Not what you hope the roster will look like, but what you think it will realistically look like given the shortened free agency period and the Celtics trade assets. I think it'll go a little something like this...
Starting line up un changed from last year-
Rondo
Allen
Pierce
Garnett
J. O'Neal
The Bench:
Delonte West......I really hope that Danny has made it a top priority to re-sin West. He is the perfect fit as a combo guard for this team. I've been a fan of his rugged, tough play style ever since i first saw him in a celtics uniform. D-West has injury concerns since he plays pretty wrecklessly when he's on the floor but will be relatively cheap to re-sign. His first choice will definantly to stay in Boston. Knows the system.
Marquis Daniels.....Probably the highest basketball IQ of any player i've seen come off the Celtics bench in the last couple of years. Provides tremendous versatility since he can play at the 1-2-or 3 and can also guard those positions pretty well. Don't know if he's a "LeBron stopper" but can definantly give D-Wade some troubles defensively. Not much of a shooter but can create offense when he wants to. Would probably be a cheap re-sign and knows Docs system.
Jeff Green.....Green accepts the QO from the celtics. We saw in last years playoffs that Green is not much of a defensive stopper but will feel more comfortable incorporating his offensive skill set on the team this year. If not for Durant, Green is a guy that could have been putting up 20 a night or more on OKC. Silky smooth on that end of the floor. I expect big things from Jeff Green in 2012. I'd really like to see him accept the role of the "Hustler" (a la Powe in 08 and 09) and fight for loose balls and crash the offensive boards. He can also be dynamite on the fast break when running along side Rajon.I expect Green to get alot of minutes with the starters this year.
Anthony Tolliver....Okay, this one is kind of random, just let me explain...The Celtics still have Marquis Daniels trade exception to use, which i think is around 2.2 million? (Please correct me if i'm wrong) With that, i think the Celtics realize their best option is to use is to replace "The Ticket Stub." Yes, i think he's done as a Celtic and i think Bostons best option is trading Davis for a trade exception. Back to Tolliver---He does everything that we wish Big Baby did---excellent shooter from 20-25 feet out and is an above average rebounder. He's not a great athlete but is still a step up on Davis in that department as well. IMO i think Tolliver is a great option for the C's and i'd be surprised if he wasn't on Danny's radar. Minnesota has a plethora of PF's so i could see them letting Tolliver go for our trade exception and maybe throw in a second round pick.
Joel Pryzbilla.....Pryzbilla had a horrid year last year (2 ppg, 4 rpg) without question but that was mainly due to injury. With the long off season, Prybilla has had a sufficient amount of time to let his knee and ankle heal. Even with the injury, i think Danny will take a chance on Pryzbilla for 3 mill a year for maybe 2 years seeing as he is our most realistic option at center and given his history as a defensive stopper. The injuries are a concern, no doubt, but Boston is known for having one of the best medical staffs in the league. Also, Pryzbilla is 7 foot 1, 300 pounds, at the very least he's going to make Lebron, D Wade, or Derrick Rose think twice about driving to the hoop. He's not the best offensive player but hey, neither was Perk. I wouldn't expect Pryzbillas offensive numbers to jump by much but he will definantly get more opputunities to finish inside the paint off feeds from Rondo.
Avery Bradley.....I'm a believer in Avery. The kid is only 20 years old, is lightning fast and is a defensive menace. Watching him on offense last year was horrid at times but he has all the time in the world to improve. We already have 2 great defensive stoppers at point guard in Rajon and Delonte, who are much farther ahead than Bradley so i don't see much use for him this year but put him on the shelf, keep him pitted against strong competition in practices and i like his chances moving forward.
E'Twaun Moore.....E-Twaun is alot like Marquis Daniels. He won't wow you with his athleticism and won't break anyone down off the dribble, isn't fast but he will get minutes in this league because he plays smart, is crafty on the offensive end and plays with good fundamentals on the defensive end. I don't see him getting many minutes this year but hopefully will get time to develope in the D-League.
Gilbert Brown.....Can catch and shoot and defend tough. Doesn't do much else but can be used as an extra body in practice and will get time to develope in the D-League
JaJuan Johnson.....Think a poor mans KG. I Can actually see JJJ getting a chance at some serious minutes this year. He is very long and can get shots off over big defenders and is dynamite from 15 to 20 feet out. His main contribution will come on the offensive end. I'd love to see him and Antony Tolliver duke it out for minutes.
I Think KG needs to go up to JaJuan on the first day of practice, hold out his arm and be like "This is the wing, you're under it."
Tony Battie....The Celts will most likely use the veterans minimum to bring in a big guy like Tony as an insurance policy to JO and whoever the 2nd string center turns out being. I've always liked Tony and it would be a delight seeing him back in Boston. Not sure how much he's got left in the tank.
That leaves us with a rotation of...
Rondo/ West/ Bradley
Allen/ Daniels/ Moore
Pierce/ Green/ Gilbert Brown
Garnett/ Tolliver/ JJ Johnson
J. O'Neal/ Pryzbilla/ Battie
Now, by looking at the rotation you can tell right away that the Center position will be a major concern for the Celtics. To say that O'Neal and Pryzbilla are injury prone is the understatement of the century. I'm hoping that the Celtics will be able to trade Big Baby and get a trade exception in return which could be packaged with a draft pick to get a guy like Zaza Pachulia or Robin Lopez who can step in, play some hard nosed defense and alleviate O'Neal and Pryzbilla. The Celtics also have assets such as Avery Bradley and the Clippers 2012 pick if they're in dyer need of another center.
I just want to say that i'm undescribably excited to have the NBA back. Watching my favorite team finally play will be the best christmas present i get this year no matter who is on the roster. God bless and Go Celts!
Topic: predict the opening day roster (Read 948 times)