Zack Lowe's take on the Crawford/Brooks trade

[Dog_Lover106]

Figured I'd make this a separate thread as it's somewhat lengthy and I think Lowe explains it perfectly.

The best subplot of my day: Boston fans railing on Twitter that this is a horrible deal. Umm … it’s Jordan Crawford. Do you not think the other 29 teams watch the NBA? Do you think 29 other GMs are Googling “Jordan Crawford,” seeing his Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor, and asking their owner how many first-round picks they might give up for him? Do you think those GMs are unaware Brooks hasn’t been able to get on the floor at all this season for a very bad NBA team?

There was zero chance Boston was getting a first-round pick for Crawford and Brooks. Zero. The Bulls didn’t even get a guaranteed first-round pick for Luol Deng. The Magic didn’t get one for J.J. Redick. Teams are hoarding first-round picks like Ron Swanson hoards his buried gold. And as I’ve noted before, there just aren’t many contenders or even ambitious playoff teams with a massive need at backup point guard. Crawford’s a nice little piece, but he has been very bad for most of his NBA career, and just so-so in this career year.

This is a small bounty for Boston. The second-rounder from Miami is a nice little addition, but the real prize is the first-rounder the Sixers gave Miami two drafts ago in exchange for Arnett Moultrie.

However, this is not an automatic first-rounder, and may end up as a fake first-rounder. It’s lottery-protected in each of the next two seasons, meaning the Sixers keep it if they miss the playoffs. If they miss the postseason both this year (duh) and next, the pick morphs into two second-rounders that would go to Boston.

Never underestimate the horribleness of the Eastern Conference. The Sixers will almost certainly have two lottery picks in this draft — their own and the one they acquired from the Pelicans for Jrue Holiday. That pick is top-five protected, and given New Orleans’s injury issues, it could fall somewhere around no. 8 or no. 9. Nail those picks, get Nerlens Noel healthy, and sign the requisite cap-fodder veterans, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Philly crawls into a low-end playoff spot next season — sending Boston a first-rounder in the process.

But Philly isn’t done trading. They’ve amped up their feelers on Thaddeus Young in the last week, per several league sources, and other execs view it as a lock that Evan Turner will be on the block — if he isn’t already. If Philly dumps enough veterans and opts against replacing them next season with equal quality, they could be pretty bad again.

But even three second-rounders is a nice haul for two players Boston wasn’t going to use long-term. Anthony’s $3.8 million deal for next season is the price, and in raw terms, that is more than the combined Year 1 salaries of three second-rounders. But Boston will have a solid chunk of cap space this summer after dumping Courtney Lee, and they could get something like max-level room if they find a taker for Brandon Bass before the trade deadline. Anthony cuts into that space a tad, but the Cs weren’t going to get that Philly pick without Miami (and Anthony) getting involved in the deal.

Using max-level cap space in a straight free-agency signing isn’t really even part of the plan here, anyway. Boston simply wants to remain flexible enough to take in salary via trade while piling up assets. This deal does the job. Teams are valuing second-round picks more highly than ever. They produce cheap players with some upside, and teams can structure their contracts in all kinds of favorable ways outside the rookie scale for first-round picks. Anthony himself will become an expiring contract this season, just another little trade ingredient for the Cs.

Losing Crawford will also make Boston worse this season, increasing their lottery odds. Rajon Rondo will be back soon to take over at point guard, but he’ll be rusty, and Boston just downgraded the backup point guard spot dramatically. Phil Pressey tries hard, but guys who shoot 24 percent and turn the ball over a lot are not exactly helpful NBA players.

This is something very much like a win-win-win, a small-scale move that could carry real meaning down the line for two contenders.

I get there with be no max F/A coming but what about the 10.3 million TPE which expires in July? Really thought after the Lee deal, that Danny was maneuvering to get further under luxury tax threshold so as to use the TPE before July. Would seem that taking on Anthony's player option would make this less likely?

I really do not like this deal. Was happy to move Lee because of the length of his deal, but why immediately take back Anthony's extra year?

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

My bet would be to find one young player like Rivers, McLemore, Waiters (at least call) that has not yet emerged who might be had for a late first and expiring. That option may be better than anything that you can get at 15 to 25 in the draft this year or next with the NJ or LAC pick. This would be a start and then hope that some size comes with our future picks or through bigger trades. I would love to have a Utah type roster by end of next year.

Even Kendall Marshall would of been worth a look. Lakers are a mess and he is not a shooter, but he is playing 28 minutes a game and averaging 10 and 9. What are we going to do if Rondo has to take it slow or develops some initial pain or swelling suddenly playing starter minutes 3 to 4 days a week? If he takes a few games off, we have 3 guards total, including a free agent and a guy who has been here a week.

Just sick of this dead wood roster of mainly garbage and lots of future conditional draft picks. Yes, great potential in this draft, but other than say Embiid, Randle, Payne, McDermott, Kane, Fair and a few others older guys. I do not see how even the most highly touted freshman will be able contribute much next year.

