Top teams have gone better, except us!

[nickagneta]

1.) Is there really a need to be calling people dumb or fools over this subject? I think not.

2.) I think 95% of the people are in agreement that we are not appreciably better than we were in June. But it is only July, not late October.

3.) I don't see where any team has improved so much that they would be considered hands down favorites to beat us in a seven game playoff series. If LA loses Brown as well as Farmar, then they might be fractionally better than they were in June. Orlando added Duhon and Q Richardson but lost Barnes and their old back up PGs. They are marginally better in talent than they were in May but their downfall was because they are too perimeter oriented and they did nothing to help that. The Suns  now officially have no inside game so they will be worse than last year. Utah lost Matthews, Korver and Boozer and got Bell and Jefferson. Not exactly an upgrade.

Yes Miami and Chicago have significantly upgraded their rosters, but are they without a doubt better than the Celtics. I don't see it.

[BballTim]

Our offseason was losing TA and Sheed but gaining JO. That is it. That is not excellent, nor is it a disaster.

  It was also keeping Paul and Ray. If you don't think that means anything talk to the people in CLeveland, Toronto or Phoenix.

[wahz]

I jumped ahead a bit so someone else may have said this..

So far, we have lost TA but added JO, the best HS player in the country from 09(Bradley), and Harangody to last years team, a team that came as close as you can to winning it all. We literally have everyone else, if Sheed returns.

Its a reasonable bet that Sheed returns OR we get Shaq and we get a backup vet wing. So at the end of the day it sure looks like we will have added 3 guys who get time to last years squad, JO, Bradley and the new wing and lost TA. Additionally Baby, KG, Rondo, and Nate are probably going to all be better while Perk is worse.

Bottom line, if we added JO to last years team, we win it all imo, and with ease. Its basically what it will look like when its all over

[OhioGreen]

I dont understand the logic of you guys. We resigned Ray, Paul under team friendly contracts, resigned Nate and Marquis under the Bird's Rights. We signed JO with the MLE. Now we have the Veteran minimum and Sheed's contract to use. By the deadline we will still have 2 more solid addiditons. We drafted Avery Bradley and Haragody.

All of those moves (Plus what is still to come) = WAY better than losing Farmar, and signing Barnes, and getting no draft picks.

Plus, Nate, Marquis, and BBD didnt play a full regular season with training camp last year. That is a boost in its own.

You guys are acting DUMB. And we have rondo locked up for 5 years. Unless your expectations were that you wanted Bosh, Wade, and Lebron for the MLE.....we have had an EXCELLANT offseason.

/thread

Frankly, friendly contracts don't mean jack---as I'm sure PP clearly knows now. Really, the big winner this off season has been our owners, who've put a huge chunk of change in their pockets with PP and Ray's contracts.  Sheed's contract could be heading that way, too.

I see things going one of two ways.
a) We s&t sheed's contract for Shaq and Parker, and will be competitive this year or
b) Scal and maybe EHouse are our two vet min guys and we're in full desperation mode, and just sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe a 6-8 seed, and get knocked out first or second round. Unless, the big 4 all play 40-44 minutes every game and miraculously make it all year uninjured.

Our bench is just really bad! No shooters, no big rebounders, and no defensive length.  Older, fragile starters, and no Perk and a weak bench. Drink all the green kool aid you like, but with any lengthy injury to a starter we could very possibly miss the playoffs!

[nickagneta]

I dont understand the logic of you guys. We resigned Ray, Paul under team friendly contracts, resigned Nate and Marquis under the Bird's Rights. We signed JO with the MLE. Now we have the Veteran minimum and Sheed's contract to use. By the deadline we will still have 2 more solid addiditons. We drafted Avery Bradley and Haragody.

All of those moves (Plus what is still to come) = WAY better than losing Farmar, and signing Barnes, and getting no draft picks.

Plus, Nate, Marquis, and BBD didnt play a full regular season with training camp last year. That is a boost in its own.

