Do the Celtics have a bright future?

[indeedproceed]

Currently the prospects on our team are not significant.  THere's probably a dozen teams with comparable prospects. 

This is not homer bias, Marcus Smart strikes me as a franchise player. But overall agree.

But what makes us intriguing is our huge stock of draft picks...

Agree.

until you realize that most of them will probably end up late 1sts.  But presumably we're going to stink... so our own picks will probably end up in the lotto for the foreseeable future.

At least the next 2 years likely, but agree.

Right now Boston's is all about quantity of assets... not quality. We got a lot of middling prospects and potentially middling picks.  Something cray-cray could happen in Brooklyn which could end up putting us in a really nice position, but we gotta we a few years for that and it's just as likely that Brooklyn continues to be a playoff team.

Disagree about Brooklyn being 'just as likely' to continue as a playoff team. I think its more likely that the East catches up and passes their brand of mediocrity.

Compare our hypothetical future to the hypothetical future of a team like Philly or Wolves and it's a no contest.  Philly already has a couple players on their team that could be franchise cornerstones.  The Wolves have a guy who you can potentially build a team around.  Boston is still reaching for a star prospect.

Agree. Mostly. See comment below:

Smart could end up being a starter eventually, though.

To this, I make a grand fart gesture, sir. With humorous vocalization as accompaniment. 

[jambr380]

I have seen too many teams like Philly and Minny fail through the years to say that they are definitely more promising. Philly has a ton of young guys, but that doesn't mean any of them are necessarily stars. Minny just traded away a star player for a hopeful star player.

Our best player is better than any of theirs and we have a top draft pick from this year's class (just like they do) and, like them, we have other young talent that may or may not materialize into big time players...and then there is our plethora of draft picks.

I am not going to say we are the sure-fire next top NBA team, but those teams went backwards in hopes of taking a big leap. We still have a lot of options on the table.

[gpap]

It's really hard to answer this right now.

We probably won't have a better idea until after the end of the upcoming season.

Obviously, I want to say yes, but I am not sure about that.

[LarBrd33]

Currently the prospects on our team are not significant.  THere's probably a dozen teams with comparable prospects. 

This is not homer bias, Marcus Smart strikes me as a franchise player. But overall agree.

But what makes us intriguing is our huge stock of draft picks...

Agree.

until you realize that most of them will probably end up late 1sts.  But presumably we're going to stink... so our own picks will probably end up in the lotto for the foreseeable future.

At least the next 2 years likely, but agree.

Right now Boston's is all about quantity of assets... not quality. We got a lot of middling prospects and potentially middling picks.  Something cray-cray could happen in Brooklyn which could end up putting us in a really nice position, but we gotta we a few years for that and it's just as likely that Brooklyn continues to be a playoff team.

Disagree about Brooklyn being 'just as likely' to continue as a playoff team. I think its more likely that the East catches up and passes their brand of mediocrity.

Compare our hypothetical future to the hypothetical future of a team like Philly or Wolves and it's a no contest.  Philly already has a couple players on their team that could be franchise cornerstones.  The Wolves have a guy who you can potentially build a team around.  Boston is still reaching for a star prospect.

Agree. Mostly. See comment below:

Smart could end up being a starter eventually, though.

To this, I make a grand fart gesture, sir. With humorous vocalization as accompaniment.

Yeah Smart is interesting.  I hope he ends up a star too.

[indeedproceed]

Pretty bored, so the reason I'm excited about Smart, in short-form:

1) Body: Has athleticism and strength to get the step and finish in today's NBA. By today's NBA I mean the one where nobody touches you until you get 6 feet within the basket. I see this guy shooting over 8 but closer to 9 free throws per game before the end of next season. It's a combination that doesn't need much nurturing or maturation from a guy who is already probably about 80% there. Its also a skill that won't go away til he's like 29 or 30 if his body holds up.

2) Mental makeup: Hot head, maybe. But the passion is more what interests me (TWSheedS). He cares about competing, he cares about winning, and wants to be 'The man'. Like you (LB33) I don't really see a high percentage play for the Celtics in keeping Rondo long-term. I'm sure it exists, but I just don't have a vision of it being likely (IE, I'm not sure who 'The Guy' is that we'd get that we haven't already pursued already). Marcus Smart looks like the type of guy who will do well being thrown into the fire of a losing season. Somebody who will come out stronger knowing what he's missing rather than someone who becomes accustomed or indifferent to it.

3) Skills: This is a bit of a tag-along to number 1, but he's got the ball-handling and body control to get to the hoop and finish, he's got good (if not elite) passing skills, and he's a tenacious defender. That's now. I won't pretend he's ever going to be a better than average (or hell, even average) 3pt shooter, but you don't need him to be if you construct your roster properly. His skillset is already basically there, needing refinement more than development.

[CoachBo]

Currently the prospects on our team are not significant.  THere's probably a dozen teams with comparable prospects. 