Can you imagine Vonleh or Gordon trying to match up with Aldridge, Davis, Duncan, Bosh, Dirk, Josh Smith or Love? Wiggins or Parker on Melo, George, Durant, Joe Johnson or Lebron? Not happening next year based on what I have seen.

I am really hoping Danny has some immediate plan for TPE's, expirings and all the draft picks? I would like to go the way of Golden State and get some young shooters first. Rondo will find them and Sullinger can muck in up with rebounding and garbage baskets like David Lee does. Then hope a Embiid, Towns, Okafor or Turner falls in our lap in the next two years.

Its been 6 months.

You think golden state did it in half a season? If they're who you're holding up as the example go look at how many seasons it took them.

To already be sick of a roster of assets, picks, etc (and there is more than that) is a little crazy when it hasn't even been half a season of this rebuilding.

Would rather not get anymore guys that we have to send home, but still pay, just for more draft picks.

Only said I would like to start to develop a team like GS around outside shooting. Game has changed, it is a shooters league.

That is why contenders like LAC get Reddick and SA gets Bellinelli. It is also why teams like Phoenix, Portland and GS are beginning to play solid ball. Miami is even looking for a Mike Miller replacement. 

Do not see where I said GS did that in 6 months? Phoenix did do a pretty good job in 6 months though and Len has not even played. Marcus Morris was a good pick up, as was Gerald Green. Cheap assets that can actually play some minutes.

Golden state built outside shooting around curry, the kind of player you either need draft picks or assets to get.
Reddick and Bellinelli are role playeron contending teams, they are the kind of players (Crawford) that the Celtics can turn into assets because contending teams want them, not players you build around. You're comparing apples to oranges. No rebuilding team signs and builds around reddick. They trade him for assets they can use to turn into players they can build around.

We have Rondo and Sullinger to build shooters around. Reddick and Bellinelli are starters playing well and top ten outside shooters in the league. No way Crawford is even in the conversation.

I am fine with rebuilding and having followed basketball closely since 1965. I have been through three previous rebuilds with the Celtics. Certainly understand it is likely to take longer than the 6 months. But it is not Red and a bunch of idiot GM's anymore. Celtics can not afford to miss out on developing actual players and draft picks that other GM's are hitting on. Nothing wrong with attempting to develop cheap young talent now. Under Doc no, but we have a developmental coach?

Do you know for a fact that a Marcus Smart is a better player than say Austin Rivers or even Ricky Ledo?   

How about players in the 18-25 range in this years draft? Maybe those draft picks are all worth waiting on, but why not inquire about an Austin Rivers possibly available on the cheap now.....as a start.

Portland hit on Wes Matthews. Orlando hit on Vuecvic. Phoenix traded for Marcus Morris, Bledsoe. These are starters or solid rotation players acquired by crap teams on the rebuild, just like the Celtics are. The Suns signed Goran Dragic for 7.5 mil/yr as a free agent last year when they were obviously rebuilding and not contenders. Looks like he may make the All Star team this year.

Still wondering where I said the Celtics should be totally rebuilt in 6 months. Only said lets find some shooters and no more salary for draft picks unless you can get a young developing player who can actually put on a uniform too.

[Dog_Lover106]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

[crimson_stallion]

Umm...he just desctibed Pressey as a guy who shoots 24% and turns the ball over a lot.

I'll give him the poor shooting, but Pressey's Assist:Turnover ratio is something like 4:1, which is exceptional.  In his first game as a starter yesterday he had 10 assists and zero turnovers.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

Figured I'd make this a separate thread as it's somewhat lengthy and I think Lowe explains it perfectly.

The best subplot of my day: Boston fans railing on Twitter that this is a horrible deal. Umm … it’s Jordan Crawford. Do you not think the other 29 teams watch the NBA? Do you think 29 other GMs are Googling “Jordan Crawford,” seeing his Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor, and asking their owner how many first-round picks they might give up for him? Do you think those GMs are unaware Brooks hasn’t been able to get on the floor at all this season for a very bad NBA team?

There was zero chance Boston was getting a first-round pick for Crawford and Brooks. Zero. The Bulls didn’t even get a guaranteed first-round pick for Luol Deng. The Magic didn’t get one for J.J. Redick. Teams are hoarding first-round picks like Ron Swanson hoards his buried gold. And as I’ve noted before, there just aren’t many contenders or even ambitious playoff teams with a massive need at backup point guard. Crawford’s a nice little piece, but he has been very bad for most of his NBA career, and just so-so in this career year.

This is a small bounty for Boston. The second-rounder from Miami is a nice little addition, but the real prize is the first-rounder the Sixers gave Miami two drafts ago in exchange for Arnett Moultrie.

However, this is not an automatic first-rounder, and may end up as a fake first-rounder. It’s lottery-protected in each of the next two seasons, meaning the Sixers keep it if they miss the playoffs. If they miss the postseason both this year (duh) and next, the pick morphs into two second-rounders that would go to Boston.