You guys are acting DUMB. And we have rondo locked up for 5 years. Unless your expectations were that you wanted Bosh, Wade, and Lebron for the MLE.....we have had an EXCELLANT offseason.

/thread

Frankly, friendly contracts don't mean jack---as I'm sure PP clearly knows now. Really, the big winner this off season has been our owners, who've put a huge chunk of change in their pockets with PP and Ray's contracts.  Sheed's contract could be heading that way, too.

I see things going one of two ways.
a) We s&t sheed's contract for Shaq and Parker, and will be competitive this year or
b) Scal and maybe EHouse are our two vet min guys and we're in full desperation mode, and just sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe a 6-8 seed, and get knocked out first or second round. Unless, the big 4 all play 40-44 minutes every game and miraculously make it all year uninjured.

Our bench is just really bad! No shooters, no big rebounders, and no defensive length.  Older, fragile starters, and no Perk and a weak bench. Drink all the green kool aid you like, but with any lengthy injury to a starter we could very possibly miss the playoffs!

These owners have shown that they will spend the money to put a title contender on the court. Saving them money means that they can continue to do this as they are not in the same league, monetarily as the  Mark Cubans, Paul Allens or Jim Dolans of the NBA. Without those firendly contracts the Celtics might have been so far over the luxury tax threshold as to make signing Jermaine O'Neal and Nate Robinson impossible and making the trading of Rasheed's contract unbearable as the team may have needed the salary cap relief it gave them.

If the C's had to spend $35 million on Ray and Paul instead of $25 million that would have put their salary at $80 million or about $11 million over the luxury tax. Add in Daniels and some veteran minimum contracts and I don't see how they would also be able to afford to pay Nate, Jermaine and whoever they got for Rasheed's contract.

Why do I think they may not have able to afford it? Because last year with the luxury tax at $69 million they had to pay $15 million in luxury tax or a payroll of $84 million. That means they spent $99 million in payroll just for players.

There's no way the team we would be putting on the court this October would have been as good as the team we have right now without all the resigned players signing friendly contracts. This ownership group just does not have the funds to be spending $120 million in payroll and luxury taxes.

And this is why those friendly signings are important and HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED when looking at the success of this off season.

[SCBirdman]

Nope. I wanted a defensive player who can also shoot to defend Kobe, Lebron, Wade etc (like Posey, Barnes).

I also want a defensive rebounder (Josh Howard). And how about adding another defensive big man (Shaq, maybe)?

Another offensive player/shooter would also be of help!

Every other players have already gone to a team. We only added J.O. And all you have to say be patient? Why? Who else is out there to be of help to us? None anymore, just garbage players.

D.A. gotta act now. Not later because it is too late.

The summer is not over. Training camp does not start this week.

Our summer is incomplete right now. We did re-sign Ray Allen, who many of the ESPN pundits had bolting for Miami, Cleavland or Chicago. We got the top big available in JO. Tony Allen decided he wanted to play a bigger role, so he left.

We brought back Nate and Marquis, who is by far more valuable when healthy than Steve Blake or Matt Barnes. Daniels can guard 3 positions and play 3 positions. He was a big part of our 26-5 start.

Nate will be much more valuable to the team this season after going though training camp.

We still have BBD on our bench. He is a money player in the play-offs.

We have drafted a big-time guard prospect that could prove to be one of the steals of the draft.

We still have Sheed's deal that will be traded for one or two rotational players before training camp starts.

I don't understand the need for negativism at this point.

I think we have improved our team by adding JO and bringing back Nate and Marquis, because I think both will be better this season.

Add Josh Howard or a Von Wafer or Jarvis Hayes, perhaps a Josh Boone and the team is complete. Maybe DA pulls off a big trade that helps our bench.

You have to understand that with Sheed's trade kicker coupled with Gaffney and Lafayette, that's $11 mill in salary we can take back. That could net us a number of quality players.

