Excellent article on the Celtics +Ainge's impending Dilemmas ( Long-Must read)

[FallGuy]

So how do you propose we get that kind of talent to Boston? CP3 isn't coming, and he made it clear he wants no part of Boston.

Dwight isn't coming, either.

So out of the other superstars that are out there, who would be willing to come to Boston to make us contenders again?

Probably no one this offseason. It'll likely take a multi-year effort to find the kind of guy who can topline a championship team. Ainge will probably elect to go for young guys, bad teams and draft picks for the next couple of years. And be ready to strike if someone becomes available.

That's what he did with KG/Ray and what he tried to do with CP3.

Ainge is no dummy. He knows the C's benefit not a whit from a middling team of aging veterans. Or a middling team of any composition.

[GreenFaith1819]

So how do you propose we get that kind of talent to Boston? CP3 isn't coming, and he made it clear he wants no part of Boston.

Dwight isn't coming, either.

So out of the other superstars that are out there, who would be willing to come to Boston to make us contenders again?

Probably no one this offseason. It'll likely take a multi-year effort to find the kind of guy who can topline a championship team. Ainge will probably elect to go for young guys, bad teams and draft picks for the next couple of years. And be ready to strike if someone becomes available.

That's what he did with KG/Ray and what he tried to do with CP3.

Ainge is no dummy. He knows the C's benefit not a whit from a middling team of aging veterans. Or a middling team of any composition.

But see, that's the thing...it's been discussed on here before.

No topline talent out there wants to come to Boston...the only player that I have knowledge of that WANTS to play with Rondo is Josh Smith, which I stated in an earlier post.

Unless we get a diamond in the draft, the climate in Boston is that no one wants to play here, which is where I have a disconnect with as far as today's superstars.

We have a great coach and a great GM in Danny (I know some may disagree with how I classify Danny). We also have an engaged ownership in place.

This is why I earlier dismissed CP3 and Dwight..perhaps my own disdain for them not wanting to come here. They are both Superstar talent, but CP3 hasn't lead his team to a Finals.

I will give Dwight some credit - he lead ORL to the Finals (once KG got hurt) in 08-09. But he did accomplish that.

But Dwight isn't landing in Boston unless it's to play against us.

[Smokeeye123]

We are going to end up trading one of the big three and something else for Josh Smith. Take it to the bank and cash it, it's going to happen.

Josh Smith is a solid, young starting Guard who played with Rondo in high school.

[nickagneta]

We are going to end up trading one of the big three and something else for Josh Smith. Take it to the bank and cash it, it's going to happen.

Josh Smith is a solid, young starting Guard who played with Rondo in high school.

1. I hope you didn't put money on this because you will be losing that bet.

2. Smith is a SF/PF tweener, not a guard.

3. Who cares if he played with Rondo in high school. He's exactly the type of player you want to avoid in doing this rebuilding process unless you have given up on using cap space this off season as a way to get a superstar whether that be top 10 or top 20. Josh Smith is not a top 20 player in this league and should be avoided.

[GreenFaith1819]

We are going to end up trading one of the big three and something else for Josh Smith. Take it to the bank and cash it, it's going to happen.

Josh Smith is a solid, young starting Guard who played with Rondo in high school.

1. I hope you didn't put money on this because you will be losing that bet.

2. Smith is a SF/PF tweener, not a guard.

3. Who cares if he played with Rondo in high school. He's exactly the type of player you want to avoid in doing this rebuilding process unless you have given up on using cap space this off season as a way to get a superstar whether that be top 10 or top 20. Josh Smith is not a top 20 player in this league and should be avoided.

So Nick - where would you rank Josh Smith? I know he's reportedly had issues in the past or whatever.

I just want someone to offer some other route or path for Boston next year, because Boston isn't an attractive spot for "Today's Stars"....for whatever reason.

I'd rather have Jeff Green, Josh Smith, Bass, etc...players who want to be here, lol....this is the "new" NBA.

[FallGuy]

So how do you propose we get that kind of talent to Boston? CP3 isn't coming, and he made it clear he wants no part of Boston.

Dwight isn't coming, either.

So out of the other superstars that are out there, who would be willing to come to Boston to make us contenders again?

Probably no one this offseason. It'll likely take a multi-year effort to find the kind of guy who can topline a championship team. Ainge will probably elect to go for young guys, bad teams and draft picks for the next couple of years. And be ready to strike if someone becomes available.

That's what he did with KG/Ray and what he tried to do with CP3.

