offseason questions

[lJesterl]

i've taken some advice from some of you fellow cb'ers to comfort my pain of loosing and I figured I would like to be super active and involved in this offseason as well as the draft. So let's assume that PP doesn't opt out (i wish he would) and lets assume that Ray resigns for a decent deal.

1. What do u guys see as the most likely deal for Ray.
2. What need to we need to address most in the draft?(I think size) and who are the best prospects because I don't follow college that well.
3. If doc doesnt come back who is your ideal coach? (I like JVG)
4. Do you want sheed to retire or do you want sheed to return? (I'm torn on that one but lean more towards him retiring)
5. Who do we get to score for us, who can come in and be a big scorer either by starting with ray as the sixth man or being the sixth man?
6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.
7. Do you think its possible for both TA and Rondo to develop good jump shooting this offseason?

All I got for now :-p

[Spicoli]

i've taken some advice from some of you fellow cb'ers to comfort my pain of loosing and I figured I would like to be super active and involved in this offseason as well as the draft. So let's assume that PP doesn't opt out (i wish he would) and lets assume that Ray resigns for a decent deal.

1. What do u guys see as the most likely deal for Ray.
2. What need to we need to address most in the draft?(I think size) and who are the best prospects because I don't follow college that well.
3. If doc doesnt come back who is your ideal coach? (I like JVG)
4. Do you want sheed to retire or do you want sheed to return? (I'm torn on that one but lean more towards him retiring)
5. Who do we get to score for us, who can come in and be a big scorer either by starting with ray as the sixth man or being the sixth man?
6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.
7. Do you think its possible for both TA and Rondo to develop good jump shooting this offseason?

All I got for now :-p

1. Ray should have a contract which expires the same year that KG does. I think KG expires in 2012, so i'm all for giving Ray a 2 year 20 million dollar deal.

2. I agree that we should address size in the draft. I wouldn't even mind someone who lacks great size, but is amazing on the boards. Guys in a similar mold like Millsap and Powe come to mind. Rebounders are going to be a premium for this team i hope.

3. I'd love for Kevin McHale to coach if Doc doesn't return.

4. I think Sheed should retire. I was hard on him all throughout the season, but i'm very proud of his effort in the postseason. He did well for us. Sheed should call it a career.

5. I like Mike Miller or JJ Reddick coming in to score off the bench.

6. I'd love to bring Shaq on board for size and rebounding.

7. I don't think TA is ever going to be a great jump shooter. His form is totally unorthodox and broken. He would need to totally revamp his form, but at this point i don't think it's going to happen. Rondo has improved every year he's been in the league. I'm not worried about his jump shot. I'm worried about his free throw shooting. That should be his next step in the offseason, becoming at least a 75% free throw shooter.

[Yakmanev]

I agree with pretty much all of that except I would go for best talent available in the draft. I've never been much on drafting for needed position. Chances are a rookie isn't going to fill a void on a championship quality team unless he is a rare specimen.

[lJesterl]

I love the idea of shaq being brought here. Alot of people think im crazy but im all for it. Shaq and a young C in the draft.

[Spicoli]

I agree with pretty much all of that except I would go for best talent available in the draft. I've never been much on drafting for needed position. Chances are a rookie isn't going to fill a void on a championship quality team unless he is a rare specimen.

True. But i would certainly keep an eye on guys who have a knack for rebounding in the second round. I think the Jazz drafted Millsap in the second round. He was the leading rebounder in the entire country for like 2 or 3 years straight if i'm not mistaken. We need to stock pile rebounders like crazy this offseason.

[Who]

6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.

Mike Miller -- The Celtics wings have been poor on the backboards all the season. Miller is an excellent rebounder and would give the team a major boost in that department.

The Celtics could further improve the situation by making Tony Allen the primary backup point guard next season with Miller acting as the primary backup wing. That would give them an elite rebounder at the staring point position + backup point guard position + backup wing position + a serviceable rebounder in Pierce + only one poor rebounding perimeter player (Ray).

Combine that high quality rebounding with two good rebounding big men (Garnett and Perk) + one serviceable rebounder (BBD) and a poor rebounder (Sheed) ... and the Celtics should be a top 8 rebounding team in the NBA next season.

