Is Tyler Zeller just there for the jump ball?

[Chief Macho]

i saw bill simmons tweet about a Zeller and AB for Noah deal.   I think i'd do something like this.  Zeller doesn't seem to be helping here.

[PhoSita]

I like Joakim Noah, but I don't think he's the guy we need, not at this point in his career.

The Celts lack a standout paint defender, yes, but more than anything they struggle to score.

Joakim Noah is in a similar stage of his career as Andrew Bogut, now.  He's a designated hitter.  Keeps the ball moving and extends possessions sometimes on offense, and he can mostly finish open looks in the paint.  But he's not going to really help your team score.  He's all defense and rebounding.


What the Celtics need is more two-way players, not to add another guy who only helps on one side of the floor.

[PhoSita]

Is KO really better at this point than Zeller? I think Zeller suffers from not having a better passers to play with. He seemed like he was at his best when we still had Rondo.

I remember thinking last year that Zeller would struggle after the team traded Rondo, but he actually had plenty of good games in the second half of the season. 

Last year, Zeller shared the floor a lot with either Sullinger or Bass, and sometimes Crowder, at the 4.  Those guys provide a lot more floor spacing than David Lee.  It also seems like when the team relies on Lee for playmaking, it's the guards who end up receiving passes more often than Zeller. 

Zeller is a rim runner who will thrive when he's used as the roll man in a pick and roll, ideally with shooters spread out around it.  There aren't many opportunities for that play to happen in our starting lineup right now.

[kozlodoev]

I like Joakim Noah, but I don't think he's the guy we need, not at this point in his career.

The Celts lack a standout paint defender, yes, but more than anything they struggle to score.

Joakim Noah is in a similar stage of his career as Andrew Bogut, now.  He's a designated hitter.  Keeps the ball moving and extends possessions sometimes on offense, and he can mostly finish open looks in the paint.  But he's not going to really help your team score.  He's all defense and rebounding.


What the Celtics need is more two-way players, not to add another guy who only helps on one side of the floor.

Noah is pretty cooked -- but may still be better than Zeller. However, I don't think we need another defensive-minded player who's a garbage man on the offense.

[Evantime34]

I like Joakim Noah, but I don't think he's the guy we need, not at this point in his career.

The Celts lack a standout paint defender, yes, but more than anything they struggle to score.

Joakim Noah is in a similar stage of his career as Andrew Bogut, now.  He's a designated hitter.  Keeps the ball moving and extends possessions sometimes on offense, and he can mostly finish open looks in the paint.  But he's not going to really help your team score.  He's all defense and rebounding.


What the Celtics need is more two-way players, not to add another guy who only helps on one side of the floor.

I think he would be an upgrade from the big's we currently have, but I would not give anyone up who probably will be on the team long term.

So if the Bulls would do Zeller and 2 2nds for Noah, or Zeller, Turner and a 2nd for Noah I would be all for it. If we have to include a guy like Bradley, who is signed for small money long term I wouldn't do that.

[Chief Macho]

To be fair,  I think Simmons was doing it for the expiring contract. 

[PhoSita]

To be fair,  I think Simmons was doing it for the expiring contract.

Meh.  We've got lots of those.  We will already have tonnnnnnssss of cap space next summer.  I don't see a need to angle for more.  I won't be surprised if the Celts are near the salary floor after next summer.  Just not enough guys to use that money on.



As for Zeller, Bill Sy on the front page did a really good job explaining (and illustrating) what I'm talking about with spacing:

http://www.celticsblog.com/2015/11/4/9666408/boston-celtics-big-man-rotation-starting-lineup

[JBcat]

What if the Hornets are pretty much out of the playoff race in 2 or 3 months do you think they would trade the expiring of Al Jefferson?

Maybe trade Lee (to match salaries) and a lottery protected pick for Jefferson for the second half of the season. 

See how the new lineup looks with Jefferson and if good try to re-sign him next summer.

It would sort of be like our Thomas trade this year.

[PhoSita]

What if the Hornets are pretty much out of the playoff race in 2 or 3 months do you think they would trade the expiring of Al Jefferson?

Interesting idea, though I'm a little bit worried that Big Al might not have much left in the tank.  Seems like he's in the middle of a rapid decline.

[LilRip]

so Zeller didn't start tonight. Anybody notice we lost the opening tip? that possession could've decided the game. c'mon Brad Stevens!!