Woj: Jrue to Celtics

[jpotter33]

Reading the thread I think it's interesting that there are some 'defensively minded' posters who are thrilled that we've ejected the twin pillars of our defense in favour of more offensively-minded players over one off-season.

Jrue is a better and more consistent defender than Smart, though.

And, is if fair to call Timelord a pillar when he's fairly unreliable at being available?

I think we paid too much, but I'm not all that worried about the defense degrading.

The other thing is that clearly this was not Joe’s preferred playing style, so if we’re going all in on the new coach and his philosophy - which is questionable in itself, no doubt - it only makes sense to exchange for players that better fit his style.

But, yes, I do agree that the defense is not some major step down as some are saying. As Karalis put it, the defense will look different,  but not necessarily worse and could even be better with increased perimeter defense.

[Kernewek]

Reading the thread I think it's interesting that there are some 'defensively minded' posters who are thrilled that we've ejected the twin pillars of our defense in favour of more offensively-minded players over one off-season.

Jrue is a better and more consistent defender than Smart, though.

And, is if fair to call Timelord a pillar when he's fairly unreliable at being available?

I think we paid too much, but I'm not all that worried about the defense degrading.

Holiday’s a great defender, as I said - my point was more that the much-lauded defense that drove us through the turnaround under Udoka was built around Rob, Smart and Horford. Those first two guys are gone, and Horford is one season older. It remains to be seen if we can implement a similarly impressive system without them.

This is (yet another) move to bolster the game on the offensive half of the ball, as I see it. Which is fine, since many of us had concerns about it last year, but it’s certainly a change.

[Moranis]

I think there is an argument the team will have better defensive metrics.  By removing the 2 worst offensive players from the team, adding a better PG, and arguably the better shot blocker I expect fewer back breaking turnovers (or terrible shots) and better overall flow defensively.  And before anyone gets crazy with me on the Zinger being arguably a better shot blocker that Rob, Rob's BLK% has gotten progressively worse every year (so has his AST%) and last year was 5.0, which is basically Porzingis career average.  Rob's injuries have just taken a lot of his athleticism away.  He isn't the shot blocker he was early on in his career and I'm not sure that player is ever coming back.  I think Zinger is a more reliable shot blocker, if not flat out better, and even though Zinger isn't exactly a picture of health, he has been healthier than Rob. 

[RJ87]

I'm late to the news.

It took me awhile to come around on Rob, but I don't know how I feel about this deal.

[ozgod]

Reading the thread I think it's interesting that there are some 'defensively minded' posters who are thrilled that we've ejected the twin pillars of our defense in favour of more offensively-minded players over one off-season.

Jrue is a better and more consistent defender than Smart, though.

And, is if fair to call Timelord a pillar when he's fairly unreliable at being available?

I think we paid too much, but I'm not all that worried about the defense degrading.

Well given how mediocre our defense was last season and with Joe “Take More Threes Than The Other Team And We Win” Mazzulla there’s not much more to degrade there   

2nd best defense in league was mediocre? Tough crowd.

I was being a little facetious 

[kraidstar]

I'm late to the news.

It took me awhile to come around on Rob, but I don't know how I feel about this deal.

I feel bad for Rob. Dude put his body on the line during our Finals run. He's a gamer. Hope he has success in Portland.

Seems like Blazers management is finally making some good decisions. They've gotten a heck of a return for Lillard so far. Especially considering the pu-pu platter offer Miami was allegedly fielding.

[hpantazo]

This must be killing the Heat fans! First they lose out on Dame, he goes to their conference rival, and now their biggest conference rivals grab Jrue.

I wonder who else they can target before Butler gets too old to carry that group anymore.

[kraidstar]

This must be killing the Heat fans! First they lose out on Dame, he goes to their conference rival, and now their biggest conference rivals grab Jrue.

I wonder who else they can target before Butler gets too old to carry that group anymore.

Not only have they not upgraded their team, but they've undoubtedly alienated Herro, Lowry, and others with the nonstop trade rumors.

Helping to screw the Heat is definitely a nice side benefit to all this.

