Danny Puts an End to Cousins Rumors. Seeks Consistent Scorer

[chambers]

Looking at Ainge's penchant for value contracts and not spending large capspace on 'great but not All Star great' caliber guys (like Gallo and Batum) it's hard to see him adding Gallo and especially Batum.

Adding Gallo adds some scoring but also means Crowder plays significantly less minutes and his defensive impact is lost.

Gallo doesn't play the 4 either.

To me he's much more likely to go after Harrison Barnes and get him an extra 7 or 8 shots a game than he gets at GSW.

I'm with you, chambers. Genuinely wonder two things: 1) Is it possible to pry him away, and 2) How likely is it that he elevates his game with more touches and greater freedom?

As Jim says below,  I think if anything is done this season it's gonna include Crowder or our own first rounder. I don't think picks of any value would be needed if Crowder goes out because he's already a huge bargain on his long term deaL. .. and if they don't want to pay Barnes then they'll be happy to get a great replacement in Crowder.

Considering Barnes is only 23, you'd have to assume he'll become our number one or two option in the starting line up (until we get a top 15 player/scorer).

Right now he's getting 10 shots a game on 50% and 38% from 3 totaling a really efficient 13.5 per game.
If we got his shots up to the same amount as IT or Klay Thompson he'd get 17 shots up her game and we'd hope for a super efficient 21-22 ppg over 31-33 mins.
The hope being that he can turn the All Star corner and take 20+ shots per game (5 three attempts and 17 2PFG attempts) and score 24-26 ppg whilst stretching the floor, defending Lebron and SF's plus other PF's like Love, and getting 6 or 7 boards in a perfect world. That would be 3 or 4 years away but in the right system like ours he could really flourish.

To take that next step as a 'go to' scorer he'll have to continue working on his dribble drive game and get more free throws...but he's already looking much more aggressive putting it on the floor and taking it to the hole this season. I heard the Warriors commentators saying that Jerry West and Kerr asked him to spend all last summer developing his dribbling/handle to get him more drives and he's certainly showing solid improvement after just one summer.

I think at worst he'd be good enough to be a 2nd/3rd option on a championship team.

I actually think if we waited till the offseason we could keep Crowder and sign Barnes, with Barnes playing small ball PF next to Crowder as SF.
Smart
AB
Crowder
Barnes
Amir
would be the best defensive team in the NBA. Brad Stevens would use Barnes the same way he uses Jerebko, except Barnes is bigger, stronger, shoots and defends better.
He's the modern day small ball 'swing' hybrid SF/PF that Stevens loves and what Ainge always hoped Jeff Green would become.

[SchnellHanse]

I'm surprised to see DA deny interest in Demarcus and I don't believe him.
Wasn't Danny a bit like him in his playing days? and KG? (let's not discuss that again )

And he wants a go-to-scorer and reliable scorer at the end of games? not a 3 point shooter, not rim protecting?
IT isn't a go-to-scorer?

Someone mentioned DeMar DeRozan his fgm% (not Assisted by a teammate) in clutch time is 75%
Demarcus is 66,7%, Melo is 57,1% and IT is 60%
link: http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/clutch/scoring/?sort=PCT_UAST_FGM&dir=1
 
 

[tarheelsxxiii]

Looking at Ainge's penchant for value contracts and not spending large capspace on 'great but not All Star great' caliber guys (like Gallo and Batum) it's hard to see him adding Gallo and especially Batum.

Adding Gallo adds some scoring but also means Crowder plays significantly less minutes and his defensive impact is lost.

Gallo doesn't play the 4 either.

To me he's much more likely to go after Harrison Barnes and get him an extra 7 or 8 shots a game than he gets at GSW.

I'm with you, chambers. Genuinely wonder two things: 1) Is it possible to pry him away, and 2) How likely is it that he elevates his game with more touches and greater freedom?

As Jim says below,  I think if anything is done this season it's gonna include Crowder or our own first rounder. I don't think picks of any value would be needed if Crowder goes out because he's already a huge bargain on his long term deaL. .. and if they don't want to pay Barnes then they'll be happy to get a great replacement in Crowder.

Considering Barnes is only 23, you'd have to assume he'll become our number one or two option in the starting line up (until we get a top 15 player/scorer).

