Who would you rather have Millsap, Jefferson or Josh Smith(Poll)

[wdleehi]

Player wise I go:

Josh Smith
Al Jefferson
Paul Milsap

I would love to have Smith on this team as I think he is the best talent out of the three and I would love to see him play alongside Pierce, KG, and Rondo.

Based on needs Jefferson fits what we lack the most. However I just don't want Jefferson back and I don't think he has the winners mentality that this team needs. Jefferson has developed a losers attitude and mentality with the teams he has been on and I would hate to have him drag the Celtics down.

I just dont like the idea of giving Milsap a big contract for a long length of time. I think Milsap gives us a minimal upgrade over what Bass gives us. Yet another undersized Power forward for the C's. Let Sully play I bet he can put up similar numbers to Milsap.

His team (who do not have the talents of Pierce and KG) had a better record then the Celtics last year.


If the teams were in opposite conferences, it likely would have been the Jazz in the playoffs, not the Celtics.

[Evantime34]

I am of the mind that Josh Smith will thrive with an elite point guard next to him, similar to how Amare played much better with Steve Nash throwing him passes.

[JOMVP]

One more argument for Jefferson: were watching the Indiana Pacers give the Heat some problems with their size and back to the basket play on the offensive end. I think the Pacers size is the blueprint. Big Al fits that blueprint.

[StartOrien]

In defense of Jefferson , who has he played with to show he can be a winner ??

His best teammate has been Millsap who is an elite role player, but not an all-star. Even with little help Jefferson led them to the playoffs last year in the West , and almost again this year .

I think he could help this team a lot, and don't buy into the "he's a loser " criticism .

Deron Williams. Couldn't play pick and roll next.
Kevin Love. Couldn't play defense together.
Paul Millsap. Barely made it to the playoffs.

But I'm sure THIS is the team.

[rondohondo]

In defense of Jefferson , who has he played with to show he can be a winner ??

His best teammate has been Millsap who is an elite role player, but not an all-star. Even with little help Jefferson led them to the playoffs last year in the West , and almost again this year .

I think he could help this team a lot, and don't buy into the "he's a loser " criticism .

Deron Williams. Couldn't play pick and roll next.
Kevin Love. Couldn't play defense together.
Paul Millsap. Barely made it to the playoffs.

But I'm sure THIS is the team.

He played with Williams half a season
Played with Love his first season or 2

He's not Lebron James, come on man

But he can be the next Zach Randolph...

[BleedGreen1989]

Player wise I go:

Josh Smith
Al Jefferson
Paul Milsap

I would love to have Smith on this team as I think he is the best talent out of the three and I would love to see him play alongside Pierce, KG, and Rondo.

Based on needs Jefferson fits what we lack the most. However I just don't want Jefferson back and I don't think he has the winners mentality that this team needs. Jefferson has developed a losers attitude and mentality with the teams he has been on and I would hate to have him drag the Celtics down.

I just dont like the idea of giving Milsap a big contract for a long length of time. I think Milsap gives us a minimal upgrade over what Bass gives us. Yet another undersized Power forward for the C's. Let Sully play I bet he can put up similar numbers to Milsap.

His team (who do not have the talents of Pierce and KG) had a better record then the Celtics last year.


If the teams were in opposite conferences, it likely would have been the Jazz in the playoffs, not the Celtics.

Yea I don't understand the knock o Al Jefferson that he isn't a "winner". He has played for a bad Celtics team, a bad Minnesota team, and an extremely average Jazz team where his next best player was probably Paul Milsap.

He has been extremely consistent in his own right and arguably owns the best offensive skills in the low post in the entire league.

Over the last 5 seasons, he has never scored less than 17 points, never grabbed less than 9 rebounds, and has consistently shot 50% throughout his entire career despite usually being the only real scoring option.

[PhoSita]

It would depend on the money.

But all things being equal, I think Josh Smith can have the biggest impact out of those three.

