Bogut Has Strong Interest in Joining C's (Update: Chooses Cavs)

[rondohondo]

I read that the reason they didn't like Sanders was because he was 20lb light of his playing weight.

[Ilikesports17]

I guess since it's a given we aren't getting banner 18 then why should we even consider adding anyone? We should just cultivate our guys like Jackson & Mickey & Young. There is no reason to even try to rebound or win games. We should just tell all the fans that we have a boatload of assets and one day yes one day - you wait and see!

I think that we are going to have real trouble in round 1. Whoever we play will do the same type of defense on IT that Atlanta played and someone else will need to step up to fill the void. Problem is there is nobody that is reliable. The closest may be Smart because he is a winner or the rookie is stepping up big of late or maybe AB if he stays healthy. I think we squeak by a 1st round opponent in 7 games against a team like Indiana or Detroit. We probably lose in 7 games to Miami because they have a rim protector and rebounder.

There is no way we can beat anyone in the 2nd round unless the opponent has some major injuries. I love this team and will watch every game until it's over but I see it going nowhere. Evidently the ownership/management doesn't feel we can go all the way so there is no need to add any players or lose any of our assets. Waiting for ping pong balls to determine our fate.

I would be very surprised if we made it out of the first round. Just my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

you gonna bet on that?

because we are going to be substantial favorites in the first round.

[Bobshot]

If the Celtics were seriously interested in Bogut, they would have traded for him. He was available. Could they have also claimed him off waivers?

Something is wrong with the league when the two or three elite teams can stock up on every FA that becomes available on buyout--on the promise of "a ring." It shouldn't be so easy.

I suspect the Cavs main interest in Bogut was to keep the Celtics weak up front.

[nickagneta]

I guess since it's a given we aren't getting banner 18 then why should we even consider adding anyone? We should just cultivate our guys like Jackson & Mickey & Young. There is no reason to even try to rebound or win games. We should just tell all the fans that we have a boatload of assets and one day yes one day - you wait and see!

I think that we are going to have real trouble in round 1. Whoever we play will do the same type of defense on IT that Atlanta played and someone else will need to step up to fill the void. Problem is there is nobody that is reliable. The closest may be Smart because he is a winner or the rookie is stepping up big of late or maybe AB if he stays healthy. I think we squeak by a 1st round opponent in 7 games against a team like Indiana or Detroit. We probably lose in 7 games to Miami because they have a rim protector and rebounder.

There is no way we can beat anyone in the 2nd round unless the opponent has some major injuries. I love this team and will watch every game until it's over but I see it going nowhere. Evidently the ownership/management doesn't feel we can go all the way so there is no need to add any players or lose any of our assets. Waiting for ping pong balls to determine our fate.

I would be very surprised if we made it out of the first round. Just my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

Which is totally fine, let the young guys learn experiences and next year is our turn

Is the goal not to improve though? As a fan, it bothers me that we're not looking to at least make progress.

If the team makes the second round of the playoffs, will they not have improved? The Celtics haven't been ousted from the playoffs yet. They could easily make it to the second round of the playoffs without having made a move and so improved the team over last year.

[Rondo9]

I'm getting frustrated over this blog, right now they are winning games and have the best chance of getting the number one pick in the draft and people are STILL complaining. I think I need to just take a break.

[Rondo9]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

[saltlover]

Veteran players that have been in the league for a while and made good money should be "appraised" in the event they are bought out or waived. They should then not be permitted to sign for significantly less than their appraised value to just chase a ring.

Its a free market. The players got bought out or waived so they have been paid their money already. Why shouldn't they be able to decide to take a pro-rated minimum contract to play wherever they want? They are free agents. They can do and go wherever they please. The Celtics have benefitted from this in the past and probably will again in the future. I don't see an issue.

My issue is that the expectation that players will be bought out and sign with the top three teams creates an unfair playing field.  The Cavs knew last week before the trade deadline they could sign Deron Williams, even as the Mavs were looking to trade him.  This a) means the Cavs didn't have to make a trade for a backup PG, b) hurt the Mavs ability to trade Deron to another team, as he would be unhappy not to get to go to Cleveland, and c) since this happens every year, the Cavs know they can start the season with 2-3 holes on their roster that they'll get to fill at the end of February, while 27 or so teams have to fill those holes in July.  It perpetuates the super teams.  Players like Deron can sign a 1-year deal with the Mavs for good money ($9 million) and then get to ring chase for the minimum salary all in the same season.

Part of it is on the owners/GMs too, for granting guys their release, but it's really frustrating.  I wish they'd fixed that in the CBA negotiations, as I bet it's only going to get worse.  They should make anyone on an NBA roster as of the trade deadline ineligible for the playoffs if they subsequently sign with a new team.  Why should Ainge trade for PJ Tucker to close the gap if he knows the Cavs are goo going to get two players of similar quality for free?