Never underestimate the horribleness of the Eastern Conference. The Sixers will almost certainly have two lottery picks in this draft — their own and the one they acquired from the Pelicans for Jrue Holiday. That pick is top-five protected, and given New Orleans’s injury issues, it could fall somewhere around no. 8 or no. 9. Nail those picks, get Nerlens Noel healthy, and sign the requisite cap-fodder veterans, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Philly crawls into a low-end playoff spot next season — sending Boston a first-rounder in the process.

But Philly isn’t done trading. They’ve amped up their feelers on Thaddeus Young in the last week, per several league sources, and other execs view it as a lock that Evan Turner will be on the block — if he isn’t already. If Philly dumps enough veterans and opts against replacing them next season with equal quality, they could be pretty bad again.

But even three second-rounders is a nice haul for two players Boston wasn’t going to use long-term. Anthony’s $3.8 million deal for next season is the price, and in raw terms, that is more than the combined Year 1 salaries of three second-rounders. But Boston will have a solid chunk of cap space this summer after dumping Courtney Lee, and they could get something like max-level room if they find a taker for Brandon Bass before the trade deadline. Anthony cuts into that space a tad, but the Cs weren’t going to get that Philly pick without Miami (and Anthony) getting involved in the deal.

Using max-level cap space in a straight free-agency signing isn’t really even part of the plan here, anyway. Boston simply wants to remain flexible enough to take in salary via trade while piling up assets. This deal does the job. Teams are valuing second-round picks more highly than ever. They produce cheap players with some upside, and teams can structure their contracts in all kinds of favorable ways outside the rookie scale for first-round picks. Anthony himself will become an expiring contract this season, just another little trade ingredient for the Cs.

Losing Crawford will also make Boston worse this season, increasing their lottery odds. Rajon Rondo will be back soon to take over at point guard, but he’ll be rusty, and Boston just downgraded the backup point guard spot dramatically. Phil Pressey tries hard, but guys who shoot 24 percent and turn the ball over a lot are not exactly helpful NBA players.

This is something very much like a win-win-win, a small-scale move that could carry real meaning down the line for two contenders.

I get there with be no max F/A coming but what about the 10.3 million TPE which expires in July? Really thought after the Lee deal, that Danny was maneuvering to get further under luxury tax threshold so as to use the TPE before July. Would seem that taking on Anthony's player option would make this less likely?

I really do not like this deal. Was happy to move Lee because of the length of his deal, but why immediately take back Anthony's extra year?

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

My bet would be to find one young player like Rivers, McLemore, Waiters (at least call) that has not yet emerged who might be had for a late first and expiring. That option may be better than anything that you can get at 15 to 25 in the draft this year or next with the NJ or LAC pick. This would be a start and then hope that some size comes with our future picks or through bigger trades. I would love to have a Utah type roster by end of next year.

Even Kendall Marshall would of been worth a look. Lakers are a mess and he is not a shooter, but he is playing 28 minutes a game and averaging 10 and 9. What are we going to do if Rondo has to take it slow or develops some initial pain or swelling suddenly playing starter minutes 3 to 4 days a week? If he takes a few games off, we have 3 guards total, including a free agent and a guy who has been here a week.

Just sick of this dead wood roster of mainly garbage and lots of future conditional draft picks. Yes, great potential in this draft, but other than say Embiid, Randle, Payne, McDermott, Kane, Fair and a few others older guys. I do not see how even the most highly touted freshman will be able contribute much next year.

Can you imagine Vonleh or Gordon trying to match up with Aldridge, Davis, Duncan, Bosh, Dirk, Josh Smith or Love? Wiggins or Parker on Melo, George, Durant, Joe Johnson or Lebron? Not happening next year based on what I have seen.

I am really hoping Danny has some immediate plan for TPE's, expirings and all the draft picks? I would like to go the way of Golden State and get some young shooters first. Rondo will find them and Sullinger can muck in up with rebounding and garbage baskets like David Lee does. Then hope a Embiid, Towns, Okafor or Turner falls in our lap in the next two years.

Its been 6 months.

You think golden state did it in half a season? If they're who you're holding up as the example go look at how many seasons it took them.

To already be sick of a roster of assets, picks, etc (and there is more than that) is a little crazy when it hasn't even been half a season of this rebuilding.

Would rather not get anymore guys that we have to send home, but still pay, just for more draft picks.

Only said I would like to start to develop a team like GS around outside shooting. Game has changed, it is a shooters league.

That is why contenders like LAC get Reddick and SA gets Bellinelli. It is also why teams like Phoenix, Portland and GS are beginning to play solid ball. Miami is even looking for a Mike Miller replacement. 

Do not see where I said GS did that in 6 months? Phoenix did do a pretty good job in 6 months though and Len has not even played. Marcus Morris was a good pick up, as was Gerald Green. Cheap assets that can actually play some minutes.

Golden state built outside shooting around curry, the kind of player you either need draft picks or assets to get.
Reddick and Bellinelli are role playeron contending teams, they are the kind of players (Crawford) that the Celtics can turn into assets because contending teams want them, not players you build around. You're comparing apples to oranges. No rebuilding team signs and builds around reddick. They trade him for assets they can use to turn into players they can build around.

We have Rondo and Sullinger to build shooters around. Reddick and Bellinelli are starters playing well and top ten outside shooters in the league. No way Crawford is even in the conversation.

