Ainge on WEEI - anyone listening?

[screwedupmaniac]

The possibility of moving Rondo in a deal like the one with Memphis is starting to make more and more sense to me. Let's assume we do that deal and work Conley and Gay into the system through the first half of the year. We keep Ray and his expiring contract until the trade deadline is approaching, and see what develops in the league (unhappy superstars on losing teams). This gives us flexibility to move Ray for a younger superstar or better depth at multiple positions. We would be able to simply slide Rudy Gay into the starting SG role.

I dunno, this is just my way of trying to rationalize and accept the idea of trading what is in my mind our entire future. Although, I said the same thing about Big Al before we moved him, so who knows how this will all play out.

[rickyfan3.0...]

My recap-

Rondo was fined for tardiness more than once last year and it's unacceptable.

He has maturity issues

Think about himself over the team too often

Is in 'cruise control' on too many possessions

Doc is NOT frustrated with him

Rondo is 'probably' a top 10 point guard

Not a max contract player

He really hurt the team against certain teams like Cleveland and Orlando because they doubled off him.

He is really high on Flynn and Evans (who people on here speculated where his guys...)

Says draft night will be boring for us (which he also said right before the Ray Allen trade)

[hwangjini_1]

So heres a question, since my status on the blog is currently Rajon Rondo, what happens if they trade him.  Do i have to go to a grizzlies blog? Is there such a thing?

the answer is yes. Jeff is obligated to send your name to the Grizzlies blog ("This Team is Grizzly").

However, Jeff has already worked out a deal with Wallace for him to then trade you back to celticsblog for a future #1 draft choice and 3 celticsblog posters who log on less than once a month AND have less than 5 tommy points.

[jgod213]

Danny was conspicuously silent on his opinion of Rubio when asked to list the top PG's in the draft. When they asked him about him, he said he's not ready for the NBA and is a "project." Smokescreen?

I gotta admit, that was a pretty glaring omission when asked about the PGs in the draft.

I also felt like that might be a little gamesmanship....

but I do think this confirms that Danny is pretty high on Evans...not in agreement with him on that one....

It wasn't an omission, when Danny was asked about the point guards he started to mention whom he thought would be an immediate impact player this coming year.  He mentioned that he thought Tyreke Evans would be one of those guys, as has been speculated by many experts since he worked out with the Kings.  He also mentioned that guys like Curry and Flynn would be impact guys as well right off the bat. 

Callahan then asked about Rubio, who Danny likes but basically concluded that he is still too raw and doesn't have a great jump shot, therefore he would have a tough time putting up numbers this coming season and is more of a project guy - the kid is 18, sounds like a fair asessment to me.

I was really suprised at how Danny was so straightforward about his take on Rondo.  He affirmed that the two aren't on the same page right now in terms of skill/value ratio.  Rondo thinks he's a max contract guy, Danny doesn't agree right now and would only go as far as saying that Rondo is "definitely a top 10 point guard."

[feckless]

If the deal is Rondo  & Scal for Gay, Conley & the # 2 it seems a no brainer.  No Rubio at the 2  but I think it would be Thabeet?--Rondo & Scal for Gay and Conley only?

Starbury and Conley as back-up?

[wdleehi]

Listening to Ainge, the only way he would take Rubio this year (if he was to make a trade) he would have to have a starting PG in place to win as Rubio wouldn't be ready.

[winsomme]

Danny was conspicuously silent on his opinion of Rubio when asked to list the top PG's in the draft. When they asked him about him, he said he's not ready for the NBA and is a "project." Smokescreen?

I gotta admit, that was a pretty glaring omission when asked about the PGs in the draft.

I also felt like that might be a little gamesmanship....

but I do think this confirms that Danny is pretty high on Evans...not in agreement with him on that one....

