Steve Bulpett: Next year's team could be worse than this years

[mahonedog88]

Man, anybody catch Steve Bulpett on Sports Sunday?  Unfortunately played the "no fun police" role.  Basically said that from his vantage point, Kevin Love is the only big-time free agent that the Cs have even a remote chance of signing, and even then, he thinks it's so remote to the point where you might as well try and get the thought in your head now that it isn't happening.

He thinks this past season was a little more of a lightening-in-a-bottle case, and reminded everyone that Ainge was actually pretty upset that we made the playoffs this year. 

Without literally saying it, he sure sounded like he wasn't expecting any real moves on draft night or any "firework" changes or signings this summer...that the team we had this year will look incredibly similar to next season's team, only not be as good, and that the main goal of next season is to hope that somebody on the roster makes a "next level" jump and becomes a real trade asset, the next Al Jefferson so to speak.

[Rondo9]

Anige was upset? Any proof of that or he's just being negative for sake of it?

[Rakulp]

On one hand, we have his opinion...

...on the other hand, we have a bucket of manure.

(/insert Jeopardy theme music)

IT'S A TIE!!!

Rak

[flybono]

Man, anybody catch Steve Bulpett on Sports Sunday?  Unfortunately played the "no fun police" role.  Basically said that from his vantage point, Kevin Love is the only big-time free agent that the Cs have even a remote chance of signing, and even then, he thinks it's so remote to the point where you might as well try and get the thought in your head now that it isn't happening.

He thinks this past season was a little more of a lightening-in-a-bottle case, and reminded everyone that Ainge was actually pretty upset that we made the playoffs this year. 

Without literally saying it, he sure sounded like he wasn't expecting any real moves on draft night or any "firework" changes or signings this summer...that the team we had this year will look incredibly similar to next season's team, only not be as good, and that the main goal of next season is to hope that somebody on the roster makes a "next level" jump and becomes a real trade asset, the next Al Jefferson so to speak.

Next time Bulpett says anything useful will be a first.
Cash talks brother. From all the reports The Celts already have a key piece in place and that is Stevens..

[clover]

Bulpett is the beat writer with the most direct connection to Danny.

What he says has some credibility.

[mahonedog88]

Anige was upset? Any proof of that or he's just being negative for sake of it?

I mean, he covers the team, so if anyone would know, he would.  And I think he's right.  Ainge did his weekly interview on 98.5 when they were in the middle of the race for a spot, and he did noooot sound excited at all.  If I remember correctly, he said something along the lines of "I'm happy for the guys on this specific team, but if I'm being totally honest, making the playoffs isn't what's good for the long-term future of the franchise."

I also remember near the end of the season where it was one of the buzzer-beater wins, or a win that came down to the final minute.  And when they put the camera on him after the clinching shot, fans all around him were standing and going nuts and he was sitting in his chair with a pretty uninspired look.

[Rondo9]

Anige was upset? Any proof of that or he's just being negative for sake of it?

I mean, he covers the team, so if anyone would know, he would.  And I think he's right.  Ainge did his weekly interview on 98.5 when they were in the middle of the race for a spot, and he did noooot sound excited at all.  If I remember correctly, he said something along the lines of "I'm happy for the guys on this specific team, but if I'm being totally honest, making the playoffs isn't what's good for the long-term future of the franchise.

I also remember near the end of the season where it was one of the buzzer-beater wins, or a win that came down to the final minute.  And when they put the camera on him after the clinching shot, fans all around him were standing and going nuts and he was sitting in his chair with a pretty uninspired look.

I don't think Danny is the emotive type. He always has that uninspired look on his face.

[mahonedog88]

Man, anybody catch Steve Bulpett on Sports Sunday?  Unfortunately played the "no fun police" role.  Basically said that from his vantage point, Kevin Love is the only big-time free agent that the Cs have even a remote chance of signing, and even then, he thinks it's so remote to the point where you might as well try and get the thought in your head now that it isn't happening.

He thinks this past season was a little more of a lightening-in-a-bottle case, and reminded everyone that Ainge was actually pretty upset that we made the playoffs this year. 