-----------------------------------------------

The second option would be to kick Sheed off the team and replace him with a big man who can rebound. Someone like Amir Johnson.

[jr_3421]

6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.

Mike Miller -- The Celtics wings have been poor on the backboards all the season. Miller is an excellent rebounder and would give the team a major boost in that department.

The Celtics could further improve the situation by making Tony Allen the primary backup point guard next season with Miller acting as the primary backup wing. That would give them an elite rebounder at the staring point position + backup point guard position + backup wing position + a serviceable rebounder in Pierce + only one poor rebounding perimeter player (Ray).

Combine that high quality rebounding with two good rebounding big men (Garnett and Perk) + one serviceable rebounder (BBD) and a poor rebounder (Sheed) ... and the Celtics should be a top 8 rebounding team in the NBA next season.

-----------------------------------------------

The second option would be to kick Sheed off the team and replace him with a big man who can rebound. Someone like Amir Johnson.

1. Pierce is a very good rebounder for his position.
2. I totally agree with signing Amir Johnson. I remember Danny wanted to draft him in 2005 but couldn't get around a promise he made to Orien Greene

[Who]

6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.

Mike Miller -- The Celtics wings have been poor on the backboards all the season. Miller is an excellent rebounder and would give the team a major boost in that department.

The Celtics could further improve the situation by making Tony Allen the primary backup point guard next season with Miller acting as the primary backup wing. That would give them an elite rebounder at the staring point position + backup point guard position + backup wing position + a serviceable rebounder in Pierce + only one poor rebounding perimeter player (Ray).

Combine that high quality rebounding with two good rebounding big men (Garnett and Perk) + one serviceable rebounder (BBD) and a poor rebounder (Sheed) ... and the Celtics should be a top 8 rebounding team in the NBA next season.

-----------------------------------------------

The second option would be to kick Sheed off the team and replace him with a big man who can rebound. Someone like Amir Johnson.

1. Pierce is a very good rebounder for his position.
2. I totally agree with signing Amir Johnson. I remember Danny wanted to draft him in 2005 but couldn't get around a promise he made to Orien Greene

Pierce was a very good rebounder for his position.

Pierce, today, is now a below average but serviceable rebounder.

Pierce only averaged 4.4 rebounds in 34 minutes a game last year. That is an average of one rebound every 7.7 minutes which is very poor for a small forward (every six minutes is solid).

To double up on the situation, Pierce's team rebounding, his boxing out visibly declined too. Far less often did we see Pierce move down into the paint and box out a big man while KG or Perk provided helped defense. His rebounding has declined hugely over the past 2-3 years.

I think Pierce can still do better than his regular season rebounding numbers (which he did in the playoffs -- 6rpg per 38.8 minutes, one board per 6.5 minutes) which is why I consider him below average but serviceable instead of very poor.

-------------------------------------------

The lack of rebounding contributions from the wing players as a whole was a major problem for the Celtics last season. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels were the main offenders.

[FallGuy]

6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.

Mike Miller -- The Celtics wings have been poor on the backboards all the season. Miller is an excellent rebounder and would give the team a major boost in that department.

The Celtics could further improve the situation by making Tony Allen the primary backup point guard next season with Miller acting as the primary backup wing. That would give them an elite rebounder at the staring point position + backup point guard position + backup wing position + a serviceable rebounder in Pierce + only one poor rebounding perimeter player (Ray).

Combine that high quality rebounding with two good rebounding big men (Garnett and Perk) + one serviceable rebounder (BBD) and a poor rebounder (Sheed) ... and the Celtics should be a top 8 rebounding team in the NBA next season.

-----------------------------------------------

The second option would be to kick Sheed off the team and replace him with a big man who can rebound. Someone like Amir Johnson.

1. Pierce is a very good rebounder for his position.
2. I totally agree with signing Amir Johnson. I remember Danny wanted to draft him in 2005 but couldn't get around a promise he made to Orien Greene

Pierce was a very good rebounder for his position.

Pierce, today, is now a below average but serviceable rebounder.

Pierce only averaged 4.4 rebounds in 34 minutes a game last year. That is an average of one rebound every 7.7 minutes which is very poor for a small forward (every six minutes is solid).

