Fire Ainge

[Moranis]

Boston did not tank.  Tanking teams trade off all useful veterans for future considerations.  Philadelphia tanked.  Boston did not.  If Boston would have tanked Rondo, Bass, and Humphries, at a minimum, would not have been on the team at the end of the year.  Boston made a trade before the season started to pick up 3 first round picks for some aging veterans.  Trading Lee just made good financial sense given his contract size and length and for what he provides.  That is not tanking. 

[winsomme]

Boston did not tank.  Tanking teams trade off all useful veterans for future considerations.  Philadelphia tanked.  Boston did not.  If Boston would have tanked Rondo, Bass, and Humphries, at a minimum, would not have been on the team at the end of the year.  Boston made a trade before the season started to pick up 3 first round picks for some aging veterans.  Trading Lee just made good financial sense given his contract size and length and for what he provides.  That is not tanking.

The criticism of Danny, Moranis, is that he tried to thread the needle and do both - get the high pick AND keep tradable assets. In the end, I think it backfired. We didn't get the top pick and we could easily lose Bayless and Humph (who helped us win games) to FA....

It's certainly possible that Danny has this all figured, but I think his job of getting Love would have been much easier with a top 4 pick.

[BballTim]

Boston did not tank.  Tanking teams trade off all useful veterans for future considerations.  Philadelphia tanked.  Boston did not.  If Boston would have tanked Rondo, Bass, and Humphries, at a minimum, would not have been on the team at the end of the year.  Boston made a trade before the season started to pick up 3 first round picks for some aging veterans.  Trading Lee just made good financial sense given his contract size and length and for what he provides.  That is not tanking.

The criticism of Danny, Moranis, is that he tried to thread the needle and do both - get the high pick AND keep tradable assets. In the end, I think it backfired. We didn't get the top pick and we could easily lose Bayless and Humph (who helped us win games) to FA....

It's certainly possible that Danny has this all figured, but I think his job of getting Love would have been much easier with a top 4 pick.

  The criticism is based on assumptions of Danny's motives and objectives that you don't know are accurate. Also, Danny's been saying all along that there aren't any great players in the draft, for all you know Minny agrees with him and getting Love wouldn't be terrifically easier with the 4th pick. In 2006 people were all over Danny for not ending up with a better pick than Minny. There were plenty of posts claiming that he had the 7th pick in a 6 player draft so his pick was worth much less than any of the picks above him. Four of those picks were Adam Morrison, Tyrus Thomas, Shelden Williams and Bargs. In retrospect, how sure do you think those people would be of those claims?

[Smokeeye123]

Why would the fourth pick matter for MIN? Are they going to draft Exum with Rubio? You'd think they be drafting Gordon/Vonleh/Randle

[D.o.s.]

Why would the fourth pick matter for MIN? Are they going to draft Exum with Rubio? You'd think they be drafting Gordon/Vonleh/Randle

Different GM and all, but we're talking about the same franchise that drafted Jonny Flynn and Rubio with consecutive picks in the same draft

[Sixth Man]

Boston did not tank.  Tanking teams trade off all useful veterans for future considerations.  Philadelphia tanked.  Boston did not.  If Boston would have tanked Rondo, Bass, and Humphries, at a minimum, would not have been on the team at the end of the year.  Boston made a trade before the season started to pick up 3 first round picks for some aging veterans.  Trading Lee just made good financial sense given his contract size and length and for what he provides.  That is not tanking.

The criticism of Danny, Moranis, is that he tried to thread the needle and do both - get the high pick AND keep tradable assets. In the end, I think it backfired. We didn't get the top pick and we could easily lose Bayless and Humph (who helped us win games) to FA....

It's certainly possible that Danny has this all figured, but I think his job of getting Love would have been much easier with a top 4 pick.

Yes, what a disaster losing Bayless and Hump would be - surely they are the players, who if retained, would bring us a championship next season...!! 

Getting Love now would be a waste of time, energy and squad assets.  He would cost a lot in trade, and he would not improve the roster enough to make us a contender, even in the weak Eastern conference.  Thank heavens you are not the Celts GM.

