Official Celtics Thread

[DOrtiz4prez]

For those who dont know the terminology... "Restricted" signifies that a player's current team can match any contract offer made by another team. "Team Option" and "Player Option" mean the team or player has the right to void the player's current contract, making him a free agent.

 

I dont think that we really need a shooting guard as we have West, Allen, Davis, and Pierce can all play it. What we need is a point guard to go along with Marcus Banks. Delonte can play it but I dont know how well. Possibly Damon Jones if he opts out, but he would be looking for a lot of money. We also badly need a big body on the boards and a small forward.

 

Good PG, Marko Jaric on the Clips.

Good Big Body, Samuel Dalembert on Sixers

Good SF, Kyle Korver on Sixers

 

But we could get Francisco Garcia or Hakim Warrik in the draft.

[YanksHater213]

I read today in the paper that Danny Ainge is exploring the possibilities of picking a European guy in the first round and leaving him over-seas while still retaining the rights to him so they could keep a roster spot open. Im hoping that if we do go that route we choose 6'5 PG/SG Rudy Fernandez out of Spain. He has got a lot of promise and potential should we pick him. He also said that he would also explore his options of trading away this pick for a future pick and another player. Either way, it sounds like he wants to improve this team more during free agency this offseason than any other way.

[DOrtiz4prez]

I wouldn't mind that but if there is a good player available in the draft like Warrik and we take a no-name foreigner....

[YanksHater213]

I understand what you are thinking, but the foreign players have so much talent and potential and are so raw that they just need a chance to develop. Im very high on this Fernandez kid. If he can put it together he can be a star. The Celtics would much rather take a chance on someone who has a lot of talent but is still raw rather than wasting a roster spot on a guy who might be a waste of a roster spot for a few years.

[DOrtiz4prez]

I understand what you are thinking, but the foreign players have so much talent and potential and are so raw that they just need a chance to develop. Im very high on this Fernandez kid. If he can put it together he can be a star. The Celtics would much rather take a chance on someone who has a lot of talent but is still raw rather than wasting a roster spot on a guy who might be a waste of a roster spot for a few years.

 

There are maybe 5 standout stars that are absolute all stars. Then, on the other hand, everyone else is straight from college. Which has a better shot?

[YanksHater213]

Latest mock drafts I have seen has the Celtics selecting Hakim Warrick (SF/PF, Syracuse), Luther Head (G, Illinois), and Julius Hodge (SG/SF, N.C. State).

[Sizzlin22]

There's no way Warrick goes that late is there?

[YanksHater213]

He could. His game doesnt translate well to the NBA. Too small to be a PF, too slow to be a SF. I personally didnt think he would either until I looked at some scouting reports and other things of the sort. He is a fine player though.

[Sizzlin22]

I thought he was one of the best players in the country last year untill I saw Bogut I would love to have Warrick on the Celtics.

[stocker323]

I thought he was one of the best players in the country last year untill I saw Bogut I would love to have Warrick on the Celtics.

Bogut will be a bust in the NBA, mark my words.

[Zenny]

I have a higher vertical leap than Bogut. White dudes can't play. It's a proven fact. Didn't you see that movie with Wesley Snipes and What's His Face?

[YanksHater213]

White Men Cant Jump - One of my all time favorites. Bogut, people just think hes a stud because of his stats, but all that s*** is inflated because he played in the Mountain West Conference. But yeah, Sizzlin, Warrick is nowhere near the best player in the country. He was one of the best in college, but he doesnt have the size or quickness to be a great player in the NBA... I dont think he'll be great in the NBA at least.

[Sizzlin22]

Any 7 footer who can set picks and shoot like he does will be fine in the NBA.

[DOrtiz4prez]

I much rather like Al Jefferson for the future over Warrik.

[See Red]

White Men Cant Jump - One of my all time favorites. Bogut, people just think hes a stud because of his stats, but all that s*** is inflated because he played in the Mountain West Conference. But yeah, Sizzlin, Warrick is nowhere near the best player in the country. He was one of the best in college, but he doesnt have the size or quickness to be a great player in the NBA... I dont think he'll be great in the NBA at least.

 

But Warrick is as athletic as they get and he's got desire. I've seen him compared to such players as Marcus Camby (not bad at all) and, if he can get his perimeter game down, Shawn Marion. I'm a Nuggets fan, as I live near Denver -- so I'm hoping the Nuggets snag him up. He's got raw potential that I know somebody like George Karl can work with.

