Confidence in Celtics Future

[manl_lui]

So I had this discussion with a friend of mine yesterday. Ever since KG moved to center and the emergence of Bradley gave me more confidence in the future. Our season has been plagued by injuries in JO, Wilcox, and Green.

Also, I would like to point out Stiesma is turning out to be quite a role player coming off the bench. So we can possibly re-sign him for cheap.

With Ray Ray and KG become UFA, what if we can sign both back for cheaper salaries (Though Ray Ray returning is not likely, but I sure hope he comes back). However, because of his ankle injuries and needing surgery, some teams might back off.

Our lineup will be

1st Unit
Rondo
Bradley
Pierce
Bass
KG

2nd Unit
Ray Allen/Pietrus
Jeff Green
Stiesma

I think we just need to find a backup point guard and a power forward/center and I think we can still be contenders. Possibly a power forward than can start and move Bass back to the bench and we can have more firepower.

D-Rose won't be back 100% next year after tearing his ACL, and the Heat might reload as well. The Pacers, Knicks and 76ers might be a problem in the future, but I think if Danny Ainge makes some good moves in the offseason we can still compete with this current starting lineup.

[drax]

I would add JJJ to that future plans. He didnt get much time to show whats in him, but with a full training camp and if he adds some weight, i truely belive he'll be at least a good roleplayer.

[ManUp]

That's more like confidence in next year than in the future. How long do you expect a team built with Pierce and Garnett as major pieces to remain competitive? My perspective on our future depends mainly on our ability to remain flexible with our cap until we can land a top level player.

My hope for next year is that we resign our guys (Garnett, Allen, Bass, Wilcox, Stiemsma) to one year contracts. Then draft a couple of players with relatively high upside that might be able to contribute in minor roles (rebounding, defending, shooting, etc) and throw them on the court to eat minutes, learn and develop. The idea would be to preserve our guys for the play-offs, seeding is irrelevant, while developing players for the future. If we play our cards right we don't get crippled by injuries and maybe get surprised with a solid rookie contributor, or two.

[Geo123]

So I had this discussion with a friend of mine yesterday. Ever since KG moved to center and the emergence of Bradley gave me more confidence in the future. Our season has been plagued by injuries in JO, Wilcox, and Green.

Also, I would like to point out Stiesma is turning out to be quite a role player coming off the bench. So we can possibly re-sign him for cheap.

With Ray Ray and KG become UFA, what if we can sign both back for cheaper salaries (Though Ray Ray returning is not likely, but I sure hope he comes back). However, because of his ankle injuries and needing surgery, some teams might back off.

Our lineup will be

1st Unit
Rondo
Bradley
Pierce
Bass
KG

2nd Unit
Ray Allen/Pietrus
Jeff Green
Stiesma

I think we just need to find a backup point guard and a power forward/center and I think we can still be contenders. Possibly a power forward than can start and move Bass back to the bench and we can have more firepower.

D-Rose won't be back 100% next year after tearing his ACL, and the Heat might reload as well. The Pacers, Knicks and 76ers might be a problem in the future, but I think if Danny Ainge makes some good moves in the offseason we can still compete with this current starting lineup.

Bass won't be back (he'll opt out because he wants a 3 or 4 year deal which we won't give).  Plus I don't see much of a  chance Ray comes back.  Another contender will offer him more than a 1 year deal (which we won't). 

In my mind we need a young veteran big who can rebound.  Bass when he's hitting jump shots is an asset but when he's not he's a liability.  He doesn't rebound well and really doesn't have a post up game...