I am fine with rebuilding and having followed basketball closely since 1965. I have been through three previous rebuilds with the Celtics. Certainly understand it is likely to take longer than the 6 months. But it is not Red and a bunch of idiot GM's anymore. Celtics can not afford to miss out on developing actual players and draft picks that other GM's are hitting on. Nothing wrong with attempting to develop cheap young talent now. Under Doc no, but we have a developmental coach?

Do you know for a fact that a Marcus Smart is a better player than say Austin Rivers or even Ricky Ledo?   

How about players in the 18-25 range in this years draft? Maybe those draft picks are all worth waiting on, but why not inquire about an Austin Rivers possibly available on the cheap now.....as a start.

Portland hit on Wes Matthews. Orlando hit on Vuecvic. Phoenix traded for Marcus Morris, Bledsoe. These are starters or solid rotation players acquired by crap teams on the rebuild, just like the Celtics are. The Suns signed Goran Dragic for 7.5 mil/yr as a free agent last year when they were obviously rebuilding and not contenders. Looks like he may make the All Star team this year.

Still wondering where I said the Celtics should be totally rebuilt in 6 months. Only said lets find some shooters and no more salary for draft picks unless you can get a young developing player who can actually put on a uniform too.

the 6 months was an extrapolation from your golden state example, a rhetorical tool to show your short sighted impatient demands.

I think already started my opinion on most this but, no, I don't think Austin Rivers is better than a player picked there or the power that pick holds as a trade piece.

And to answer everything pretty much, give it a little time. Its a work in progress. I guess I don't find most of those comparisons very apt. Danny has drafted and acquired players fr the future along side gaining assets. Doesn't seem that bad or behind the eight ball to me.

[Smitty77]

Figured I'd make this a separate thread as it's somewhat lengthy and I think Lowe explains it perfectly.

The best subplot of my day: Boston fans railing on Twitter that this is a horrible deal. Umm … it’s Jordan Crawford. Do you not think the other 29 teams watch the NBA? Do you think 29 other GMs are Googling “Jordan Crawford,” seeing his Eastern Conference Player of the Week honor, and asking their owner how many first-round picks they might give up for him? Do you think those GMs are unaware Brooks hasn’t been able to get on the floor at all this season for a very bad NBA team?

There was zero chance Boston was getting a first-round pick for Crawford and Brooks. Zero. The Bulls didn’t even get a guaranteed first-round pick for Luol Deng. The Magic didn’t get one for J.J. Redick. Teams are hoarding first-round picks like Ron Swanson hoards his buried gold. And as I’ve noted before, there just aren’t many contenders or even ambitious playoff teams with a massive need at backup point guard. Crawford’s a nice little piece, but he has been very bad for most of his NBA career, and just so-so in this career year.

This is a small bounty for Boston. The second-rounder from Miami is a nice little addition, but the real prize is the first-rounder the Sixers gave Miami two drafts ago in exchange for Arnett Moultrie.

However, this is not an automatic first-rounder, and may end up as a fake first-rounder. It’s lottery-protected in each of the next two seasons, meaning the Sixers keep it if they miss the playoffs. If they miss the postseason both this year (duh) and next, the pick morphs into two second-rounders that would go to Boston.

Never underestimate the horribleness of the Eastern Conference. The Sixers will almost certainly have two lottery picks in this draft — their own and the one they acquired from the Pelicans for Jrue Holiday. That pick is top-five protected, and given New Orleans’s injury issues, it could fall somewhere around no. 8 or no. 9. Nail those picks, get Nerlens Noel healthy, and sign the requisite cap-fodder veterans, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Philly crawls into a low-end playoff spot next season — sending Boston a first-rounder in the process.

But Philly isn’t done trading. They’ve amped up their feelers on Thaddeus Young in the last week, per several league sources, and other execs view it as a lock that Evan Turner will be on the block — if he isn’t already. If Philly dumps enough veterans and opts against replacing them next season with equal quality, they could be pretty bad again.

But even three second-rounders is a nice haul for two players Boston wasn’t going to use long-term. Anthony’s $3.8 million deal for next season is the price, and in raw terms, that is more than the combined Year 1 salaries of three second-rounders. But Boston will have a solid chunk of cap space this summer after dumping Courtney Lee, and they could get something like max-level room if they find a taker for Brandon Bass before the trade deadline. Anthony cuts into that space a tad, but the Cs weren’t going to get that Philly pick without Miami (and Anthony) getting involved in the deal.

Using max-level cap space in a straight free-agency signing isn’t really even part of the plan here, anyway. Boston simply wants to remain flexible enough to take in salary via trade while piling up assets. This deal does the job. Teams are valuing second-round picks more highly than ever. They produce cheap players with some upside, and teams can structure their contracts in all kinds of favorable ways outside the rookie scale for first-round picks. Anthony himself will become an expiring contract this season, just another little trade ingredient for the Cs.

