Official NBA thread

[Hugh2]

Losing that #1 pick doesn't sit well with me at all.

 

Is that where the Nets pick was going to fall?

 

Good chance it could have been more in the 3-6 range and I'm willing to bet Irving will be much better than any player they'd get there.

 

With a little luck, they Celtics still get a top 5 pick with the LA pick.

[Hugh2]

As long as the Cavs have LeBron, they have to be considered the favorites. I still think Celtics get bounced in five or six.

 

I disagree, we didn't just land Irving, but we took him off the Cavs. This Celtics team is significantly better and the Cavs took a step back.

[cp176]

As long as the Cavs have LeBron, they have to be considered the favorites. I still think Celtics get bounced in five or six.

 

I'm looking ahead with this deal. Sooner or later Lebron is gone - eventually even if he doesn't leave Cleveland, he has to slow down. I think that this deal sets the Celtics up for years to come. Think I'll just say it - Kyrie is bigger,younger and better than It. Keeping Crowder and IT would not have moved the Cletics closer to the top. I think that this move does - now and in the future. Might even help Cleveland this year and in the long run as well.

[BstHcpr]

Is that where the Nets pick was going to fall?

 

Good chance it could have been more in the 3-6 range and I'm willing to bet Irving will be much better than any player they'd get there.

 

With a little luck, they Celtics still get a top 5 pick with the LA pick.

 

The Nets are probably better than the Pacers and the Hawks right now, and if they get some improvement from Russell, Carroll, and Crabbe they might have a punchers' chance at 30 wins. They also have no incentive to tank like some of the other cellar dwellers.

[BstHcpr]

I disagree, we didn't just land Irving, but we took him off the Cavs. This Celtics team is significantly better and the Cavs took a step back.

 

They didn't take a giant step back. IT, if healthy can still get you 20-25 PPG, and Crowder gives them another 3 and D guy. They still have a ton of shooting, and I wouldn't be surprised if Wade ends up there eventually.

 

And they still have LeBron. He's still the best player on the court by far, and the Celtics don't have anyone to guard him. Crowder didn't even come close in May.

[BstHcpr]

I'm looking ahead with this deal. Sooner or later Lebron is gone - eventually even if he doesn't leave Cleveland, he has to slow down. I think that this deal sets the Celtics up for years to come. Think I'll just say it - Kyrie is bigger,younger and better than It. Keeping Crowder and IT would not have moved the Cletics closer to the top. I think that this move does - now and in the future. Might even help Cleveland this year and in the long run as well.

 

I agree. I think LeBron is good as gone, unless the Cavs miraculously go get Anthony Davis, or some other star.

[Emp9]

You'll get over it when Kyrie Irving is dropping 35 a night.

 

That's possible.

[Emp9]

Is that where the Nets pick was going to fall?

 

Good chance it could have been more in the 3-6 range and I'm willing to bet Irving will be much better than any player they'd get there.

 

With a little luck, they Celtics still get a top 5 pick with the LA pick.

 

Good chance it's 1-3 but, i can see why they felt compelled given IT's recent injury to make this trade. I not gonna bitch about it too much. I like the way this team, especially the starters, are shaping up.

[cp176]

Good chance it's 1-3 but, i can see why they felt compelled given IT's recent injury to make this trade. I not gonna bitch about it too much. I like the way this team, especially the starters, are shaping up.

 

If you are Celtics fan and maybe even a Red Sox fan, I think that it always tough to see good players - good team players - leave. I agree with "best handicapper" though that Crowder could not guard James - no one really can. With him gone, there is a clear avenue for Brown who really did look good this summer. Good as in ready now. This move also might allow for Tatum to get the needed minutes to progress as well. IT has good years ahead of him for sure I just could not see him getting the max contract that he is going to want. I also think that Irving is just better overall.

[Hugh2]

The pick you give up your hope would have been you get lucky enough to draft a player like Irving. You get him now and don't have to develop him for several years, and the BK pick could easily be 5-8 this year. I love Isiah Thomas, but I'd be fairly comfortable wagering that he will never be as good as he was last year. I don't think he will be worth a max contract, although he has earned it and that brew a troubled scenario when you factor in his size, age, and injuries. You get Irving in his prime, and you can make a good case at extending him. I'd take Irving over the next 4 year any day opposed to IT.

 

Yes we gave up a lot, but you have to give up a lot to get a guy like Irving. We still have Tatum, and Brown, and we still have some more draft assets that could pan out pretty well too. This team is still set up good for the future, but they will be able to compete now as well.

[Thunder]

As a Thunder fan (not related to the username), I have no dog in this fight, but I'm just in total shock. I think both teams will be exponentially better, assuming the Celtics can re-sign Kyrie when his contract is up and assuming LeBron doesn't leave Cleveland after this year (which I highly doubt he'll do). But, man, watching IT in Boston this past year was so entertaining. I feel for the Celtics fans, especially the young ones, who fell in love with IT this past season, but I understand the motivation for trading him, the whole uncertainty thing about his hip injury.

[cp176]

As a Thunder fan (not related to the username), I have no dog in this fight, but I'm just in total shock. I think both teams will be exponentially better, assuming the Celtics can re-sign Kyrie when his contract is up and assuming LeBron doesn't leave Cleveland after this year (which I highly doubt he'll do). But, man, watching IT in Boston this past year was so entertaining. I feel for the Celtics fans, especially the young ones, who fell in love with IT this past season, but I understand the motivation for trading him, the whole uncertainty thing about his hip injury.

