What Has Danny Done?

[billysan]

I know we are only 8 games into the new season. I know we have a 4-4 record and havent really played against a tough schedule on paper other than the Heat. I know we have a roster full of rookies, role players and unproven young players with potential.

The fact is, these guys seem to be having fun. The fact is, they seem to believe in themselves and more importantly in each other. Even a curmudgeonly display or two by some older veterans hasnt dampened the spirit of this team.

I enjoy watching as much as the next guy, but I guardedly wait for this ship to crash on the rocks. How long will the team go out on the floor with a chip and play hard? Especially when the losses and blowouts come?

I think we have built a nice positive culture here. Danny has found a coach and players that are providing a nice foundation to build with. I dont know if Rajon Rondo has bought in or not, but he seems engaged on the sideline. How long can Brad Stevens keep these guys focused and playing hard?

How long before Danny starts tinkering and blows this thing up?

What if we keep slogging along at or near a .500 record?

Will that influence Danny not to trade some of these youngsters?

Is this thing coming together faster than he calculated?

[KGs Knee]

Likely nothing more than an early season hot streak.  Teams like Miami tend to start slow, and the other victories have been against the worst of the worst.

That said, maybe Stevens offensive system is just well-suited to a bunch of mid-tier players.  I mean, wasn't that basically what he was doing at Butler?  In the NBA, talent still wins out at the end of the day, though.

[Fafnir]

I'm sure Danny will try and sell off some veterans for prices/pieces he likes. But other teams aren't really calling right now unless their is an injury anyways. Most things wait till near the deadline.

[Rhyso]

I think if we maintain a .500 record, it will give Danny the ability to get value for our role players through trade, or at least clear some cap space going forward.

Honestly i don't think the Brooklyn trade dropped a significant enough amount of talent for us to not be a borderline playoff team. Pierce and KG win playoff games, but cruise at times through the regular season. With Rondo back, we have a lot of players who will be playing hard and may give us more wins than expected.

- Rondo will have a chip on his shoulder when he returns
- Contract years for Humphries, Bradley, Crawford and Brookes
- Sully returning from surgery keen to make up for lost time
- New coach, no pressure situation for the team
- Log jams at positions means healthy competition for playing time

On the flip side it wouldn't suprise me if we finish 15th in the east either, no complaints there.

[billysan]

Likely nothing more than an early season hot streak.  Teams like Miami tend to start slow, and the other victories have been against the worst of the worst.

That said, maybe Stevens offensive system is just well-suited to a bunch of mid-tier players.  I mean, wasn't that basically what he was doing at Butler?  In the NBA, talent still wins out at the end of the day, though.

Good point, Butler was usually perceived as a bunch of overachieving midlevel talent type players during his tenure. This could be the case at 8 games in this season.

I do think Stevens has the team believing in themselves to some extent. Not to be champions to be sure, but at least they can go out and compete.

[NYDan]

Winning the way we are makes all our players look good. I wouldn't be surprised if Danny capitalizes on it at some point if we keep it up, but probably not anytime soon.

[billysan]

Winning the way we are makes all our players look good. I wouldn't be surprised if Danny capitalizes on it at some point if we keep it up, but probably not anytime soon.

Solid team basketball giving us a chance to win every nite. It does make us look good collectively, but not so much for padding stats.

We will not make any trades before the Christmas Holidays IMO.

[PhoSita]

I'd be really surprised if Bass, Lee, Crawford, and Humphries are all on the team after the deadline.  I think I'd be a little surprised if more than 2 are left.

[billysan]

I'd be really surprised if Bass, Lee, Crawford, and Humphries are all on the team after the deadline.  I think I'd be a little surprised if more than 2 are left.

When/if Rondo comes back and is starting with Bradley, we can afford to let Crawford or Lee go. Not sure it will be both as we only have Brooks and Pressey behind them, unless you count Bogans. I would likely add Bogans to your group.

Not sure he can get value for Bass and I dont see him being dumped for nothing. Humphries expiring will be a nice trade facilitator so I agree on him.

[Clench123]

Likely nothing more than an early season hot streak.  Teams like Miami tend to start slow, and the other victories have been against the worst of the worst.

That said, maybe Stevens offensive system is just well-suited to a bunch of mid-tier players.  I mean, wasn't that basically what he was doing at Butler?  In the NBA, talent still wins out at the end of the day, though.

Good point, Butler was usually perceived as a bunch of overachieving midlevel talent type players during his tenure. This could be the case at 8 games in this season.

I do think Stevens has the team believing in themselves to some extent. Not to be champions to be sure, but at least they can go out and compete.

Heyyyyyy...never say never

[wdleehi]

Hopefully, he sells the hot players that the team has no long term plans with. 

[Eddie20]

I know we have a 4-4 record and havent really played against a tough schedule on paper other than the Heat.

Memphis away on 3rd game in 4 nights was also a very tough game and we were in that one too.

[billysan]

Hopefully, he sells the hot players that the team has no long term plans with. 

Looks like that will be anyone but Sullinger, Olynyk, Green, Bradley, and Rondo so far if I were guessing. I would like to add Vitor to the list but we have seen a few loveable lugs play center and pass on through over the past few years.

I just want to keep the good unselfish attitude intact going forward.

[billysan]

I know we have a 4-4 record and havent really played against a tough schedule on paper other than the Heat.

Memphis away on 3rd game in 4 nights was also a very tough game and we were in that one too.

True, we werent really ready for that team yet. I do think that now after a little confidence and playing them in Boston there would be a better outcome.

It would be fun to see them with Rondo back in the lineup. 

[Q_FBE]

So far I like what I see and this team can develop into something special. At least what I saw out of the Miami game was that this team has more than a competitive pulse. I need to see more games to see what happens (I thought the same thing back in April with the Red Sox).