Losing Crawford will also make Boston worse this season, increasing their lottery odds. Rajon Rondo will be back soon to take over at point guard, but he’ll be rusty, and Boston just downgraded the backup point guard spot dramatically. Phil Pressey tries hard, but guys who shoot 24 percent and turn the ball over a lot are not exactly helpful NBA players.

This is something very much like a win-win-win, a small-scale move that could carry real meaning down the line for two contenders.

I get there with be no max F/A coming but what about the 10.3 million TPE which expires in July? Really thought after the Lee deal, that Danny was maneuvering to get further under luxury tax threshold so as to use the TPE before July. Would seem that taking on Anthony's player option would make this less likely?

I really do not like this deal. Was happy to move Lee because of the length of his deal, but why immediately take back Anthony's extra year?

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

My bet would be to find one young player like Rivers, McLemore, Waiters (at least call) that has not yet emerged who might be had for a late first and expiring. That option may be better than anything that you can get at 15 to 25 in the draft this year or next with the NJ or LAC pick. This would be a start and then hope that some size comes with our future picks or through bigger trades. I would love to have a Utah type roster by end of next year.

Even Kendall Marshall would of been worth a look. Lakers are a mess and he is not a shooter, but he is playing 28 minutes a game and averaging 10 and 9. What are we going to do if Rondo has to take it slow or develops some initial pain or swelling suddenly playing starter minutes 3 to 4 days a week? If he takes a few games off, we have 3 guards total, including a free agent and a guy who has been here a week.

Just sick of this dead wood roster of mainly garbage and lots of future conditional draft picks. Yes, great potential in this draft, but other than say Embiid, Randle, Payne, McDermott, Kane, Fair and a few others older guys. I do not see how even the most highly touted freshman will be able contribute much next year.

Can you imagine Vonleh or Gordon trying to match up with Aldridge, Davis, Duncan, Bosh, Dirk, Josh Smith or Love? Wiggins or Parker on Melo, George, Durant, Joe Johnson or Lebron? Not happening next year based on what I have seen.

I am really hoping Danny has some immediate plan for TPE's, expirings and all the draft picks? I would like to go the way of Golden State and get some young shooters first. Rondo will find them and Sullinger can muck in up with rebounding and garbage baskets like David Lee does. Then hope a Embiid, Towns, Okafor or Turner falls in our lap in the next two years.

Its been 6 months.

You think golden state did it in half a season? If they're who you're holding up as the example go look at how many seasons it took them.

To already be sick of a roster of assets, picks, etc (and there is more than that) is a little crazy when it hasn't even been half a season of this rebuilding.

Would rather not get anymore guys that we have to send home, but still pay, just for more draft picks.

Only said I would like to start to develop a team like GS around outside shooting. Game has changed, it is a shooters league.

That is why contenders like LAC get Reddick and SA gets Bellinelli. It is also why teams like Phoenix, Portland and GS are beginning to play solid ball. Miami is even looking for a Mike Miller replacement. 

Do not see where I said GS did that in 6 months? Phoenix did do a pretty good job in 6 months though and Len has not even played. Marcus Morris was a good pick up, as was Gerald Green. Cheap assets that can actually play some minutes.

Golden state built outside shooting around curry, the kind of player you either need draft picks or assets to get.
Reddick and Bellinelli are role playeron contending teams, they are the kind of players (Crawford) that the Celtics can turn into assets because contending teams want them, not players you build around. You're comparing apples to oranges. No rebuilding team signs and builds around reddick. They trade him for assets they can use to turn into players they can build around.

We have Rondo and Sullinger to build shooters around. Reddick and Bellinelli are starters playing well and top ten outside shooters in the league. No way Crawford is even in the conversation.

I am fine with rebuilding and having followed basketball closely since 1965. I have been through three previous rebuilds with the Celtics. Certainly understand it is likely to take longer than the 6 months. But it is not Red and a bunch of idiot GM's anymore. Celtics can not afford to miss out on developing actual players and draft picks that other GM's are hitting on. Nothing wrong with attempting to develop cheap young talent now. Under Doc no, but we have a developmental coach?

Do you know for a fact that a Marcus Smart is a better player than say Austin Rivers or even Ricky Ledo?   

How about players in the 18-25 range in this years draft? Maybe those draft picks are all worth waiting on, but why not inquire about an Austin Rivers possibly available on the cheap now.....as a start.

Portland hit on Wes Matthews. Orlando hit on Vuecvic. Phoenix traded for Marcus Morris, Bledsoe. These are starters or solid rotation players acquired by crap teams on the rebuild, just like the Celtics are. The Suns signed Goran Dragic for 7.5 mil/yr as a free agent last year when they were obviously rebuilding and not contenders. Looks like he may make the All Star team this year.

Still wondering where I said the Celtics should be totally rebuilt in 6 months. Only said lets find some shooters and no more salary for draft picks unless you can get a young developing player who can actually put on a uniform too.

Dog Lover,

This is a brilliant post and well thought out.  I do think we should take a chance on some young under-performing players!!  Austin Rivers can be had on the cheap NOW and I think will develop into a decent outside shooter and an above average scorer.  Many on this board have also been infatuated, including myself, with Jason Smith.  He is a fundamentally sound big man that is an expiring.  IF we think we are not interested in or simply will not be able to afford to re-sign Hump (which I hope we can do), then Jason Smith makes sense.

