sign howard

[Denis998]

And the thing is, if Howard is really following Shaq's footsteps, Boston should be a great place for him to go.

[mr. dee]

Only idiot GMs would sign Dwight with 20 million or more. That said, if he comes cheap, he would be a nice addition on this roster. Maybe around 15m and that's it. Anything beyond that price is overpay.

[PhoSita]

Dwight on a two or three year max deal would be a worthwhile gamble.   He's not a top guy anymore but with him, Thomas, and Crowder, the Celts would be just one top twenty guy away from contention.  That allows them to make an argument to top players looking to change teams.

[Onslaught]

Has he show anything in the last few years to make people think he’d be a good team player? All I see is a washed up has been with baggage and drama.

[Roy H.]

Dwight on a two or three year max deal would be a worthwhile gamble.   He's not a top guy anymore but with him, Thomas, and Crowder, the Celts would be just one top twenty guy away from contention.  That allows them to make an argument to top players looking to change teams.

1.  I don't think Howard gets us closer to contention, even adding a top-20 guy;

2.  Howard's $30 million max salary makes it tougher to get that top-20 guy;

3.  Are there any top-20 guys who want to play with Mr. Paints His Face?

[PhoSita]

Has he show anything in the last few years to make people think he’d be a good team player? All I see is a washed up has been with baggage and drama.

Still an elite rebounder, finisher, and shot blocker.  That's all I need to know.

He's not a good leader or top scorer but he wouldn't be one on the Celtics.

[PhoSita]

Dwight on a two or three year max deal would be a worthwhile gamble.   He's not a top guy anymore but with him, Thomas, and Crowder, the Celts would be just one top twenty guy away from contention.  That allows them to make an argument to top players looking to change teams.

1.  I don't think Howard gets us closer to contention, even adding a top-20 guy;

2.  Howard's $30 million max salary makes it tougher to get that top-20 guy;

3.  Are there any top-20 guys who want to play with Mr. Paints His Face?

So if the Celts trade, let's say Crowder/Bradley, Olynyk, and a couple picks for Butler, and then sign Dwight, you don't think that the Celts would be a heck of a lot closer to contention?

I don't think the Celts are getting anybody better than Dwight to come to Boston via free agency, so I'm not worried about his cap number.  Especially in this upcoming cap environment.

Overpay for the first flawed star.  Then you add your main piece.  That was the way in 08, wasn't it?

[Roy H.]

Dwight on a two or three year max deal would be a worthwhile gamble.   He's not a top guy anymore but with him, Thomas, and Crowder, the Celts would be just one top twenty guy away from contention.  That allows them to make an argument to top players looking to change teams.

1.  I don't think Howard gets us closer to contention, even adding a top-20 guy;

2.  Howard's $30 million max salary makes it tougher to get that top-20 guy;

3.  Are there any top-20 guys who want to play with Mr. Paints His Face?

So if the Celts trade, let's say Crowder/Bradley, Olynyk, and a couple picks for Butler, and then sign Dwight, you don't think that the Celts would be a heck of a lot closer to contention?

I don't think the Celts are getting anybody better than Dwight to come to Boston via free agency, so I'm not worried about his cap number.  Especially in this upcoming cap environment.

Overpay for the first flawed star.  Then you add your main piece.  That was the way in 08, wasn't it?

A team of IT / Butler / Howard isn't winning anything, and with $30+ million tied up in Howard, we'd have lost a ton of cap flexibility.  Plus, Howard and Butler both have pretty huge ego issues.  There are reasons both Houston and Chicago are looking to get away from their "stars".

And no, that wasn't the 2008 way at all.

[PhoSita]

You don't think a top 5 pick for 31 year old Ray Allen coming off a major injury was an overpay?  I'd say it was.

Honestly, I just don't think cap flexibility means much if anything the next few years.

I think we will have to disagree.  Thomas-Butler-Howard would be in the mix for best top 3 in the East outside Cleveland, and I think they could have the necessary components to give em a run for their money.

That said, if you want to define contention as having a chance to beat a healthy Golden State or San Antonio team in a seven game series without a lot of luck, well, I'd agree the team wouldn't be there yet.

But honestly, if that's the only goal worth pursuing, we should give up and just wait five to eight years, because I don't see a viable path to adding a top 5 player to this roster, and that's what it would take to reach that level.