It wasn't an omission, when Danny was asked about the point guards he started to mention whom he thought would be an immediate impact player this coming year.  He mentioned that he thought Tyreke Evans would be one of those guys, as has been speculated by many experts since he worked out with the Kings.  He also mentioned that guys like Curry and Flynn would be impact guys as well right off the bat. 

Callahan then asked about Rubio, who Danny likes but basically concluded that he is still too raw and doesn't have a great jump shot, therefore he would have a tough time putting up numbers this coming season and is more of a project guy - the kid is 18, sounds like a fair asessment to me.

I was really suprised at how Danny was so straightforward about his take on Rondo.  He affirmed that the two aren't on the same page right now in terms of skill/value ratio.  Rondo thinks he's a max contract guy, Danny doesn't agree right now and would only go as far as saying that Rondo is "definitely a top 10 point guard."

It was definitely an omission IMO. Rubio is clearly the head of the class at PG. he is essentially the same age as Flynn and Evans (who also don't have great jumpshots by the way) and has had more experience than either of those guys.

plus Rubio is almost certain to start for whatever team takes him - project or not.

[jgod213]

Danny was conspicuously silent on his opinion of Rubio when asked to list the top PG's in the draft. When they asked him about him, he said he's not ready for the NBA and is a "project." Smokescreen?

I gotta admit, that was a pretty glaring omission when asked about the PGs in the draft.

I also felt like that might be a little gamesmanship....

but I do think this confirms that Danny is pretty high on Evans...not in agreement with him on that one....

It wasn't an omission, when Danny was asked about the point guards he started to mention whom he thought would be an immediate impact player this coming year.  He mentioned that he thought Tyreke Evans would be one of those guys, as has been speculated by many experts since he worked out with the Kings.  He also mentioned that guys like Curry and Flynn would be impact guys as well right off the bat. 

Callahan then asked about Rubio, who Danny likes but basically concluded that he is still too raw and doesn't have a great jump shot, therefore he would have a tough time putting up numbers this coming season and is more of a project guy - the kid is 18, sounds like a fair asessment to me.

I was really suprised at how Danny was so straightforward about his take on Rondo.  He affirmed that the two aren't on the same page right now in terms of skill/value ratio.  Rondo thinks he's a max contract guy, Danny doesn't agree right now and would only go as far as saying that Rondo is "definitely a top 10 point guard."

It was definitely an omission IMO. Rubio is clearly the head of the class at PG. he is essentially the same age as Flynn and Evans (who also don't have great jumpshots by the way) and has had more experience than either of those guys.

plus Rubio is almost certain to start for whatever team takes him - project or not.

He's definitely the cream of the crop, but as far as starting for whatever team selects him, as Butch Sterns would say, "i'm not so sure about that."

Although he's not going first overall, he certainly wouldnt start over Baron Davis.  I'm not sure he'd start over Mike Conley, and i highly doubt he'd start over Russell Westbrook.  He'd probably give Benho Udrih a run for the starting spot and would probably start in Minny now that they've dealt Foye.

Doubtful he would fall to the back end of the top 10, but if he did he certainly wouldn't be starting for Golden State, NY, Toronto, or Milwakee.

So really you're only looking at 2 teams who would be an ideal fit for Rubio if he wanted to have an immediate shot at starting at the point.  He has a lot of experience, but again he's only 18.  I think most people would agree that a guy like Johnny Flynn or Steph Curry have more of a chance to put up numbers THIS SEASON than Rubio.

[Michael Anthony]

Ainge seems to be dealing a lot with teams destined for cap space in 2010.

Could be a coinsidence, or it could be that he is eliminating possible suitors as he prepares to negotiate contracts.

[housecall]

I like this idea especially when you play teams like the Lakers,with Ariza coming into his own this season,Gay could match up with him perfectly.Also when you play Orlando,Gay would help in defending Turk,Lewis 6'10"guys,that cause a lot of matchup problems.

