Stevens "Mickey is closer to ready than ever before"

[obnoxiousmime]

I think that Ainge's original plan was to add a lot of depth and make a respectable playoff run, maybe getting to the 2nd round. The team would look like it was progressing and building momentum which could be used as cachet for free agents or a potential deal.

The plan isn't working so well so far, for what could be a few reasons:

1) The East is more competitive this year, especially in the middle.
2) Our 2nd half run could have been a little fluky.
3) Players who were expected to improve have stayed the same or regressed (Zeller, Sullinger, Olynyk). Though, you could argue that Crowder, Thomas, and Bradley have improved.
4) Free agents/trade acquisitions like Lee and Johnson haven't panned out as well as hoped.

Whatever the reason is, I think if it continues much longer it really couldn't hurt to start playing some of the kids. Lee will probably be bought out and Sullinger doesn't look like he's part of the future. They're not exactly improving their trade value by playing, so sitting them wouldn't seem to do a lot of harm anyway.

The Suns are in turmoil now because they overachieved two seasons ago. Maybe the Celtics should take a step back this year and then re-examine their options this offseason.

[Moranis]

And tomorrow he will be even closer.  That is how it is supposed to work. 

[Tr1boy]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

[Tr1boy]

 Tp to Triboy in advance.

 "I'm really curious, but we do have a frontcourt logjam, that's the reality of our situation"

 There is a little more to read on ESPN Boston.

 Please Danny dump Zeller, Lee, or Sully and let's give this kid some minutes.

+1. Free mickey. Exciting prospect

[pearljammer10]

Our bigs, other than Amir, who is just ok, are soft, slow, non-athletic, and unreliable.

Give Mickey at least a look for some extended minutes. Let him see what he needs to learn.

This is huge in my eyes. The speed at which Sully plays the game is so, dang, slow. Himself, AB, and Turner (because of their low bball IQs and in Sully's case his lack of athleticism) all seem two steps behind especially when they have the ball in their hands. Turner has gotten a bit better this year since he can create his own shot. But Sully is like a black hole and doesnt make the quick and easy pass or shot. Watching this type of basketball is very frustrating.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

[Tr1boy]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

[BudweiserCeltic]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

[Tr1boy]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

Why don't you explain.

You think ainge trades for Lee, gives up extra to grab him then cbs sits him? 

Why not just keep Wallace then.

[Greenback]

Lopez has dominated the Celtics this year.  If we played the Nets in the playoffs, we would lose the series!  Maybe get swept.  It's that bad.

Big centers have always had an important place in the NBA.  The Celtics need one.

Mickey is not a big center but he needs to play and soon.  Let's see what he can do as a PF.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

Why don't you explain.

You think ainge trades for Lee, gives up extra to grab him then cbs sits him? 

Why not just keep Wallace then.

Because Lee's contract is more advantageous to us in the trade market. That's the bottom line of it.

Whatever he's making, particularly on an expiring contract, is the least of these people's worries... let alone a reason to play him above others that may seem more deserving (from an outside perspective).

The main of it should be trade value implications and NBA veteran pecking order of things. That's the bottom line. NBA is notorious for having players that simply need to wait their turn and opportunity.

[jpd985]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

Why don't you explain.

You think ainge trades for Lee, gives up extra to grab him then cbs sits him? 

Why not just keep Wallace then.

Because Lee's contract is more advantageous to us in the trade market. That's the bottom line of it.

Whatever he's making, particularly on an expiring contract, is the least of these people's worries... let alone a reason to play him above others that may seem more deserving (from an outside perspective).

The main of it should be trade value implications and NBA veteran pecking order of things. That's the bottom line. NBA is notorious for having players that simply need to wait their turn and opportunity.

With the cap shooting up this summer I don't believe expiring contracts will have as much value as they have in the past.

[Evantime34]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

Why don't you explain.

You think ainge trades for Lee, gives up extra to grab him then cbs sits him? 

Why not just keep Wallace then.

Because Lee's contract is more advantageous to us in the trade market. That's the bottom line of it.

Whatever he's making, particularly on an expiring contract, is the least of these people's worries... let alone a reason to play him above others that may seem more deserving (from an outside perspective).

