Who's available that we can get at C

[Jvalin]

Big guys combine for 18 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 6 blocks.

Celtics strong forum "Why don't we have a superstar at every position!"

Fwiw, I don't want us to have 5 alphas in the starting line up. There won't be enough shots for everybody and we'll end up a dysfunctional team, like we were last season. I do believe however that we should upgrade the Center position. Imo, we need a defensive Center who's happy to play off the ball on offense. Either a stretch 5 or a pick n roll big man like Theis, only better than Theis.

This poorly constructed team at Center beat Giannis shorthanded?  Havent you gone to great length to say we cant beat him the way this team is built?

Of course we can beat them. Would we be the favorites to beat them in a best-of-seven series? I don't think we would.

Would we be the favorites if we had a guy like Myles Turner? Can't tell for sure, but I believe that we would have a better chance.

Btw, you really think a 6'6'' guy is the answer to Giannis?

are you referring to Semi guarding Giannis?  I think Semi, along with good team defense can do a good enough job to give us a chance to win.  Will Giannis still be the best player in the series.  Sure.  But he wont overwhelm us.

And no ones saying we would be the favorite in a 7 game series against the Bucks.  Im saying we would have a better chance than people are giving us credit for

Well, we agree to disagree. I believe Giannis would eat Semi alive, but I respect your point of view. Hopefully you are right and Semi ends up being a major contributor come playoffs time.

Personally speaking, I really hope that Danny makes a move for a Center either via trade or via the buyout market (Tristan Thompson + Derrick Favors come to my mind).

[droopdog7]

Starting in Game 3, Leonard has taken on the bulk of the assigment. After guarding him just 13% of the time over the first two games of the series, drawing the assignment fewer times than both Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka, Leonard has been the primary defender guarding Antetokounmpo on 47% of possessions.

https://ca.nba.com/news/nba-playoffs-2019-kawhi-leonards-defense-on-giannis-antetokounmpo-has-changed-the-series-eastern-conference-finals/yjy605u7nlai1ie63rx33qthz

Kawhi guarding him on 47% of possesions changed the series.  With Siakim and Ibaka following.

But this guy will have us trading Marcus Smart because Marc Gasol will stop Giannis.  Marc would help us against Embiid but this is laughable

Who said anything about trading Smart or trading for Gasol?

I just gave an example of how the Raptors GM was thinking ahead.

Yeah, Kawhi was the initial defender on Giannis, but what happened when Giannis got past his initial defender?

Gasol was right there, both arms raised, and Giannis couldn't dunk over Gasol.

I don’t think the idea was trading smart for gasol.  I think the point is that is the type of trade you’d need to make.  You are going to get anything of value without giving up something of value.

For my part, I haven’t read the entire thread but I’m still waiting for an idea that makes sense.  Yes, we could trade Hayward for something like Love but does Cleveland want Hayward?  Probably not.  Do we want love?  Do we trust that Tatum and brown are ready?  My answer is no.  I think we need Hayward.

I don’t think that smart as the centerpiece has enough value so I think the best option is probably brown and salary.  But that would give people around here a heart attack of course.  Or they would want ONLY a superstar back.

So what is the offer?  What makes sense?

[Fierce1]

Starting in Game 3, Leonard has taken on the bulk of the assigment. After guarding him just 13% of the time over the first two games of the series, drawing the assignment fewer times than both Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka, Leonard has been the primary defender guarding Antetokounmpo on 47% of possessions.

https://ca.nba.com/news/nba-playoffs-2019-kawhi-leonards-defense-on-giannis-antetokounmpo-has-changed-the-series-eastern-conference-finals/yjy605u7nlai1ie63rx33qthz

Kawhi guarding him on 47% of possesions changed the series.  With Siakim and Ibaka following.

But this guy will have us trading Marcus Smart because Marc Gasol will stop Giannis.  Marc would help us against Embiid but this is laughable

Who said anything about trading Smart or trading for Gasol?

I just gave an example of how the Raptors GM was thinking ahead.

Yeah, Kawhi was the initial defender on Giannis, but what happened when Giannis got past his initial defender?

Gasol was right there, both arms raised, and Giannis couldn't dunk over Gasol.

I don’t think the idea was trading smart for gasol.  I think the point is that is the type of trade you’d need to make.  You are going to get anything of value without giving up something of value.

For my part, I haven’t read the entire thread but I’m still waiting for an idea that makes sense.  Yes, we could trade Hayward for something like Love but does Cleveland want Hayward?  Probably not.  Do we want love?  Do we trust that Tatum and brown are ready?  My answer is no.  I think we need Hayward.