[DarkAzcura]

Boston did not tank.  Tanking teams trade off all useful veterans for future considerations.  Philadelphia tanked.  Boston did not.  If Boston would have tanked Rondo, Bass, and Humphries, at a minimum, would not have been on the team at the end of the year.  Boston made a trade before the season started to pick up 3 first round picks for some aging veterans.  Trading Lee just made good financial sense given his contract size and length and for what he provides.  That is not tanking.

The criticism of Danny, Moranis, is that he tried to thread the needle and do both - get the high pick AND keep tradable assets. In the end, I think it backfired. We didn't get the top pick and we could easily lose Bayless and Humph (who helped us win games) to FA....

It's certainly possible that Danny has this all figured, but I think his job of getting Love would have been much easier with a top 4 pick.

Yes, what a disaster losing Bayless and Hump would be - surely they are the players, who if retained, would bring us a championship next season...!! 

Getting Love now would be a waste of time, energy and squad assets.  He would cost a lot in trade, and he would not improve the roster enough to make us a contender, even in the weak Eastern conference.  Thank heavens you are not the Celts GM.

You do know our GM is rumored to be going hard for Kevin Love, right? Not every trade made is meant to launch us onto contender street. Kevin Love is a good start. The guy's impact on the offensive side of the ball is tops in the league. Minnesota was one of the best offenses in the league when he was on the floor, but one of the worst when he was off. You'd be surprised at the improvement the Celtics would see if they traded for Love. It really wouldn't take away too many players off our roster either since the most valuable pieces going out will probably be the lottery pick and a very poor man's version of Kevin Love in Sullinger.

Love and Rondo's improved health would instantly bring us up to 41-43 wins. You add a defensive center in Asik, and you are looking at 47-50 wins. Bring back Pierce, and you are looking at a tough out for any team in the East. There's a chance Minnesota adds Martin's contract to the trade if they want to clear space since he won't be necessary there anymore. If we can pull him too, our bench would be pretty darn good. It wouldn't be as hard to fill out the roster as you think if we brought in Love. Love is the hard part, though.

[D.o.s.]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

[cb8883]

Boston did not tank.  Tanking teams trade off all useful veterans for future considerations.  Philadelphia tanked.  Boston did not.  If Boston would have tanked Rondo, Bass, and Humphries, at a minimum, would not have been on the team at the end of the year.  Boston made a trade before the season started to pick up 3 first round picks for some aging veterans.  Trading Lee just made good financial sense given his contract size and length and for what he provides.  That is not tanking.

The criticism of Danny, Moranis, is that he tried to thread the needle and do both - get the high pick AND keep tradable assets. In the end, I think it backfired. We didn't get the top pick and we could easily lose Bayless and Humph (who helped us win games) to FA....

It's certainly possible that Danny has this all figured, but I think his job of getting Love would have been much easier with a top 4 pick.

Yes, what a disaster losing Bayless and Hump would be - surely they are the players, who if retained, would bring us a championship next season...!! 

Getting Love now would be a waste of time, energy and squad assets.  He would cost a lot in trade, and he would not improve the roster enough to make us a contender, even in the weak Eastern conference.  Thank heavens you are not the Celts GM.

You do know our GM is rumored to be going hard for Kevin Love, right? Not every trade made is meant to launch us onto contender street. Kevin Love is a good start. The guy's impact on the offensive side of the ball is tops in the league. Minnesota was one of the best offenses in the league when he was on the floor, but one of the worst when he was off. You'd be surprised at the improvement the Celtics would see if they traded for Love. It really wouldn't take away too many players off our roster either since the most valuable pieces going out will probably be the lottery pick and a very poor man's version of Kevin Love in Sullinger.

Love and Rondo's improved health would instantly bring us up to 41-43 wins. You add a defensive center in Asik, and you are looking at 47-50 wins. Bring back Pierce, and you are looking at a tough out for any team in the East. There's a chance Minnesota add's Martin's contract to the trade if they want to clear space since he won't be necessary there anymore. If we can pull him too, our bench would be pretty darn good. It's wouldn't be as hard to fill out the roster as you think if we brought in Love. Love is the hard part, though.

