Summer of ... nothing

[Ossric]

Danny has been stockpiling young talent for the 3rd consecutive year (3 drafts). So much even, that we now have 9 "rookies" on this team. We've all been thinking about s&t for Walker & possibly Blonut. Looking for FA's that can strengthen the squad without sacrificing to much playing time for the young kids. I'm more & more getting the feeling that Danny isn't looking for those type of players. Somehow i feel that Danny thinks it's time to see what the rookies can do when given significant playing time. It's the only way to see how much they have progressed. Think about it, if we do nothing on the FA market, we would basically be the same team that was playing 500 ball last year, minus Payton. So we wouldn't be that bad plus Delonte, Marcus, Al, Reed & Perk have some more experience under their belt.

Some of us feel that we need a vet PG because they are not ready for significant minutes. Remember that we have 3 PG's on our roster. So minutes-wise it shouldn't be such a problem. Plus, how are we ever going to find out whether we should keep them & continue to invest in them if they only play 15 minutes a game.
Pointing to their performances last year is not really a good barometer. Both delonte & Banks came from the bench for +- 10 high paced minutes. They both knew that they had limited time to show their skills and that if they made a mistake, that they would be right back to the bench for the rest of the game. Let's not forget the meaningless minutes of garbage time that they played, where it is impossible to run & lead an offense. It's also very hard to get into a groove when each time you come from the bench, icecold, for 3 minutes of action.
Coming on the court, knowing that you'll play significant minutes night in, night out makes it an entirely different ballgame. They won't be so pressured to show off in limited minutes, they will be more relaxed. etc..etc..
Was Payton that good last year? Will he be missed so much that it will cost us 5 or more games this year? I don't think so.

The same thing can be said about our other rookies. The only way to see whether they are worth continuing investing in or whether they will be a bust is giving them significant minutes. If we loose more games than last year but they have shown that they continue to progress, fine. Even if we miss the playoffs, it wouldn't be so bad (except for the income), we'll be in the lottery.

The thing is, we have to know what we have on our roster. No point in adding veterans just to make us slightly better. We need to find out who the young guys are that we can build a championship team around & who aren't. The only way to find out on which position this team needs improving is to know what we have already on our roster. Giving them 15 minutes a game will show us very little & they will continue to be labeled "potential", "prospect"...

So Danny might just be thinking, "show me what you got". If it isn't much, at least then Danny will know what needs to be done.

[eddietours]

yup i would said the samething let roll the dice with the kids let see what the can do i for one think we could win 43-49 games banks can have a breakout year and just look at the summer league guys like gomes and reed will help big time we should be in the playoff hunt, we all know we will be nasty.

[cfoo]

All we need is a pg and some attitudes to get straightened out. I don't see why we can't just roll the dice, although I am concerned about the pg position. Would any be surprised if Banks does have a break out year and these rumors are just that? I loved what I saw from him early on but Im not so sure any more. Would be nice if he does break out.

[celtics4ever]

Nothing to panic over. Play the Kids!

[DERRENMATTS]

Well, again, I seem to have a back and forth debate with you, Oss ;D Its all about how you want this season to go. If you want this season to be a year of developing our talent so that next year, they'll be much more impactful, then by all means, we should let the young kids play. But 2 things: #1, be prepared for a lot of turbelance because young players can't be expected to automatically know how to play playoff worthy basketball and work themselves out of tough situations (like close games, how to close out a game with a lead, how to best make a comeback, etc). And #2, without veterans to show them things, we run into the obstacle of them not reaching their full potential. Had Walker learned under a proven veteran PF when he first came into the league, he may have not developed some of his bad traits.

But if you want the kids to develop at a steadier pace, while learning the correct way of doing things from veterans who they can better relate to, we may still get them to blossom into solid players next year, and have a good playoff run this year.

[Ossric]

Although i didn't intend to post my own views on how we should move forward ( i was trying to explain what Ainge might be thinking), i wouldn't mind letting the kids play. I don't think that you can compare the pace on how all the rookies should develop to Walker's initial situation. Yes letting them grow steadily has it's benefits. But this team isn't as bad as the one Walker played as a rookie. This team is not run by ML Carr, trying to loose as much games as possible, trying to land the nr.1 pick. you have a core of veteran players in Pierce, Raef, Davis & even Blountifull. Those 4 alone are better than the entire roster of Walker's rookie year. You can also point to McGrady in Toronto as an example on not giving them time soon enough..

