IF you had to choose to keep one: Kemba or Hayward? (poll)

[Tr1boy]

Lineup

X -  Tatum - Hayward - Brown - Smart

vs

X - Tatum - Brown - Smart - Walker


Which starting lineup do you prefer moving forward?  I don't feel like the Hayward deadline extension, necessarily has everything to do with Hayward but it is also an avenue to see what the market is for Walker.

Would Danny do that to Walker?  Lets not forget he did it to Isaiah Thomas once he knew, he was damaged goods.   Kemba is not that bad, but his wear and tear was noticeable last season and I can't imagine it will get any better.   Danny could also angle it to Kemba that due to the flat cap now, plus Hayward was here before the Kemba signing (connection to Brad).  The team has to make a difficult choice to choose.    Obviously Brown, Tatum  and Smart are not going anywhere.   

So Kemba may understand or....not.  But wouldn't want to stay anyways.  He could push to go to the Knicks or preferred destination. 

It's also weird that Danny was rumored to be in the Holiday talks. But that could have been a smokescreen by either Danny or Pelicans, to try to furiously drive up the price for Holiday to the Bucks.  And it worked

As a revenge tactic, the Bucks could be spreading rumors about Bulls wanting Kemba, gauging value around the league for Kemba.  Which then startles Kemba....  lets face it, Danny can't be trusted.  He is a pure businessman

Thoughts?

[Darth_Yoda]

I voted Kemba, but I meant to vote Hayward,.

Assuming both are healthy, and Hayward is resigned at a deal similar to Brown its an easy choice.

IMO, Hayward is a better talent on both end of the floor to Kemba and he would be cheaper.

[celticinorlando]

Keeping Hayward. Kemba’s knee is a ticking time bomb

[jbpats]

I said Hayward but it really depends on what we get to replace either, if anybody.
I feel like PG is easier to replace then a guy like Gordon.

[Csfan1984]

Like Hayward but Kemba just got here so I feel the P.R. hit with FAs would be killer.

[Tr1boy]

I said Hayward but it really depends on what we get to replace either, if anybody.
I feel like PG is easier to replace then a guy like Gordon.

Couldnt Smart be the starting PG? 

The way the Celtics system is setup. Almost every starter is a point forward anyways

[Tr1boy]

Keeping Hayward. Kemba’s knee is a ticking time bomb

So you are more confident that Hayward has fully recovered?

[Muzzy66]

I'm shocked at the poll results so far because: 

1. We got ONE single productive season from Hayward in 3 years
2. Even in that one productive season he did have, we still lost him to injury during the most crucial time (playoffs)
3. There is still a question mark as to how well Hayward can fit alongside Tatum and Brown given he plays the same basic position
4. Unless he opts out and signs an extension (which per rumours seems unlikely) keeping Hayward at this point is essentially a 1 yr rental
5. There is also a concern in my mind that (because he plays the same position) Hayward will also potentially take minutes/touches away from Tatum and Brown

By comparison, if we look at Kemba:
1. Kemba plays the PG spot, where we lack depth - we can start Smart, but if he gets hurt we have no redundancy 
2. Smart is more of a combo guard (rather then pure PG) so having Kemba and Smart on the court together is no issue (it may even benefit Smart)
3. Smart is an energy guy who is as effective off the bench as he is as a starter - if desired he can back up Kemba and lead the second unit
4. The Kemba/Brown/Tatum offence was a key to Boston's success - having three >20 PPG scorers on court made them hard to shut down
5. Kemba is under contract for 3 or so more years, so we don't need to worry about him walking in free agency next year and bringing nothing back

I liked what both guys brought last year, but given Hayward's injury history (which has been far worse then Kemba's), contract situation, plus the fact that Kemba plays a position that we are much more in need of depth at...I feel Kemba is EASILY the guy who is more valuable to the Celtics moving forward.

[Big333223]

I'm also a little surprised that Hayward is leading this poll.

Walker's knee is a concern but Hayward is at least as much of an injury worry. They're the same age. Similar abilities as shooters. Kemba is a better scorer, playmaker, and leader. Hayward is a better defender.

All in all, I think Kemba is the better player and the Celtics are deeper at Hayward's position. It feels like Walker is the one to keep (if that decision had to be made).