Bass played at LSU and could go home so to speak. 

Bass and a couple of future second rounders for Rivers and Smith???

http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/6407874

I would do it in a heart beat!!! 

Would you all do it IF we had to include the Clippers 2015 first rounder??

Thoughts?

Smitty77

[Smitty77]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

Green play NO defense.  I think he is a worse defender than Bayless, which is saying something.

That being said, Bayless averages over three times as many assists as does Green and he can run the point, which Gerald certainly cannot do!!  That, IMHO, makes Bayless a much better fit for our team.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Gerald is having such a nice year.  I went many times to watch him play when we had him and sent him down to the then NBADL team, the Fayetteville Patiots.  I met him and my son and I talked with him and got his autograph and a picture as well.  Nice kid!!

Smitty77

[Dog_Lover106]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

Green play NO defense.  I think he is a worse defender than Bayless, which is saying something.

That being said, Bayless averages over three times as many assists as does Green and he can run the point, which Gerald certainly cannot do!!  That, IMHO, makes Bayless a much better fit for our team.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Gerald is having such a nice year.  I went many times to watch him play when we had him and sent him down to the then NBADL team, the Fayetteville Patiots.  I met him and my son and I talked with him and got his autograph and a picture as well.  Nice kid!!

Smitty77

I am happy with Bayless and of course neither he or Gerald are difference makers. Just bring up Gerald Green as an example of searching out players on the cheap that has at least one NBA skill that other teams have to game plan for. Hornacek has gotten a lot out of his backcourt. Great shooters value great shooters.

I have a friend who was shooting coach for OKC. I always kidded him about how the heck do you coach Kevin Durant to shoot? Two things he told my about the NBA.

First, almost every set today is based off a one/four offense. One guy with the ball and four players spread. The one with the ball can be in pick and roll iso or can be someone on the box. The other players are spread looking for what most NBA teams consider to be the second highest percentage shot in the NBA, an open look at a three. If you can not score right at the rim, than the open three is considered the second best option in the modern NBA game.

Second, he said that other than the hand full of obvious franchise multi skilled players, the NBA is basically made up of guys that do only one thing really, really well. Specialization so to speak. He said that they really do not even work on Perks shooting. Perk is a specialist and why waste time developing Perkins shot when you can just look for Durant or Harden for the shot they want......an open three.

So, I really believe it is a shooters league more than ever and I would like to find some shooters. We have the elite play maker and the elite defender. Now I would like to find an elite shooter in the back court rotation.

I brought up guys like Rivers, McLemore or Ledo just wondering if we could find that young scorer who may already be over the NBA growing pains and ready to expload with full rotation minutes.

I have not seen Rivers or McLemore play in person. But I have seen Ledo a lot because he played NESPAC at South Kent and Notre Dame. Two years ago he was considered a superior player to MCW. Also watched him get 34 on Tilton against Noel and Selden. I have heard that Dallas is very happy with his development, but I think this is the kind of guy at 6' 6" (with hard work) that could become an elite NBA scorer?

Just thinking that one of these guys could be 80% of Eric Gordon at 15% of the price? We hired a developmental coach who strength should be identifying and developing young talent. Do not think got Stevens to bring in guys like Carmelo with all their "assets". 

[Smitty77]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

Green play NO defense.  I think he is a worse defender than Bayless, which is saying something.

That being said, Bayless averages over three times as many assists as does Green and he can run the point, which Gerald certainly cannot do!!  That, IMHO, makes Bayless a much better fit for our team.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Gerald is having such a nice year.  I went many times to watch him play when we had him and sent him down to the then NBADL team, the Fayetteville Patiots.  I met him and my son and I talked with him and got his autograph and a picture as well.  Nice kid!!

Smitty77

Could you clarify your last paragraph for me?

Is Ledo a SF or a SG?

[Dog_Lover106]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

Green play NO defense.  I think he is a worse defender than Bayless, which is saying something.

That being said, Bayless averages over three times as many assists as does Green and he can run the point, which Gerald certainly cannot do!!  That, IMHO, makes Bayless a much better fit for our team.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Gerald is having such a nice year.  I went many times to watch him play when we had him and sent him down to the then NBADL team, the Fayetteville Patiots.  I met him and my son and I talked with him and got his autograph and a picture as well.  Nice kid!!

Smitty77

Could you clarify your last paragraph for me?

Is Ledo a SF or a SG?

Ledo is a two and could play some point. Great stroke, form is compared to Durant. I guess he is becoming a real favorite with the Mavericks though, as I follow his status pretty closely.

Here you go, highlights of an awesome HS game. Ricky Ledo (South Kent) had 34 and Wayne Selden (Tilton) had 31. I love when Ricky tries to throw down on Nerlens Noel!

Tilton was #3 ranked team in the country and South Kent beat them. Ricky is great friends with Nerlens and Selden from AAU, but they actually fought in this game because they were all playing so hard and talking. Fight is at beginning then Ledo scores 19 straight points. We are so lucky to have the best HS basketball in the country right in our backyard. I love going to these games.