[OhioGreen]

I dont understand the logic of you guys. We resigned Ray, Paul under team friendly contracts, resigned Nate and Marquis under the Bird's Rights. We signed JO with the MLE. Now we have the Veteran minimum and Sheed's contract to use. By the deadline we will still have 2 more solid addiditons. We drafted Avery Bradley and Haragody.

All of those moves (Plus what is still to come) = WAY better than losing Farmar, and signing Barnes, and getting no draft picks.

Plus, Nate, Marquis, and BBD didnt play a full regular season with training camp last year. That is a boost in its own.

You guys are acting DUMB. And we have rondo locked up for 5 years. Unless your expectations were that you wanted Bosh, Wade, and Lebron for the MLE.....we have had an EXCELLANT offseason.

/thread

Frankly, friendly contracts don't mean jack---as I'm sure PP clearly knows now. Really, the big winner this off season has been our owners, who've put a huge chunk of change in their pockets with PP and Ray's contracts.  Sheed's contract could be heading that way, too.

I see things going one of two ways.
a) We s&t sheed's contract for Shaq and Parker, and will be competitive this year or
b) Scal and maybe EHouse are our two vet min guys and we're in full desperation mode, and just sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe a 6-8 seed, and get knocked out first or second round. Unless, the big 4 all play 40-44 minutes every game and miraculously make it all year uninjured.

Our bench is just really bad! No shooters, no big rebounders, and no defensive length.  Older, fragile starters, and no Perk and a weak bench. Drink all the green kool aid you like, but with any lengthy injury to a starter we could very possibly miss the playoffs!

These owners have shown that they will spend the money to put a title contender on the court. Saving them money means that they can continue to do this as they are not in the same league, monetarily as the  Mark Cubans, Paul Allens or Jim Dolans of the NBA. Without those firendly contracts the Celtics might have been so far over the luxury tax threshold as to make signing Jermaine O'Neal and Nate Robinson impossible and making the trading of Rasheed's contract unbearable as the team may have needed the salary cap relief it gave them.

If the C's had to spend $35 million on Ray and Paul instead of $25 million that would have put their salary at $80 million or about $11 million over the luxury tax. Add in Daniels and some veteran minimum contracts and I don't see how they would also be able to afford to pay Nate, Jermaine and whoever they got for Rasheed's contract.

Why do I think they may not have able to afford it? Because last year with the luxury tax at $69 million they had to pay $15 million in luxury tax or a payroll of $84 million. That means they spent $99 million in payroll just for players.

There's no way the team we would be putting on the court this October would have been as good as the team we have right now without all the resigned players signing friendly contracts. This ownership group just does not have the funds to be spending $120 million in payroll and luxury taxes.

And this is why those friendly signings are important and HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED when looking at the success of this off season.

I think we may just go with what we have now, picking up Scal and House and leave Sheed's contract hanging. Then see if, after all the FA/team changes whether we're truly going to be able to be a TITLE contender with the awful bench we have.  If despite our bench, things look good, then, maybe Danny will try to do something with the Sheed chip going towards the playoffs.  If injuries, etc. foul up the works, then cha ching, the Sheed money goes into the owners pockets and we wait for 2012.
Bad thing is, if this year turns out bad, next year is going to be a carbon copy, cause we still won't have any money, and nothing to trade.(assuming no lockout, and that you want the big 3 to retire as Celtics)

[BballTim]

I dont understand the logic of you guys. We resigned Ray, Paul under team friendly contracts, resigned Nate and Marquis under the Bird's Rights. We signed JO with the MLE. Now we have the Veteran minimum and Sheed's contract to use. By the deadline we will still have 2 more solid addiditons. We drafted Avery Bradley and Haragody.

All of those moves (Plus what is still to come) = WAY better than losing Farmar, and signing Barnes, and getting no draft picks.

