Which big men does Ainge target to put next to Rondo? I choose ...

[billysan]

Sully is already a legit starting PF, we just dont have a legit center to start next to him so he plays out of position a lot. The trouble with guys like Sanders, is they cant hold interior position defensively against low post scoring people like Sully, Dwight, the Gasol's, Chandler, Cousins, Monroe/Drummond, Hibbert, Aldrige and so forth. Thats why the Bucks went out and got Pachulia.

We need someone with length and strength IMO.

Last year Sanders allowed .760 pts per possession, according to Synergy Sports. He ranked 3rd among starting Cs (Perkins, Gasol).

He was among some of the best defenders in the NBA in terms of on-court defensive rating (98.8 points per 100 possessions) versus off-court (105.6 points per 100 possessions) defensive rating.

Most importantly, I remember that Kirk Goldsbery wrote an article on Grantland where he said that Sanders held opponents to the lowest shooting percentage on attempts inside of five feet in the league.

Sanders has issues on the other side of the floor though.

Dont get me wrong, I like Sanders a bunch as a defensive big. He just isnt what I consider a true center. I think he is an ultra athletic, weak side shot blocking machine and jump out of the gym guy who is playing out of position at center.

I realize you could put up a video where he had a dunk party of 21 points againt Dwight and the Lakers. Still he is a PF IMO, not a center. That is why the Bucks have gone through Sam Dalembert last year and now Zaza this year in an attempt to find a center so that Larry can excel at the 4 spot.

[Celtics4ever]

He just isnt what I consider a true center. I think he is an ultra athletic, weak side shot blocking machine and jump out of the gym guy who is playing out of position at center.

NBA wide how many true centers are they?   Not every team has one these days.

[billysan]

He just isnt what I consider a true center. I think he is an ultra athletic, weak side shot blocking machine and jump out of the gym guy who is playing out of position at center.

NBA wide how many true centers are they?   Not every team has one these days.

And that also adds to my point. Amare, KG, Bosh, Duncan, Pau Gasol are all examples of legit NBA big men who have had to play center at one time or another but are really better suited to play the PF position. They all have thrived and their teams thrived when they were paired next to a Center vs having to be the Center.

**Chris Bosh is actually not a very good example but is only an anomaly because he plays next to Lebron James and Dwayne Wade changing the whole team dynamic.

There are plenty more but those are the easy ones to point out. I am just saying that I think Larry Sanders is playing out of position as a Center and is better suited to play PF. I am not saying he isnt a first class defensive player or desirable player to add to any team.

[chambers]

How are you suggesting we get bosh? ... trading Humph, Bass, Sully and our 2014 picks?

He has an early termination option in 2014-15. I'm pretty sure he'll enter free agency for long term financial security- he's had some injury history. Plus he might be tired of being third fiddle.
I guess the most plausible scenario is that Lebron asks for 30 million like Kobe and there's no money left in Miami- Bosh can see this coming and must either take 12 million on a new deal after this 20 million deal is up, or sign a new deal over 4 or 5 years for another 17-20 million.

Our biggest rival would be Dallas. Maybe Houston if Asik is sorted out- or New York/New Jersey.

Rondo, Bosh and another guard/wing scorer. something like:

Rondo
2014 pick SG
Green
Sully
Bosh

Hopefully move Green+Olynyk+picks for a nice small forward type.
Hell we could even get KG and Pierce back to come off the bench.
This is why getting as high a % chance of that number one pick and landing Jabari is important to me.
Rondo+Jabari+Bosh would be a monster of a team for the next 5 years. Once Rondo and Bosh hang it up Jabari will own the league.(In my opinion).

But yeah, we'd get Bosh because of Rondo and whoever else Rondo can convince to come to town, with Bosh wanting the security of a 4 or 5 year deal as he turns 30.

[manl_lui]

How are you suggesting we get bosh? ... trading Humph, Bass, Sully and our 2014 picks?

He has an early termination option in 2014-15. I'm pretty sure he'll enter free agency for long term financial security- he's had some injury history. Plus he might be tired of being third fiddle.
I guess the most plausible scenario is that Lebron asks for 30 million like Kobe and there's no money left in Miami- Bosh can see this coming and must either take 12 million on a new deal after this 20 million deal is up, or sign a new deal over 4 or 5 years for another 17-20 million.

Our biggest rival would be Dallas. Maybe Houston if Asik is sorted out- or New York/New Jersey.