Tilton and Brewster would of been .500 teams in the Big East that year. Likely 8 NBA first round draft picks on those two teams combined.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ILZpBwkvE

[Smitty77]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

Green play NO defense.  I think he is a worse defender than Bayless, which is saying something.

That being said, Bayless averages over three times as many assists as does Green and he can run the point, which Gerald certainly cannot do!!  That, IMHO, makes Bayless a much better fit for our team.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Gerald is having such a nice year.  I went many times to watch him play when we had him and sent him down to the then NBADL team, the Fayetteville Patiots.  I met him and my son and I talked with him and got his autograph and a picture as well.  Nice kid!!

Smitty77

Could you clarify your last paragraph for me?

Is Ledo a SF or a SG?

Ledo is a two and could play some point. Great stroke, form is compared to Durant. I guess he is becoming a real favorite with the Mavericks though, as I follow his status pretty closely.

Here you go, highlights of an awesome HS game. Ricky Ledo (South Kent) had 34 and Wayne Selden (Tilton) had 31. I love when Ricky tries to throw down on Nerlens Noel!

Tilton was #3 ranked team in the country and South Kent beat them. Ricky is great friends with Nerlens and Selden from AAU, but they actually fought in this game because they were all playing so hard and talking. Fight is at beginning then Ledo scores 19 straight points. We are so lucky to have the best HS basketball in the country right in our backyard. I love going to these games.

Tilton and Brewster would of been .500 teams in the Big East that year. Likely 8 NBA first round draft picks on those two teams combined.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ILZpBwkvE

That video was sick!!!  Ledo looks legit.  Dallas may have a gem there.  I agree that we should try and pry him away!!

Smitty77

[Dog_Lover106]

I would like to build some upside assets now. Why not seek a young S/G prospect like Austin Rivers, McLemore or any one else still on a rookie deal that might develop? That is what scouts are for, finding the next Jeremy Lamb, Alec Burks or Wes Matthews, even if we have to give up the NJ or LAC pick with a Crawford etc to do it. The NBA is a shooters league more than ever. Look at GSW, Phoenix, Houston and Portland. They all have deep shooters.

Wes Matthews was undrafted, so I'd start scouring the D-League.

Teams generally give more leeway to their own first-round picks so if you are looking for a guy on his rookie deal, you are generally searching for someone whose team has given up on him, not just someone who is not performing.  Someone who is playing badly but still getting the rotation minutes of an 8th or 9th man is usually someone who the team hasn't completely given up on.  Your best bet is to look for a second- or third-year player who is still being assigned to the D-League.

I am ok with FA too but quite a few young first rounders have moved around recently. I am not a scout or a GM so I cannot say who can play or who is available and for what.

Derrick Williams, Marcus Morris, Thomas Robinson, Nicola Vuecvic, Tobias Harris, Kendall Marshall haved move recently and all are playing and some pretty well. At a higher price Lamb, Bledsoe, Knight, Jennings etc.

My only point is do you trust that 18-25 this year is likely to be a better player than a young player possibly available now with that pick like Austin Rivers, Ricky Ledo or Ben McLemore?

Obvious too late to get Gerald Henderson, Reggie Jackson, Alec Burks, Wes Matthews or Jeremy Lamb now as all those guys have developed into great prospects. Just thinking about who is out there who we could develop like those guys. Not easy but some teams are doing it? Hindsight I know, but I would take Gerald Green over Jerreld Bayless right now.

Green play NO defense.  I think he is a worse defender than Bayless, which is saying something.

That being said, Bayless averages over three times as many assists as does Green and he can run the point, which Gerald certainly cannot do!!  That, IMHO, makes Bayless a much better fit for our team.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Gerald is having such a nice year.  I went many times to watch him play when we had him and sent him down to the then NBADL team, the Fayetteville Patiots.  I met him and my son and I talked with him and got his autograph and a picture as well.  Nice kid!!

Smitty77

Could you clarify your last paragraph for me?

Is Ledo a SF or a SG?

Ledo is a two and could play some point. Great stroke, form is compared to Durant. I guess he is becoming a real favorite with the Mavericks though, as I follow his status pretty closely.

Here you go, highlights of an awesome HS game. Ricky Ledo (South Kent) had 34 and Wayne Selden (Tilton) had 31. I love when Ricky tries to throw down on Nerlens Noel!

Tilton was #3 ranked team in the country and South Kent beat them. Ricky is great friends with Nerlens and Selden from AAU, but they actually fought in this game because they were all playing so hard and talking. Fight is at beginning then Ledo scores 19 straight points. We are so lucky to have the best HS basketball in the country right in our backyard. I love going to these games.

Tilton and Brewster would of been .500 teams in the Big East that year. Likely 8 NBA first round draft picks on those two teams combined.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ILZpBwkvE

That video was sick!!!  Ledo looks legit.  Dallas may have a gem there.  I agree that we should try and pry him away!!

Smitty77

Yes, nothing like this happened at my high school! Selden had some crazy blocks. Wish the Celtics had bought a 2nd last year to take Ledo.