Right now he's getting 10 shots a game on 50% and 38% from 3 totaling a really efficient 13.5 per game.
If we got his shots up to the same amount as IT or Klay Thompson he'd get 17 shots up her game and we'd hope for a super efficient 21-22 ppg over 31-33 mins.
The hope being that he can turn the All Star corner and take 20+ shots per game (5 three attempts and 17 2PFG attempts) and score 24-26 ppg whilst stretching the floor, defending Lebron and SF's plus other PF's like Love, and getting 6 or 7 boards in a perfect world. That would be 3 or 4 years away but in the right system like ours he could really flourish.

I think at worst he'd be good enough to be a 2nd/3rd option on a championship team.

I actually think if we waited till the offseason we could keep Crowder and sign Barnes, with Barnes playing small ball PF next to Crowder as SF.
Smart
AB
Crowder
Barnes
Amir
would be the best defensive team in the NBA.

Great post, thanks man.

I was in the same ballpark of 2nd or 3rd guy on a championship team, but wasn't sure if it was too big of a stretch to throw out there. And I do have my UNC homer in me to consider. So that's validating.

Second issue is cap space. If I'm not mistaken, they're already 10.5 mil over the cap. I supposed if ownership doesn't care (and if they're rolling, they shouldn't imo) about spending, it makes a heck of a lot of sense to keep this core together.

Last issue, which may be my reading too much into things, is locker room dynamics that could change with Barnes getting paid. His potential max, I believe, is beyond that of Klay and Green... and he would be earning more than Curry until he re-ups. I wonder if that could be an issue for chemistry..

[D Dub]

Sounds like he would take Carmelo...

Almost sounds like he's pitching Carmelo..

[blink]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721396/at-top-of-danny-ainges-holiday-shopping-list-a-go-to-scorer


Ainge was asked about DeMarcus Cousins and while he refused to talk about him by name, he downplayed any interest in a guy that could be disruptive.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to have players that are disruptive to your team, on the court and off the court.

At top of Danny Ainge's holiday shopping list? A go-to scorer.

"I think the one thing that we could really use is a go-to scorer," said Ainge. "We have some guys that have carried us -- Kelly [Olynyk has] carried us, Avery [Bradley has] carried us, Isaiah [Thomas has] carried us, [Jared Sullinger has] carried us at moments during the season, Evan Turner has carried us -- but it would be nice to find another player that’s a reliable scorer at the end of games, night in and night out."

I think you're kidding yourself if you think Danny won't be on the phone with Divac if Cousins is made available. Talent is talent, and it is one thing we need more of.

Are you serious right now? read above again

Why would DA fib about his interest in DC? Oh why???  Duh, to lower the price tag.  Probably the #1 rule of negotiations.  If Cousins is available at a price DA likes, these comments will mean absolutely nothing.

So Danny trashes the guy in the media in the hope that other GM's will listen and offer less, so that in turn he can offer only slightly more than the other offers? Nurp.

DA didn't mention DC by name at all in that interview.  All he did was make general statements that anyone in his position would state.  He didn't trash anyone in the interview. 

[LilRip]

I think the question he was asked was more along the lines of "would you take someone who would be disruptive in the locker room?" as opposed to being asked about Cousins directly (since he can't comment on other players).

[BornReady]

Looking at Ainge's penchant for value contracts and not spending large capspace on 'great but not All Star great' caliber guys (like Gallo and Batum) it's hard to see him adding Gallo and especially Batum.

Adding Gallo adds some scoring but also means Crowder plays significantly less minutes and his defensive impact is lost.

Gallo doesn't play the 4 either.

To me he's much more likely to go after Harrison Barnes and get him an extra 7 or 8 shots a game than he gets at GSW.

I'm with you, chambers. Genuinely wonder two things: 1) Is it possible to pry him away, and 2) How likely is it that he elevates his game with more touches and greater freedom?

As Jim says below,  I think if anything is done this season it's gonna include Crowder or our own first rounder. I don't think picks of any value would be needed if Crowder goes out because he's already a huge bargain on his long term deaL. .. and if they don't want to pay Barnes then they'll be happy to get a great replacement in Crowder.

Considering Barnes is only 23, you'd have to assume he'll become our number one or two option in the starting line up (until we get a top 15 player/scorer).

