Ainge on WEEI right now

[OsirusCeltics]

Why do they even invite him on the show to talk anything? Lol He's a GM, he can't go into details of contractual stuff

How many times have you heard "I can't tell you that" ?

[Chris]

Why do they even invite him on the show to talk anything? Lol He's a GM, he can't go into details of contractual stuff

How many times have you heard "I can't tell you that" ?

I actually thought it was a very enlightening and interesting interview, reading between the lines. 

[Fafnir]

Also, I think KG is an outlier when it comes to guys succeeding as low post players with such small frames.  So, I find it hard to use him as a basis for argument.

Plus KG was much more athletic, which accounts for much of his post ability. (that and his ability to hit that turn around fade away)

Uh dude... not that I disagree with you that KG was crazy athletic... but Johnson is every bit the athlete KG was in his younger days... dudes got a 40 inch vertical and 7'4 wingspan... that's insane.

No he's not. KG was bigger at 19 than Johnson is at 22, and quicker and a more explosive athlete.

If Johnson was the athlete KG was he'd already be in the NBA.

[shookones99]

Also, I think KG is an outlier when it comes to guys succeeding as low post players with such small frames.  So, I find it hard to use him as a basis for argument.

Plus KG was much more athletic, which accounts for much of his post ability. (that and his ability to hit that turn around fade away)

Uh dude... not that I disagree with you that KG was crazy athletic... but Johnson is every bit the athlete KG was in his younger days... dudes got a 40 inch vertical and 7'4 wingspan... that's insane.

No he's not. KG was bigger at 19 than Johnson is at 22, and quicker and a more explosive athlete.

If Johnson was the athlete KG was he'd already be in the NBA.

Like Sizzlack said, JJ has a 40 inch vert and a 7'4 wingspan.  I don't remember much about KG's quickness and explosiveness as a rookie, so I can't compare.  But I do know that JJ is very quick and very, very explosive.  And to top it off he also has that ability to hit that turn around fade away.

Physically they are similiar.  Where KG is unmatched by many is his drive and intensity.  Ultimately that will be the deciding factor as to how good JJ can become.

[Fafnir]

Also, I think KG is an outlier when it comes to guys succeeding as low post players with such small frames.  So, I find it hard to use him as a basis for argument.

Plus KG was much more athletic, which accounts for much of his post ability. (that and his ability to hit that turn around fade away)

Uh dude... not that I disagree with you that KG was crazy athletic... but Johnson is every bit the athlete KG was in his younger days... dudes got a 40 inch vertical and 7'4 wingspan... that's insane.

No he's not. KG was bigger at 19 than Johnson is at 22, and quicker and a more explosive athlete.

If Johnson was the athlete KG was he'd already be in the NBA.

Like Sizzlack said, JJ has a 40 inch vert and a 7'4 wingspan.  I don't remember much about KG's quickness and explosiveness as a rookie, so I can't compare.  But I do know that JJ is very quick and very, very explosive.  And to top it off he also has that ability to hit that turn around fade away.

Physically they are similiar.  Where KG is unmatched by many is his drive and intensity.  Ultimately that will be the deciding factor as to how good JJ can become.

They are similar in that they're both long, lanky, lean body type players.

But KG is one of the top 5 athletes to come into the NBA in the last twenty years. Johnson simply isn't in that class of athleticism, no shame in that.

[the_Bird]

Isn't the joke that KG's like 6'13"?  For whatever reason (probably so he's not pressured to play center), he's never wanted to be called a 7-footer, but he is.

The KG comparisons are ridiculous.  I love the pick, I think the kid's going to help us a lot but to compare him to a first-ballot Hall of Famer is just to set yourself up for disappointment.  If he can give us 90% of what Taj Gibson has given the Bulls in his first two seasons, I'll be overjoyed.

[KCattheStripe]

Isn't the joke that KG's like 6'13"?  For whatever reason (probably so he's not pressured to play center), he's never wanted to be called a 7-footer, but he is.

The KG comparisons are ridiculous.  I love the pick, I think the kid's going to help us a lot but to compare him to a first-ballot Hall of Famer is just to set yourself up for disappointment.  If he can give us 90% of what Taj Gibson has given the Bulls in his first two seasons, I'll be overjoyed.

Taj is who I've been thinking of.

[Chris]

Also, I think KG is an outlier when it comes to guys succeeding as low post players with such small frames.  So, I find it hard to use him as a basis for argument.

Plus KG was much more athletic, which accounts for much of his post ability. (that and his ability to hit that turn around fade away)

Uh dude... not that I disagree with you that KG was crazy athletic... but Johnson is every bit the athlete KG was in his younger days... dudes got a 40 inch vertical and 7'4 wingspan... that's insane.

No he's not. KG was bigger at 19 than Johnson is at 22, and quicker and a more explosive athlete.

If Johnson was the athlete KG was he'd already be in the NBA.

Like Sizzlack said, JJ has a 40 inch vert and a 7'4 wingspan.  I don't remember much about KG's quickness and explosiveness as a rookie, so I can't compare.  But I do know that JJ is very quick and very, very explosive.  And to top it off he also has that ability to hit that turn around fade away.

Physically they are similiar.  Where KG is unmatched by many is his drive and intensity.  Ultimately that will be the deciding factor as to how good JJ can become.

Well, he actually had a 38 inch max vertical, and 7'2" wingspan according to Draft Express...which is nice, but not unheard of.  