I love going to the games in Mass and NH. How about the Brewster Academy alumni game in Wolfboro New Hampshire. Special guest Kyrie Irving makes the trip! Walked right in for free and small gym is half full. Crazy. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIgP_ByJQZU

[LilRip]

DogLover, i generally disagree with the notion that we need to "act now" and give up assets to get an unproven guy like Austin Rivers, etc just because they could be the next Wes Matthews, Tobias Harris, etc.

Yes, it would be absolutely terrific if we could find those gems, however, don't you think ALL GMs are already trying to find those gems? I mean, for all we know, the next Tobias Harris/Wes Matthews could already be on our roster in the form of Phil Pressey or Faverani or some guy on our D-League roster or something.

You brought up Kendall Marshall earlier on. But before he blew up and started posting ridiculous assist numbers, if we had traded our precious 1st rd draft picks for an unknown D-Leaguer like Kendall Marshall, this board would be furious. We'd be even more furious if he turned out to be a bust. This board would be full of "i told you so's" and "fire Ainge!"

I'll bring up another currently well-known player who wasn't so well-known before: Jeremy Lin. Yes it would've been great to sign Lin (or trade for Lin) before he blew up but who honestly saw that one coming? Warriors cut him. Rockets cut him. And he was a bench player on the verge of being cut in NY before Linsanity happened.

Hindsight is 20/20 and while it would've been great if we acquired Jeremy Lin, he could've easily turned out to be the next Gabe Pruitt.

[Dog_Lover106]

DogLover, i generally disagree with the notion that we need to "act now" and give up assets to get an unproven guy like Austin Rivers, etc just because they could be the next Wes Matthews, Tobias Harris, etc.

Yes, it would be absolutely terrific if we could find those gems, however, don't you think ALL GMs are already trying to find those gems? I mean, for all we know, the next Tobias Harris/Wes Matthews could already be on our roster in the form of Phil Pressey or Faverani or some guy on our D-League roster or something.

You brought up Kendall Marshall earlier on. But before he blew up and started posting ridiculous assist numbers, if we had traded our precious 1st rd draft picks for an unknown D-Leaguer like Kendall Marshall, this board would be furious. We'd be even more furious if he turned out to be a bust. This board would be full of "i told you so's" and "fire Ainge!"

I'll bring up another currently well-known player who wasn't so well-known before: Jeremy Lin. Yes it would've been great to sign Lin (or trade for Lin) before he blew up but who honestly saw that one coming? Warriors cut him. Rockets cut him. And he was a bench player on the verge of being cut in NY before Linsanity happened.

Hindsight is 20/20 and while it would've been great if we acquired Jeremy Lin, he could've easily turned out to be the next Gabe Pruitt.

Kendall Marshall was a free agent signed to a non guaranteed contract by the Lakers. No draft pick or asset was required, that is why I thought it was worth a look.

Never said acquiring a player was a sure thing. A trade for a player you may like is a risk. A draft night selection of a college player you may like is a risk. No one is sure which will work out for the best.

You said it yourself, other GM's are looking for the same thing and some are finding it. You have to give something to get something. Should we just give up because the other guys are looking too?

My premise is, if you think a player like Austin Rivers who has been in the league a bit, has the talent to excel with additional playing time, versus someone you might pick this year or next with the NJ or LAC pick, than I would do that. We have a young coach straight from college and it would make sense that one of the reasons we got him would be to develop young players. We just traded expirings that might have brought such a player combined with our lower pick. I would rather have Rivers than Anthony and a heavily condition pick.

I am looking for shooters. It is a shooters league and Austin Rivers has been a elite shooter. Lakers beat us with shooting last night. Durant got 54 last night and Curry got 37 and Klay Thompson went off too. Portland beat the Spurs on the road last night because of lights out shooting. Shooting opens up other things. An open look at a three is considered by most NBA teams to be the second highest percentage shot, second only to getting to the rim. The Celtics are a way below average shooting team.

So would Austin Rivers, Ben McLemore, Dion Waiters or Ricky Ledo etc. be better block in the rebuilding context than someone we might pick this year with the NJ pick or next year with the LAC pick? (Waiters would obviously cost more) They can all shoot and have size? Sign me up if someone is available for the right price. I would even take Eric Gordon if NO would take Bass and Green.

Danny just signed someone to a ten day contract because and I quote "I thought we need some shooters".

I like Phil Pressey. Saw him play AAU when he played for BABC here in Boston. I would rather have Marshall because of size. I like Vitor too and feel he should get more minutes. Good point about Pressey, Vitor and the ten day and maybe they will develop. I hope you are right.   

[guava_wrench]

Agreed with everything he said until the last paragraph saying we "downgraded our backup pg spot to phil pressey."

Did he forget about Bayless? Other than that minor knitpick of trade irrelevance he was spot on.

Our 4 guards are Rondo, AB, Pressey & Bayless. That makes Pressey our backup PG with Rondo seeing only 20mpg. Bayless will get all the backup minutes at SG and perhaps some of the minutes at the 1.