Right now he's getting 10 shots a game on 50% and 38% from 3 totaling a really efficient 13.5 per game.
If we got his shots up to the same amount as IT or Klay Thompson he'd get 17 shots up her game and we'd hope for a super efficient 21-22 ppg over 31-33 mins.
The hope being that he can turn the All Star corner and take 20+ shots per game (5 three attempts and 17 2PFG attempts) and score 24-26 ppg whilst stretching the floor, defending Lebron and SF's plus other PF's like Love, and getting 6 or 7 boards in a perfect world. That would be 3 or 4 years away but in the right system like ours he could really flourish.

I think at worst he'd be good enough to be a 2nd/3rd option on a championship team.

I actually think if we waited till the offseason we could keep Crowder and sign Barnes, with Barnes playing small ball PF next to Crowder as SF.
Smart
AB
Crowder
Barnes
Amir
would be the best defensive team in the NBA.

Great post, thanks man.

I was in the same ballpark of 2nd or 3rd guy on a championship team, but wasn't sure if it was too big of a stretch to throw out there. And I do have my UNC homer in me to consider. So that's validating.

Second issue is cap space. If I'm not mistaken, they're already 10.5 mil over the cap. I supposed if ownership doesn't care (and if they're rolling, they shouldn't imo) about spending, it makes a heck of a lot of sense to keep this core together.

Last issue, which may be my reading too much into things, is locker room dynamics that could change with Barnes getting paid. His potential max, I believe, is beyond that of Klay and Green... and he would be earning more than Curry until he re-ups. I wonder if that could be an issue for chemistry..

 
id say barnes is more of a 3rd guy on a championship team
right now barnes is scoring really efficiently but some of that reasoning has to be GSW system as well as playing next to curry and thompson who can drag defensive attention more towards them

also i dont think the roster dynamics would change much despite barnes getting paid more than klay, green and curry
even though from a talent a production perspective, they should be getting more than him
barnes knows his role within the team so he's unlikely to complain about scoring opportunities and outcompete the other 3

[bdm860]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721396/at-top-of-danny-ainges-holiday-shopping-list-a-go-to-scorer


Ainge was asked about DeMarcus Cousins and while he refused to talk about him by name, he downplayed any interest in a guy that could be disruptive.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to have players that are disruptive to your team, on the court and off the court.

This is why I don't believe Danny (at least about disrupting the locker room):

Exhibit A (and he actually traded 2 highly regarded locker room guys for him too!)


Exhibit B


Exhibit C

During the 2004–05 season, Miles made headlines after a confrontation with then-coach Maurice Cheeks in which Miles reportedly insulted Cheeks with racial slurs and remarked he "did not care if the team were to lose the next 20 games" since Cheeks was "going to be fired anyway". According to ESPN's Chad Ford and other accounts, after Cheeks asked Miles to leave, Miles' response was "Make me." When Cheeks left the room to see Blazers' general manager John Nash, Miles ran behind him shouting, "That's right, run to your daddy."

Exhibit D


Exhibit E


Exhibit F

[Tr1boy]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721396/at-top-of-danny-ainges-holiday-shopping-list-a-go-to-scorer


Ainge was asked about DeMarcus Cousins and while he refused to talk about him by name, he downplayed any interest in a guy that could be disruptive.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to have players that are disruptive to your team, on the court and off the court.

This is why I don't believe Danny (at least about disrupting the locker room):

Exhibit A (and he actually traded 2 highly regarded locker room guys for him too!)


Exhibit B


Exhibit C

During the 2004–05 season, Miles made headlines after a confrontation with then-coach Maurice Cheeks in which Miles reportedly insulted Cheeks with racial slurs and remarked he "did not care if the team were to lose the next 20 games" since Cheeks was "going to be fired anyway". According to ESPN's Chad Ford and other accounts, after Cheeks asked Miles to leave, Miles' response was "Make me." When Cheeks left the room to see Blazers' general manager John Nash, Miles ran behind him shouting, "That's right, run to your daddy."

Exhibit D


Exhibit E


Exhibit F

And since these clowns has he brought in another troublemakers?

[Roy H.]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721396/at-top-of-danny-ainges-holiday-shopping-list-a-go-to-scorer


Ainge was asked about DeMarcus Cousins and while he refused to talk about him by name, he downplayed any interest in a guy that could be disruptive.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to have players that are disruptive to your team, on the court and off the court.

This is why I don't believe Danny (at least about disrupting the locker room):

Exhibit A (and he actually traded 2 highly regarded locker room guys for him too!)


