My basketball soul is tortured with guilt. I need absolution through confession.
1. Forgive me Celtics Blog forum, because I have sinned. I don't think Kristaps Porzingis is that good. I mean, don't get me wrong, he's good. He's a fine player, but every time I hear people assume he is a top 10 player, or even a top 20 player, I cringe a bit. I guess I just want my 7'3'' center to average more than 6.7 rebounds a game. He's Andrea Bargnani-strong, but I don't think that's a compliment. He is a ball stopper and does not create shots for others. I'm also terrified that he is going to start getting stress fractures in his feet.
He's still got a ways to go before he's a true superstar, but he's carrying a bad team to wins, and that's the first sign that a guy has "it." He can shoot over anybody in the league, can take any traditional big man off the dribble, blocks shots, and has shown some playmaking potential. He's going to be really good, I think, but he still has work to do.
2. Forgive me Celtics Blog forum, because I have sinned. I don't want Anthony Davis. I mean I do want him, but I don't. I don't think he is a good team defender. I don't think he moves the ball well. I don't think he is good at creating for others. I don't think he is tough. I think he is a bit of a prima donna. I don't want to pay what it would cost to get him.
The injuries are the biggest thing for me.
I would say, though, that I felt many of the same things about Kyrie Irving before he put on a Celtics uniform. Turns out that playing for Brad Stevens makes a big difference. Also, it's much easier to appreciate what a player is good at when they're wearing your hometown colors.
3. Forgive me Celtics Blog forum, because I have sinned. Lebron James deserves the MVP this season, as well as each of the last 3-4. He doesn't have a killer instinct, but he's still unbelievable. I hate the Cavs, but secretly enjoy watching James prop up and orchestrate an amazing offensive machine out of spare parts. I always cheer against him, but I secretly enjoy watching him play.
We can argue endlessly about what it means to be "MVP." I just don't think LeBron's teams have been good enough the last few years, and he hasn't given a consistent enough effort on both ends, for him to be at the top of the list in that conversation for me. He largely saves himself for the playoffs, except when he can't afford to do so, which you could probably say is the case so far this year.
The Rockets are better than the Cavs, though, and I think Harden's offensive impact is even greater than LeBron's. Once again, the top 3 offensive teams in the league are Golden State, Houston, and Cleveland. Golden State has Curry and Durant, who mostly cancel each other out in this conversation (though Durant could surge forward with Curry missing time).
I would say it's Harden, just like it should have been Harden last year.
4. Forgive me Celtics Blog forum, because I have sinned. I'm glad we traded away Avery Bradley. I don't think you can win a championship with him as your 1st-4th best player. He's too inconsistent. I loved the highlights. I love the big shots. He was great and all, but I'm glad I don't need to cheer for him anymore -- it was too frustrating.
Avery was just too small for me, and too much of his offense was comprised of pull-up jumpers. He's a solid starting shooting guard, but I think his defensive impact is hugely overrated because he's a shooting guard who can only really make a defensive impact playing on-ball against point guards.
5. Forgive me Celtics Blog forum, because I have sinned. The rookie I enjoy watching the most this year is not Jayson Tatum. I love the kid, but I don't get excited to watch him play. I really enjoy watching our other 3 rookies play more. I love Ojeyle's athleticism. I love watching offensive players try to back him down and bounce off of him. I love seeing his confidence develop. I love his nasty attitude. I love watching Theis play. He's playing himself into an 8 figure contract after this 6 figure contract runs out. He's a great team defender and very skilled offensive player. If he gets into rhythm with shooting and stops fouling, he'd be unbelievable. The rookie I get most excited to see is Yabusele. His game last night offensively was great. He swung the ball side to side, shot with confidence, and set great screens. I think he could be an All-star.
I really don't see it with Yabu, to be honest. He's another Glen Davis / Jared Sullinger type guy if you ask me, and he may not even be as productive as they were. We'll see.
I like Theis quite a bit, but I don't find him "exciting" in the sense that Jayson is, because despite being a rookie he's an established pro. I look at him like a veteran minimum signing. Really great find by Danny.
As for Ojeleye, it's nice to see him play solid defense and hit shots, but if he's playing more than 10-15 minutes a night something has gone wrong.
6. Forgive me Celtics Blog forum, for I have sinned. I still think Marcus Smart has All-star potential. Everything would have to break right, and its probably not going to happen playing for the Celtics. I see all his offensive problems as problems with his rhythm and confidence, not his skill, IQ, or athleticism.
I suppose he could put up better counting stats on a bad team. I think he pretty much is what he is offensively at this point, except for that he continues to grow and mature as a ballhandler and playmaker, especially out of the pick and roll.
Personally I hope he stays in Boston another 4-5 years in his current sixth man role. I think that's the role in which he's going to have the biggest impact on winning for any team, but especially the Celts.
7. Finally, forgive me Celtics Blog forum, for I have sinned. I think we can win the championship this year. We all probably have those thoughts, but most of us are reluctant to voice them. I think Irving-Hayward is a better backcourt than Curry-Thompson. I think Horford is better than Green. Durant is better than Tatum, but Brown-Smart-Rozier-Theis-Baynes-Ojeyle-Yabusele 4-11 is better than Igoudala-Livingston-McGee-Pachulia-Looney-McCaw-Young-Casspi 4-11.
Don't agree about Irving Hayward vs Curry Thompson (plus Gordon isn't a guard), but they have a chance of being better over the course of a series.
I would say that the Celts have a small chance of winning the championship, but only if they manage to get through the East without any injuries and face off against a Warriors team missing either Curry or Durant and with a limiting injury to one of the other key guys (e.g. Draymond, Iggy, or Klay), or against a Rockets team missing Chris Paul or Eric Gordon.
Topic: Confessions of a Basketball Soul (Read 1340 times)