So...you're happy with the Celtics as a perennial 3-4 seed? I think you're overstating the impact Love and Rondo would have. Rondo is not a star player. In order for the plan to work you need star players to team up. He is no better than a 3rd option and more than likely a 4th.

[DarkAzcura]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

Oh, I forgot I was on Celticsblog.

Yes, adding the best offensive PF with a core of defenders would bring us to 50 wins. If Minnesota could have the point differential and impact of a 50 win team last season (which they did regardless of their 40 win record), the Celtics with Rondo, Bradley, Green, Love, Asik and Pierce and Martin off the bench will surely win 50 in the East. If you think otherwise, I'd say your evaluation of what makes a successful team in the NBA nowadays is way off. Just see Indiana and Memphis.

So...you're happy with the Celtics as a perennial 3-4 seed? I think you're overstating the impact Love and Rondo would have. Rondo is not a star player. In order for the plan to work you need star players to team up. He is no better than a 3rd option and more than likely a 4th.

This idea that you need this rigid structure of Option A, Option B, Option C, and so on has become a problem on this forum ever since Ray, Pierce, and KG came here. It's like you all forgot there are other ways to build a team as evidenced by Detroit, Indiana, Memphis, and San Antonio. Rondo, Bradley, Green, Love, Asik and something like Pierce and Martin off the bench is no worse than Indiana on paper. I think it'd work on the floor also.

That's not a perennial 3rd or 4th seed. I'll take that team over Indiana if they mesh any day. Look how terrible OKC is right now. They almost lost to Memphis, and now they are getting blown out by SA regardless of Ibaka missing or not, it's sad. 

[Lucky17]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

Love's team won 40 games last year in the West.

If you believe that Rondo > Rubio, Asik > Pekovic, and that Ainge can assemble a better complementary cast around those three than Minnesota has put around Love, why does a 50-win mark seem so outlandish?

[DarkAzcura]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

Love's team won 40 games last year in the West.

If you believe that Rondo > Rubio, Asik > Pekovic, and that Ainge can assemble a better complementary cast around those three than Minnesota has put around Love, why does a 50-win mark seem so outlandish?

Because people here have no idea what it takes to win in the NBA anymore apparently. The only way is to mimic the core of Allen, Pierce, and Garnett now.

FYI, Kevin Love's impact on the floor has been as good as Dirk. The dude is good. Build a proper team around him, and you have a contender pretty easily. Luckily I think we have the right pieces, management, and coaching to make that happen sooner than later.

[Donoghus]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

Love's team won 40 games last year in the West.

If you believe that Rondo > Rubio, Asik > Pekovic, and that Ainge can assemble a better complementary cast around those three than Minnesota has put around Love, why does a 50-win mark seem so outlandish?

Depends on the supporting cast.

[D.o.s.]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

Love's team won 40 games last year in the West.

If you believe that Rondo > Rubio, Asik > Pekovic, and that Ainge can assemble a better complementary cast around those three than Minnesota has put around Love, why does a 50-win mark seem so outlandish?

Depends on the supporting cast.

Exactly.

Also, Love's not the best offensive PF in the game. He's probably third on the list. The big 3 also have no bearing on how I think you should properly construct an NBA roster -- I just don't think that's a 50 win team, even in the East.

I get that you've got a hard on for getting Kevin Love in green, but he's got a long way to go before he reaches Dirks' level, if ever. Dirk was the offensive centerpiece of 50+ win Dallas teams from the age of 21... and Love has yet to lead a team to a .500 record. Love might be as good as Dirk today, but he's not even close to prime Nowitzki. Don't be stupid.

[DarkAzcura]

Rondo Love and Asik is the core of a 50 win team?

I am not high right now, but reading that made me wonder if I was.

Love's team won 40 games last year in the West.

If you believe that Rondo > Rubio, Asik > Pekovic, and that Ainge can assemble a better complementary cast around those three than Minnesota has put around Love, why does a 50-win mark seem so outlandish?

Depends on the supporting cast.

Exactly.

Also, Love's not the best offensive PF in the game. He's probably third on the list. The big 3 also have no bearing on how I think you should properly construct an NBA roster -- I just don't think that's a 50 win team, even in the East.

There are plenty of stats that disagree with that. Who is 1 and 2 in your mind? Aldridge and Blake?