The main of it should be trade value implications and NBA veteran pecking order of things. That's the bottom line. NBA is notorious for having players that simply need to wait their turn and opportunity.

With the cap shooting up this summer I don't believe expiring contracts will have as much value as they have in the past.

Lee's contract is more advantageous in the trade market than Wallace was because he had a bigger expiring contract. In other words if a star player became available Lee's contract would be better in a trade than Wallace's.

His expiring contract itself isn't what provides value but what that contract could mean in terms of a bigger deal. I don't think there is any way we get a pick for Lee just because his deal is expiring.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

Why don't you explain.

You think ainge trades for Lee, gives up extra to grab him then cbs sits him? 

Why not just keep Wallace then.

Because Lee's contract is more advantageous to us in the trade market. That's the bottom line of it.

Whatever he's making, particularly on an expiring contract, is the least of these people's worries... let alone a reason to play him above others that may seem more deserving (from an outside perspective).

The main of it should be trade value implications and NBA veteran pecking order of things. That's the bottom line. NBA is notorious for having players that simply need to wait their turn and opportunity.

With the cap shooting up this summer I don't believe expiring contracts will have as much value as they have in the past.

Lee's contract is more advantageous in the trade market than Wallace was because he had a bigger expiring contract. In other words if a star player became available Lee's contract would be better in a trade than Wallace's.

His expiring contract itself isn't what provides value but what that contract could mean in terms of a bigger deal. I don't think there is any way we get a pick for Lee just because his deal is expiring.

This. Plus Lee at the very least can also get on the floor and give minutes, for good or bad. But yeah, the larger contract provides more opportunities to match contracts with players on the higher salary scale.

[Boris Badenov]

I see no need to rush it. Ainge and Stevens know what they're doing.

It's not about rushing my friend. Mickey Is overqualified for the nbdl

Right now it has to do with "I'm paying Lee, Zeller so much money and can't have them rot on the bench". Need to trade them if someone is willing to give me a bag of pucks even, kind of situation. 

Danny would prob take a 2nd round pick back for Lee and expiring contracts if he could get that.

Yeah, whatever Lee and Zeller are making this season has little to do with whether Mickey plays or not. It's a sunk cost, playing them or not playing them won't chance things.

Now if your argument is about trade value (and arguments can be made pro or con considering how they've played so far), then that's a different issue entirely.

That said, if they're getting playing time simply because they've proven they can play in the NBA regardless if we like them or not.

Will Barton can play in the NBA. Doesn't make him an impact player in the league.

Lee like Haslem is a " spot" player now. When mickey plays, hopefully soon, people will forget Lee even was  on the team

Misses the point of the post entirely...

Why don't you explain.

You think ainge trades for Lee, gives up extra to grab him then cbs sits him? 

Why not just keep Wallace then.

Because Lee's contract is more advantageous to us in the trade market. That's the bottom line of it.

Whatever he's making, particularly on an expiring contract, is the least of these people's worries... let alone a reason to play him above others that may seem more deserving (from an outside perspective).

The main of it should be trade value implications and NBA veteran pecking order of things. That's the bottom line. NBA is notorious for having players that simply need to wait their turn and opportunity.

With the cap shooting up this summer I don't believe expiring contracts will have as much value as they have in the past.

Lee's contract is more advantageous in the trade market than Wallace was because he had a bigger expiring contract. In other words if a star player became available Lee's contract would be better in a trade than Wallace's.

His expiring contract itself isn't what provides value but what that contract could mean in terms of a bigger deal. I don't think there is any way we get a pick for Lee just because his deal is expiring.

This. Plus Lee at the very least can also get on the floor and give minutes, for good or bad. But yeah, the larger contract provides more opportunities to match contracts with players on the higher salary scale.

Right. I'm firmly of the view that if Stevens thought Mickey was ready to take Lee's minutes now, it would happen.

Zeller is a different story perhaps...I can see the showcasing argument being stronger there, since whomever acquires him will want him to be a productive player.

Also as an aside, those who complain about our weak interior defense and view Mickey as a solution are being pretty optimistic. Blocking a lot of shots in the NBDL does not equate to being an effective interior defender in the NBA. At all.