Thomas, Crowder, Johnson, Lee,....

[Chris22]

Ainge keeps adding good veteran players.

[LarBrd33]

Solid players... and if Marcus Smart develops into a star or we land a real franchise player via trade, we could make some noise. 

[Chris22]

Solid players... and if Marcus Smart develops into a star or we land a real franchise player via trade, we could make some noise.

I think that's the plan. We also have the Brooklyn picks.

[max215]

Solid players... and if Marcus Smart develops into a star or we land a real franchise player via trade, we could make some noise.

Nice optimism from you, LarBrd. I agree with you here: we're one star away from being a contender in the EC and two away from legitimate contention. The problem is getting a star, they don't exactly grow on trees.

[Rosco917]

The C's needed another scorer, adding Lee in a contract year, for Wallace is a good move. Now matter how good a team is on the defensive end, they still have to put points on the board. Lee should help is this area. Hopefully we have a few young guys that can surprise everyone.

I think it will be a fun season. 

[Evantime34]

Solid players... and if Marcus Smart develops into a star or we land a real franchise player via trade, we could make some noise.

You have been a lot more optimistic since the Lee trade. TP/

Ainge plan seems to be incrementally improving until a chance presents itself to make a jump forward.

If the tanking strategy and incrementally improving strategy had the same likelihood of winning a title, I would choose incremental improvement every time. I still believe that they can win a title taking this approach and if that's the case I'm glad we didn't have to sit through years of tanking.

If you are a fan of the tanking strategy then you should focus on the fact that all these guys were signed to contracts that would be pretty easy to trade. If the C's start the season poorly due to injuries they could move all four players for assets that could help them in the future.

[PhoSita]

Solid players... and if Marcus Smart develops into a star or we land a real franchise player via trade, we could make some noise.

What are we trading to get this franchise player of which you speak?

And yeah, I like all of the players mentioned . . . as bench guys.  Excellent bench players.

Smart will be a quality starter someday, but he's below average for now until he develops more on offense and as a ball-handler.