Needs to be said

[jaketwice]

I am deeply disappointed with the way the Celtics' last season, off-season, and the next season, projected based on our players, has shaken out, and seems likely to shake out (as the case may be).

We have five player about the right height to play the point guard position:

Rondo, Smart, Thornton, Bradley and Pressey; they in turn either can't shoot, are too short, can't defend, or can't pass.

We have two players with big salaries who I don't expect to see a lot of playing time: Gerald Wallace and Keith Bogans.

Our starting small forward is basically a synonym for "inconsistent," and our two most exciting young players are both deeply flawed power forwards.

There is not one, single, complete player on the roster: no tall point guards who can defend, score and pass; no wing players who can drive, defend, and shoot, and no power forwards who can hit shots all over the court/are amazingly athletic and can defend. No two way centers. No three and D guys.

There are some bright spots: Green is athletic, Rondo has an amazing mind for the game; Zeller has some post, and pick and roll ability, and Olynyk's jumper is improving. And if James Young can shoot, he has the height to be a real asset at his position. But - realistically - this team can't guard 80% of the teams in the NBA right now, and probably won't be able to score on more than half of them. Next year is going to be very, very painful to watch. And after last year... Ouch.

[jaketwice]

And - I should add - there is no end in sight - at least not to my eyes (but please relieve my depression). There do not seem to be any free agents that will want to play here; our best player (Rondo) is likely to be shipped out of town sooner rather than later; and although there are some inspiring center prospects, and Emmanuel Mundiay in the upcoming draft - after Duncan/Oden/Wiggins - I have just completely lost faith that we will ever win a draft lottery.

[Monkhouse]

Understand your frustration, but all this needs to be said.

We have Danny Ainge. Whether or not he creates fireworks, I'm prepared to trust in his plans.

I think we may get Kevin Love in the future if luck pans out. I think 2015 might be the year that Ainge must definitely make a decision, either to trade Rondo, or try to go for a Big 3 in FA.

[aingeforthree]

I am deeply disappointed with the way the Celtics' last season, off-season, and the next season, projected based on our players, has shaken out, and seems likely to shake out (as the case may be).

We have five player about the right height to play the point guard position:

Rondo, Smart, Thornton, Bradley and Pressey; they in turn either can't shoot, are too short, can't defend, or can't pass.

We have two players with big salaries who I don't expect to see a lot of playing time: Gerald Wallace and Keith Bogans.

Our starting small forward is basically a synonym for "inconsistent," and our two most exciting young players are both deeply flawed power forwards.

There is not one, single, complete player on the roster: no tall point guards who can defend, score and pass; no wing players who can drive, defend, and shoot, and no power forwards who can hit shots all over the court/are amazingly athletic and can defend. No two way centers. No three and D guys.

There are some bright spots: Green is athletic, Rondo has an amazing mind for the game; Zeller has some post, and pick and roll ability, and Olynyk's jumper is improving. And if James Young can shoot, he has the height to be a real asset at his position. But - realistically - this team can't guard 80% of the teams in the NBA right now, and probably won't be able to score on more than half of them. Next year is going to be very, very painful to watch. And after last year... Ouch.

You talk about our youth as if they're fully developed.  Even a guy like Sullinger is still only 22 years of age, and only has a year and a half under his belt.

No tall point guards on the roster who can defend ?  You have an all star point guard, what's the problem here ?  You just drafted one of the best defending Point Guards in college basketball.  He's 20, btw.

You need to be patient and let the process play out.  The only thing you need to know is this :

Boston's youth:

Smart
Bradley
Olynyk
Sullinger
Young

Boston's picks:

Boston's own picks
Brooklyn's 2016, 2017 (right to swap with Nets), 2018
2015 Clippers First Round Pick
2015 76ers First Round Pick (or two 2nds)
2016 Cavs First Round Pick (Top 10 protected in 16', 17', or 18'. Unprotected in 19')

Boston's expirings:

Joel Anthony
Keith Bogans
Brandon Bass
Marcus Thornton

You're setup to completely overhaul this thing and get back to the playoffs in a hurry.  Have some patience and let it unfold.  No end in sight ?  Please.  Gimme a break.