For the record, i would also sign for the Williams-Blonut trade. Although that would mean that we'll need to sign another big man.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, in a perfect situation, the young kids will turn out good just by getting the playing time they need. And you are on the right mindset--Doc Rivers will not let the young players develop bad habits. Marcus Banks gets yanked and gets an earful from Rivers for doing little things the wrong way. I like that aboutt Rivers. He's a disciplinarian.

As for getting Jason Williams, you may want to consider his contract. Like I mentioned to BC yesterday, he's set to make 7.5 mil this year, 8.5 next year, and 9 mil in the last year. Do we want him around for that long, and at that price?

[Ossric]

well, it is 2 years shorter than Blonut's contract. I'll return the question: Do you want Blonut for 5 more years?

In Williams last year, we only have to match offers for Banks & Perkins which shouldn't be a problem. Neither will demand top $$$ unless they progres a lot in the next 2 years. At the end of year 3, we'll have 32 million of cap space! This would be lower if Blonut was still under contract. An important fact if you consider who we're going to have to resign then. So Williams' contract doesn't bother me so much.

[eja117]

Phil Jackson let Jordan, Pippen, and Horace Grant play when they were kids. It took them about 2-3 years to gel and get good, then they dominated for a decade

[DERRENMATTS]

Yes, but they also had veterans to help them along the way. And I know you don't mean this, but Jordan and Pippen were much better players in their early days than any of the young guys we have. It was easier to let them play because they had more skills.

Oss, did you read Chad Ford's latest? I read that the deal could now include Banks in there. So Marcus + Blount for Jason Williams. I'm not a big Banks fan, but I gotta stop and digest this trade idea.

If Jason Williams has the ability to play with some life again, like he actually enjoys playing basketball, then he may be worth it. He really showed amazing court vision in Sacramento and his passing ability was uncanny. But he was really turnover prone. He went to Memphis and had to tone down his game and he improved his turnover rate, but sacrificed his game a lot. Now, he's yesterday's news and barely even talked about.

Can he rejuvenate his game, play with energy again, and keep his TO's down?

[meltinjohn]

Jason Williams in Memphis even seemed less careless but stil somewhat a troublemaker. Its hard to say if hes worth Banks who is inexpensive. Blonut yes now move him. Althoguh I want West to start.

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

Marcus Banks and Blounut for Jason Williams -

Too late - Jason Williams is going to Miami.

All we get was a trade exception.

[meltinjohn]

Yea, lets move on now haha. Dannys trade for Walker was at least a lot better than nothing. 2 2nds, Borchardt and Miralles is good even if the picks are late 2nds. Better than nothing. Gomes was a late 2nd. I can also see Danny using his magic to get an unknown to get a Ginobili with a 50+ pick or something. Greene he already got. We just gotta wait and see how he turns out. Borchardt now can be a 3rd pf or 3rd center for now unless Blonut is gone.

[bleedgreen]

Why are so many persons so pessimistic about our "YOUNG TEAM"? I live in the Bahamas and I have watched basketball, all my life ( It is a national sport over here - every young boy can play from a tender age). There were quite a few stars, who contributed a lot to their teams - during rookie, junior and sophmore NBA careers! With the right coach (I think Doc is the "ONE") and minutes/opportunities, they excelled beyond expectations. With today's technology and player skill level, anything is possible! One of the most important ingredient for success is "THE MENTAL approach" and I think that is why Danny drafted them ! THEY WILL succeed - sooner than most people think ! REMEMBER, that the guy from the Islands of the Bahamas told you so. These young guns are a very SPECIAL crew ! This is going to be a very EXCITING season - a successful one at that too ! AS long as we get Paul to commit to the "THEME" (Speed, accuracy, defense and unity). Delonte will show his savvy, poise and steadiness at point guard. Al, even though summer was not impressive, will show off his "mastering of the low post game". Tony, will show off his more consistent "jumper" and maturity at guard. Gomes/Reed will look as if they have been playing the game a long time. Because of Perkins confident game, the Celts will no longer be regarded as "reactors"to physical play. Green will dazzle and woo the crowd, as he show some of what to come ! Greene will a surprise !!!! I can't wait - LET"S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD !!!!

[eddietours]

bleedgreen for president am with you on this one.