Exhibit B


Exhibit C

During the 2004–05 season, Miles made headlines after a confrontation with then-coach Maurice Cheeks in which Miles reportedly insulted Cheeks with racial slurs and remarked he "did not care if the team were to lose the next 20 games" since Cheeks was "going to be fired anyway". According to ESPN's Chad Ford and other accounts, after Cheeks asked Miles to leave, Miles' response was "Make me." When Cheeks left the room to see Blazers' general manager John Nash, Miles ran behind him shouting, "That's right, run to your daddy."

Exhibit D


Exhibit E


Exhibit F

And since these clowns has he brought in another troublemakers?

Marcus Smart is a hothead. Sully was allegedly involved with domestic violence. Evan Turner isn't particularly well-liked and was run out of Indy after fighting with teammates.

[Roy H.]

Put Sullinger, Turner, Young, Zeller, Lee picks in a bag.  Mix it around and trade it for a consistent scorer

Some options are, Nicolas Batum, Gallo . Not all for just one of these guys but some kind of fair deal.

I don't trust either Gallinari or Batum as a first option, go-to scorer.  Gallo is shooting below 40% from the floor, and hasn't hit even 42.5% of his shots since his rookie season.  He's a pretty good player, but definitely not a great one.

I don't see Batum as a go-to scorer, either.  This is the first season in his eight year career he's averaged more than 14.3 points.  Last year he averaged 9.4 ppg.  He's a solid all-around guy, but he's not the guy you want carrying your team down the stretch.

[__ramonezy__]

I wouldn't trade for a shooter right now, with the potential of KO, RJ and Young... If any of these show marked development the assets used to acquire them would be far too expensive (aka one of BKs picks) and we have already declared that we're rebuilding... if we were legitimate contenders then I would swing for the fences, but we've been patient thus far and it is paying off somewhat as the team grows and matures.

Now I would love a trade for a scoring big, just like DA said... and the only ones that fit the bill are DC & Porzingis... I think our emphasis on being a rim protector has decreased somewhat given our defensive success... so Dwight isn't in the picture (I hope)

Apart from DC, the only other star I would trade BK's picks for is Paul George... not interested in Melo, Harden, Durant, Beal or any other name being bandied about

[Tr1boy]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721396/at-top-of-danny-ainges-holiday-shopping-list-a-go-to-scorer


Ainge was asked about DeMarcus Cousins and while he refused to talk about him by name, he downplayed any interest in a guy that could be disruptive.

I don't think it's ever a good idea to have players that are disruptive to your team, on the court and off the court.

This is why I don't believe Danny (at least about disrupting the locker room):

Exhibit A (and he actually traded 2 highly regarded locker room guys for him too!)


Exhibit B


Exhibit C

During the 2004–05 season, Miles made headlines after a confrontation with then-coach Maurice Cheeks in which Miles reportedly insulted Cheeks with racial slurs and remarked he "did not care if the team were to lose the next 20 games" since Cheeks was "going to be fired anyway". According to ESPN's Chad Ford and other accounts, after Cheeks asked Miles to leave, Miles' response was "Make me." When Cheeks left the room to see Blazers' general manager John Nash, Miles ran behind him shouting, "That's right, run to your daddy."

Exhibit D


Exhibit E


Exhibit F

And since these clowns has he brought in another troublemakers?

Marcus Smart is a hothead. Sully was allegedly involved with domestic violence. Evan Turner isn't particularly well-liked and was run out of Indy after fighting with teammates.

One off incidents don't make players problem child's

Cousins issues are more frequent than isolated incidents

[mef730]

I think we should trade for like a player like Harden, Durant, or Curry. Hopefully DA can work his 2007 magic and pull off a big one.

Nah, I'm not sure I'd want any of those guys, especially that Curry guy. He's been so good for so long that regression to the mean is sure to kick in sometime.

How about Lee, Sully, Turner and one of the Philadelphia second-rounders for him?

Mike

[Evantime34]

Anytime a rumor gets out in the NBA, the rumor itself is a lot less important than the reason the rumor was spread.

More often than not when a big time player is mentioned in a trade rumor it is either leaked by the agent because the player wants out, leaked by the team to garner more offers or leaked by the opposing team to let their fan base know they are trying to bring a big time player.

This time, Ainge is downplaying his interest to try to get the Kings to come down on their price IMO.

If we trade for Boogie and someone asks Ainge about his comments he could easily say he wasn't referring to Cousins.