[Roy H.]

Thomas-Butler-Howard would be in the mix for best top 3 in the East outside Cleveland...

I mean, sure.  But, the current top-3 in the East outside Cleveland include Toronto, Miami and Atlanta.  Is joining them an accomplishment? 

But honestly, if that's the only goal worth pursuing, we should give up and just wait five to eight years, because I don't see a viable path to adding a top 5 player to this roster, and that's what it would take to reach that level.

Well, the goal certainly isn't to top out as top-2 in the East, while giving up 35% of our cap to a clown who clearly can't get it done.

[PhoSita]

Thomas-Butler-Howard would be in the mix for best top 3 in the East outside Cleveland...

I mean, sure.  But, the current top-3 in the East outside Cleveland include Toronto, Miami and Atlanta.  Is joining them an accomplishment? 

But honestly, if that's the only goal worth pursuing, we should give up and just wait five to eight years, because I don't see a viable path to adding a top 5 player to this roster, and that's what it would take to reach that level.

Well, the goal certainly isn't to top out as top-2 in the East, while giving up 35% of our cap to a clown who clearly can't get it done.

I think getting into the conversation in the East is the next step, yeah.

I'm not OK with hanging out in the doldrums until the next Larry Bird comes along. Could be a long wait.

If you put yourself in the mix, you just need some luck and good matchups to get to the Finals.

I don't feel nearly as negatively toward Dwight as you do.  I think he's a secondary star who does poorly when he tries to get along with ball hogs that don't try on defense.  I can certainly understand that.


I'm saying, Thomas Butler Dwight.  That's a good launching point.  Then let's see what happens.  Maybe one of the draft picks hits.  Maybe Smart makes a leap.  Maybe another star wants to join and is willing to sign for less to make it happen.

I don't believe the opportunity cost is that high.  Durant isn't signing here.  We can even structure Dwights deal so it expires when Cousins becomes a FA.  You like that, right?

[BornReady]

I like Howard but feel like he plays best in a certain type of offense
Like when he was in Orlando SVG had Howard inside and shooters at the perimeter

The way we play is to share the ball on each possession rather than just a simple kick out or PnR
With that said he definitely improve our defense with his rim protection

[loco_91]

It could work. Howard is still really good. Could see him having trouble getting paid with the trend toward small ball, so you might be able to get him for a reasonable price - I'd support a deal along the lines of 4 years/$65m.

[Smart457]

Thomas-Butler-Howard would be in the mix for best top 3 in the East outside Cleveland...

I mean, sure.  But, the current top-3 in the East outside Cleveland include Toronto, Miami and Atlanta.  Is joining them an accomplishment? 

But honestly, if that's the only goal worth pursuing, we should give up and just wait five to eight years, because I don't see a viable path to adding a top 5 player to this roster, and that's what it would take to reach that level.

Well, the goal certainly isn't to top out as top-2 in the East, while giving up 35% of our cap to a clown who clearly can't get it done.

I think getting into the conversation in the East is the next step, yeah.

I'm not OK with hanging out in the doldrums until the next Larry Bird comes along. Could be a long wait.

If you put yourself in the mix, you just need some luck and good matchups to get to the Finals.

I don't feel nearly as negatively toward Dwight as you do.  I think he's a secondary star who does poorly when he tries to get along with ball hogs that don't try on defense.  I can certainly understand that.


I'm saying, Thomas Butler Dwight.  That's a good launching point.  Then let's see what happens.  Maybe one of the draft picks hits.  Maybe Smart makes a leap.  Maybe another star wants to join and is willing to sign for less to make it happen.

I don't believe the opportunity cost is that high.  Durant isn't signing here.  We can even structure Dwights deal so it expires when Cousins becomes a FA.  You like that, right?

Cousins is a bigger Clown.

[moiso]

Has he show anything in the last few years to make people think he’d be a good team player? All I see is a washed up has been with baggage and drama.

Most guys who are available have baggage and flaws.  And many are selfish.  At least Howard doesn't seem to be selfish in terms of demanding shots that he doesn't deserve to take.  He may be a moron with a clown attitude but I would say that he was a team player last year.  He filled his proper role and didn't try to do more than he should have.