[Snakehead]

I am of the mind that Josh Smith will thrive with an elite point guard next to him, similar to how Amare played much better with Steve Nash throwing him passes.

Definitely.

And the shot selection issue... if he's in a flowing offense with good ball movement he should be getting better shots and jumpers around the elbow from the pick and roll.  He was being asked to make shots the whole time with ATL, vs with Rondo where he would be given them.

[CelticG1]

Player wise I go:

Josh Smith
Al Jefferson
Paul Milsap

I would love to have Smith on this team as I think he is the best talent out of the three and I would love to see him play alongside Pierce, KG, and Rondo.

Based on needs Jefferson fits what we lack the most. However I just don't want Jefferson back and I don't think he has the winners mentality that this team needs. Jefferson has developed a losers attitude and mentality with the teams he has been on and I would hate to have him drag the Celtics down.

I just dont like the idea of giving Milsap a big contract for a long length of time. I think Milsap gives us a minimal upgrade over what Bass gives us. Yet another undersized Power forward for the C's. Let Sully play I bet he can put up similar numbers to Milsap.

His team (who do not have the talents of Pierce and KG) had a better record then the Celtics last year.


If the teams were in opposite conferences, it likely would have been the Jazz in the playoffs, not the Celtics.

Yea I don't understand the knock o Al Jefferson that he isn't a "winner". He has played for a bad Celtics team, a bad Minnesota team, and an extremely average Jazz team where his next best player was probably Paul Milsap.

He has been extremely consistent in his own right and arguably owns the best offensive skills in the low post in the entire league.

Over the last 5 seasons, he has never scored less than 17 points, never grabbed less than 9 rebounds, and has consistently shot 50% throughout his entire career despite usually being the only real scoring option.

Don't worry pauly paul gets a pass!!

[More Banners]

Player wise I go:

Josh Smith
Al Jefferson
Paul Milsap

I would love to have Smith on this team as I think he is the best talent out of the three and I would love to see him play alongside Pierce, KG, and Rondo.

Based on needs Jefferson fits what we lack the most. However I just don't want Jefferson back and I don't think he has the winners mentality that this team needs. Jefferson has developed a losers attitude and mentality with the teams he has been on and I would hate to have him drag the Celtics down.

I just dont like the idea of giving Milsap a big contract for a long length of time. I think Milsap gives us a minimal upgrade over what Bass gives us. Yet another undersized Power forward for the C's. Let Sully play I bet he can put up similar numbers to Milsap.

His team (who do not have the talents of Pierce and KG) had a better record then the Celtics last year.


If the teams were in opposite conferences, it likely would have been the Jazz in the playoffs, not the Celtics.

Yea I don't understand the knock o Al Jefferson that he isn't a "winner". He has played for a bad Celtics team, a bad Minnesota team, and an extremely average Jazz team where his next best player was probably Paul Milsap.

He has been extremely consistent in his own right and arguably owns the best offensive skills in the low post in the entire league.

Over the last 5 seasons, he has never scored less than 17 points, never grabbed less than 9 rebounds, and has consistently shot 50% throughout his entire career despite usually being the only real scoring option.

Precisely.

Let's all just think about what a Rondo/Green/Jefferson core would be able to do.  Throw in the two starting-level role players, let's call them Bradley and Sully.  Or Pierce and KG.

Yeah, Jefferson is the guy.  Best fit, best complement of talents (i.e. that others don't have), and as mentioned above, a rock-solid record of performance.

Fills all needs:  legit big man, legit post presence, shot blocker, go-to scorer, rebounder, great hands around hoop.

If Green/Sully/Jefferson is your front line of the future, I'm pretty excited.

[Evantime34]

Player wise I go:

Josh Smith
Al Jefferson
Paul Milsap

I would love to have Smith on this team as I think he is the best talent out of the three and I would love to see him play alongside Pierce, KG, and Rondo.