[jambr380]

Kemba is an All-NBA level player and just started the All-Star game two years in a row. I understand with the Jays' emergence, that level of production is probably a thing of the past, but Kemba is clearly seen as the better player.

I understand selecting Hayward if you can get him on like a $22.5M/yr deal, but if we are talking who can be more impactful, it is Kemba. Other teams don't game plan around how to stop Hayward.

[Diggles]

I really like Kemba.... but with the limited cap space I rather flip Kemba for a All Star PF/C than Hayward.   

[td450]

As a general principle, age and injuries being roughly equal and not great in either case, the odds are much, much higher that the small guy's game will deteriorate more.

Add in the fact that this team's best shot is to be a truly special defensive team, and it isn't that hard a choice.

[BitterJim]

I'm also a little surprised that Hayward is leading this poll.

Walker's knee is a concern but Hayward is at least as much of an injury worry. They're the same age. Similar abilities as shooters. Kemba is a better scorer, playmaker, and leader. Hayward is a better defender.

All in all, I think Kemba is the better player and the Celtics are deeper at Hayward's position. It feels like Walker is the one to keep (if that decision had to be made).

He also offers more positional flexibility, though. Kemba has to play at PG, so if another PG was brought in we would have to reduce minutes somewhere. With Hayward, it doesn't really matter that he plays the same position as Brown/Tatum because all three of them can play the 2/3/4.  You can get away with a very wing-heavy rotation much more easily than a PG-heavy one. It's the same case with guys that can only play C (like Theis, Kanter, and Timelord)

[Tr1boy]

I'm also a little surprised that Hayward is leading this poll.

Walker's knee is a concern but Hayward is at least as much of an injury worry. They're the same age. Similar abilities as shooters. Kemba is a better scorer, playmaker, and leader. Hayward is a better defender.

All in all, I think Kemba is the better player and the Celtics are deeper at Hayward's position. It feels like Walker is the one to keep (if that decision had to be made).

He also offers more positional flexibility, though. Kemba has to play at PG, so if another PG was brought in we would have to reduce minutes somewhere. With Hayward, it doesn't really matter that he plays the same position as Brown/Tatum because all three of them can play the 2/3/4.  You can get away with a very wing-heavy rotation much more easily than a PG-heavy one. It's the same case with guys that can only play C (like Theis, Kanter, and Timelord)

The funny thing is, Hayward provides more pg capability than Kemba

Who is basically a short sg

Kemba struggles in the playoffs was an eyeopener.  If it was due to a nagging injury that was bugging him... thats still not good

I dont really care who is an all star or whatever status around the league.  Its all about the playoffs and chase for a championship

[csfansince60s]

I want BOTH gone.

The pale of the bad luck associated with these guys as it relates to our franchise has to be removed as quickly as possible.

Len Bias tearful passing took away the chance for 4-5 more championships for this franchise...that was the worst, as was the luck that followed till KG  came, and even after that one and done championship ( there should have been at least 2 more in the KG era, but for bad luck) bad luck followed.

Hayward going down though at the hands of Crowder and James in his FIRST game as our cornerstone, MAX, franchise player and the the hamstrung years that followed due to Hayward’s dead contract have been depressing. Kyrie, the woke false prophet then comes in, and there is a ray of hope, and then his true colors show and the team’s chemistry goes in the crapper as do any title aspirations.

Then Kemba comes. Another ray of hope, but his knees are cranky and impact his play, and he is no where near he was the player he was in Charlotte, and again any championship aspirations disappear.

 Add to all that bad luck stuff like the Cs losing a 3 way coin flip for the 12-14? draft slots last year, and Tyler Hero gets swiped by of all people Pat Riley from us, and that very **** player is instrumental in a very hot team in the cHeat eliminating us from a chance at playing for the Championship, which the scumbag Fakers and Queen James win since their two main threats were eliminated by a momentary on fire Nuggets team and a very hot cHeat team, who then hit very cold and had two of its best/hottest players in Adebayo and Dragic injured and ineffective.

Get rid of these guys. Granted, they were injured through no fault of their own. They are just BAD LUCK. GOOD-Bye!