[jpotter33]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

Do you deny that he was ballhogging and forcing terrible possessions last night? The dude missed 17 shots, and he was probably blocked at least a half dozen times on forced possessions at the rim. He was also clearly chasing that 20 point streak at the end, which is pretty worrisome from our supposed leader.

If he's a max-level star like many here believe, why can he not be criticized for when he plays badly and/or selfishly? And it's not like this was just one game. This has been a growing trend in the last half dozen games or so, especially with him forcing terrible possessions in the 4th quarter due to it being "IT Time."

EDIT: I will say that it's not all his fault, though. Horford has been abysmal lately, and that takes a second option away, let alone AB being out, too. And otherwise, our roster just isn't constructed to provide IT much help offensively. Our other guys are either too limited or young to really make a difference right now. And certainly Danny hasn't helped things either by standing pat, especially with other volume scorers like Jennings and/or Williams that might've helped us, though I'm not too worried about not signing those guys. But still, IT has to know the boundary between pushing the envelope and forcing bad possessions, yet he's regularly crossed that line in the last several games.

[Rondo9]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

Do you deny that he was ballhogging and forcing terrible possessions last night? The dude missed 17 shots, and he was probably blocked at least a half dozen times on forced possessions at the rim. He was also clearly chasing that 20 point streak at the end, which is pretty worrisome from our supposed leader.

If he's a max-level star like many here believe, why can he not be criticized for when he plays badly and/or selfishly? And it's not like this was just one game. This has been a growing trend in the last half dozen games or so, especially with him forcing terrible possessions in the 4th quarter due to it being "IT Time."

The whole team shot like thrash. Come on he's their only consistent scorer, who leads the league in 4th quarter scoring. Of course Thomas deserves criticism, but it often gets overblown and it is used  as fuel for people him to have go to the bench as a sixth man.

[nickagneta]

Veteran players that have been in the league for a while and made good money should be "appraised" in the event they are bought out or waived. They should then not be permitted to sign for significantly less than their appraised value to just chase a ring.

Its a free market. The players got bought out or waived so they have been paid their money already. Why shouldn't they be able to decide to take a pro-rated minimum contract to play wherever they want? They are free agents. They can do and go wherever they please. The Celtics have benefitted from this in the past and probably will again in the future. I don't see an issue.

My issue is that the expectation that players will be bought out and sign with the top three teams creates an unfair playing field.  The Cavs knew last week before the trade deadline they could sign Deron Williams, even as the Mavs were looking to trade him.  This a) means the Cavs didn't have to make a trade for a backup PG, b) hurt the Mavs ability to trade Deron to another team, as he would be unhappy not to get to go to Cleveland, and c) since this happens every year, the Cavs know they can start the season with 2-3 holes on their roster that they'll get to fill at the end of February, while 27 or so teams have to fill those holes in July.  It perpetuates the super teams.  Players like Deron can sign a 1-year deal with the Mavs for good money ($9 million) and then get to ring chase for the minimum salary all in the same season.

Part of it is on the owners/GMs too, for granting guys their release, but it's really frustrating.  I wish they'd fixed that in the CBA negotiations, as I bet it's only going to get worse.  They should make anyone on an NBA roster as of the trade deadline ineligible for the playoffs if they subsequently sign with a new team.  Why should Ainge trade for PJ Tucker to close the gap if he knows the Cavs are goo going to get two players of similar quality for free?

Just don't see a problem with it. When you are good, like the Celtics were in 2008, it works for you. When you aren't good, it doesn't. Simple solution: get good enough so that these types of free agents want to join your team.

[cltc5]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

Do you deny that he was ballhogging and forcing terrible possessions last night? The dude missed 17 shots, and he was probably blocked at least a half dozen times on forced possessions at the rim. He was also clearly chasing that 20 point streak at the end, which is pretty worrisome from our supposed leader.

If he's a max-level star like many here believe, why can he not be criticized for when he plays badly and/or selfishly? And it's not like this was just one game. This has been a growing trend in the last half dozen games or so, especially with him forcing terrible possessions in the 4th quarter due to it being "IT Time."

Yep

[nickagneta]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

Do you deny that he was ballhogging and forcing terrible possessions last night? The dude missed 17 shots, and he was probably blocked at least a half dozen times on forced possessions at the rim. He was also clearly chasing that 20 point streak at the end, which is pretty worrisome from our supposed leader.

If he's a max-level star like many here believe, why can he not be criticized for when he plays badly and/or selfishly? And it's not like this was just one game. This has been a growing trend in the last half dozen games or so, especially with him forcing terrible possessions in the 4th quarter due to it being "IT Time."