[YanksHater213]

God damnit, another Nuggets fan...

[DOrtiz4prez]

God damnit, another Nuggets fan...

 

They're taking over the world. But I give him a break since he's near Denver.

[YanksHater213]

But Warrick is as athletic as they get and he's got desire. I've seen him compared to such players as Marcus Camby (not bad at all) and, if he can get his perimeter game down, Shawn Marion. I'm a Nuggets fan, as I live near Denver -- so I'm hoping the Nuggets snag him up. He's got raw potential that I know somebody like George Karl can work with.

I see the comparison to Marion... but Camby?

[DOrtiz4prez]

I see the comparison to Marion... but Camby?

 

I see the opposite. Warrik isn't quick enough to become a Marion but he is powerful enough to become a Camby.

[See Red]

I think the comparisons to Camby come from his shot blocking ability, though he only had 1 block per game, last year. I don't know, I saw this comparison from nbadraft.net.

 

I think the Marion comparisons stem from the fact that he'll be more athletic than just about any player you can put on him.

[YanksHater213]

Last I heard, the Celts were in talks with the Blazers about a potential deal sending Pierce there for the number 3 pick in the draft.

[YanksHater213]

The most interesting draft rumor flying around this weekend had the Blazers and Celtics talking about a deal that would send Paul Pierce to Portland for the No. 3 pick in the draft and Nick Van Exel. Van Exel has a team option on his contract this year. That means the Celtics could trade for his $12.7 million contract, and essentially waive him without owing him a penny. In other words, the Celtics would get the draft pick and cut their cap by more than $13 million (Pierce makes a little more than Van Exel). The Celtics also have motivation to do a deal like this. Pierce is unhappy. The Celtics don't sound like they're bringing back Antoine Walker and Gary Payton (both are free agents) next season, which is only going to make matters worse with Pierce. By not re-signing Walker and Payton and by trading Pierce, the Celtics could accomplish a couple of things. First, by making the move, Boston would be around $10 million under the cap going into the summer. That would allow Ainge to be aggressive on the free agent market. The Celtics would love to have a long, athletic shot blocker like Samuel Dalembert, Tyson Chandler or Stromile Swift. They would have enough cash to be a contender for one of these players by trading Pierce. Second, the Celtics would be in a position to draft a potential superstar such as North Carolina swingman Marvin Williams or Wake Forest point guard Chris Paul. One of these two should be on the board at No. 3. They'd also retain their No. 18 pick in the draft. While making these moves would likely mean the Celtics slip a little in the standings next year, Ainge would be putting together a pretty awesome long-term foundation for the Green. Both Paul and Williams have the potential to be superstars. Al Jefferson looks like he could be an All-Star someday. Delonte West and Tony Allen also appear to have bright NBA futures. The downside of the deal is just as troubling. Ainge would be trading a proven star and scorer for potential and cap room. Given how lopsided the trades of Shaquille O'Neal, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady have looked in hindsight, you can understand the hesitation.

From ESPN Insider

 

I wouldnt mind that. As much as I have grown attached to Pierce, it just doesnt seem that he wants to be here as much with Walker and Payton probably gone. If we could get MArvin Williams or Chris Paul though, that would truly end up great, not to mention cutting all that cap. Our future would look so damn fine if we did this.

[DOrtiz4prez]

Sorry to say, it seems like the right move. The team is headed for youth. We need young players and this could satisfy the need. But who would we take? Paul, Williams? I don't feel happy with one of those 2 players when we could have Paul Pierce and a later pick in say Hakim Warrik. I'd rather have Pierce and Warrik than Chris Paul. I know in the future it will seem like the right idea but I'm not so sure how Chris will work out in the NBA.

[YanksHater213]

Paul and Marvin Williams will both be studs, no doubt about it. Think about it though. We would cut around 13 million in cap, assuming we would likely release Van Exel, and we would gain the 3rd pick and keep the first. It is widely known that Pierce doesnt really want to be on a "bad" team. But if we do this I will be hurt by the loss of Pierce, but at the same time I will be so f***ing happy knowing that we would have the NBA's youngest team pretty much, not only with a solid base for right now, nothing special, or that would get you far in the playoffs, but maybe a first round visit, but also a team just completely loaded with youth and potential.