[PosImpos]

Although he's not going first overall, he certainly wouldnt start over Baron Davis.  I'm not sure he'd start over Mike Conley, and i highly doubt he'd start over Russell Westbrook.  He'd probably give Benho Udrih a run for the starting spot and would probably start in Minny now that they've dealt Foye.

He would definitely start over Beno Udrih. 

If he goes to OKC, they will likely play Westbrook at SG since they don't have a true starting-caliber SG.

I agree that he wouldn't start over Baron Davis, though.

[winsomme]

Danny was conspicuously silent on his opinion of Rubio when asked to list the top PG's in the draft. When they asked him about him, he said he's not ready for the NBA and is a "project." Smokescreen?

I gotta admit, that was a pretty glaring omission when asked about the PGs in the draft.

I also felt like that might be a little gamesmanship....

but I do think this confirms that Danny is pretty high on Evans...not in agreement with him on that one....

It wasn't an omission, when Danny was asked about the point guards he started to mention whom he thought would be an immediate impact player this coming year.  He mentioned that he thought Tyreke Evans would be one of those guys, as has been speculated by many experts since he worked out with the Kings.  He also mentioned that guys like Curry and Flynn would be impact guys as well right off the bat. 

Callahan then asked about Rubio, who Danny likes but basically concluded that he is still too raw and doesn't have a great jump shot, therefore he would have a tough time putting up numbers this coming season and is more of a project guy - the kid is 18, sounds like a fair asessment to me.

I was really suprised at how Danny was so straightforward about his take on Rondo.  He affirmed that the two aren't on the same page right now in terms of skill/value ratio.  Rondo thinks he's a max contract guy, Danny doesn't agree right now and would only go as far as saying that Rondo is "definitely a top 10 point guard."

It was definitely an omission IMO. Rubio is clearly the head of the class at PG. he is essentially the same age as Flynn and Evans (who also don't have great jumpshots by the way) and has had more experience than either of those guys.

plus Rubio is almost certain to start for whatever team takes him - project or not.

He's definitely the cream of the crop, but as far as starting for whatever team selects him, as Butch Sterns would say, "i'm not so sure about that."

Although he's not going first overall, he certainly wouldnt start over Baron Davis.  I'm not sure he'd start over Mike Conley, and i highly doubt he'd start over Russell Westbrook.  He'd probably give Benho Udrih a run for the starting spot and would probably start in Minny now that they've dealt Foye.

Doubtful he would fall to the back end of the top 10, but if he did he certainly wouldn't be starting for Golden State, NY, Toronto, or Milwakee.

So really you're only looking at 2 teams who would be an ideal fit for Rubio if he wanted to have an immediate shot at starting at the point.  He has a lot of experience, but again he's only 18.  I think most people would agree that a guy like Johnny Flynn or Steph Curry have more of a chance to put up numbers THIS SEASON than Rubio.

OKC would move Westbrook over to SG and IMO SAC would bulldoze a path to the starting PG spot if they thought they could land Rubio.

If the Clippers had the #2 pick instead of the #1 pick, we'd be hearing about Baron Davis trade rumors every day.

let's see how it shakes down. Rubio certainly isn't a 100 % sure thing, but he seems pretty darn close to being one to me...

[PosImpos]

If Rubio weren't from Spain he'd be a guaranteed #2 pick.  It's only that he's from overseas that some people brand him with this "project" or "overhyped" rap.

[Jon]

If Rubio weren't from Spain he'd be a guaranteed #2 pick.  It's only that he's from overseas that some people brand him with this "project" or "overhyped" rap.

Well, I don't think the fact that he's only 18 helps either.  I know he's been playing pro for a few years; however, there's not much of a precedent for an 18 year old coming into the league and putting up big numbers up right away at the PG spot.  Even college-tested PGs often take a couple years to adjust to the NBA game. 

[Who]

If Rubio weren't from Spain he'd be a guaranteed #2 pick.  It's only that he's from overseas that some people brand him with this "project" or "overhyped" rap.

I agree