Rondo, Bosh and another guard/wing scorer. something like:

Rondo
2014 pick SG
Green
Sully
Bosh

Hopefully move Green+Olynyk+picks for a nice small forward type.
Hell we could even get KG and Pierce back to come off the bench.
This is why getting as high a % chance of that number one pick and landing Jabari is important to me.
Rondo+Jabari+Bosh would be a monster of a team for the next 5 years. Once Rondo and Bosh hang it up Jabari will own the league.(In my opinion).

But yeah, we'd get Bosh because of Rondo and whoever else Rondo can convince to come to town, with Bosh wanting the security of a 4 or 5 year deal as he turns 30.

he may be tired of being the 3rd fiddle, but he is riding on Lebron and Wade for 2 championships. Yes he can lead a team, but I don't think he can lead a team to championships like Lebron. He is enjoying his ride with the Heat because it's the best case for him to win more championships.

If he is leaving, it will be because of salary cap issues. I would trade anyone on the celtics but Rondo, Green and Sully for him. Maybe not enough for a championship but a good building block to start with.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Not interested in seeing Bosh wearing Celtics Green, ever.

[Fred Roberts]

Good forum post here. Though provoking!

With Bosh and Aldridge getting up there a bit in age, it is possible that they are more attainable than we think. Both are very well rounded and love 'em or hate 'em, they'd fit well within the context of our other good players.

Outside of those two, I think Tyson Chandler or Jo Noah would be the best immediate fits. Neither of those two are attainable either, but their defense is off the charts when they're healthy.

[pearljammer10]

Good forum post here. Though provoking!

With Bosh and Aldridge getting up there a bit in age, it is possible that they are more attainable than we think. Both are very well rounded and love 'em or hate 'em, they'd fit well within the context of our other good players.

Outside of those two, I think Tyson Chandler or Jo Noah would be the best immediate fits. Neither of those two are attainable either, but their defense is off the charts when they're healthy.

Not sure if Im in the minority buy I feel like Aldridge is almost as untouchable as they come at the moment. He's posting his best statistical numbers and is just entering his prime at 28, while his team is sitting atop the Western conference.

I feel that the only way we could even have a conversation with Portland about Aldridge would be to involve Rondo. And that wont even get anything done. I think Aldridge is, unfortunately, pretty unattainable.

[ssspence]

No interest in Bosh. Noah is not gonna be available. Aldridge isn't going to be available. Cousins isn't going to be available. Davis isn't going to be available. Etc.

The Cs have much work to do before they're going to interest a guy like Gasol. They need to keep working on their roster and overall flexibility if they want to court those types. They'll have to prove they have the talent and financial plan to bring a signing FA a ring.

They should be patient, trade away overpaid role guys for relief and rookie deals and / or picks, see what happens in this year's draft, and go from there.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Stick with the bigs we have and let them develop... we will need another 4 though. Sully a center, KO a PF, and Vitor a center. Get me another PF and we're cooking in a few seasons!

[JSD]

I hope Ainge takes a good hard look at Spencer Hawes. I love the versatility of a Hawes, Olynk, Sullenger front man rotation and think it would be successful.

[LooseCannon]

Good forum post here. Though provoking!

With Bosh and Aldridge getting up there a bit in age, it is possible that they are more attainable than we think. Both are very well rounded and love 'em or hate 'em, they'd fit well within the context of our other good players.

Outside of those two, I think Tyson Chandler or Jo Noah would be the best immediate fits. Neither of those two are attainable either, but their defense is off the charts when they're healthy.

Not sure if Im in the minority buy I feel like Aldridge is almost as untouchable as they come at the moment. He's posting his best statistical numbers and is just entering his prime at 28, while his team is sitting atop the Western conference.

I feel that the only way we could even have a conversation with Portland about Aldridge would be to involve Rondo. And that wont even get anything done. I think Aldridge is, unfortunately, pretty unattainable.

The premise of an Aldridge deal involves him making it clear that he plans to go elsewhere when his contract is up and the Blazers looking to get value.  It's probably too early for that to be a possibility.

[LooseCannon]

The Cs have much work to do before they're going to interest a guy like Gasol. They need to keep working on their roster and overall flexibility if they want to court those types. They'll have to prove they have the talent and financial plan to bring a signing FA a ring.

Making the playoffs this season (a real possibility) would be a step in the right direction towards that goal.

[PhoSita]

Jared Sullinger and Joel Embiid, with Olynyk and Faverani off the bench?


It sure would be nice if it were that simple.

[sofutomygaha]

anthony davis would give us a window of 7-10 years of contention with rondo.

we need to recruit anthony when his contract ends. of not him, we go for demarcus cousins.

In what universe does Davis not get a max extension with the Pelicans?