Shams: Porzingis to Boston?

[RPGenerate]

The question I have, does Stevens value defense the same anymore? Every move he has made since Udoka was let go has gone the opposite of that thinking. This reeks of Mazzulla ball.

Porzingis is a great rim protector and really good in the pick-and-roll. This is alongside all-defense players in Timelord and White, a genuinely great defender in Tatum, and two decent-to-great defenders in Horford and Brown. How is that not valuing defense? Smart had regressed as a defender anyways.

[SparzWizard]

Trading Smart probably sent a message to the locker room that anyone is not untouchable, except if your name starts with Jayson.

[azzenfrost]

Woke up to this. Wow

[Atzar]

The question I have, does Stevens value defense the same anymore? Every move he has made since Udoka was let go has gone the opposite of that thinking. This reeks of Mazzulla ball.

I mean, if you ignore him trying to trade Brogdon, then maybe.

It isn’t as if KP is a bad defender either.  He’ll require some schematic changes on our part but he can be a very good drop defender.  Our rim protection should be a strength.

[blink]

In other crazy news Middleton declined his 40 million player option and is a free agent.  What a crazy day!

[azzenfrost]

Prepping for Al's retirement? But it's only a year though for 36M

[gouki88]

Was this our Ray Allen move or Kevin Garnett move?

I sense one more big move coming since we got some picks and still got PP, Grant, and Brogdon...

IMO, this is definitely not a KG move. But it could be a Ray Allen move. We'll see.

So, the speculation is Damian Lillard and could that be our Kevin Garnett move?

Lillard/Brown/Tatum/Porzingis/Timelord

That is a upper 60-win lineup team.

How are we grabbing Lillard with our other 3 max salaries?

I think we will have trouble hanging on to KP after this season as it is, especially if he’s looking for an upgrade on that $36m salary. Now if we want to keep everyone else and avoid that second apron.

It's an interesting thing to look forward too. A lot will depend on how he goes in the first couple of months. Could be some deadline fireworks...

[bdm860]

One thing I've been waiting to see since he took over is how Stevens drafts. Does he have an eye for talent? Can he finds diamonds in the rough or find gems that others missed?

Finally, first real chance to see what kind of drafter he is. (Unless another trade happens, where the team sends the #25 pick out).

This is something I'm excited about.

[gouki88]

The question I have, does Stevens value defense the same anymore? Every move he has made since Udoka was let go has gone the opposite of that thinking. This reeks of Mazzulla ball.

I mean, if you ignore him trying to trade Brogdon, then maybe.

It isn’t as if KP is a bad defender either.  He’ll require some schematic changes on our part but he can be a very good drop defender.  Our rim protection should be a strength.

Yeah, Porzingis is a solid defender. Quite strong actually. Doesn't block as many shots anymore, but uses his ridiculous size better IMO

[trickybilly]

Trading Smart probably sent a message to the locker room that anyone is not untouchable, except if your name starts with Jayson.

Or maybe, don't talk sheet about the coach during a playoff series..

[blink]

I always got the impression that Porzingis was a poor defender, maybe that was just a case of mistaken identity but the mavs fans had issues with him on def.

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/8/16/22618945/the-issue-isnt-kristaps-porzingis-offense-its-his-defense

Which I know might be a flawed take but interesting

[libermaniac]

The question I have, does Stevens value defense the same anymore? Every move he has made since Udoka was let go has gone the opposite of that thinking. This reeks of Mazzulla ball.

Kemba for Al?

[Who]

C: Porzingis
F: Horford
F: Tatum
G: Jaylen
G: D White

The other thing I was thinking about earlier was with Porzingis now coming in there is another guy who will be looking for his instead of the ball going to our best player down the stretch.

There were several games were many of us were concerned that Tatum was not getting the ball enough in the 4th quarter. That it ended up in other places.

Now we have not 1 but 2 prolific scorers looking to get theirs alongside Tatum. Both Jaylen and Porzingis are me-first offensive players. Both guys are takers (shot takers) rather than givers (setting up teammates).

I expect we'll see more frustrating games where our best offensive player Jayson Tatum ends up not getting the ball down the stretch and instead our 2nd and 3rd best offensive guys will be the ones making the plays instead of him. Less effective players than Tatum.

Wouldn't that be a coaching issue if they can't figure that out

Not really. Most of that stuff is decided by players.

A lot of the time GMs have to move guys out of the way in order to make sure their best players get the ball. Like when the Lakers traded Nick Van Exel because he wanted to freestyle with the ball instead of dumping the ball into Shaq in the low post.