A few big men who have had higher ones (of guys we would recognize): Josh Smith, Tyrus Thomas, Solomon Jones, Joe Alexander, Josh Powell, Steven Hunter.  

Jeff Green, Yi, and Hakim Warrick had the same max vert.  

The kid is a nice athlete, but I think the suggestions that he is a superior athlete, (which KG was and is) is a bit over the top.  

[jdpapa3]

My comparison is Hakim Warrick with much more of an ability to post up weak defensive players. Two things do remind me of KG, though: the lankiness and the insistence upon fading away on every post up jumper. I'm not comparing him and KG...just aspects of their game.

[Chris]

My comparison is Hakim Warrick with much more of an ability to post up weak defensive players. Two things do remind me of KG, though: the lankiness and the insistence upon fading away on every post up jumper. I'm not comparing him and KG...just aspects of their game.

The two guys who keep coming to mind for me are Warrick and a slightly less athletic, but infinitely more likable Tyrus Thomas. 

[Who]

My comparison is Hakim Warrick with much more of an ability to post up weak defensive players.

Yeah, Warrick is the guy my mind keeps turning to too.

Less polished offensively but with more weak side shot-blocking.

[Kane3387]

Once Johnson puts on some muscle and fills out, I feel that he can be a great piece. He has put on 10lbs since before his senior season, and hopefully with the right trainers and staff around him here in Boston, he can work on getting a bigger body.

It is alot easier to put muscle on than lose weight. Think of Perk's body when he was drafted, he was overweight and by the time he left, his hard work in the gym had given him a great cut big body. All JJ needs is to put in the work.

KG and Johnson have similar bodies coming out of the draft, I would like him to eat like big baby and workout as much as Ray. haha

That has sooooooo much to do with diet as well. We need to get this boy some protein!!! Get him to GNC and get him some whey!!!

[jdpapa3]

I've seen someone say Chris Johnson and I just don't see him as that skinny. There's a 30 pound difference in their pre-draft weights. That's pretty major. He is skinny, but Chris Johnson is on another planet.

Purdue had a really good defense and JaJuan was the backbone of their defense a la KG. His direct post D leaves a lot to be desired, but it's a case where he disrupts pick and rolls and is great on the weakside. Ken Pomeroy's adjusted rankings(adjusted for schedule strength) had Purdue as the 12th best defense in the nation last year and 3rd in the nation the previous year. I think we've found ourselves a nice piece, but we'll see.

[Kane3387]

If someone wants to over pay for Green so be it.  In his short stint last season, his ceiling is likely a 6th man on a championship team.  He can't rebound well enough to be a 4 and doesn't shoot well enough to be a 3, but is a guy that can defend both positions and create mismatches off the bench.  

So to that point, the C's are going to "try" to win again, before they begin rebuilding in 2012.  Green may help them win this year, but he is not a piece to rebuild around moving forward unless his game improves enough at the 3 to be a legitimate starter once PP retires or moves to a reduced bench role.  

Yeah I like Jeff Green, especially on a team say like Cleveland where he would get a lot of shots. Flat out the guy was intimidated playing on our roster last year. He went from an AAU or College kind of team environment due to age to playing with guys he was watching on tv as a fifth grader. I think he has a lot more to show then he has shown for us but you can't overpay for that if your goal is cap space and FA.

The biggest asset we likely gained in that trade is the Clippers pick. Assuming the Clips pick turns into 11-16 which I think it will (After they trade Kaman for a 3 they got a sick roster) then we have the opportunity to get a better player then Perk ever will be. I hope we keep Green but that trade is starting to look like it was about that high pick in likely the deepest draft since 2003.

[Kane3387]

I turned it on to late, but when they were recapping what he said they made it seem like Ainge will not do anything to ruin the Celtics cap flexibility in 2012. Hopefully this doesn't prevent us from using the MLE this year.

I was surprised how adamant he was about that.  Obviously, its all going to depend on the new CBA, but I can't imagine Danny won't use the MLE...the question is who they can get to sign to a 1 year deal.

It also did not sound good for resigning Green.  If he doesn't take the QO, then I get the feeling Danny may be letting him walk.

See, I think that's a bad plan.  The only FA that's worth blowing up the team for (or not maximizing our chance to compete next season) is Dwight, and you've got to figure at BEST there's a 5% - 10% chance we can sign him.

Figure there's still a 20% chance the Magic sign him to an extension.  Bump that up if they trade for his buddy Josh Smith.

Figure there's at least a 25% - 30% chance that LA come calling with an offer centered around Bynum, or the Nets with an offer centered around Brook Lopez.  Teams will be calling, and we don't have much to offer. 

So, figure at best a 50% chance he makes it to free agency.  Given how badly we'd have to blow up the team just to have cap space (no KG, no Ray, no Jeff Green, no Baby Davis)....  why would he sign here?  It'd be him, Pierce, and Rondo. 

I'd much rather forgo that small chance of a miracle signing, since I don't really see anyone else that's going to be a free agent that would be worth fighting for if Dwight goes elsewhere.  I'd rather use the MLE, use the LLE, bring in guys like K-Mart and (gulp) Kwame, flesh out the roster with some bigs and let's go to war. 

The only way I see us getting Dwight is to trade Rondo for CP3. I know ppl are rolling their eyes but DA tried to trade Pierce for this guy before he ever played in the NBA and D12 has made it known he wants to play with Paul. I think that's the only way Dwight considers Boston.