MANNYHOF24

s***, forgot about this thread.

I can't believe it's time to start another NBA season, and I can't believe that this Celtic team has found a way to re-stack itself into what I consider a strong contender for an NBA title this season. Let's take a look. Kevin Garnett- C Kg is coming off his best year since 2007-2008, he is another year older and he is always at risk for another injury. If KG can harness what he did from the all-star break on last year, the Celtics are going to be a force to be reckoned with. Jerod Sullinger/Brandon Bass - PF Sullinger has looked extremely promising for a rookie in preseason games. He has excellent basketball instincts, especially around the basket. Very athletic, gives the celtics some great versatility compared what they had last year. Brandon Bass is back, which I think is a positive thing. I think sometimes he can put his head down to much and be way to shoot happy, but when he is on he is a great force in the lineup. I expect that he and sullinger will make the celtics very solid at the PF spot. Paul Pierce - SF As with KG, another year closer to the end but that doesn't mean he can't still bring it. With Jeff Green coming back, I expect Pierce to play less minutes, and be able to bring it at the same level due to the decreased amount of minutes. Hell, he might even be more effective on the court if they are able to limit him to 27-30 minutes a game. It did wonders for KG last season. Paul has to be a scoring/defensive force for the Celtics to be legit title contenders this season. I expect 17 PPG, 29.5 MPG, 5 RPG. Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, Avery Bradely, Wow, we lost Ray Allen- but honestly who cares? When Bradley comes back in late December doc is going to have a lot of talent at his disposal. I think trading for Courtney Lee was a great move, he adds great intangables, solid deep shooting (40% from 3 last year) and he is only 26. Great move, he is no Ray Allen, but honestly Ray Allen is no Ray Allen anymore. The one thing that is going to be missed about Ray, is that he always made the big shot. Hopefully one of these guys can step into that role. Jeff Green after coming off heart surgery has looked awesome in the preseason. Creating offense, showing great athletic ability, and he is a solid shooter as well. I see him playing 30 minutes a game at the 2 and 3, and being in the game during crunch time. Jeff is only 24, so I believe he will be a great player to build around. If Avery Bradley can come back healthy, we have a defensive stopper. He also showed the ability to score the ball late last season, which allowed him to take over for Ray as the year went along. He is also only 22 years old, expect great improvement from him every game as he continues to develop. Rajon Rondo- PG Rondo has matured and continues to put himself in the conversation for who the best PG in the league is. It also seems like he has taken on a major leadership role with the team, and has put the days where the coaches and FO would get ticked off at him in the past. When Rondo is at the top of his game, the celtics are almost unbeatable. At 26 years old, he is the leader of the celtics present and future. Should be fun to watch as always. Other parts- Jason Terry- provides instant offense off the bench. I think this guy has the ability to make the big shot when called upon. At 34 how much does he have in the tank? Who knows, but he looked pretty good in the preseason. Darko Milicic- This guy defines the word disappointing- however, in the right role motivated by the players around him I think he can be a solid role player. He is big, active and has some nice moves near the basket. Look for Darko to be a positive presence when he enters the game. Overall I think the celtics are an improved squad from a team that went to game 7 of the eastern conference finals. Pierce and Garnett have to stay healthy for us to contend, but if DOC can manage the minutes correctly I think this team is going to be fun to watch and could very well be playing for the title in June. I think the key is going to be how much the influx of youthful back court players will pump energy into this team, energy this team clearly needed after watching them play the last few seasons. I predict a very solid 58-24 record and a 2 seed in the playoffs. It will be another heat/celtics ECF if everyone stays healthy and things go according to plan.

Honestly, the team was about a .500 most of the season. I don't think the 69-93 record truly represents the talent level of the team. Ortiz will be back healthy, Ellsbury will have an off-season to strengthen the shoulder, hopefully Buchholz and Lester will get their heads screwed on straight. Lackey could be a dark horse next season, if he can regain what he was in 2009 the Red Sox could have a very good staff next year. IMO, if the Red Sox Sign a 1B (Youk Perhaps) Sigh an OF (say we get Lind in the trade for Farrell) Re-sign Ortiz and Ross Sign a # 2 starter (for shits and giggles say Jake Peavy) This is what the sox are looking like Ellsbury-CF Pedroia-2B Middlebrooks-3B Ortiz-DH Youk-1B Ross-RF Lind/Swisher-LF C-Lavs/Salty SS-Iggy/Stephen Drew?? That lineup doesn't suck and if it remained healthy probably would be a top offense in the AL. No how about pitching. Let's say that Lester and Buchholz regain form and Lackey is healthy next year and we sign a solid number 2/3 type guy. Buchholz Lester Peavy Lackey Doubront/Morales Honestly, IMO if things swing right we could be a playoff team next year, especially with how brittle the Yankees looked at the end of this season.

What about signing Youkilis to a 2 year 12 million dollar deal to play 1B? I honestly think with Bobby gone he would consider coming back here, and it might not be a bad 2 year investment. I know the guy is on a complete down swing, but at 34 there is still a chance that he could be a really solid player for us, and help fill a hole at first base for a few years while we search for a more long term option.

Mike had the 4th lowest OPS of starting SS in the AL. 6/12 SS had OPS's over .700. http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=ss&stats=bat&lg=al&qual=y&type=1&season=2012&month=0&season1=2012&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=9,d

.663 ops

This honestly doesn't bother me... Aviles was clearly not part of the future of this team. He is a bellow average player.

If Farrell can help Lester and buchholz regain their form, this will be a successful move.

Is it weird to anyone else how dead the Yankee crowd is? I mean they are fighting for a division title.

Yeah, your right... They probably would have considered that going into last season. What about Doubie, Bogaerts Bradley? Sign Lester to a extension if he comes back in better shape next season?

So for Starters: Felix Hernadez Clay Buchholz Jake Peavy John Lackey De La Ross/Other Rookie option maybe Webster?? More to come....

Lester, Ellsbury and Doubront for King Felix? If I were the Mariners I would do that.

Get creative but be realistic, what will the roster look like on opening day? I'm gonna think about this and post mine later.

I wasn't really being serious. But... What if he pitches well for the rest of the season, do you then consider it? Bring him back to be the 5th starter? At that point he would probably command more money then should be spent on him.

Are we about to go on a 29-5 tear to finish the season at 90 wins, and get the last playoff spot?

DiceK has a lively fastball today. 2 year 4 million dollars extension?

This is a f***ing great trade for the red sox

Nice move, now we can put Morales back in the Rotation.... Buchholz Lester Beckett Doubie Morales Not bad.

Haha... total face palm moment. Maybe it's because I hate the Red Sox so much right now.

Whose the say the angels even wanted him? That's a weak argument... Just because we hate the Red Sox doesn't mean everyone else has to.

Why the guy has played on s***** teams since 2003. He wants a chance to win, can you blame him?

It's actually been pretty watchable so far.

Pulling Morales from the starting rotation was a mistake.

It's almost like I want this team to get crushed right now because I hate it so much... What has happened to the group I loved so much five years ago when we won? Has it really been that long. f***.

Middlebrooks hasn't been the same player since Mid-June... but that's to be expected I guess..