Plus, Nate, Marquis, and BBD didnt play a full regular season with training camp last year. That is a boost in its own.

You guys are acting DUMB. And we have rondo locked up for 5 years. Unless your expectations were that you wanted Bosh, Wade, and Lebron for the MLE.....we have had an EXCELLANT offseason.

/thread

Frankly, friendly contracts don't mean jack---as I'm sure PP clearly knows now. Really, the big winner this off season has been our owners, who've put a huge chunk of change in their pockets with PP and Ray's contracts.  Sheed's contract could be heading that way, too.

I see things going one of two ways.
a) We s&t sheed's contract for Shaq and Parker, and will be competitive this year or
b) Scal and maybe EHouse are our two vet min guys and we're in full desperation mode, and just sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe a 6-8 seed, and get knocked out first or second round. Unless, the big 4 all play 40-44 minutes every game and miraculously make it all year uninjured.

Our bench is just really bad! No shooters, no big rebounders, and no defensive length.  Older, fragile starters, and no Perk and a weak bench. Drink all the green kool aid you like, but with any lengthy injury to a starter we could very possibly miss the playoffs!

   We aren't going to miss the playoffs. That's absolutely ridiculous. We won't be, unless one of KG/PP/RA/RR have a season ending injury, in full desperation mode. And of course friendly contracts make a difference, just ask Mike Miller, who signed with the Heat with the money that their trio left on the table. We re-signed Ray and Nate, used the full MLE and are looking at trading Sheed's contract instead of taking the savings when he retires. Ainge has a budget, and that money that Paul/Ray left behind helps him have enough to fill out the roster.

[Celtics18]

I can't believe that I'm the first person to mention this, but what about Erden?  He may be a long shot, but I see a young kid who clearly has alot of the tools to be a legit NBA player. 

I'm hoping ... and I know Doc will probably let me down yet again on this one ... that we get to see alot of Semih early and often next season.  If Danny doesn't make any significant move with 'Sheed's contract and he decides to actually retire, I don't think Doc will have much choice but to give the young Turk some minutes.

[OhioGreen]

I can't believe that I'm the first person to mention this, but what about Erden?  He may be a long shot, but I see a young kid who clearly has alot of the tools to be a legit NBA player. 

I'm hoping ... and I know Doc will probably let me down yet again on this one ... that we get to see alot of Semih early and often next season.  If Danny doesn't make any significant move with 'Sheed's contract and he decides to actually retire, I don't think Doc will have much choice but to give the young Turk some minutes.

Forget Semi, forget Luke, forget AB, and forget any other rookie that makes this team.  They will not play, except in garbage time or perhaps 1 or 2 minutes a game here and there. Nothing meaningful unless there's a rash of injuries forcing the issue.  It's the Law of Doc!

[Celtics18]

Break the law, Doc, break the law!!

[thebat]

Remember guys this is our final run (with the big 3). So we need all the help we can get for 2010-2011.

DA make things happen please.

[thebat]

The Thruth shall set you free - Just in case you haven't read Paul Pierce piece:
Pierce’s simple math: Additions must come
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/07/16/pierces_simple_math_additions_must_come/

excerpts:
“Sometimes, I’m sitting here and I’m looking at all these players sign and I wish we’d get on the ball a little bit,’’ “I knew after the season I wanted this team to get better knowing we didn’t win the championship, and that’s why I opted out and took less money for this team to improve,’’ Pierce said.

“They definitely boosted their talent,’’ Pierce said. “Them, with the Lakers, are going to be considered the favorites and I think with the moves that they made, a lot of teams are going to really try to counter, when they think about adding their pieces. Especially teams at the top, such as ourselves and Orlando.’’
There are countermoves still to be made, Pierce said, but at this stage in free agency, the talent pool is much thinner.

“Right now, it’s slim pickings out there. It may have to happen via trade. But in free agency, I think a lot of guys have really jumped on where they’re going to be at. It’s difficult, but I’m sure at some point this summer I’ll put my hand in there somewhere.’’