I don’t think that smart as the centerpiece has enough value so I think the best option is probably brown and salary.  But that would give people around here a heart attack of course.  Or they would want ONLY a superstar back.

So what is the offer?  What makes sense?

No way Jaylen Brown should be traded after he agreed to take less than the max.

Celts can afford a player worth 18m.
Both Tristan Thompson and Derrick Favors are within the Celts' price range without giving up any of the core 5.

[greg683x]

Big guys combine for 18 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 6 blocks.

Celtics strong forum "Why don't we have a superstar at every position!"

Fwiw, I don't want us to have 5 alphas in the starting line up. There won't be enough shots for everybody and we'll end up a dysfunctional team, like we were last season. I do believe however that we should upgrade the Center position. Imo, we need a defensive Center who's happy to play off the ball on offense. Either a stretch 5 or a pick n roll big man like Theis, only better than Theis.

This poorly constructed team at Center beat Giannis shorthanded?  Havent you gone to great length to say we cant beat him the way this team is built?

Of course we can beat them. Would we be the favorites to beat them in a best-of-seven series? I don't think we would.

Would we be the favorites if we had a guy like Myles Turner? Can't tell for sure, but I believe that we would have a better chance.

Btw, you really think a 6'6'' guy is the answer to Giannis?

are you referring to Semi guarding Giannis?  I think Semi, along with good team defense can do a good enough job to give us a chance to win.  Will Giannis still be the best player in the series.  Sure.  But he wont overwhelm us.

And no ones saying we would be the favorite in a 7 game series against the Bucks.  Im saying we would have a better chance than people are giving us credit for

Well, we agree to disagree. I believe Giannis would eat Semi alive, but I respect your point of view. Hopefully you are right and Semi ends up being a major contributor come playoffs time.

Personally speaking, I really hope that Danny makes a move for a Center either via trade or via the buyout market (Tristan Thompson + Derrick Favors come to my mind).

I would LOVE to get Derrick Favors.

I dont think we'll have an opportunity to do so.

[greg683x]

Starting in Game 3, Leonard has taken on the bulk of the assigment. After guarding him just 13% of the time over the first two games of the series, drawing the assignment fewer times than both Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka, Leonard has been the primary defender guarding Antetokounmpo on 47% of possessions.

https://ca.nba.com/news/nba-playoffs-2019-kawhi-leonards-defense-on-giannis-antetokounmpo-has-changed-the-series-eastern-conference-finals/yjy605u7nlai1ie63rx33qthz

Kawhi guarding him on 47% of possesions changed the series.  With Siakim and Ibaka following.

But this guy will have us trading Marcus Smart because Marc Gasol will stop Giannis.  Marc would help us against Embiid but this is laughable

Who said anything about trading Smart or trading for Gasol?

I just gave an example of how the Raptors GM was thinking ahead.

Yeah, Kawhi was the initial defender on Giannis, but what happened when Giannis got past his initial defender?

Gasol was right there, both arms raised, and Giannis couldn't dunk over Gasol.

I don’t think the idea was trading smart for gasol.  I think the point is that is the type of trade you’d need to make.  You are going to get anything of value without giving up something of value.

For my part, I haven’t read the entire thread but I’m still waiting for an idea that makes sense.  Yes, we could trade Hayward for something like Love but does Cleveland want Hayward?  Probably not.  Do we want love?  Do we trust that Tatum and brown are ready?  My answer is no.  I think we need Hayward.

I don’t think that smart as the centerpiece has enough value so I think the best option is probably brown and salary.  But that would give people around here a heart attack of course.  Or they would want ONLY a superstar back.

So what is the offer?  What makes sense?

Yes, that was the point I was trying to make in my response.

This reply is exactly how I feel.

AGAIN.  Im not against improving the team. I just have a hard time seeing a way to do so thats not gonna cause a problem else where

[Fierce1]

Big guys combine for 18 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 6 blocks.

Celtics strong forum "Why don't we have a superstar at every position!"

Fwiw, I don't want us to have 5 alphas in the starting line up. There won't be enough shots for everybody and we'll end up a dysfunctional team, like we were last season. I do believe however that we should upgrade the Center position. Imo, we need a defensive Center who's happy to play off the ball on offense. Either a stretch 5 or a pick n roll big man like Theis, only better than Theis.

This poorly constructed team at Center beat Giannis shorthanded?  Havent you gone to great length to say we cant beat him the way this team is built?

Of course we can beat them. Would we be the favorites to beat them in a best-of-seven series? I don't think we would.

Would we be the favorites if we had a guy like Myles Turner? Can't tell for sure, but I believe that we would have a better chance.