But what makes us intriguing is our huge stock of draft picks... until you realize that most of them will probably end up late 1sts.  But presumably we're going to stink... so our own picks will probably end up in the lotto for the foreseeable future.

Right now Boston's is all about quantity of assets... not quality.  We got a lot of middling prospects and potentially middling picks.  Something cray-cray could happen in Brooklyn which could end up putting us in a really nice position, but we gotta we a few years for that and it's just as likely that Brooklyn continues to be a playoff team.

Compare our hypothetical future to the hypothetical future of a team like Philly or Wolves and it's a no contest.  Philly already has a couple players on their team that could be franchise cornerstones.  The Wolves have a guy who you can potentially build a team around.  Boston is still reaching for a star prospect.  Smart could end up being a starter eventually, though.

Indeed. Year one of the rebuild accomplished relatively little. Glad I'm not paying for tickets.

[Rondo9]

Currently the prospects on our team are not significant.  THere's probably a dozen teams with comparable prospects. 

But what makes us intriguing is our huge stock of draft picks... until you realize that most of them will probably end up late 1sts.  But presumably we're going to stink... so our own picks will probably end up in the lotto for the foreseeable future.

Right now Boston's is all about quantity of assets... not quality.  We got a lot of middling prospects and potentially middling picks.  Something cray-cray could happen in Brooklyn which could end up putting us in a really nice position, but we gotta we a few years for that and it's just as likely that Brooklyn continues to be a playoff team.

Compare our hypothetical future to the hypothetical future of a team like Philly or Wolves and it's a no contest.  Philly already has a couple players on their team that could be franchise cornerstones.  The Wolves have a guy who you can potentially build a team around.  Boston is still reaching for a star prospect.  Smart could end up being a starter eventually, though.

Indeed. Year one of the rebuild accomplished relatively little. Glad I'm not paying for tickets.

So it's all gloom and doom huh?

[Kadin]

Threads like this makes this board completely unreadable. I guess I'll see you guys when the season starts then.

[JBcat]

I do think we have a bright future, and here is why. 

First we have young talented players that still have room to improve in various degrees with KO, Sully, Zeller, Bradley, Smart, and Young.  I'm intrigued to see much they will continue to grow.

I really think a 3 guard rotation of Rondo, Smart, and Bradley could well now, and in the future, mixed in with an occasional big SG.  It may take some time for Smart to earn big minutes, and as Rondo reaches age 30 it might be wise to limit his minutes ala Spurs to keep him highly productive. All 3 of those guys could average around 30 MPG.  The small sample size when both Rondo and Bradley are fully healthy playing really with each other brings promise.

Besides the above mentioned players we have a plethora of assets in future draft picks, and Green and Bass could be useful for a contending team.

This leads into my last point if with all our assets if can get a top 10 center or top 10 small forward preferably both within the next 2 to 3 years while keeping our core we may have something.  I don't think it's out if the question that it's doable.  Say the Knicks and Heat put Anthony and Bosh on the block within 2 years if they stink we may be able to get them in their early 30's like we did with KG and Ray.  What if the Spurs tumble when Duncan retires maybe Leanord go's on the block.  Maybe Cousins or Paul George is available in 2 years.  The point is just be patient as doors might open, and with more draft picks than any other team through 2018 anything can happen.

[LilRip]

in comparative terms, the C's future isn't as seemingly bright as Sixers or Wolves as of the moment. Sixers have a couple of potential franchise cornerstones in Embiid and Noel, and they will likely get another high draft pick next offseason. Wolves got an absolute haul in trading away Love.

However, in absolute terms, the C's have a bright future indeed. We're not stuck in salary cap hell, we have movable assets, we have some young players that are mid-high potential, and we have Marcus Smart who is a potential franchise cornerstone.

Rajon Rondo remains to be the wildcard in all this and will ultimately dictate how bright the C's future is. The worst thing that can happen is that Rondo walks away for nothing. 2nd worst is we get a trade exception for our troubles. The best thing that can happen is that Rondo fetches us a ransom similar to what Love did (a superstar prospect). I hope DA plays his hand perfectly.

[vinnie]

Pretty bored, so the reason I'm excited about Smart, in short-form:

1) Body: Has athleticism and strength to get the step and finish in today's NBA. By today's NBA I mean the one where nobody touches you until you get 6 feet within the basket. I see this guy shooting over 8 but closer to 9 free throws per game before the end of next season. It's a combination that doesn't need much nurturing or maturation from a guy who is already probably about 80% there. Its also a skill that won't go away til he's like 29 or 30 if his body holds up.