[Beat LA]

Oh, come now - cheer up.  It'll be okay.  Sure, we're never going to win the lottery, but we have 2 new exciting rookies to pair with Avery, Sully, and Rondo.  Who knows, maybe Oden will save us.  Ooh, ooh, and Evan Turner, too   I'm a cynic and a pessimist, but I also like building teams from the ground up.  Maybe you should just sit back, relax, and, hey, if they end up really sucking, let's hope that it'll be incredibly entertaining to watch   We're going to need to get Javale McGee first, though

[Csfan1984]

I can feel that. Most of the points are valid. But it's only year two of a rebuild. Danny has expiring contracts, lots of young players, big $ off books in 2 years, and a boat load of future picks already. Rondo is also still a top 15/20 player that is a big piece. This has been a much faster process of rebuilding compared to the WalkerPierce team, dismantle and rebuild.

[jaketwice]

The Eastern Conference has gotten better:

Washington is Better, Cleveland, Charlotte, and those are add ons to contenders that can already beat us: Indiana, Miami, Toronto (which retainer Lowry) Atlanta, Chicago (when D Rose comes back) Detroit is better, with Van Gundy, Orlando has Exum now, and even New York, with Carmelo and the 76ers with Noel are all looking better.

Brooklyn, in losing Pierce, undoubtedly took a step back - but if Lopez can play, and D-Will comes back into form - they too may prove a challenge (I also think Hollins is a huge upgrade over Kidd).

We may well be the absolute worst team in the NBA next year.

[jaketwice]

Oh, come now - cheer up.  It'll be okay.  Sure, we're never going to win the lottery, but we have 2 new exciting rookies to pair with Avery, Sully, and Rondo.  Who knows, maybe Oden will save us.  Ooh, ooh, and Evan Turner, too   I'm a cynic and a pessimist, but I also like building teams from the ground up.  Maybe you should just sit back, relax, and, hey, if they end up really sucking, let's hope that it'll be incredibly entertaining to watch   We're going to need to get Javale McGee first, though

I gave you a TP for Javale McGee. I think I would literally tear out some hair if that happened.

[Monkhouse]

I am deeply disappointed with the way the Celtics' last season, off-season, and the next season, projected based on our players, has shaken out, and seems likely to shake out (as the case may be).

We have five player about the right height to play the point guard position:

Rondo, Smart, Thornton, Bradley and Pressey; they in turn either can't shoot, are too short, can't defend, or can't pass.

We have two players with big salaries who I don't expect to see a lot of playing time: Gerald Wallace and Keith Bogans.

Our starting small forward is basically a synonym for "inconsistent," and our two most exciting young players are both deeply flawed power forwards.

There is not one, single, complete player on the roster: no tall point guards who can defend, score and pass; no wing players who can drive, defend, and shoot, and no power forwards who can hit shots all over the court/are amazingly athletic and can defend. No two way centers. No three and D guys.

There are some bright spots: Green is athletic, Rondo has an amazing mind for the game; Zeller has some post, and pick and roll ability, and Olynyk's jumper is improving. And if James Young can shoot, he has the height to be a real asset at his position. But - realistically - this team can't guard 80% of the teams in the NBA right now, and probably won't be able to score on more than half of them. Next year is going to be very, very painful to watch. And after last year... Ouch.

You talk about our youth as if they're fully developed.  Even a guy like Sullinger is still only 22 years of age, and only has a year and a half under his belt.

No tall point guards on the roster who can defend ?  You have an all star point guard, what's the problem here ?  You just drafted one of the best defending Point Guards in college basketball.  He's 20, btw.

You need to be patient and let the process play out.  The only thing you need to know is this :

Boston's youth:

Smart
Bradley
Olynyk
Sullinger
Young

Boston's picks:

Boston's own picks
Brooklyn's 2016, 2017 (right to swap with Nets), 2018
2015 Clippers First Round Pick
2015 76ers First Round Pick (or two 2nds)
2016 Cavs First Round Pick (Top 10 protected in 16', 17', or 18'. Unprotected in 19')

Boston's expirings:

Joel Anthony
Keith Bogans
Brandon Bass
Marcus Thornton

You're setup to completely overhaul this thing and get back to the playoffs in a hurry.  Have some patience and let it unfold.  No end in sight ?  Please.  Gimme a break.

