who are starting to contribute more and more. Our future is till bright as ever.
We are still better than the Wizards, and arguably just as good as the Raptors.
We were never title contenders, so the pressure is not on us to unseat the Cavs.
We are going to keep doing what we've been doing, and win our 50+ games this year. Maybe make it to the 2nd round.
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Post by jmost on Feb 23, 2017 17:24:34 GMT -5
Let's see. Fifth best record in the league, a Top 4 pick in the 2017 draft, another likely Top 4 pick in the 2018 draft (since the Nets are looking like they'll be the worst team in the NBA again next year), Zizic coming to help with rebounding, an improved Jaylen Brown (who has only barely begun to scratch the surface of his potential) and a bunch of other young guys who are still improving year to year. And we're not going to be losing anyone vital next year. Oh yeah, we should also have enough cap room to go free agent hunting again this Summer.
I'd say we're in very good shape. For the most part, the trades that were rumored might have made us better this year, but IMO would have put us further from a title in the future. I couldn't care less about getting to the ECF. The Celtics are all about titles and that's the only goal worth pursuing.
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Post by Roadrunner on Feb 23, 2017 18:22:54 GMT -5
Ainge wants a sustained championship run. Mortgaging the future for Butler, or PG13 does not guarantee a championship, or even a Finals appearance. I am fairly sure Danny is planning on having his full team assembled when L James starts to decline, which should be soon.
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Post by eja117 on Feb 23, 2017 22:36:34 GMT -5
I'm glad we stood pat. This isn't about a big 3. It's about a big 7-10
Old guard IT, Horford, Mr. X summer free agent (we still have enough for a max)
New guard Jaylen, Smart, Nets pick, Nets pick, Zizic, Yabu, Rozier
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Post by eja117 on Feb 23, 2017 22:37:04 GMT -5
Pretty soon guys that want trades will want to play for us. We just have to wait some
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Post by joshrblabber on Feb 24, 2017 19:12:57 GMT -5
It seems to be unaminous - we all like what we are seeing from this roster. The key to rest of the season will be the bench. If KO, Brown and Green can be consistent we will get 6 guys in double figures every night and we will be hard to beat.
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Post by afceltic on Feb 24, 2017 22:53:51 GMT -5
I like what Danny did with staying put. I still expect a trade of some sort on draft day as all of the best players in this draft are PG's and we don't need a PG. George all but killed that trade too by saying that he would only resign with the Pacers or his hometown Fakers. I am very disappointed in George as I saw him as a team player that wanted to win and now after this he is closer to a guy who just wants the $$$$ and winning doesn't matter as LA won't be good during his prime at all. So he's closer to Carmelo in that aspect, he cares more about the off the court stuff and not winning championships.
And that doesn't mix well with what the Celtics stand for. So see ya Paul, have fun losing and collecting your paycheck for the rest of your career while missing the playoffs. Maybe you and Carmelo can annually hang out in April since neither of you will be busy.
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Post by eja117 on Apr 9, 2017 18:03:44 GMT -5
This may just be me but I used to worry Smart would warrant some sort of huge contract and it would be tough to keep this team together. I don't worry about Smart any more. To me he is clearly not an NBA all star any time soon, and may max out in a sort of Avery Bradley type territory. To me at most you look at how much money the best 6th man is making and pay him less than that. Smart has just not taken that step towards greatness. He's taken it towards goodness.
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Post by jmost on Apr 9, 2017 20:49:24 GMT -5
I keep thinking he would be more valuable if he would just learn to shoot less. Maybe Stevens is telling him to keep shooting, but he's easily the worst shooter on the team and he persists in chucking up shots, frequently 3's, with 20 seconds left on the shot clock. He's not bad on corner 3's, post-ups, and drives, but he stinks at shooting everything else. His D is great, but I'm not sure I'd even call him a "good" player yet. He has a role, but I'm not throwing big money at him for sure. Not yet.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Apr 9, 2017 22:41:54 GMT -5
His free throws % is pretty good, which could mean that stationary shooting is the key to properly using him. Don't make him curl or shoot off the dribble. Use him as a corner shooter, or something similar where he can have his feet set.
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