Get a vet point guard and start Rozier

[Celtics4ever]

Jahlil Okafor averaged 16.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 44% FG in 30.6 MPG in five summer league games last seasons.  He went on to average 17.5 PTS, 7 REB, 50% FG in 30 MPG in the regular season for the 76ers.

Karl Anthony Towns averaged 12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 39% FG in 31 MPG in 5 summer league games last season...then wen ton to average 18.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 54% FG in 32 MPG for the Timberwolves.

People always assume it's a given that starting caliber NBA should absolutely dominate the summer league, but it doesn't always go down like that. 

Rozier so far has produced at a high level on every stage he's been given minutes on.  He was an outstanding player in college, he killed the summer league last year and this year, he put up dominant numbers in the D-League, and he was even produced at a solid level in the playoffs for us last season.

Nothing I've seen from Rozier suggests to me that his summer league play is a fluke - this kid has genuine talent.

I take it with a grain or salt, summer league but I am not in the camp it is worthless either.   Cream rises to the top.   If a guy struggles against that competition it is worrisome.   The flip side is a guy can do well and might not do well in the NBA.   But I thinking doing well is a better than a guy struggling in the grand scheme of things.

[greece66]

I like him splitting minutes with IT and smart at PG.  15 minutes a game if he earns it.  He looks really good this summer.

I could see the minutes plotting out something like:

PG: Thomas 30 / Rozier 18
SG: Bradley 28 / Smart 20
SF: Crowder 23 / Brown 17 / Smart 4 / Jerebko 4
PF: Olynyk 25 / Horford 4 / Jerebko 12 / Crowder 7
C: Horford 28 / Amir 20

Total minutes:
- Thomas (30)
- Rozier (18)
- Bradley (28)
- Smart (24)
- Crowder (30)
- Brown (17)
- Olynyk (25)
- Jerebko (16)
- Horford (32)
- Johnson (20)

That's a 10-man rotation, which is pretty in line with what Brad seems to like to work with.

It also seems to fit with Brad's tendency to enjoy playing with a bunch of different lineups.

IMHO we might see Amir and Horford playing more time together.

[CFAN38]

I think we will see where we are at after the season - both with Rozier's progress (which looks very promising) and Thomas' future with the Cs. If Danny doesn't want to pay him $30M+/yr in 2018, then he could be traded after next season.

As of right now, I just want to enjoy both of these guys...as well as the rest of our team.

I was going to start a new topic on ITs future but will just jump in here instead.

IT's comments on the new contract mean nothing to me as all good NBA players are licking their lips at the thought of their next contract with the new cap. However it does bring up an interesting long term issue.

As much as the signing of Horford is a push to win now the team must also keep an eye to a future when winning a ring is a viable option. Short of a major trade which I am done holding my breath for the Cs will be on a path of high end mediocrity for the next few years. With that gloomy prediction it is important to point out the end of the tunnel is visible. Lebron is on the back side of his prime and his decent will open up the east for a young team to step in to compete. The Cs will be in a great position to be this team.

This brings me to IT and his future with the team. As much as I like him I question if his game will age in a manner where he will be worth the contract he will likely command in two years. It has been noted before that the best comp for IT is that of a poor mans AI. Iverson hit a major career wall around 32. I believe IT will be do for a new contract at 29 meaning his new deal will push him into those AI twilight years.

Given the promise we are now seeing in Rozier and the high hopes I personally have for Smart I wonder if this is IT's last season as a celtic. I could see the Cetlitcs bringing in a Wing who is a ball handler to replace AB (Hayward makes sense) and pairing them with Smart in the backcourt and using Rozier as the 3rd guard.

Potential Future lineup (rough idea)

PG Smart
SG Hayward
SF Crowder
PF
C  Horford
6th Rozier
7th Brown
8th KO   

[celtics2030]

Do want this team to be a contender or an 6-10 seed every year?

Marcus starting point guard? He can barely play that position as well.

On top of it, he cannot shoot.