[DOrtiz4prez]

Paul and Marvin Williams will both be studs, no doubt about it. Think about it though. We would cut around 13 million in cap, assuming we would likely release Van Exel, and we would gain the 3rd pick and keep the first. It is widely known that Pierce doesnt really want to be on a "bad" team. But if we do this I will be hurt by the loss of Pierce, but at the same time I will be so f***ing happy knowing that we would have the NBA's youngest team pretty much, not only with a solid base for right now, nothing special, or that would get you far in the playoffs, but maybe a first round visit, but also a team just completely loaded with youth and potential.

 

Yeah, but Payton and Walker won't be on our team either. Our team won't be a "good" team next year if we lose Pierce and pick up Paul then our team won't look too good on paper.

 

Chris Paul

Tony Allen

Ricky Davis

Al Jefferson

Raef LaFrentz

 

I'd rather go with Marvin Williams and get this lineup:

 

Marcus Banks

Tony Allen

Ricky Davis

Marvin Williams

Al Jefferson

 

It's short but I don't mind it... I'd much rather have Pierce in there. Couldn't we have a chance at that high school kid too? I don't remember his name, might be Wallace or something. I think he's a SG. I don't see a reason in taking a PG in Paul since we have Banks and West who are great in my eyes.

[YanksHater213]

Marvin Williams at PF wont work. He is really athletic and sure has the height to do it, but hes just not big enough. Most of these guys would mow over him no problem. Pierce in there would definitely make this team better, but I just would much rather our future be that much better. Plus with the extra 13 mil we would save by the trade, we would be able to get Dalembert, Swift, or Chandler. But from what I've been reading, A) Ainge wouldnt do the deal, and B ) Pierce wouldnt report to Portland. Oh, and the high schooler your thinking about is either Gerald Green, who is a SF or Martell Webster who is a SG.

[See Red]

I certainly wouldn't mind drafting Gerald Green if I was a team that was looking farther down the road. Everything I've read suggests he can turn into a T-Mac type player (I think Green is the one I'm thinking of, anyway). As for Paul, I'm still not too sure about him. At Wake, in terms of scoring, he seemed to be a different player every other night. 20 points one night, 5 or 6, the next.

 

Marvin Williams will be the man, out of this draft. I'm not convinced about Bogut yet... but there's no doubt in my mind that Marvin Williams has the makings of a superstar. I wouldn't count on him falling to the 3rd pick, though, if that's who the Celtics are looking at moving up for.

[DOrtiz4prez]

I certainly wouldn't mind drafting Gerald Green if I was a team that was looking farther down the road. Everything I've read suggests he can turn into a T-Mac type player (I think Green is the one I'm thinking of, anyway). As for Paul, I'm still not too sure about him. At Wake, in terms of scoring, he seemed to be a different player every other night. 20 points one night, 5 or 6, the next.

 

Marvin Williams will be the man, out of this draft. I'm not convinced about Bogut yet... but there's no doubt in my mind that Marvin Williams has the makings of a superstar. I wouldn't count on him falling to the 3rd pick, though, if that's who the Celtics are looking at moving up for.

 

Our positions are so filled up though. I don't know what to go for. Paul, Green, and Williams are all great players but I can't find a position we really NEED. We could get Paul but we have Banks and West. We could get Green but we have Davis and Allen. We could get Williams but we have Davis and Reed (who I'm not too fond of). Looks like Williams would be our best fit but then I don't know what the lineup would be. I really like Davis and I wanna see him start every game.

[YanksHater213]

Looks like we are going to be picking Roko Ukic with the 18th pick. It would be a pretty good pick - obviously not for now. Hes like a high school player. Solid, inconsistent. Good move for us because we would be able to keep him overseas for a year or two until he develops so we dont need to wait for him to develop while wasting a roster spot (see: Darko Milicic). Hes a pretty good defender, uptempo, long arms, and crashes the boards. He plays PG though which I dont see as being one of our weaknesses...

[YanksHater213]

Yeah, the draft is today. The concensus is still with Ukic, who I'm guessing we will take and leave overseas for a year. But if Korolev is still available we will probably take him, but I'm pretty sure he's got a promise with the Clippers. The only way I see us not picking Ukic though is if someone like Joey Graham (OSU), Hakim Warrick (SU), or another top player falls, which is bound to happen. Also, I've heard Ainge is madly in love with Chris Paul, the PG out of Wake, and still would want to trade up to get him for the right price.