Btw, you really think a 6'6'' guy is the answer to Giannis?

are you referring to Semi guarding Giannis?  I think Semi, along with good team defense can do a good enough job to give us a chance to win.  Will Giannis still be the best player in the series.  Sure.  But he wont overwhelm us.

And no ones saying we would be the favorite in a 7 game series against the Bucks.  Im saying we would have a better chance than people are giving us credit for

Well, we agree to disagree. I believe Giannis would eat Semi alive, but I respect your point of view. Hopefully you are right and Semi ends up being a major contributor come playoffs time.

Personally speaking, I really hope that Danny makes a move for a Center either via trade or via the buyout market (Tristan Thompson + Derrick Favors come to my mind).

I would LOVE to get Derrick Favors.

I dont think we'll have an opportunity to do so.

Kanter, Poirier, Langford, and GWill for Favors works on the trade machine.

Derrick Favors is very doable because his salary is below 18m.

[greg683x]

i have to go get ready to leave.  TPs all around for the discussion

[Fierce1]

i have to go get ready to leave.  TPs all around for the discussion

Just imagine Danny Ainge talking to the Pels GM and Ainge saying, "Can you do us a Favors?"

[greg683x]

i have to go get ready to leave.  TPs all around for the discussion

Just imagine Danny Ainge talking to the Pels GM and Ainge saying, "Can you do us a Favors?"

saw it the first time you wrote it.  Have a good one buddy

[Fierce1]

An interesting question would be if it's between Theis and Kanter, who would the Celts keep?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Big guys combine for 18 points, 20 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 6 blocks.

Celtics strong forum "Why don't we have a superstar at every position!"

Stats don't tell the whole story.

Like when Kanter is in the pick and roll, he gives up a lot of points because he keeps leaving opposing guards open for a shot.

Something like that will not show on the stat sheet.

That's the reason why Kanter is not even averaging 20 minutes per game.

Yeah, them opposing guards went off tonight for 21 points on 7-25 shooting. They lit us up.

What Kanter has been doing well all season, did well in the playoffs for the Blazers last year, and did well against charlotte, is inviting the pick-and-roll guard into no-man's land, allowing the guard's defender to get back in position, and using his quick hands to get deflections, strips, and blocks.

6 blocks tonight don't fit your narrative either.

The reason Kanter is only getting 20 minutes a game is because CBS has figured out a really good winning rotation of players, with Theis, Kanter, Williams, and Williams holding down the big spots in different ways and different matchups. No one guy is the answer, but all of them together is pretty good.

[Jvalin]

I would LOVE to get Derrick Favors.

I dont think we'll have an opportunity to do so.

Both Favors and Thompson are on huge expiring contracts and they both play for struggling teams. It's possible that the Pels/the Cavs won't find a playoff team willing to match salaries and they end up cutting them after the trade deadline.

An interesting question would be if it's between Theis and Kanter, who would the Celts keep?

I guess it depends on who we are trading for. If we acquire a defensive big man, Theis might become expendable. In any other case, I'd rather we keep Theis over Kanter.

i have to go get ready to leave.  TPs all around for the discussion

@greg683x, Fierce1
TPs back at you guys! Happy new year everybody!

[DefenseWinsChamps]

i have to go get ready to leave.  TPs all around for the discussion

Just imagine Danny Ainge talking to the Pels GM and Ainge saying, "Can you do us a Favors?"

I'm not sure Favors is a big enough upgrade for size down low to make up for his lack of passing and three point shooting. He's an athlete who always had promise, but he's really not that much better than Theis.

[nickagneta]

4 for 1 trades are problematic in season. Cleveland, for instance, would need to eat over $7 million in salary by cutting current players to make things work for Thompson. Only one team has any type of cap space to absorb salary, that being Atlanta and even then I think they only have a couple million. I guess you can find a team with a trade exception to fit into to move salary, but that's now costing either Cleveland or Boston draft capital.

Also, giving up Langford for an minor upgrade at starting center that also costs you your backup center who has recently been averaging a double double off the bench is poor roster and asset management. Ainge would never make such a trade.

As Chris Forsberg was saying on the NBCSB before the game, an upgrade will come in the buyout market and not the trade market, if one happens this year at all. My hope is Favors gets bought out and then signed. After some time to learn the system and adjust, he could slip right into the starting lineup.

Thing is, I am not sure Favors is going to be any better trying to shut down Embiid, Giannis, AD or other MVP caliber big people. Some guys are MVP caliber big people because no one can truly slow them down. You just do your best to let limit them if you can and shut everyone else down. That's how you beat those teams

[PhoSita]

The Celts are a top 5 offense and a top 5 defense without an upgrade at C.

At this rate, the major upgrade at C will probably come via Robert Williams getting healthy.