 

[RJ87]

I'm late to the news.

It took me awhile to come around on Rob, but I don't know how I feel about this deal.

I feel bad for Rob. Dude put his body on the line during our Finals run. He's a gamer. Hope he has success in Portland.

Seems like Blazers management is finally making some good decisions. They've gotten a heck of a return for Lillard so far. Especially considering the pu-pu platter offer Miami was allegedly fielding.

I do too to an extent. He's a fun player to watch when he's healthy, but he just hasn't been healthy enough during his career. It's unlikely that gets better has he gets older and if his athleticism goes, what's left?

I see the logic from the Celtics here, though. I do. With that said, I at least wanted to see the Rob/KP duo at least a few times. I think that could've been a really good pairing on both ends. It also seems that we're trading away a guys who are well-liked in the locker room. I'm a little less worried about that with Jrue because he has a rep has a team first guy, but I don't want us to lose all camaraderie and chemistry in one offseason.

That said, a cool bonus is that Lauren Holiday is coming to Boston. She's one of my favorite soccer players of all time. Plus, her and Jrue do a lot of great community work. Excited to see what kind of initiatives they put forth.

[wiley]

I think this is as much about Jrue's leadership, or more, than anything else about Jrue (of course the defense it great).  The Celtics have lacked leadership in their last two title runs (as in glaring lack of leadership).

Anyone know if a second rounder or two comes our way.  Hefty price!!  Love Rob Williams.

[Larry for 3]

I think this is as much about Jrue's leadership, or more, than anything else about Jrue (of course the defense it great).  The Celtics have lacked leadership in their last two title runs (as in glaring lack of leadership).

Anyone know if a second rounder or two comes our way.  Hefty price!!  Love Rob Williams.

Or someone who can handle the ball and make plays in the 4th quarter without turning it over.

[Donoghus]

I think this is as much about Jrue's leadership, or more, than anything else about Jrue (of course the defense it great).  The Celtics have lacked leadership in their last two title runs (as in glaring lack of leadership).

Anyone know if a second rounder or two comes our way.  Hefty price!!  Love Rob Williams.

Or someone who can handle the ball and make plays in the 4th quarter without turning it over.

For sure.  I just think, overall, we are going to see a much smarter team offensively this upcoming season.   Definitely gonna be some pressure taken off the J's and I expect ball movement to be more much improved. 

[KG Living Legend]

Would you trade Brogdon, Timelord, a 2024 GSW first & a 2029 unprotected first for Marcus Smart?

No? why would you do it for Jrue Holiday?

What will Jrue Holiday do as a 4th option that is so much more valuable than what Smart was doing for us?

Jrue is not going to have the touches / shot attempts to be a 17-20ppg 7-8apg guy here. Not unless they are coming at the expense of someone else's offense. His role is going to be much more similar to what Smart's role has been on offense in the playoffs over the last few seasons.

 Relax man. We aren't winning the chip this year without Jrue. We may not win it this year or next,  but definitely not winning it without him.

 If he goes to the Heat we are in trouble. We will now beat the Bucks guaranteed.  We are the second best team in the league as it stands right now.

 Like it or not Brad is playing for Titles. It's not for the weak. Just ask the Bucks. Holiday was the heart if that team.

Who do you have as the best team?

 Nuggets and the Joker no Question. Joker is the best in the world by a large margin IMO.

[RJ87]

This tweet basically put it into perspective for me:

Trey
@TA1297
I guess you could rationalize this from Brads perspective as the team was basically the best team in the league for the first half of last season with no Rob, made the finals with him on one leg and made ECF with him coming off the bench last season and in the bubble.

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/nelght_/status/1708592769550221692?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Sounds like the Malcolm situation was a major factor behind this. I think this is from the Boston Globe article from Himmelsbach, but it says that his issues with the team were exacerbated after White was announced as starting point guard post Smart trade.

I get the sense that despite winning the SMOY award and playing nice all season, he was never really fully into the sixth man idea. And this is despite him still getting injured and being a non-factor in the ECF, as well as his defense taking a major stepback.