 

nice post thunder and I agree about IT. Without him this year, the Celtics don't get to where they got. I think that we will all be surprised and impressed watching Irving game in and game out. he is at the top of the point guard food chain.

[Jasonbay44]

Cavs are absolutely still the favorites. They still have the best player in the league, teamed up with IT and Love, and great role players. Plus its safe to assume they aren't done yet. I have a feeling that Brooklyn pick will be used as trade bait to acquire another star (Melo, Cousins, etc, someone along those lines).

[Thunder]

Cavs are absolutely still the favorites. They still have the best player in the league, teamed up with IT and Love, and great role players. Plus its safe to assume they aren't done yet. I have a feeling that Brooklyn pick will be used as trade bait to acquire another star (Melo, Cousins, etc, someone along those lines).

 

I don't know about that pick. As long as it's in the top two or three, I think they'll hold onto it. This is one of the better draft classes in recent years.

[Spudboy]

Cavs did get the better in the deal. Short term anyways.

 

I can't see them trading that pick.

 

The Celt's roster is much different having lost 11 of 15 from last seasons playoff team.

 

They have a long way to go to being a cohesive unit. I don't expect the best from them for the first 30-40 games.

[Hugh2]

I love IT but I'd make this trade over and over and over and over again.

[cp176]

I love IT but I'd make this trade over and over and over and over again.

 

I'll be going down for the first time in years. I think that they will be good right out of the gate. i also think that people are going to be surprised by the quality that comes off the bench. This year's team will not be just about the irving and Hayward deals. They stock piled a few big strong bodies that will be better than what they had last year. I don't think that the bench rebuild is quite done just yet either.

[Spudboy]

I'll be going down for the first time in years. I think that they will be good right out of the gate. i also think that people are going to be surprised by the quality that comes off the bench. This year's team will not be just about the irving and Hayward deals. They stock piled a few big strong bodies that will be better than what they had last year. I don't think that the bench rebuild is quite done just yet either.

 

Hmm. They have 14 guaranteed contracts.

 

But I agree. I don't think that Danny is done just yet.

[BstHcpr]

They still have the Grizzlies, Clippers, and their own pick on top of that Kings/Lakers pick. They can go get another impact player if they wanted to.

[cp176]

Hmm. They have 14 guaranteed contracts.

 

But I agree. I don't think that Danny is done just yet.

 

I heard talk about them possibly trying to sign Tony Allen. I would love to see him back in Celtic green!

[Hugh2]

I'll be going down for the first time in years. I think that they will be good right out of the gate. i also think that people are going to be surprised by the quality that comes off the bench. This year's team will not be just about the irving and Hayward deals. They stock piled a few big strong bodies that will be better than what they had last year. I don't think that the bench rebuild is quite done just yet either.

 

I definitely think this team will be exciting to watch next year. I think they overachieved a bit last year in that they were the #1 seed but obviously weren't the #1 team in the east. They might take a step back in the wins column this year but I think this team has more upside and a legit shot at knocking off the Cavs. Perhaps saying they have passed them is premature but they have the legit star power to compete now. Competing against GS....now that is a different story. I think they are still a few years away from GS unless Brown take a big step forward or Tatum is a star out the gate and even then I'm not sure that will be enough.

[Spudboy]

I heard talk about them possibly trying to sign Tony Allen. I would love to see him back in Celtic green!

 

That guy is remarkable. I can't believe he is still playing. He had great talent the night I was at the Garden when he came down from a dunk and blew his knee out.

[BstHcpr]

I definitely think this team will be exciting to watch next year. I think they overachieved a bit last year in that they were the #1 seed but obviously weren't the #1 team in the east. They might take a step back in the wins column this year but I think this team has more upside and a legit shot at knocking off the Cavs. Perhaps saying they have passed them is premature but they have the legit star power to compete now. Competing against GS....now that is a different story. I think they are still a few years away from GS unless Brown take a big step forward or Tatum is a star out the gate and even then I'm not sure that will be enough.

 

Don't underestimate how terrible the East is. The Celtics could easily win 55-60 games.

[Jasonbay44]

Wow - Breaking news. Apparently Cavaliers are considering backing out of the deal after reviewing the IT's hip injury as they don't think he can pass the physical and they believe it is much worse than being reported.

[cp176]

Wow - Breaking news. Apparently Cavaliers are considering backing out of the deal after reviewing the IT's hip injury as they don't think he can pass the physical and they believe it is much worse than being reported.

 

Just saw that - ouch

[BstHcpr]

They probably will ask for another pick.

[Spudboy]

This was bound to happen.

 

What a cluster f***.

[cp176]

blasted (really blasted!)by Baltimore

Edelman injured

trade in trouble

 

tough day for us

[cp176]

just saw the news conference where Kyrie and Gordon were introduced as Celtics. Very much worth the watch. Two bright guys who sound like they really get it.

[Spudboy]

just saw the news conference where Kyrie and Gordon were introduced as Celtics. Very much worth the watch. Two bright guys who sound like they really get it.

 

And both were articulate!