Full video of Danny's press conference + analysis

[greece66]

O'Connor: //Ainge says the Celtics want a scorer that...

Shines in the fourth quarter.
Plays a position other than point guard.
Excels outside of the system.
The Celtics have already acquired players who fit the "clutch" criteria: they drafted Marcus Smart and James Young, who both shined in big moments in college, and they traded for Isaiah Thomas, one of the league's most lethal late-game scorers.

Looking ahead to the offseason, which non-point guards also fit that description? Here are some of the "realistic" free agent targets:
SG/SF
Danny Green
Tobias Harris
Wesley Matthews
Khris Middleton
PF/C
Marc Gasol
La Marcus Aldridge
Kevin Love
Many speculate the Celtics will go after restricted free agents Tobias Harris or Khris Middleton, but Harris fares significantly better late in the fourth quarter and overtime, since his eFG% increases by 2.8%. On the contrary, Middleton's plunges by 7.8%.

This is somewhat surprising, since most of Middleton's game is based on spot up shooting, whereas Harris is asked to create off the dribble. But even in the fourth, Harris shoots three-pointers 3.3% better than Middleton (38.3% to 35%).//

Video and rest of the analysis here: http://www.celticsblog.com/2015/4/30/8525253/danny-ainge-says-the-boston-celtics-want-players-with-a-knack-for-scoring-late-in-games

PS I admit to some degree of confusion since this partially contradicts the original statement that we will probably go after a second-tier. But as long as the analysis is good (and O'Connor gives good numbers) I'm always eager to read.

PS2 Tobias Harris's clutch splits http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202699/stats/?Season=2014-15&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&Split=clutch&PerMode=Totals

[LarBrd33]

This will be one of the most interesting offseasons of Ainge's career.  I'm glad he's in charge.  He'll do what he can.  This could be HUGE or we could strike out again.  This is a pivotal moment for the Celtics' future.

Also... the reports that we'll go after second-tier free agents is kinda being taken out of context a bit.  Obviously, the first priority will be to target first-tier free agents like Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, etc.   Those are long-shot options.  Assuming we fail at that, we'll probably try to overpay second-tier free agents.   It's in our best interest to get some real talent in here before the cap skyrockets.  It will be easier for us to target talent in 2016 and 2017 if we already  have a playoff foundation in place.  We don't have that right now.  This team overachieved to 40 wins and standing pat probably gets us a trip to the lotto next season.

[chambers]

You da man greece!
TP

[Celtics4ever]

Harris has nice size for a SF, at 6-9!