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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 14, 2016 18:23:16 GMT -5
Horford is a nice player who should definitely help us take the next step. But unfortunately, now that a super team has formed in the Bay area, the odds of any other team winning a championship the next few years will be very slim. Even CLE will be hard pressed to win it all again (they weren't even favored to win last year).
So we signed a 30 year old Horford who is on the backend of his prime, but that doesn't change anything; we are still going to leave the dance early.
I'd like to hear your thoughts -- was signing Horford the right thing to do? or should we have gone some other route, spent the max on a different player?
And of course, your reasoning behind your choice.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 14, 2016 20:22:17 GMT -5
Yes, I think signing Horford was the right thing to do. He will fit with this team perfectly and will make us better. One step at a time. The next step will be a scorer or a stronger center. Maybe Okafor, maybe Erden, maybe Iverson, maybe Noel. Who knows. I think the scorer coming is Hayward. or maybe one of the rumors will actually be true. But I do think Horford was a step in the right direction.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 15, 2016 17:31:10 GMT -5
Sorry, I accidentally hit NO when my computer was taking forever to refresh.
Yes, signing a 30 year old Horford, even though it cost us a whole lot, even though we are not competing for the title this year, is indeed the right move.
He does take us to another level, which should be beyond the 1st round of the playoffs. This is important on a couple of fronts:
- it gives our younger players exposure to winning in pressure packed playoff atmosphere. This is great for their development and confidence.
- it makes us an even more attractive destination for star players to consider (not only consider but choose).
And the great part, as many of us have already expressed, is our success has no impact on our high lottery draft picks!!
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Post by oldtimeball on Jul 16, 2016 5:49:02 GMT -5
Wow! How things change.. Everyone was excited about Al's signing..
My question still remains.. Was going all in on Durant the smartest move? No backup plan? Wasn't the whole al signing to get Durant?
I hated giving a max salary to Al.So I am going to vote no.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2016 9:26:34 GMT -5
Absolutely! I've always been a big admirer of his game.
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 18, 2016 12:10:32 GMT -5
Wow! How things change.. Everyone was excited about Al's signing.. My question still remains.. Was going all in on Durant the smartest move? No backup plan? Wasn't the whole al signing to get Durant? I hated giving a max salary to Al.So I am going to vote no. Considering we had to spend money to meet the cap floor, we went out and got a player who fits in well with what we're doing and what we want to do going forward. Horford gives our young team a veteran and professional presence and voice, both on the floor and in the lockerroom. Don't underestimate how valuable this is on a team full of very young players. So even though we didn't get Durant, we still got an important piece to the puzzle. We are not contending (unless we take a dramatic leap forward), but still we are going to once again be one of the top teams in the East, and in the NBA for that matter. |
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Post by oldtimeball on Jul 18, 2016 17:30:42 GMT -5
True he is a veteran.. Leader? I question that. The other thing is he hasn't gone to a conference finals? Does he make his teammates better? I think he is a good player. The sole reason Atlanta beat us? Or did we give it to them by Bradley's injury?
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 18, 2016 17:51:14 GMT -5
True he is a veteran.. Leader? I question that. The other thing is he hasn't gone to a conference finals? Does he make his teammates better? I think he is a good player. The sole reason Atlanta beat us? Or did we give it to them by Bradley's injury? Said nothing about him being a leader. |
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Post by oldtimeball on Jul 18, 2016 17:59:25 GMT -5
Sorry, I accidentally hit NO when my computer was taking forever to refresh. Yes, signing a 30 year old Horford, even though it cost us a whole lot, even though we are not competing for the title this year, is indeed the right move. He does take us to another level, which should be beyond the 1st round of the playoffs. This is important on a couple of fronts: - it gives our younger players exposure to winning in pressure packed playoff atmosphere. This is great for their development and confidence. - it makes us an even more attractive destination for star players to consider (not only consider but choose). And the great part, as many of us have already expressed, is our success has no impact on our high lottery draft picks!! Didn't know how to highlight the quote giving our players exposure.. I took that as you were saying he was a leader.. They were already in the playoffs? |
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Post by DERRENMATTS on Jul 18, 2016 18:24:49 GMT -5
That part of what I said is talking about how the players can experience precious playoff exposure. This is very valuable because the playoffs are a whole different animal. Every game is crucial, thus the enormous pressure of playing at the highest level every game. That kind of pressure, and succeeding in that pressure will build up a young player's confidence.
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Post by oldtimeball on Jul 18, 2016 18:39:29 GMT -5
That part of what I said is talking about how the players can experience precious playoff exposure. This is very valuable because the playoffs are a whole different animal. Every game is crucial, thus the enormous pressure of playing at the highest level every game. That kind of pressure, and succeeding in that pressure will build up a young player's confidence. I agree.. They had exposure this year. What hurt us was injuries.. He's a lead by example guy. I think the team needs a veteran leader.. A sparkplug. And a veteran point guard who makes people better would be nice.. |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jul 19, 2016 21:17:15 GMT -5
I've read some comments from Hawks fans and players saying that Horford was a quiet leader and he led by example and that he was a strong positive influence in the locker room. Of course when a player leaves a team you take comments from opposing fans with a grain of salt. I like the signing and I do think he will provide veteran leadership for the team.
Also, Horford has always been a team player. He puts team before self and stats. That was very important for a team like the Celtics that have won because they put team first. We are one superstar. I think Horford fits that quite well.
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