Tristan Thompson signing with Cs

[Ogaju]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

[JBJT619]

Not sure we've actually seen TT play, but man is this crowd going to sour on him when the realize he is not a quality defender by basically every metric lol.

Not sure where this "good defender" take is coming from because I haven't heard literally any statistic to back it up.

No disputing he's a good rebounder though. Obviously something we've needed for quite awhile. Hopefully we won't have to endure watching 2-3 offensive rebounds in one possession anymore

I mean, you also have to look at the larger context. He’s played in Cleveland his entire career, and they’ve never really been good defensively outside of a few years.

I don't entirely disagree with you about that, but I think stats like Defensive Rating and DWS do a good job for adjusting for individual success as a whole outside of team context.

Putting on my non-cynical cap, I will say from a physical skillset if Brad can utilize his foot quickness and athleticism like he did with Theis it will be an interesting match. I mean Jared Sullinger actually had a similar defensive skillset (non-shot blocker, big bodied defensive rebounder) and had some very productive defensive years with one year putting up like 3.6 DWS at his best. Hopefully, Thompson can come in with better athleticism, better foot quickness, and similar rebounding acumen and become a changed defensive player.

[uconnceltic]

Good pick up and a step up from Kanter especially when it comes to defense and is a better overall scorer as well.

[Neurotic Guy]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

You've had a very cynical day today O.   But I agree with you on this one. Lots of active bigs have feasted on Boston.

But... there is bright side.  He's an active big.

[Tr1boy]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

Easy .. Embiid

[footey]

I checked his one on one games vs Bam, and Bam outplayed him. But I have to discount for the fact that the Cavs were so bad these past two seasons; on a good team, hoping he will be motivated.  He has ability to guard multiple positions. 

Just wondering how this affects Rob Williams' usage.  Is he the 3rd option at center? I was hoping a bigger role would emerge for him. I guess that is up to him to earn.

[Ogaju]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

You've had a very cynical day today O.   But I agree with you on this one. Lots of active bigs have feasted on Boston.

But... there is bright side.  He's an active big.

probably hard on Danny today...he really did not have a lot of options on this Hayward matter, but now that what he was holding out for has been leaked it looks like he had a plan all along, but these other GMs are just gun shy when dealing with him.

[Ogaju]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

Easy .. Embiid

Embiid killed the Cs when he played big, but he is another one that likes to camp on the three point line and play like a guard. Next?

[GreenEnvy]

There's no way Ainge did it

A real big that  can rebound!???

Kanter is an elite rebounder. He just didn’t hang behind the arc all day alongside the other 4 players on the court, so he didn’t see much playing time.

[Tr1boy]

There's no way Ainge did it

A real big that  can rebound!???

Kanter is an elite rebounder. He just didn’t hang behind the arc all day alongside the other 4 players on the court, so he didn’t see much playing time.

Elite offensive rebounder. But not elite rebounder in general. Cant get the out of reach ones

[LilRip]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

Horford 

[Tr1boy]

Good. He was always a Celtics-killer.

Mike

Name one BIG that was not.

Horford 

Good riddance

[vjcsmoke]

Thompson is a nice upgrade on Kanter.  I loved Kanter's personality, but physically he was too slow to switch to perimeter defense effectively.

Thompson also brings much of Kanter's rebounding prowess, so that's a good solid big we picked up.

Who wants to bet that Brad asks TT to develop his 3 point stroke?  If he can shoot at even 35% overall, and hit the open corner 3, he will help space that floor.

Celtics look to haye a very exciting team now.  The only question left is what we do with Hayward.  I still think we trade him to Indiana, but what return would we get back?

[Neurotic Guy]

There's no way Ainge did it

A real big that  can rebound!???

Kanter is an elite rebounder. He just didn’t hang behind the arc all day alongside the other 4 players on the court, so he didn’t see much playing time.

And really struggled defensively.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

He can't shoot but a good energy big off the bench that can bang.

He’s likely the starter. Theis to the bench.

Or we can go with

Kemba
Brown
Tatum
Theis
Thompson