To double up on the situation, Pierce's team rebounding, his boxing out visibly declined too. Far less often did we see Pierce move down into the paint and box out a big man while KG or Perk provided helped defense. His rebounding has declined hugely over the past 2-3 years.

I think Pierce can still do better than his regular season rebounding numbers (which he did in the playoffs -- 6rpg per 38.8 minutes, one board per 6.5 minutes) which is why I consider him below average but serviceable instead of very poor.

-------------------------------------------

The lack of rebounding contributions from the wing players as a whole was a major problem for the Celtics last season. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels were the main offenders.

You make a great, albeit disheartening, point.

Our stars, save Rondo, are in decline. There's been much made of the idea that KG will be better next year, more distantly removed from surgery. However, he'll also be another year older and the decline in his game will continue. Pierce had his worst mid-range shooting year in ages (maybe ever) this year. That's not an aberration. Ray is also in decline.

So, while we can expect continued improvement from Rondo, it will not be enough to offset the aging of the big three.

Which leads to a simple conclusion, IMO.

Danny must be focused on finding a star player to pair with Rondo, regardless of whether it costs him someone else on the roster we consider a core piece. NBA title teams traditionally have two star players, at least one of whom is in the top 5-7 guys in the whole league, and the second of whom is a consistent all-star.

If the goal next year is to win another title, rather than just make a nice run in the playoffs before bowing out, the path is clear. I'm not sure how realistic it is, though perhaps Ainge has his eye on a draft gem and we see a trade Thursday night.

Failing a home run this summer, it might be wise for Ainge to make a move at the trading deadline next year, although there are too many x factors to predict something like that right now.

[wiley]

6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.

Mike Miller -- The Celtics wings have been poor on the backboards all the season. Miller is an excellent rebounder and would give the team a major boost in that department.

The Celtics could further improve the situation by making Tony Allen the primary backup point guard next season with Miller acting as the primary backup wing. That would give them an elite rebounder at the staring point position + backup point guard position + backup wing position + a serviceable rebounder in Pierce + only one poor rebounding perimeter player (Ray).

Combine that high quality rebounding with two good rebounding big men (Garnett and Perk) + one serviceable rebounder (BBD) and a poor rebounder (Sheed) ... and the Celtics should be a top 8 rebounding team in the NBA next season.

-----------------------------------------------

The second option would be to kick Sheed off the team and replace him with a big man who can rebound. Someone like Amir Johnson.

1. Pierce is a very good rebounder for his position.
2. I totally agree with signing Amir Johnson. I remember Danny wanted to draft him in 2005 but couldn't get around a promise he made to Orien Greene

Pierce was a very good rebounder for his position.

Pierce, today, is now a below average but serviceable rebounder.

Pierce only averaged 4.4 rebounds in 34 minutes a game last year. That is an average of one rebound every 7.7 minutes which is very poor for a small forward (every six minutes is solid).

To double up on the situation, Pierce's team rebounding, his boxing out visibly declined too. Far less often did we see Pierce move down into the paint and box out a big man while KG or Perk provided helped defense. His rebounding has declined hugely over the past 2-3 years.

I think Pierce can still do better than his regular season rebounding numbers (which he did in the playoffs -- 6rpg per 38.8 minutes, one board per 6.5 minutes) which is why I consider him below average but serviceable instead of very poor.

-------------------------------------------

The lack of rebounding contributions from the wing players as a whole was a major problem for the Celtics last season. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels were the main offenders.

You make a great, albeit disheartening, point.

Our stars, save Rondo, are in decline. There's been much made of the idea that KG will be better next year, more distantly removed from surgery. However, he'll also be another year older and the decline in his game will continue. Pierce had his worst mid-range shooting year in ages (maybe ever) this year. That's not an aberration. Ray is also in decline.

So, while we can expect continued improvement from Rondo, it will not be enough to offset the aging of the big three.

Which leads to a simple conclusion, IMO.

Danny must be focused on finding a star player to pair with Rondo, regardless of whether it costs him someone else on the roster we consider a core piece. NBA title teams traditionally have two star players, at least one of whom is in the top 5-7 guys in the whole league, and the second of whom is a consistent all-star.

