Celtics interview Nerlens Noel

[hpantazo]

Contending teams are built around big men, not point guards. Of course you move Rondo for him. We need a legit young defensive monster to anchor our team once KG is gone, we shouldn't pass up a chance to get such a player.

Contending teams are built around big men (generally), but, a big man alone will get you nowhere.  You still need an all-star or better level wing/guard to make it work.

I'd feel a whole lot more comfortable taking my chances on adding a big man to complement Rondo, than I would hoping that Noel 1st pans out, and then being able to complement him with an additional all-star.

Noel is not some surefire future HOF PF.

I hear you, but Noel doesn't have to be a surefire HOF big man, he just has to be a defensive beast in the middle who blocks shots, rebounds well, and has great lateral movement to anchor our team defense. He already has all of those things and a great owrk ethic to boot. Once KG is gone, it doesn't matter how good Rondo is, we can't win without a defensive big man. Just look at our team the last couple of seasons every time KG goes to the bench.

Noel plus Sullinger is a good foundation to build around. It's easier to find a point guard and a scorer than it is a young defensive star with a team first attitude. Look how overated Dwight Howard is.

Maybe you're right, and Noel will turn out to be what people think he will be.  I'm just more of the school of thought that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush, so to speak.

Adding an elite big is not easy, but neither is fielding a team around the big man.  Look how hard it was for Minny to put the proper pieces next to KG, or for Memphis to put the proper pieces next to Pau.  Portland is struggling to put the right pieces next to Aldridge, and so is Minny again (this time with Love).

Maybe your right, I'm just of the mentality that you need a defensive anchor to contend, like KG or Duncan. Love and Aldridge are great players, but neither of them are defensive forces. Look at Memphis with Marc Gasol.

Well, we're in agreement anyways that you do need an elite big, particularly one that plays defense.

Yes, hopefully Ainge has a plan to get one somehow. TP for the discussion.

[Monkhouse]

We should try to go for Gorgui Dieng... In my opinion hes the Center we need that'll anchor our defense for years to come.

[rasta1]

The fact of the matter is the Celtics' championships were all won with dominant defensive centers at the helm

Russell, Cowens, Parish, and then KG

Why stop what works. I think Noel could be fantastic for this team assuming his recovery goes as expected.

Unfortunately I dont think Noel is a huge difference maker unless he figures it out on the offensive end.

[RJ87]

Danny also interviewed MKG and Harrison Barnes last year as well.

[TripleOT]

Nerlens Noel will be the biggest question mark Top 2 pick since Stromile Swift. He's a freak athlete, for sure, but he has zero offensive game.  He's rail thin, and isn't a true 7 footer.  To top it off, he's coming off knee surgery.  What's the difference between him and the many beanpole jumping jacks with no offense that have come into and out of the league the past decade?   

[indeedproceed]

Nerlens Noel will be the biggest question mark Top 2 pick since Stromile Swift. He's a freak athlete, for sure, but he has zero offensive game.  He's rail thin, and isn't a true 7 footer.  To top it off, he's coming off knee surgery.  What's the difference between him and the many beanpole jumping jacks with no offense that have come into and out of the league the past decade?

He's got an awesome work ethic, was a dominating presence in the post defensively, and his coaches love him, and he loves basketball.

[Who]

Noel is meant to be a strong passer and ball-handler for a center, isn't he?

Seems to me Nerlens Noal has a very good chance of being a Joakim Noah level offensive threat even if he fails to develop as a scorer.

[LarBrd33]

A Rondo for Noel trade would be a great way to enter a full-blown rebuilding process and to put the team into position to get a top 5 pick again in 2014.

Sign me up

Same... would be great.

[LarBrd33]

I wouldn't trade Sully under any circumstances. I'd like to develop him

+1

-1

[LarBrd33]

He's a huge Celtic fan.  http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2013/05/2013_nba_draft_projected_no_1.html

Projected No. 1 pick Nerlens Noel, born in Everett, calls Kevin Garnett his favorite basketball player and the Boston Celtics his most beloved team. Once asked who he's most looking forward to meeting in the NBA, Noel answered Garnett. Told to be careful what he wishes for, Noel added that he will be ready for any of the 15-time All-Stars antics.

"I’ll get in his face too," said the Kentucky product, who is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered during his lone college season.

Noel recently told ESPN's Henry Abbott that he owned posters of Garnett and Paul Pierce growing up ("I idolize KG," Noel has said) – and continuing the Celtics theme here, named Rajon Rondo his dream alley-oop partner.

Unfortunately, we have no way landing the #1 pick... and that includes trading Rondo. 

Crazy, we're starting to see the generation of kids who actually liked the Celtics growing up.  When Boston landed KG in 2007, Noel was like 12.

[hpantazo]

He's a huge Celtic fan.  http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2013/05/2013_nba_draft_projected_no_1.html

Projected No. 1 pick Nerlens Noel, born in Everett, calls Kevin Garnett his favorite basketball player and the Boston Celtics his most beloved team. Once asked who he's most looking forward to meeting in the NBA, Noel answered Garnett. Told to be careful what he wishes for, Noel added that he will be ready for any of the 15-time All-Stars antics.

"I’ll get in his face too," said the Kentucky product, who is currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered during his lone college season.

Noel recently told ESPN's Henry Abbott that he owned posters of Garnett and Paul Pierce growing up ("I idolize KG," Noel has said) – and continuing the Celtics theme here, named Rajon Rondo his dream alley-oop partner.

Unfortunately, we have no way landing the #1 pick... and that includes trading Rondo. 

Crazy, we're starting to see the generation of kids who actually liked the Celtics growing up.  When Boston landed KG in 2007, Noel was like 12.

And Pierce was a huge Lakers fan growing up. Noel will probably end up a laker somehow.

[Smokeeye123]

I think this is just posturing for when he's a free agent after his intial contract...Kid grew up in Boston and loves the celtics, so if he's a free agent in say 5 years he'd have to consider us.

[Tr1boy]

I think this is just posturing for when he's a free agent after his intial contract...Kid grew up in Boston and loves the celtics, so if he's a free agent in say 5 years he'd have to consider us.

I think something can be done to get Noel but it will take assets and luck to make it happen.

- Say the suns get 3rd or 4th position in the draft. Noel is still not picked
- Rondo and a 2014 2nd gets traded to the Hawks for their 2013 18-19th pick plus Jeff Teague.
- Celtics than trade their 16th, 18th, Teague for Noel
(better for the Suns, bc they need to stack up talent on the team)
- Than use the 19th to get Glen Rice Jr. , and make another trade involving Courtney lee for a 2nd and grab a Pierre Jackson, Siva or Mccallum as the teams new pg

So for the future, you get a stud front court consisting of Sully + Noel (strength and speed) plus Green, Rice Jr., AB and one of the pg's i've listed.

I mean losing the big three sucks, but this would be a very nice lineup to work with moving on forward.

[mr. dee]

Do you think we can sign him after he hit the free agency when his rookie contract expires?

[lightspeed5]

Introducing our next KG. Our boston boy. Hopefully danny ainge planted the seed in him. He's going to be something special.