Based on needs Jefferson fits what we lack the most. However I just don't want Jefferson back and I don't think he has the winners mentality that this team needs. Jefferson has developed a losers attitude and mentality with the teams he has been on and I would hate to have him drag the Celtics down.

I just dont like the idea of giving Milsap a big contract for a long length of time. I think Milsap gives us a minimal upgrade over what Bass gives us. Yet another undersized Power forward for the C's. Let Sully play I bet he can put up similar numbers to Milsap.

His team (who do not have the talents of Pierce and KG) had a better record then the Celtics last year.


If the teams were in opposite conferences, it likely would have been the Jazz in the playoffs, not the Celtics.

Yea I don't understand the knock o Al Jefferson that he isn't a "winner". He has played for a bad Celtics team, a bad Minnesota team, and an extremely average Jazz team where his next best player was probably Paul Milsap.

He has been extremely consistent in his own right and arguably owns the best offensive skills in the low post in the entire league.

Over the last 5 seasons, he has never scored less than 17 points, never grabbed less than 9 rebounds, and has consistently shot 50% throughout his entire career despite usually being the only real scoring option.

Precisely.

Let's all just think about what a Rondo/Green/Jefferson core would be able to do.  Throw in the two starting-level role players, let's call them Bradley and Sully.  Or Pierce and KG.

Yeah, Jefferson is the guy.  Best fit, best complement of talents (i.e. that others don't have), and as mentioned above, a rock-solid record of performance.

Fills all needs:  legit big man, legit post presence, shot blocker, go-to scorer, rebounder, great hands around hoop.

If Green/Sully/Jefferson is your front line of the future, I'm pretty excited.

I disagree with you that Jefferson is the best fit.

Since this team has been successful, they have focused on defense first and foremost. Jefferson would be going away from that.

Since Rondo has gotten better and become the best player on the team, Ainge has attempted to build a team that is more athletic and will run more. Jefferson does not fit a running style at all.

Josh Smith, gives the C's an athletic shot blocking defender who can run the floor with Rondo and finish at the rim. His skills are much more in line with Rondo, Bradley, and Green, the players the Celtics will look to in the future.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Why isn't there a none of the above option?

Millsap is 5'8"
Smith has terrible shot selection and stops paying attention for quarters at a time
Jefferson can't play d

They're all too expensive for what they bring

[crimson_stallion]

For me it would have to be Smith.

Jefferson is still a bit small (for my preference) at the center spot, yet he's too slow to play PF.  His defense is sub-par. He's a very good player (and will continue to be for years to come) but I think we've already seen the best he has to offer, and I don't see any room for him to improvement.  Jefferson gives us rebounding, interior muscle and inside scoring...but I think Sullinger can give us all that for a LOT less money. 

Millsap is a really nice player, but I just don't see how he helps us with our current size predicament at the PF spot.  At 6'8" he really isn't any bigger than Bass or Sullinger, and lack of height at that spot has been killing us ever since KG moved to center. Like jefferson, I don't think Millsap has much potential to improve past where he is.  He can play both SF and PF, but he's not much of a shotblocker and I wouldn't want to see him at Center even if we got desperate.

Smith (at 6'9") gives us decent size at the PF spot, combined with Elite atheleticism and decent strength.  He can score arouund the basket and outside.  He's a threat on offense and on defense.  He gets his share of steals, he's an excellent shot blocker, he's a very good rebounder, he's an outstanding passer.  He has all the raw talent to be an elite superstar, with his mentality and environment being the only things holding him back...and that tells me he still has some potential to get better.

Honestly I'm not going to be upset with either one of these guys, but give the choice I'd have to take Smith.   

Honestly, the odd thing is I'd probably take Gortat second.  He's obviously not as skilled a player as Millsap or Jefferson, but I just thing he fills out needs better.  He gives us size (that Milsap lacks),  defense and athleticism (which Jefferson lacks), efficiency on offense (which Smith lacks) and a relatively modest contract (which all three of those guys will probably lack).