Ainge is no dummy. He knows the C's benefit not a whit from a middling team of aging veterans. Or a middling team of any composition.

But see, that's the thing...it's been discussed on here before.

No topline talent out there wants to come to Boston...the only player that I have knowledge of that WANTS to play with Rondo is Josh Smith, which I stated in an earlier post.

Unless we get a diamond in the draft, the climate in Boston is that no one wants to play here, which is where I have a disconnect with as far as today's superstars.

We have a great coach and a great GM in Danny (I know some may disagree with how I classify Danny). We also have an engaged ownership in place.

This is why I earlier dismissed CP3 and Dwight..perhaps my own disdain for them not wanting to come here. They are both Superstar talent, but CP3 hasn't lead his team to a Finals.

I will give Dwight some credit - he lead ORL to the Finals (once KG got hurt) in 08-09. But he did accomplish that.

But Dwight isn't landing in Boston unless it's to play against us.

Ainge will have to trade for someone or draft them, probably. KG didn't want to play in Boston either. But he signed an extension. Someone else will eventually do the same.

Like CP3, KG hadn't led his team to a finals either. It's not relevant in discussing their value as building blocks. Aren't you the one talking about needing teams, not players? Neither of those guys had the right players around them.  

Just seems like you have a grudge against these guys cause they want to play elsewhere (somewhere warm).

[FallGuy]

We are going to end up trading one of the big three and something else for Josh Smith. Take it to the bank and cash it, it's going to happen.

Josh Smith is a solid, young starting Guard who played with Rondo in high school.

Josh Smith is a PF. And Atlanta is not going to trade him with Horford injured.

[FallGuy]

We are going to end up trading one of the big three and something else for Josh Smith. Take it to the bank and cash it, it's going to happen.

Josh Smith is a solid, young starting Guard who played with Rondo in high school.

1. I hope you didn't put money on this because you will be losing that bet.

2. Smith is a SF/PF tweener, not a guard.

3. Who cares if he played with Rondo in high school. He's exactly the type of player you want to avoid in doing this rebuilding process unless you have given up on using cap space this off season as a way to get a superstar whether that be top 10 or top 20. Josh Smith is not a top 20 player in this league and should be avoided.

I'd hate to have that kind of money tied up in Rondo and Smith, two guys who shoot poorly.

[footey]

I don't think PP will be going to LA.  The Clippers would be nice as they are a young team and in PP home.  But the thought of him going to the Lakers is one I do not want to even consider.

Danny will send him to the highest bidder.

[GreenFaith1819]

So how do you propose we get that kind of talent to Boston? CP3 isn't coming, and he made it clear he wants no part of Boston.

Dwight isn't coming, either.

So out of the other superstars that are out there, who would be willing to come to Boston to make us contenders again?

Probably no one this offseason. It'll likely take a multi-year effort to find the kind of guy who can topline a championship team. Ainge will probably elect to go for young guys, bad teams and draft picks for the next couple of years. And be ready to strike if someone becomes available.

That's what he did with KG/Ray and what he tried to do with CP3.

Ainge is no dummy. He knows the C's benefit not a whit from a middling team of aging veterans. Or a middling team of any composition.

But see, that's the thing...it's been discussed on here before.

No topline talent out there wants to come to Boston...the only player that I have knowledge of that WANTS to play with Rondo is Josh Smith, which I stated in an earlier post.

Unless we get a diamond in the draft, the climate in Boston is that no one wants to play here, which is where I have a disconnect with as far as today's superstars.

We have a great coach and a great GM in Danny (I know some may disagree with how I classify Danny). We also have an engaged ownership in place.

This is why I earlier dismissed CP3 and Dwight..perhaps my own disdain for them not wanting to come here. They are both Superstar talent, but CP3 hasn't lead his team to a Finals.

I will give Dwight some credit - he lead ORL to the Finals (once KG got hurt) in 08-09. But he did accomplish that.

But Dwight isn't landing in Boston unless it's to play against us.

Ainge will have to trade for someone or draft them, probably. KG didn't want to play in Boston either. But he signed an extension. Someone else will eventually do the same.

Like CP3, KG hadn't led his team to a finals either. It's not relevant in discussing their value as building blocks. Aren't you the one talking about needing teams, not players? Neither of those guys had the right players around them.  

Just seems like you have a grudge against these guys cause they want to play elsewhere (somewhere warm).

FallGuy - I admit that you nailed it on the head (grudge). I admittedly do have a grudge against today's stars....the debacle that Dwight is causing in ORL..his very vocal trade requirements...I suppose I've just lived too long.