White was a more than adequate passer in Smart's absence. 15/5/4 on 47/40/89 shooting with great defence is better than what Smart was offering us. I think you're selling White's passing short.

What if we go small ball? Tatum at the 4, as he is perfectly capable of doing. Use the MLE to beef up the bench, aim to draft a forward or big. I think that might offset some of your worries. Tatum IMO has the size to play that power wing role on defence, similar to an Aaron Gordon.

White / Pritchard
Brogdon / Hauser
Brown / #25 / MLE (?)
Tatum / Horford
Porzingis / Williams 3

No, I think we just live with the bad passing. I reckon Porzingis needs more help in the paint to rebound and be defensive backline. Best to keep a 2nd big alongside him most of time. Only use this small lineup situationally rather than as a starting unit.

White is an adequate passer. He just isn't that creative compared to other PGs in the league. I like him as a starting PG. We just do not have a lot of help for him (passing wise). Ideally you want a PG like him to have help. Like say Bam (high post facilitator) and Jimmy (playmaking wing) in Miami.

So I'd stay big. It is not a good passing group but it is still our best overall group.

An interesting side question would be: How many title teams in recent times have won with so little passing? I am not sure what the answer is but usually title teams are better passing teams than this.

[johnnygreen]

I have to say, Brad is not afraid to take risks. Ainge deserved his Trader Danny nickname, but he certainly wasn't that the last few seasons here.

It definitely came as a shock to see Marcus being traded. I truly appreciate everything he did as a Celtic and wish him nothing but the best. Having said that, I do believe a drastic change was needed to change the DNA of this team. I believe Smart's voice may have become too prominent, where it even got to the point where he thought he knew more than the head coach (I know Mazzulla is inexperienced, but a player should never do that).

Another benefit of the trade is moving Horford to the bench and reducing his minutes. I'd rather save his meaningful minutes for the playoffs. I also like how we picked up 2 first round picks. Hopefully Brad can hit on those picks or use them in another trade.

Hopefully Brad isn't done. I'd like to see them get a backup 2 guard and big man.

[gouki88]

C: Porzingis
F: Horford
F: Tatum
G: Jaylen
G: D White

The other thing I was thinking about earlier was with Porzingis now coming in there is another guy who will be looking for his instead of the ball going to our best player down the stretch.

There were several games were many of us were concerned that Tatum was not getting the ball enough in the 4th quarter. That it ended up in other places.

Now we have not 1 but 2 prolific scorers looking to get theirs alongside Tatum. Both Jaylen and Porzingis are me-first offensive players. Both guys are takers (shot takers) rather than givers (setting up teammates).

I expect we'll see more frustrating games where our best offensive player Jayson Tatum ends up not getting the ball down the stretch and instead our 2nd and 3rd best offensive guys will be the ones making the plays instead of him. Less effective players than Tatum.

Wouldn't that be a coaching issue if they can't figure that out

Not really. Most of that stuff is decided by players.

A lot of the time GMs have to move guys out of the way in order to make sure their best players get the ball. Like when the Lakers traded Nick Van Exel because he wanted to freestyle with the ball instead of dumping the ball into Shaq in the low post.

White was a more than adequate passer in Smart's absence. 15/5/4 on 47/40/89 shooting with great defence is better than what Smart was offering us. I think you're selling White's passing short.

What if we go small ball? Tatum at the 4, as he is perfectly capable of doing. Use the MLE to beef up the bench, aim to draft a forward or big. I think that might offset some of your worries. Tatum IMO has the size to play that power wing role on defence, similar to an Aaron Gordon.

White / Pritchard
Brogdon / Hauser
Brown / #25 / MLE (?)
Tatum / Horford
Porzingis / Williams 3

No, I think we just live with the bad passing. I reckon Porzingis needs more help in the paint to rebound and be defensive backline. Best to keep a 2nd big alongside him most of time. Only use this small lineup situationally rather than as a starting unit.

White is an adequate passer. He just isn't that creative compared to other PGs in the league. I like him as a starting PG. We just do not have a lot of help for him (passing wise). Ideally you want a PG like him to have help. Like say Bam (high post facilitator) and Jimmy (playmaking wing) in Miami.

So I'd stay big. It is not a good passing group but it is still our best overall group.

An interesting side question would be: How many title teams in recent times have won with so little passing? I am not sure what the answer is but usually title teams are better passing teams than this.

The Raptors and the Bucks didn't have much better passing IMO. Jrue and Lowry are better than White / Tatum, but overall I think those groups are comparable.