 

While these guys are all pretty young still, I believe Smith is the only one of the three who has still has the potential to improve.  Millsap and Jefferson IMO have already seen their peak years.

[More Banners]

Player wise I go:

Josh Smith
Al Jefferson
Paul Milsap

I would love to have Smith on this team as I think he is the best talent out of the three and I would love to see him play alongside Pierce, KG, and Rondo.

Based on needs Jefferson fits what we lack the most. However I just don't want Jefferson back and I don't think he has the winners mentality that this team needs. Jefferson has developed a losers attitude and mentality with the teams he has been on and I would hate to have him drag the Celtics down.

I just dont like the idea of giving Milsap a big contract for a long length of time. I think Milsap gives us a minimal upgrade over what Bass gives us. Yet another undersized Power forward for the C's. Let Sully play I bet he can put up similar numbers to Milsap.

His team (who do not have the talents of Pierce and KG) had a better record then the Celtics last year.


If the teams were in opposite conferences, it likely would have been the Jazz in the playoffs, not the Celtics.

Yea I don't understand the knock o Al Jefferson that he isn't a "winner". He has played for a bad Celtics team, a bad Minnesota team, and an extremely average Jazz team where his next best player was probably Paul Milsap.

He has been extremely consistent in his own right and arguably owns the best offensive skills in the low post in the entire league.

Over the last 5 seasons, he has never scored less than 17 points, never grabbed less than 9 rebounds, and has consistently shot 50% throughout his entire career despite usually being the only real scoring option.

Precisely.

Let's all just think about what a Rondo/Green/Jefferson core would be able to do.  Throw in the two starting-level role players, let's call them Bradley and Sully.  Or Pierce and KG.

Yeah, Jefferson is the guy.  Best fit, best complement of talents (i.e. that others don't have), and as mentioned above, a rock-solid record of performance.

Fills all needs:  legit big man, legit post presence, shot blocker, go-to scorer, rebounder, great hands around hoop.

If Green/Sully/Jefferson is your front line of the future, I'm pretty excited.

I disagree with you that Jefferson is the best fit.

Since this team has been successful, they have focused on defense first and foremost. Jefferson would be going away from that.

Since Rondo has gotten better and become the best player on the team, Ainge has attempted to build a team that is more athletic and will run more. Jefferson does not fit a running style at all.

Josh Smith, gives the C's an athletic shot blocking defender who can run the floor with Rondo and finish at the rim. His skills are much more in line with Rondo, Bradley, and Green, the players the Celtics will look to in the future.

Ainge has attempted to add the best talent that complemented the not-too-athletic formerly big three as they have continued aging into the rocking chair.  That has meant younger players, who tend to be more athletic.  Remember Pierce at 25?  It wasn't all step-backs.  He was quick.

The focus on defense also assumed that with three near-prime allstar 20pt average scoring players, that offense wouldn't be a problem.  Now, it has proven to be, and (along with the refs) cost us a title in the Finals against LA when we had that scoring drought late.

In any case, Al is a legit big/center and would be a nice presence next to Sully down the road, and KG now.  I don't think the others play next to Sully.  That's a roster fit issue.  Big Al is best of the three.

KG and Al would provide matchup-problem size up front, which is a solid formula for winning (e.g. McHale/Chief, KG/Perk, etc.). 

And that shot blocking as rim protection from SMith - how much of that is weak-side help, and how much is on-ball?  He's not a paint defender, no matter what the blocks say.  I don't care for his offensive game in the half-court, either.  I don't think a team with him as the go-to scoring option in the half court is a winner.  He's a mini-DH, and mini-DH's just aren't quite it.

[hpantazo]

Why isn't there a none of the above option?

Millsap is 5'8"
Smith has terrible shot selection and stops paying attention for quarters at a time
Jefferson can't play d

They're all too expensive for what they bring

"Can't play D" or "doesn't play D"? Because I believe with the right coaching staff anyone with the physical tools can play solid D.