Ainge thinks the current Celtics are better than the '08 team

[Drucci]

Per RealGM

Celtics president Danny Ainge believes that the current incarnation of his team is better than the one that won the 2008 NBA title.

"Yes, definitely I think we're a better team now," Ainge said Tuesday.

Since Boston won the title two seasons ago, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins have improved and the team has signed Rasheed Wallace.

"I think Rondo and Perkins' improvement has been dramatic," said Ainge, who added: "I do feel an enthusiasm again. People are excited like they were two summers ago."

Can't totally disagree with Ainge on this statement but I hope it doesn't prevent him from signing good players (wing is the priority, as we all know) for our bench... then I would say that we are definitely better than in 2008.

[Redz]

It all comes down to health.

[Roy Hobbs]

Uh oh.  I hope that's not Ainge's spin on not adding any more to the team.  He tried that same babble last year, as I recall.

I do think more players will be signed.  I just worry when I hear this stuff.

[Brendan]

2008 versus 2009

Starters:

KP vs KP
KG vs KG
PP vs PP
RA vs RA
RR vs RR

I think you expect decline at both SF and SG, but everywhere else you'd expect to be better (factoring in KG's injury of course.) Overall I'd agree starting unit will be better than last year, but not by too much.

Bench (just guesses on utilization)

RW vs GD (first big man ~25 minutes)
BS vs LP (second big man ~10 minutes)
BW vs TA (first wing ~20 minutes)
EH vs EH (combo guard ~20 minutes)

Rasheed is a substantial improvement over BBD and at the most important bench position. At the other big spot Scal is a decline from Powe, but due to injuries the fourth big was often Scal or Moore, or worse (like small ball.) I'd say on aggregate its a push, although a healthy Leon is a much better player than Scal. Bill Walker vs. Tony Allen - the guy who under performs, against the guy who likely will underwhelm. The key here is that an upgrade is likely in the works. House is a wash (I'm simplifying by leaving out Marbury.) Overall the most important bench player improved a lot with the Sheed signing (barring a total bottoming out) so I'd say the bench is better. But there is a real risk the bench can be exposed by teams that are deep at the SG/SF spots. With RA and PP one year older, its more of a risk. I'll still say the bench is better in total.

[kheeko]

Uh oh.  I hope that's not Ainge's spin on not adding any more to the team.  He tried that same babble last year, as I recall.

I do think more players will be signed.  I just worry when I hear this stuff.

Exactly - bring on Moon!!!!

I could hear the wolves howling

[Reyquila]

Is Ainge trying to justify the fact that he hasnt been able to sign or acquire thru FA and/or trade for and/or s/t any additional players for the 2/3 back up positions. looks to me like he is creating a smoke screen in case he isnt able to do what he said he was going to do.

[indeedproceed]

Uh oh.  I hope that's not Ainge's spin on not adding any more to the team.  He tried that same babble last year, as I recall.

I do think more players will be signed.  I just worry when I hear this stuff.

My reaction to the thread title was "Of course he does. That's his job, to believe that."

[BballTim]

Is Ainge trying to justify the fact that he hasnt been able to sign or acquire thru FA and/or trade for and/or s/t any additional players for the 2/3 back up positions. looks to me like he is creating a smoke screen in case he isnt able to do what he said he was going to do.

  I can see why he went after Grant Hill, but aside from that should he be filling the 2/3 yet? Don't we need to see what happens with Davis? If we don't keep Glen I'd argue that another big is a more pressing need than a backup wing.

[Brendan]

  I can see why he went after Grant Hill, but aside from that should he be filling the 2/3 yet? Don't we need to see what happens with Davis? If we don't keep Glen I'd argue that another big is a more pressing need than a backup wing.

Backup big is likely to average 10 minutes per game - projecting some injuries maybe that gets up to 15 minutes per game. Backup wing is likely to play 20-25 minutes a game (with some similar injury concerns). The question becomes what's the weaker link:

Scal @ 10-15 MPG
Walker (or Giddens or Tony Allen) @ 20-25

I think it's Walker. Plus seems (to me) like a fourth big would be easier to pickup in season.

[Chris]

Assuming everyone is healthy, I agree with him.  But he still has some work to do, because the other teams have also improved.

[BballTim]

  I can see why he went after Grant Hill, but aside from that should he be filling the 2/3 yet? Don't we need to see what happens with Davis? If we don't keep Glen I'd argue that another big is a more pressing need than a backup wing.

Backup big is likely to average 10 minutes per game - projecting some injuries maybe that gets up to 15 minutes per game. Backup wing is likely to play 20-25 minutes a game (with some similar injury concerns). The question becomes what's the weaker link:

Scal @ 10-15 MPG
Walker (or Giddens or Tony Allen) @ 20-25

I think it's Walker. Plus seems (to me) like a fourth big would be easier to pickup in season.

  Are you assuming that Eddie plays no backups wing minutes?

[Birdbrain]

If Davis is resigned there is no doubt they'll be better if everyone's healthy.  Unless someone knows more about the C's talent than Ainge.

[sdceltsfan]

Dude, the bench player we are missing should be able to cover the wing and PF spot; so someone in the Hakim Warrick mould. Sheed is more than a formidable backup big, and he will command 30 minutes + per game, which is way more than most backup bigs. There will be lineups where 2 of KG, Perk, and Sheed just rotate around, which always leaves us with a solid C and PF on the floor at all times.....huge improvement.
   I'm only worried about the bigger 3's in the league (Lebron, Lewis, Artest, Gay, etc) being able to pound on Pierce who isn't getting younger, and with Davis on his way out and Powe out of commission, this to me is our most vulnerable point on the bench. Between Eddie and Sheed, I'm not extremely concerned about the bench's ability to put points up (our biggest weakness last season). It's just all about having that Posey type player to play 15-20 min and stop the opposition's best scoring wing.
   Obviously getting Warrick specifically is nearly out of the question because Memphis would just match an LLE offer; so unless they are down for S/T, we need to look elsewhere. The same problem exists with Jamario Moon too. What about Stephen or Joey Graham? They are both unrestricted FA's; the Raptors especially don't seem like they would bring him back because of the cap space they've used on Hedo and Jarret Jack (and they brought in Devan George and just drafted Derozan). I guess what I'm saying is that he seems expendable and is more proven to fill the roles we need (decent defender, solid rebounder) from our bench wing.

[P2]

Uh oh.  I hope that's not Ainge's spin on not adding any more to the team.  He tried that same babble last year, as I recall.

I do think more players will be signed.  I just worry when I hear this stuff.

Yeah, same here. He must be having some sort of dilusion.

[Chris]

Uh oh.  I hope that's not Ainge's spin on not adding any more to the team.  He tried that same babble last year, as I recall.

I do think more players will be signed.  I just worry when I hear this stuff.

Eh, I think its just a Pavlovian response to the question.  He was saying the same thing even in the Al Jefferson days.  He always loves his team just how it is, but is always looking to improve.