2) Mental makeup: Hot head, maybe. But the passion is more what interests me (TWSheedS). He cares about competing, he cares about winning, and wants to be 'The man'. Like you (LB33) I don't really see a high percentage play for the Celtics in keeping Rondo long-term. I'm sure it exists, but I just don't have a vision of it being likely (IE, I'm not sure who 'The Guy' is that we'd get that we haven't already pursued already). Marcus Smart looks like the type of guy who will do well being thrown into the fire of a losing season. Somebody who will come out stronger knowing what he's missing rather than someone who becomes accustomed or indifferent to it.

3) Skills: This is a bit of a tag-along to number 1, but he's got the ball-handling and body control to get to the hoop and finish, he's got good (if not elite) passing skills, and he's a tenacious defender. That's now. I won't pretend he's ever going to be a better than average (or hell, even average) 3pt shooter, but you don't need him to be if you construct your roster properly. His skillset is already basically there, needing refinement more than development.

I am hoping that Smart becomes an all star down the line. That said, 8-9 free throw attempts per game? You do realize that Lebron James, who seems to go to the line more than anyone in the history of the sport, has averaged 8.5 free throw attempts per game in his career. Think you may be a little too optimistic on this stat.

[indeedproceed]

Pretty bored, so the reason I'm excited about Smart, in short-form:

1) Body: Has athleticism and strength to get the step and finish in today's NBA. By today's NBA I mean the one where nobody touches you until you get 6 feet within the basket. I see this guy shooting over 8 but closer to 9 free throws per game before the end of next season. It's a combination that doesn't need much nurturing or maturation from a guy who is already probably about 80% there. Its also a skill that won't go away til he's like 29 or 30 if his body holds up.

2) Mental makeup: Hot head, maybe. But the passion is more what interests me (TWSheedS). He cares about competing, he cares about winning, and wants to be 'The man'. Like you (LB33) I don't really see a high percentage play for the Celtics in keeping Rondo long-term. I'm sure it exists, but I just don't have a vision of it being likely (IE, I'm not sure who 'The Guy' is that we'd get that we haven't already pursued already). Marcus Smart looks like the type of guy who will do well being thrown into the fire of a losing season. Somebody who will come out stronger knowing what he's missing rather than someone who becomes accustomed or indifferent to it.

3) Skills: This is a bit of a tag-along to number 1, but he's got the ball-handling and body control to get to the hoop and finish, he's got good (if not elite) passing skills, and he's a tenacious defender. That's now. I won't pretend he's ever going to be a better than average (or hell, even average) 3pt shooter, but you don't need him to be if you construct your roster properly. His skillset is already basically there, needing refinement more than development.

I am hoping that Smart becomes an all star down the line. That said, 8-9 free throw attempts per game? You do realize that Lebron James, who seems to go to the line more than anyone in the history of the sport, has averaged 8.5 free throw attempts per game in his career. Think you may be a little too optimistic on this stat.

I get it, and it is optimistic. But 'too optimistic'? He was averaging 9.9 per 40 his sophomore year in college, after averaging 7 his freshman year. Last year his 8.1 FTA per game would rank 8th since they started recording the statistics. And the only guys ahead of him who went to decent schools or even made their way in the NBA are Rodney Stuckey and Kevin Martin.

With Smart's skillset, and if the C's hand him the keys full time, I think you have a better chance of beating the house than you do of seeing Smart never reach 9 FT per game in his career.

Now, his career might not last past age 32 with any kind of relevance, but that's neither here nor there.

[ederson]

Compare our hypothetical future to the hypothetical future of a team like Philly or Wolves and it's a no contest.  Philly already has a couple players on their team that could be franchise cornerstones.  The Wolves have a guy who you can potentially build a team around.  Boston is still reaching for a star prospect.  Smart could end up being a starter eventually, though.

Assets are definately important looking at the future but nobody mentions that they mean nothing without a capable man pulling the strings

wolves had a guy to build a team around... didn t help much thanks to a useless front office. Similar story with KG too.

On the other hand the Cs have managed to turn the ship around by stockpiling assets.

And as i can understand you don t consider RR as a cornerstone.He ll be free agent next summer and we don t know whether he ll get back to his previous form. Reasonable arguments. But on the other side you take lightly embiib s and noel s serious injuries.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yes .....after LeBron is out of the EAST .

Until then ......

Everybody else is pretty much spinning their wheels.

[Future Celtics Owner]

  The Celts future is pretty murky right now, just like the sixers and the wolves.

As you, C'sFan1984, and Dark Lord have all pointed out, no one has any clue what is going to happen over the next several years. Anyone who is certain about how anything will play out is either really naive or arrogant, or a radio talking head, or all three. This doesn't make a great case for the value of message board discussion, but I think we all realize this is just a fun hobby.

And now I'm going to go back to reading a 45 page argument on the merits of Pavel Podkolzin from 2003.

Edit: And the uncertainty of it all is what actually what makes it fascinating to me and worth talking about. Without the uncertainty, it would just be like math.

And the uncertainty of it all is what actually what makes it fascinating to me and worth talking about. Without the uncertainty, it would just be like math.

What a great quote. tp.