TP.

Ironically, you said it best. We have youth, picks, a great young coach... I mean honestly, I wouldn't mind if we go a youth route, or completely blow it up to contend. The main thing we got to factor in, Brad Stevens still needs some time to get the right pieces, and system working.

[jaketwice]

I am deeply disappointed with the way the Celtics' last season, off-season, and the next season, projected based on our players, has shaken out, and seems likely to shake out (as the case may be).

We have five player about the right height to play the point guard position:

Rondo, Smart, Thornton, Bradley and Pressey; they in turn either can't shoot, are too short, can't defend, or can't pass.

We have two players with big salaries who I don't expect to see a lot of playing time: Gerald Wallace and Keith Bogans.

Our starting small forward is basically a synonym for "inconsistent," and our two most exciting young players are both deeply flawed power forwards.

There is not one, single, complete player on the roster: no tall point guards who can defend, score and pass; no wing players who can drive, defend, and shoot, and no power forwards who can hit shots all over the court/are amazingly athletic and can defend. No two way centers. No three and D guys.

There are some bright spots: Green is athletic, Rondo has an amazing mind for the game; Zeller has some post, and pick and roll ability, and Olynyk's jumper is improving. And if James Young can shoot, he has the height to be a real asset at his position. But - realistically - this team can't guard 80% of the teams in the NBA right now, and probably won't be able to score on more than half of them. Next year is going to be very, very painful to watch. And after last year... Ouch.

You talk about our youth as if they're fully developed.  Even a guy like Sullinger is still only 22 years of age, and only has a year and a half under his belt.

No tall point guards on the roster who can defend ?  You have an all star point guard, what's the problem here ?  You just drafted one of the best defending Point Guards in college basketball.  He's 20, btw.

You need to be patient and let the process play out.  The only thing you need to know is this :

Boston's youth:

Smart
Bradley
Olynyk
Sullinger
Young

Boston's picks:

Boston's own picks
Brooklyn's 2016, 2017 (right to swap with Nets), 2018
2015 Clippers First Round Pick
2015 76ers First Round Pick (or two 2nds)
2016 Cavs First Round Pick (Top 10 protected in 16', 17', or 18'. Unprotected in 19')

Boston's expirings:

Joel Anthony
Keith Bogans
Brandon Bass
Marcus Thornton

You're setup to completely overhaul this thing and get back to the playoffs in a hurry.  Have some patience and let it unfold.  No end in sight ?  Please.  Gimme a break.

Really, when do you see the end? Do you see the end next year? Will that be the year we draft the franchise savior? No? How about 2016? No end in sight means - literally - what it says. I do not see a route for the Celtics to get back into contention. Even if we mortgage all of these assets for Love; is there a demonstrable difference, besides R. Rondo, in Boston's surrounding Roster and Minnesota's? Granter Rubio is a bit of a turd - but Pekovic is better than any center or forward on our roster. Does Love, Rondo, Olynyk, Green and Avery Bradley win you the EC?

No. Way.

There are literally five teams who are better, maybe more.

There is no end in sight. You know someone is pulling your chain when they tell you to trust in the fearless leader. Is Danny Ainge a genius? No! He has clearly whiffed on a number of picks. ...no one is perfect, and I don't blame him for trying - but betting on a "pick" is betting on some 19 year old kid. Why would a free agent want to play here? To experience the simmering tension of Gerald Wallace not getting playing time? To watch Olynyk get smoked on defense? To wonder which Jeff Green is going to show up on any given night?

Look - our best player - and it's not close, Rondo - is flawed. He is simply not a good enough shooter. He is a sub-30% 3p shooter, and has never - NEVER - shot better than 70% from the FT line, league AVERAGE is 75%+. Anyway - his greatest strengths are minimized with this team, as we are not really that athletic, and aren't great shooters.

