chances KO and Sully will start for next season?

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Judging Kelly for his career (next season even) based on what he did this season and say it like he can never get better is crazy.

Sully can handle opposing bigs just fine when he finally gets his chance to work on his game (hopefully with a renewed mindset).


Our guards can be some of the best at their positions. They will need to step it up.


We may not be great defensively but our offense will be unstoppable! We will be solid on defense and let the offense pick up the slack. We will also hold our own on the glass.


I don't think we will do it but I sure hope we give it a chance.

[hwangjini_1]

Last years stats would seem to predict differently on the celtics potential for offense and defense.

http://www.oddsshark.com/nba/defensive-stats

Last year the celtics were near the very bottom offensively in almost every category, which really showed during those many fourth quarter meltdowns. They were near the bottom in almost every offensive stat I found. but then, many of us here predicted this team would be pretty malodorous before the season. No surprises when green is the number one scoring option, followed by Bradley.

On defense, while not setting the league on fire, they were slightly above average or average in many categories. My complements to Stevens here.

The celtics are not simply a player away from contending. by now, we should all know that before heading into next year.

Unless ainge performs miracles this summer, the celtics are probably lottery bound once more -though in the east, anything is possible I suppose.

Given this, why not play sully and olly together? Their defense, short history says, wont be abysmal. Offensively they are both capable of putting up big numbers, something this team needs very much.

[PhoSita]

I also hate getting bullied, out muscled - I want "us" to be the ones putting a hurt on teams - make them adjust to us...

I agree with this sentiment, but starting Vitor Faverani is not going to accomplish that.

Neither, unfortunately, is getting Asik.  Omer can be a very solid defensive anchor and rebounder, but he's not going to change the identity of your team in the paint.

[BleedGreen1989]

I also hate getting bullied, out muscled - I want "us" to be the ones putting a hurt on teams - make them adjust to us...

I agree with this sentiment, but starting Vitor Faverani is not going to accomplish that.

Neither, unfortunately, is getting Asik.  Omer can be a very solid defensive anchor and rebounder, but he's not going to change the identity of your team in the paint.

Meh, I disagree. Getting a defensive anchor (Asik, Sanders, ect) is certainly going to change your team in the paint.

[saltlover]

Last years stats would seem to predict differently on the celtics potential for offense and defense.

http://www.oddsshark.com/nba/defensive-stats

Last year the celtics were near the very bottom offensively in almost every category, which really showed during those many fourth quarter meltdowns. They were near the bottom in almost every offensive stat I found. but then, many of us here predicted this team would be pretty malodorous before the season. No surprises when green is the number one scoring option, followed by Bradley.

On defense, while not setting the league on fire, they were slightly above average or average in many categories. My complements to Stevens here.

The celtics are not simply a player away from contending. by now, we should all know that before heading into next year.

Unless ainge performs miracles this summer, the celtics are probably lottery bound once more -though in the east, anything is possible I suppose.

Given this, why not play sully and olly together? Their defense, short history says, wont be abysmal. Offensively they are both capable of putting up big numbers, something this team needs very much.

I agree we're definitely more than a player away.  Still, it depends what happens in the offseason, even if Ainge only gets one player, and not the 2-3 we need.

Sully and Oly played a fair bit together last year.  And the team performed well when they were on the court together.  I think one reason Sully got moved to the bench at the end of the year was to pair him more wth Oly.  Stevens said from the get-go that how you play with certain combinations is as much of a factor as whether or not you start as other things.

That said, I think both Sullinger and Olynyk would see their games benefit from playing with a true center, and just because we're not a championship team if we only get Asik does not a) mean we'd not be a better team with Asik, and b) mean that Sullinger and/or Olynyk shouldn't be paired with Asik on the court a lot.  That doesn't mean that Sully-Olynyk still won't be a combo at some points -- they showed themselves to be an effective pairing.  But just because the Celtics can't get the three pieces they need this off-season doesn't mean they shouldn't try to get at least one, and that they should use that one to their fullest collective potential.

[PhoSita]

I also hate getting bullied, out muscled - I want "us" to be the ones putting a hurt on teams - make them adjust to us...

I agree with this sentiment, but starting Vitor Faverani is not going to accomplish that.

Neither, unfortunately, is getting Asik.  Omer can be a very solid defensive anchor and rebounder, but he's not going to change the identity of your team in the paint.

Meh, I disagree. Getting a defensive anchor (Asik, Sanders, ect) is certainly going to change your team in the paint.

Would you say the Rockets were a team that bullied opponents in the paint when Asik was starting full time?

Getting Asik would improve the rim protection quite a bit, there's no doubt about that.  But to actually be a bruising / bullying team down low you need a center with size who has presence on both ends.

[SHAQATTACK]

Asik might not be the final answer for a Celtics contender at the five.

But he is at least a start ....a legit center...with El Hombre as his backup .....it's something to build on.  Asik and Embiid would better start to build on.

Good big men who can play the five are still clung to by teams lucky enough to have them .

There always seem to be 3 or 4 decent guards in the draft every year.

Seven foot center that can start and defend are rare as hens teeth.

[ScoobyDoo]

Hi Phosita, agreed regarding Asik - he is not an enforcer.

Here's how I see it.

1. If somehow Embiid is available and his back is 100%, we take him.
2. I think that is highly unlikely scenario

3. I think getting Asik is imminently more likely. If we want him, we certainly have the assets to get him (expiring contracts & picks,,,) I think Houston desperately wants cap space - I would if I were them.

Asik is not a bully but he is a legit 7 foot defensive presence. I also think Faverani has no fear of throwing his weight around in the paint -he plays a pretty aggressive, physical style.  Iverson, who I really hope we bring back as a 3rd string center for cheap is  a flat out enforcer - you might as well give him a hockey mask...

But the real bull in the China closet is Sulllinger - unusual combination of real strength, finesse and perhaps most importantly, nastiness. Then either Bass or Humphries along  with Olynyk with a few pounds added?

Not many teams are going to be tossing us around - at all.

That would be a great combination of length, muscle and real skill in your bigs rotation.

I'd be "very" comfortable heading into next season with that lineup.

I'd focus my picks and other signings on a great wing and guys who can score.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Asik might not be the final answer for a Celtics contender at the five.

But he is at least a start ....a legit center...with El Hombre as his backup .....it's something to build on.  Asik and Embiid would better start to build on.

Good big men who can play the five are still clung to by teams lucky enough to have them .

There always seem to be 3 or 4 decent guards in the draft every year.

Seven foot center that can start and defend are rare as hens teeth.

hmmnnnnn