Yep

Yep...so let's just forget the 45 great games he has played and get crazy because he had a bad shooting night last night and has had a bit of a struggle to some teams double and triple teaming him over the last 4 games.  Amazing 

[jpotter33]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

Do you deny that he was ballhogging and forcing terrible possessions last night? The dude missed 17 shots, and he was probably blocked at least a half dozen times on forced possessions at the rim. He was also clearly chasing that 20 point streak at the end, which is pretty worrisome from our supposed leader.

If he's a max-level star like many here believe, why can he not be criticized for when he plays badly and/or selfishly? And it's not like this was just one game. This has been a growing trend in the last half dozen games or so, especially with him forcing terrible possessions in the 4th quarter due to it being "IT Time."

The whole team shot like thrash. Come on he's their only consistent scorer, who leads the league in 4th quarter scoring. Of course Thomas deserves criticism, but it often gets overblown and it is used  as fuel for people him to have go to the bench as a sixth man.

I will say that it's not all his fault, though. Horford has been abysmal lately, and that takes a second option away, let alone AB being out, too. And otherwise, our roster just isn't constructed to provide IT much help offensively. Our other guys are either too limited or young to really make a difference right now.

And certainly Danny hasn't helped things either by standing pat, especially with other volume scorers like Jennings and/or Williams that might've helped us, though I'm not too worried about not signing those guys.

But still, IT has to know the boundary between pushing the envelope and forcing bad possessions, yet he's regularly crossed that line in the last several games. The reason he's been so great this season is his efficiency and him getting away from his "chucker/volume scorer" reputation from previous seasons and playing within the offense much more. The only way we're going to succeed with this type of defense on IT is for him to trust his teammates, which will get easier when Al gets out of his rut and AB gets back full time.

He's got to remember that he's really excelling so much this year largely due to the improvement of his teammates, which has given him much more room to operate and do his thing. If he gets back to getting others involved and trusting his teammates more, then the defense on him will necessarily back off to cover for the others.

[nickagneta]

Thomas has never been a high volume chucker. He has had a TS% above 57% every year he has been in the league. Its above 62% this year. You can't be considered a high volume chucker if you have a pretty darn good true shooting percentage.

[Ilikesports17]

Another failure by Danny. Not surprised with the Bogut decision, but to not even upgrade our current team's huge holes is just a gigantic failure. Not signing Jones is the cherry on top of this entire trade deadline fiasco, especially when he might legitimately be the second best big on the team behind Horford.

Keep on "liking our guys" and hoarding our lesser assets, Danny, because I'm sure they'll bring us banner 18.

#Chemistry

....Except for when IT ballhogs and shoots 4-21 or something.

Go ahead ignore the fact that Thomas prior to his bad game set the Celtic record for most 20 point games in a row. Ignore the fact that the Celtics are right now 2nd seed in the east. Yeah I'm done with this blog right now.

Do you deny that he was ballhogging and forcing terrible possessions last night? The dude missed 17 shots, and he was probably blocked at least a half dozen times on forced possessions at the rim. He was also clearly chasing that 20 point streak at the end, which is pretty worrisome from our supposed leader.

If he's a max-level star like many here believe, why can he not be criticized for when he plays badly and/or selfishly? And it's not like this was just one game. This has been a growing trend in the last half dozen games or so, especially with him forcing terrible possessions in the 4th quarter due to it being "IT Time."

The whole team shot like thrash. Come on he's their only consistent scorer, who leads the league in 4th quarter scoring. Of course Thomas deserves criticism, but it often gets overblown and it is used  as fuel for people him to have go to the bench as a sixth man.

I will say that it's not all his fault, though. Horford has been abysmal lately, and that takes a second option away, let alone AB being out, too. And otherwise, our roster just isn't constructed to provide IT much help offensively. Our other guys are either too limited or young to really make a difference right now.

And certainly Danny hasn't helped things either by standing pat, especially with other volume scorers like Jennings and/or Williams that might've helped us, though I'm not too worried about not signing those guys.

But still, IT has to know the boundary between pushing the envelope and forcing bad possessions, yet he's regularly crossed that line in the last several games. The reason he's been so great this season is his efficiency and him getting away from his "chucker/volume scorer" reputation from previous seasons and playing within the offense much more. The only way we're going to succeed with this type of defense on IT is for him to trust his teammates, which will get easier when Al gets out of his rut and AB gets back full time.

He's got to remember that he's really excelling so much this year largely due to the improvement of his teammates, which has given him much more room to operate and do his thing. If he gets back to getting others involved and trusting his teammates more, then the defense on him will necessarily back off to cover for the others.

its tough.

There is no second option. Isaiah must shoot a lot. If hes cold, he cant just turn to someone else to make it happen.

I think thats where you miss Evan Turner. He carried the offense a lot last year when Thomas wasnt hot.