Where is this end in sight? You tell me. But don't resort to that condescending "we have a super hero" garbage argument. Rah rah. I'm a fan also - that's why I care about it. If we have a super hero, tell me why he's a super hero. What has Brad Stevens done in the NBA again that leads you to feel so confident in him?

 

[LarBrd33]

On paper, I don't like this team at all.  It's kind of crap.  I don't think it can win 40 games and I don't see anyone who can turn into a superstar... though Smart seems like he has potential.  I think with enough time Ainge will figure something out, though.   Give it a few years.

GM's always get hired and have this cliche "3-5 year rebuild plan".   How often do you see anyone actually make good on that promise?  Ainge took over in 2003 and by 2007 he had put together a contender.  Pretty freakin impressive.  We are at ground zero right now...  it's going to take 3-5 years.  Ainge has proven he could do it once.  Let's see if he can do it again. 

[cb8883]

And - I should add - there is no end in sight - at least not to my eyes (but please relieve my depression). There do not seem to be any free agents that will want to play here; our best player (Rondo) is likely to be shipped out of town sooner rather than later; and although there are some inspiring center prospects, and Emmanuel Mundiay in the upcoming draft - after Duncan/Oden/Wiggins - I have just completely lost faith that we will ever win a draft lottery.

I'm thrilled with the course this team is taking. What I'm not thrilled about is Marcus Smart. The Celtics need to bottom out and rebuild by trading Rondo. I assure you that no top Free Agent will ever sign with Boston. It makes no sense with the night life and the talent in Miami LA and NYC. Boston has no endorsement opportunities. Zero appeal to players.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Yeah if only we had "remained competitive" and kept Pierce and KG instead of:

*Trading them for 3 unprotected first rounders and the rights to swap in a 4th year, with said team almost certainly being in the lottery for at least one of those seasons
*A trade exception that just turned into a huge expiring, an up and coming 7 foot tall center and another first rounder
*Wallace who will be trade fill in at the end of next season
*Trading our coach for another unprotected 1st rounder
*More picks for MarShon Brooks

What a depressingly bad move that was, we certainly should have kept riding KG's knees into the sunset.  What we should do is take all of our assets and cap space and tie it up in players like Rudy Gay and Carmelo Anthony.  If we had a great player like Melo and didn't have to bother developing all those pesky lottery pick players, we could be more like the Knicks!  Madison Square Garden, y'all!

    

[BballTim]

The Eastern Conference has gotten better:

Washington is Better, Cleveland, Charlotte, and those are add ons to contenders that can already beat us: Indiana, Miami, Toronto (which retainer Lowry) Atlanta, Chicago (when D Rose comes back) Detroit is better, with Van Gundy, Orlando has Exum now, and even New York, with Carmelo and the 76ers with Noel are all looking better.

Brooklyn, in losing Pierce, undoubtedly took a step back - but if Lopez can play, and D-Will comes back into form - they too may prove a challenge (I also think Hollins is a huge upgrade over Kidd).

We may well be the absolute worst team in the NBA next year.

  Every summer I hear about how every team but us improved but us. Last year the Cavs, Pistons and Bucks were all being touted as playoff-caliber teams until the season got underway.

[BballTim]

And - I should add - there is no end in sight - at least not to my eyes (but please relieve my depression). There do not seem to be any free agents that will want to play here; our best player (Rondo) is likely to be shipped out of town sooner rather than later; and although there are some inspiring center prospects, and Emmanuel Mundiay in the upcoming draft - after Duncan/Oden/Wiggins - I have just completely lost faith that we will ever win a draft lottery.

I'm thrilled with the course this team is taking. What I'm not thrilled about is Marcus Smart. The Celtics need to bottom out and rebuild by trading Rondo. I assure you that no top Free Agent will ever sign with Boston. It makes no sense with the night life and the talent in Miami LA and NYC. Boston has no endorsement opportunities. Zero appeal to players.

  Yes, that's why KG and Ray and PP all bolted in 2010 when they were free agents.