Stevens - B+
He's shown steady growth, and more importantly / impressively he's managed not to lose the team despite all the roster shakeups. He's emerging as the primary leader of this team, the person who gives the team its identity. That's a great sign.
Ainge - A-
I'm so glad he pulled the trigger and traded Rondo. I was concerned he would wait out this year to do that. Disappointed he didn't get more in return for him, but it's not all that surprising. Rondo has been a shadow of his former self since returning from his injury. The trade for Zeller and Thornton this past summer has turned out really well so far for the Celtics. Ainge also got some decent assets by flipping Green, Wright, and Nelson.
Overall, I feel that Ainge has renewed his reputation as one of the best GMs in the league. I feel good with the team in his hands.
Smart - B
Hasn't wowed me too much, but I like what I see. Really hope he develops more of an in-between game.
Bradley - C+
Hasn't shown any improvement over last year, which is concerning given his new contract. He hasn't been terrible, but he continues to look miscast as a starting SG with a significant offensive role.
Crowder - B
I like what I see here. He's a Matt Barnes / Demarre Carroll style player, only his lack of ideal size limits him somewhat. He's better than Renaldo Balkman and Chris Johnson, at least. Every good team needs a player like Crowder, though, and keeping him should not cost much.
Sullinger - B+
Hasn't shown a lot of improvement over last year, but has looked mostly solid. His outside shooting was up a lot to start the season but he's gone cold again for the last couple of months. Right now he's the best player on the team, but I'm not sure he's the type of player you go out of your way to keep around as a core piece. That says more about where the team is at than it does about Sullinger. He's a nice player. The criticism about his weight and his shot selection is generally uninformed and hyperbolic.
Olynyk - B-
Looked good at the start of the year, but has tailed off since. Just can't seem to find a consistent role or rhythm on the floor for more than a week or two at a time. The latest injury obviously isn't helping. At various times I've been optimistic that he could become a productive offensive-minded starter, but at other times I think maybe he's just a 4th big who can stretch the floor and has some nifty moves inside against weak defenders.
Turner - B
This is a better grade than I would have expected to give ET before the season started. He hasn't been awful. In fact, he's been an OK piece. One I'd prefer to see on the bench, but still. You can use a guy with his playmaking ability and size that allows him to play and cover three positions (not very well, but still). I don't much care if he stays or goes, though.
Zeller - A
He's better than I expected. There's not much more to it than that. He's just a solid player who won't often wow you, but will rarely disappoint you, either. I hope we can hold onto him for a while and find another productive center to split minutes with him. He could be part of a very productive tandem at center, ideally as the backup.
Young - INC
Really haven't seen enough. Is he J.R. Smith without the headcase issues, or is he Daequan Cook?
Pressey - C
I'm fine with him as the third string point guard, but he's totally expendable if the Celtics draft a guy with more ideal size and any kind of rotation-caliber upside.
Bass, Thornton, Prince, Wallace - B
All the credit in the world for staying engaged and not causing trouble as veterans on a team headed nowhere. These guys have been exactly the kind of veteran presence the younger guys need. That said, I won't feel much of anything whenever it is that they head elsewhere.
I do hope to see Bass get an opportunity play a significant role on a good team, though. He deserves it.
Topic: Please share your at the break grades and thoughts on the C's roster. (Read 5136 times)