Without literally saying it, he sure sounded like he wasn't expecting any real moves on draft night or any "firework" changes or signings this summer...that the team we had this year will look incredibly similar to next season's team, only not be as good, and that the main goal of next season is to hope that somebody on the roster makes a "next level" jump and becomes a real trade asset, the next Al Jefferson so to speak.

Next time Bulpett says anything useful will be a first.
Cash talks brother. From all the reports The Celts already have a key piece in place and that is Stevens..

They said the same thing about Doc.  Doc was supposed to be the piece that lures a free agent...and it was never a factor.  The whole "guys will sign here because they'll want to play for Brad Stevens" argument doesn't hold any water for me until I actually see it happen.  Because with Doc, it never did.

[gpap]

I am not believing anything til we see what transpires.

Just like I don't read too much into what Love says about playing for the Cavs on opening night.

[rondohondo]

Man, anybody catch Steve Bulpett on Sports Sunday?  Unfortunately played the "no fun police" role.  Basically said that from his vantage point, Kevin Love is the only big-time free agent that the Cs have even a remote chance of signing, and even then, he thinks it's so remote to the point where you might as well try and get the thought in your head now that it isn't happening.

He thinks this past season was a little more of a lightening-in-a-bottle case, and reminded everyone that Ainge was actually pretty upset that we made the playoffs this year. 

Without literally saying it, he sure sounded like he wasn't expecting any real moves on draft night or any "firework" changes or signings this summer...that the team we had this year will look incredibly similar to next season's team, only not be as good, and that the main goal of next season is to hope that somebody on the roster makes a "next level" jump and becomes a real trade asset, the next Al Jefferson so to speak.

Next time Bulpett says anything useful will be a first.
Cash talks brother. From all the reports The Celts already have a key piece in place and that is Stevens..

They said the same thing about Doc.  Doc was supposed to be the piece that lures a free agent...and it was never a factor.  The whole "guys will sign here because they'll want to play for Brad Stevens" argument doesn't hold any water for me until I actually see it happen.  Because with Doc, it never did.

remind me again when the Celtics had cap space? They never had any cap space when doc was here. although they were able to sign Rasheed Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal, 2 star players at the end of their career.

[Celtics18]

Anige was upset? Any proof of that or he's just being negative for sake of it?

I mean, he covers the team, so if anyone would know, he would.  And I think he's right.  Ainge did his weekly interview on 98.5 when they were in the middle of the race for a spot, and he did noooot sound excited at all.  If I remember correctly, he said something along the lines of "I'm happy for the guys on this specific team, but if I'm being totally honest, making the playoffs isn't what's good for the long-term future of the franchise.

I also remember near the end of the season where it was one of the buzzer-beater wins, or a win that came down to the final minute.  And when they put the camera on him after the clinching shot, fans all around him were standing and going nuts and he was sitting in his chair with a pretty uninspired look.

"Ainge was also asked if he wanted to clarify his comments about making playoffs, telling the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett that his goal was not to make the playoffs but build a championship caliber team, something Ainge said the Celtics are a long way from.

“That’s just Bulpett stirring the pot I think,” Ainge joked. “We started the season out with high expectations. I didn’t believe we were a championship contender at the beginning of the year but certainly thought we were a little bit better than how we played early on. Then when we made the trades early in the season, I think our expectations were a little bit less. We were going to play our young guys and focus on them. There was probably more attention on the draft to me at that time. But I never intervened with the players or coaches or gave them any direction one way or another, other than to go out and win and create culture of winning.

“I think the playoff experience helps us because Cleveland is a team that we’re going to have to deal with for years to come. I think it gives our guys some confidence. I think they feel like they’re not maybe as far away as the world thinks. I think that they feel more confident today after playing four straight games against them than they might have been before the series. I think that it’s also a reality check of how good that those guys are for us, organizationally. Following a game plan and playing against the best team in the East is great experience because the playoffs are a different level of intensity. First quarters are like fourth quarters of regular season games. I think it’s important for our guys to see how hard it is to win.”