Kobe's very vocal trade demands from 2007....

In the 80's and 90's you just didn't hear about stuff like this. I am old school.

And I'm sorry - they may give the reason of climate or warmth or whatever as the reason to not come to Boston.

But to me that excuse is rather shallow. That's just me.

[nickagneta]

We are going to end up trading one of the big three and something else for Josh Smith. Take it to the bank and cash it, it's going to happen.

Josh Smith is a solid, young starting Guard who played with Rondo in high school.

1. I hope you didn't put money on this because you will be losing that bet.

2. Smith is a SF/PF tweener, not a guard.

3. Who cares if he played with Rondo in high school. He's exactly the type of player you want to avoid in doing this rebuilding process unless you have given up on using cap space this off season as a way to get a superstar whether that be top 10 or top 20. Josh Smith is not a top 20 player in this league and should be avoided.

So Nick - where would you rank Josh Smith? I know he's reportedly had issues in the past or whatever.

I just want someone to offer some other route or path for Boston next year, because Boston isn't an attractive spot for "Today's Stars"....for whatever reason.

I'd rather have Jeff Green, Josh Smith, Bass, etc...players who want to be here, lol....this is the "new" NBA.

Well for one, I would explore in earnest, Kevin Love's desire to get out of Minnesota. If he hates Minnesota and doesn't re-sign there and starts making noise he wants out, I would look to get him in a sign and trade or make it clear to his agent that if he takes the QO he will have a max deal waiting for him the next year from Boston and I would make sure to have enough cap space to sign him then.

Also, I would look to get bargain value talent signed to contracts that do not put into jeopardy future cap space if we can't sign Love this summer. Bargain contracts like Bass and Rondo have now are always easy to move for better talent in a package deal. Bad contracts to overpaid mid level stars, such are terrible to try to move.

Josh Smith can run and dunk and block shots from the weak side like crazy. But he's a poor one on one defender and team defender as he likes playing the passing lanes for steals or sneaking too far into the paint looking for a backside blocks when his man is not playing down low. His outside shooting is poor as is his FT shooting. His passing is fair at best. He's probably a top 40 player in the league at best. He's probably a great 3rd option on a championship team but not if the second option is Rondo who also has outside and FT shooting weaknesses.

[GreenFaith1819]

Nick - I'd LOVE LOVE in Green...but I doubt that he's coming to Boston, too.

He has an up and coming PG in Rubio, and Minny is finally turning the corner as far as being competitive.

Who knows? I hope I'm wrong...I've been wrong before.

I just think if we got Josh Smith here, he'd improve in those areas you mentioned. He has the talent, he just needs the coaching. And Doc's one of the best.

[nickagneta]

Nick - I'd LOVE LOVE in Green...but I doubt that he's coming to Boston, too.

He has an up and coming PG in Rubio, and Minny is finally turning the corner as far as being competitive.

Who knows? I hope I'm wrong...I've been wrong before.

I just think if we got Josh Smith here, he'd improve in those areas you mentioned. He has the talent, he just needs the coaching. And Doc's one of the best.

Not trying to be a downer my friend but Doc hasn't improved Rondo's gambling defensive way, his outside shooting or his FT shooting.

[slamdunk]

No topline talent out there wants to come to Boston...the only player that I have knowledge of that WANTS to play with Rondo is Josh Smith, which I stated in an earlier post.

Unless we get a diamond in the draft, the climate in Boston is that no one wants to play here, which is where I have a disconnect with as far as today's superstars.

Sadly this is true. Back when Danny acquired KG everyone said there would be a stampede of top free agents wanting to play here. It never happened.

In fact, when was the last time the Celtics were able to sign an impact free agent? It's been a while.

[GreenFaith1819]

Nick - I'd LOVE LOVE in Green...but I doubt that he's coming to Boston, too.

He has an up and coming PG in Rubio, and Minny is finally turning the corner as far as being competitive.

Who knows? I hope I'm wrong...I've been wrong before.

I just think if we got Josh Smith here, he'd improve in those areas you mentioned. He has the talent, he just needs the coaching. And Doc's one of the best.

Not trying to be a downer my friend but Doc hasn't improved Rondo's gambling defensive way, his outside shooting or his FT shooting.

You are correct there, too (Rondo)....smh.

But getting back to Josh - additionally, isn't he close friends with Dwight?

That's why I am so high on him getting here.

I think Danny needs to be VERY creative with today's Superstar climate...I'd hate to have his job.

After all, KG wasn't coming here with just Paul...it took Ray for KG to finally decide to come here.