[Surferdad]

I dont understand the logic of you guys. We resigned Ray, Paul under team friendly contracts, resigned Nate and Marquis under the Bird's Rights. We signed JO with the MLE. Now we have the Veteran minimum and Sheed's contract to use. By the deadline we will still have 2 more solid addiditons. We drafted Avery Bradley and Haragody.

All of those moves (Plus what is still to come) = WAY better than losing Farmar, and signing Barnes, and getting no draft picks.

Plus, Nate, Marquis, and BBD didnt play a full regular season with training camp last year. That is a boost in its own.

You guys are acting DUMB. And we have rondo locked up for 5 years. Unless your expectations were that you wanted Bosh, Wade, and Lebron for the MLE.....we have had an EXCELLANT offseason.

/thread

Frankly, friendly contracts don't mean jack---as I'm sure PP clearly knows now. Really, the big winner this off season has been our owners, who've put a huge chunk of change in their pockets with PP and Ray's contracts.  Sheed's contract could be heading that way, too.

I see things going one of two ways.
a) We s&t sheed's contract for Shaq and Parker, and will be competitive this year or
b) Scal and maybe EHouse are our two vet min guys and we're in full desperation mode, and just sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe a 6-8 seed, and get knocked out first or second round. Unless, the big 4 all play 40-44 minutes every game and miraculously make it all year uninjured.

Our bench is just really bad! No shooters, no big rebounders, and no defensive length.  Older, fragile starters, and no Perk and a weak bench. Drink all the green kool aid you like, but with any lengthy injury to a starter we could very possibly miss the playoffs!

These owners have shown that they will spend the money to put a title contender on the court. Saving them money means that they can continue to do this as they are not in the same league, monetarily as the  Mark Cubans, Paul Allens or Jim Dolans of the NBA. Without those firendly contracts the Celtics might have been so far over the luxury tax threshold as to make signing Jermaine O'Neal and Nate Robinson impossible and making the trading of Rasheed's contract unbearable as the team may have needed the salary cap relief it gave them.

If the C's had to spend $35 million on Ray and Paul instead of $25 million that would have put their salary at $80 million or about $11 million over the luxury tax. Add in Daniels and some veteran minimum contracts and I don't see how they would also be able to afford to pay Nate, Jermaine and whoever they got for Rasheed's contract.

Why do I think they may not have able to afford it? Because last year with the luxury tax at $69 million they had to pay $15 million in luxury tax or a payroll of $84 million. That means they spent $99 million in payroll just for players.

There's no way the team we would be putting on the court this October would have been as good as the team we have right now without all the resigned players signing friendly contracts. This ownership group just does not have the funds to be spending $120 million in payroll and luxury taxes.

And this is why those friendly signings are important and HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED when looking at the success of this off season.

I think we may just go with what we have now, picking up Scal and House and leave Sheed's contract hanging. Then see if, after all the FA/team changes whether we're truly going to be able to be a TITLE contender with the awful bench we have.  If despite our bench, things look good, then, maybe Danny will try to do something with the Sheed chip going towards the playoffs.  If injuries, etc. foul up the works, then cha ching, the Sheed money goes into the owners pockets and we wait for 2012.
Bad thing is, if this year turns out bad, next year is going to be a carbon copy, cause we still won't have any money, and nothing to trade.(assuming no lockout, and that you want the big 3 to retire as Celtics)

Not to get too far off-track, but I really hope we don't sign Scal and House.  They were good soldiers while they were here, ubt their time has passed.  We can do much better with those two roster spots, pehaps even leaving one or two spots open in case of a mid-season trade.  House in particular offers no benefit now that Nate is back on board.  Scal well is just..not...very...good.  He can play decent defense but that's about it.

[vinnie]

I love Pierce, but it seems he may also lack understanding of how the salary cap limits what the Celtics can do in the free agent market.