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2015/04/30/danny-ainge-admits-luring-big-free-agents-to-boston-unlikely-this-summer/

I don't get the impression that Ainge was unhappy the team made the playoffs from these comments.  As always, though, folks will read their own subtexts. 

[PhoSita]

Just to flesh this out, here's a really easy way the team could be worse next year:

- Let Bass, Jerebko, and Datome walk.

- Give Crowder the QO but let him walk when some desperate team offers him well over the full MLE.

- Stay put in the draft at all spots and make a couple of draft-and-stash picks in the second round. (e.g. Portis, Wright, Jaiteh, Vezenkov)

- Sign a couple of young-ish buy-low guys (e.g. Biyombo, Aminu)



Opening night roster:

Smart / Thomas / Pressey
Bradley / Young / Wright
Turner / Aminu / Wallace
Sullinger / Portis
Zeller / Olynyk / Biyombo

[Celtics18]

Just to flesh this out, here's a really easy way the team could be worse next year:

- Let Bass, Jerebko, and Datome walk.

- Give Crowder the QO but let him walk when some desperate team offers him well over the full MLE.

- Stay put in the draft at all spots and make a couple of draft-and-stash picks in the second round. (e.g. Portis, Wright, Jaiteh, Vezenkov)

- Sign a couple of young-ish buy-low guys (e.g. Biyombo, Aminu)



Opening night roster:

Smart / Thomas / Pressey
Bradley / Young / Wright
Turner / Aminu / Wallace
Sullinger / Portis
Zeller / Olynyk / Biyombo

But, that team could make the playoffs again.  They could even be a little bit better. 

[mahonedog88]

Man, anybody catch Steve Bulpett on Sports Sunday?  Unfortunately played the "no fun police" role.  Basically said that from his vantage point, Kevin Love is the only big-time free agent that the Cs have even a remote chance of signing, and even then, he thinks it's so remote to the point where you might as well try and get the thought in your head now that it isn't happening.

He thinks this past season was a little more of a lightening-in-a-bottle case, and reminded everyone that Ainge was actually pretty upset that we made the playoffs this year. 

Without literally saying it, he sure sounded like he wasn't expecting any real moves on draft night or any "firework" changes or signings this summer...that the team we had this year will look incredibly similar to next season's team, only not be as good, and that the main goal of next season is to hope that somebody on the roster makes a "next level" jump and becomes a real trade asset, the next Al Jefferson so to speak.

Next time Bulpett says anything useful will be a first. F#k Bullpet!
Cash talks brother. From all the reports The Celts already have a key piece in place and that is Stevens..

They said the same thing about Doc.  Doc was supposed to be the piece that lures a free agent...and it was never a factor.  The whole "guys will sign here because they'll want to play for Brad Stevens" argument doesn't hold any water for me until I actually see it happen.  Because with Doc, it never did.

remind me again when the Celtics had cap space? They never had any cap space when doc was here. although they were able to sign Rasheed Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal, 2 star players at the end of their career.

Fair point about the cap space, although I'd argue they didn't come here because of Doc.  And then you had a guy like David West who was basically in his prime choosing the Pacers over the Cs, so the Doc effect didn't reach him.

And I'd also counter with, since when has ANY A-level or even B-level free agent signed with a team because of the coach?  It's always the money, the weather, and the talent already on that team.  The coach is always secondary.

[mahonedog88]

Just to flesh this out, here's a really easy way the team could be worse next year:

- Let Bass, Jerebko, and Datome walk.

- Give Crowder the QO but let him walk when some desperate team offers him well over the full MLE.

- Stay put in the draft at all spots and make a couple of draft-and-stash picks in the second round. (e.g. Portis, Wright, Jaiteh, Vezenkov)

- Sign a couple of young-ish buy-low guys (e.g. Biyombo, Aminu)



Opening night roster:

Smart / Thomas / Pressey
Bradley / Young / Wright
Turner / Aminu / Wallace
Sullinger / Portis
Zeller / Olynyk / Biyombo

But, that team could make the playoffs again.  They could even be a little bit better.

I'd have to agree.  That team I think is in the same exact position next season as they were this season, which is battling for no higher than a 6th seed in a bad Eastern conference.