If the goal next year is to win another title, rather than just make a nice run in the playoffs before bowing out, the path is clear. I'm not sure how realistic it is, though perhaps Ainge has his eye on a draft gem and we see a trade Thursday night.

Failing a home run this summer, it might be wise for Ainge to make a move at the trading deadline next year, although there are too many x factors to predict something like that right now.

I think a healthy big 3 is still equal to another star or 1.5 stars or something like that....especially considering their collective IQ.
I think what's more important is how they are used and what the bench is like.  If Doc has a bench he can be confident in from day 1 through the end of the year, minutes kept down, etc...it can be done.  But, a great not good bench is vital.....as is good luck in health....Without that great bench we'll fall short on energy stores at some point during next year's playoffs.....

[wiley]

6. What are the best options going to be in free agency to help us get bigger for better rebounding.

Mike Miller -- The Celtics wings have been poor on the backboards all the season. Miller is an excellent rebounder and would give the team a major boost in that department.

The Celtics could further improve the situation by making Tony Allen the primary backup point guard next season with Miller acting as the primary backup wing. That would give them an elite rebounder at the staring point position + backup point guard position + backup wing position + a serviceable rebounder in Pierce + only one poor rebounding perimeter player (Ray).

Combine that high quality rebounding with two good rebounding big men (Garnett and Perk) + one serviceable rebounder (BBD) and a poor rebounder (Sheed) ... and the Celtics should be a top 8 rebounding team in the NBA next season.

-----------------------------------------------

The second option would be to kick Sheed off the team and replace him with a big man who can rebound. Someone like Amir Johnson.

1. Pierce is a very good rebounder for his position.
2. I totally agree with signing Amir Johnson. I remember Danny wanted to draft him in 2005 but couldn't get around a promise he made to Orien Greene

Pierce was a very good rebounder for his position.

Pierce, today, is now a below average but serviceable rebounder.

Pierce only averaged 4.4 rebounds in 34 minutes a game last year. That is an average of one rebound every 7.7 minutes which is very poor for a small forward (every six minutes is solid).

To double up on the situation, Pierce's team rebounding, his boxing out visibly declined too. Far less often did we see Pierce move down into the paint and box out a big man while KG or Perk provided helped defense. His rebounding has declined hugely over the past 2-3 years.

I think Pierce can still do better than his regular season rebounding numbers (which he did in the playoffs -- 6rpg per 38.8 minutes, one board per 6.5 minutes) which is why I consider him below average but serviceable instead of very poor.

-------------------------------------------

The lack of rebounding contributions from the wing players as a whole was a major problem for the Celtics last season. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels were the main offenders.

You make a great, albeit disheartening, point.

Our stars, save Rondo, are in decline. There's been much made of the idea that KG will be better next year, more distantly removed from surgery. However, he'll also be another year older and the decline in his game will continue. Pierce had his worst mid-range shooting year in ages (maybe ever) this year. That's not an aberration. Ray is also in decline.

So, while we can expect continued improvement from Rondo, it will not be enough to offset the aging of the big three.

Which leads to a simple conclusion, IMO.

Danny must be focused on finding a star player to pair with Rondo, regardless of whether it costs him someone else on the roster we consider a core piece. NBA title teams traditionally have two star players, at least one of whom is in the top 5-7 guys in the whole league, and the second of whom is a consistent all-star.

If the goal next year is to win another title, rather than just make a nice run in the playoffs before bowing out, the path is clear. I'm not sure how realistic it is, though perhaps Ainge has his eye on a draft gem and we see a trade Thursday night.

Failing a home run this summer, it might be wise for Ainge to make a move at the trading deadline next year, although there are too many x factors to predict something like that right now.

I think a healthy big 3 is still equal to another star or 1.5 stars or something like that....especially considering their collective IQ.
I think what's more important is how they are used and what the bench is like.  If Doc has a bench he can be confident in from day 1 through the end of the year, minutes kept down, etc...it can be done.  But, a great not good bench is vital.....as is good luck in health....Without that great bench we'll fall short on energy stores at some point during next year's playoffs.....

By the way, I'm talking about days off too, the whole senior citizen package....