Thomas's contract if we draft Fultz

[Ilikesports17]

Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open.

I don't know about Westbrook's D being as poor as you think.  He is also a better player across the board.

Guarding 3s he makes opponents shoot 5% lower from the field

- Guarding midrange he makes opponents shoot 4% lower from the field

- Guarding shots in the paint he makes opponents shoot 6% lower from the field

- All from NBA.com Field Goals Defended

http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2017/1/13/14203932/the-case-for-russell-defending-westbrooks-defense

he also defends fewer threes than any other perimeter player in the league. He doesnt even try to contest shots. When he contests them he does OK, but he doesnt contest them because he is always running in for a rebound os he can chase his triple doubles.

[Chris22]

IT is not worth max money.
He can't defend.

Sigh. Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open. He gets a pass on this kind of defense seemingly because he "looks" like he would be a good defender. Harden's defensive issues are well document. Irving is an awful defensive player. Are those guys not worth a max contract either?

You are comparing a 5'8" defender to Westbrook and Harden.
Bwhahahaaaaaaaaa...........

[celticsclay]

Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open.

I don't know about Westbrook's D being as poor as you think.  He is also a better player across the board.

Guarding 3s he makes opponents shoot 5% lower from the field

- Guarding midrange he makes opponents shoot 4% lower from the field

- Guarding shots in the paint he makes opponents shoot 6% lower from the field

- All from NBA.com Field Goals Defended

http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2017/1/13/14203932/the-case-for-russell-defending-westbrooks-defense

he also defends fewer threes than any other perimeter player in the league. He doesnt even try to contest shots. When he contests them he does OK, but he doesnt contest them because he is always running in for a rebound os he can chase his triple doubles.

yeah I don't have it handy at the moment, but I read a pretty detailed piece recently about his percentage of contested shots being shockingly bad.

[celticsclay]

IT is not worth max money.
He can't defend.

Sigh. Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open. He gets a pass on this kind of defense seemingly because he "looks" like he would be a good defender. Harden's defensive issues are well document. Irving is an awful defensive player. Are those guys not worth a max contract either?

You are comparing a 5'8" defender to Westbrook and Harden.
Bwhahahaaaaaaaaa...........

So you don't want to look at stats or anything, just want to fixate on his height and make judgement off of that? Is this part of the reason 7 foot KO is such a brute on defense dominating smaller players with his massive height?

[chilidawg]

DRPM:

Westbrook   -.59
Harden        -1.81
IT                -4.20
Irving           -2.21


So none of them is great, but IT has clearly been the worst.  Last among point guards.

[Boris Badenov]

IT is not worth max money.
He can't defend.

Sigh. Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open. He gets a pass on this kind of defense seemingly because he "looks" like he would be a good defender. Harden's defensive issues are well document. Irving is an awful defensive player. Are those guys not worth a max contract either?

You are comparing a 5'8" defender to Westbrook and Harden.
Bwhahahaaaaaaaaa...........

How much exactly do you think IT is worth? State the number that you think is fair. Starting salary, years and total contract.

You be the GM. Lay it on us. And be specific.

[Rosco917]

IT is not worth max money.
He can't defend.

Sigh. Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open. He gets a pass on this kind of defense seemingly because he "looks" like he would be a good defender. Harden's defensive issues are well document. Irving is an awful defensive player. Are those guys not worth a max contract either?

The difference is if Westbrook, Irving or Harden had to pick up their defense in an important playoff series they have the physical make-up (the size) to able to. All the players mentioned have normal size, and length. They present a normal field of vision for the player they are assigned to cover.

There is no wide open passing lane directly above their head, as with IT. Offensive players simply look over his head seeing an open man. Shooters 6-4, 6-5, have little worry about getting their shot off against a player 7-8 inches shorter than they are.

   

[jade88]

Some you guys embarrass me as a Celtics fan. What makes any of you think that Fultz is a lock to be anywhere near as good of a scorer at the NBA level. Thomas is a transcendent scorer, top shelf closer, inside out game, you name it. He gets the line like a star. He is a true max player.

The only thing not to love are his offensively challenged lunch pail teammates. I love the grit, but you need guys who make a lot of baskets in this game today. Houston is on the right track with the supporting cast around Harden. Give IT a cast that can shoot and he'll take you places.

Yes he needs to be covered for on defense, but at his talent level, I'm happy. Some of you would dump Kate Upton for snoring, probably for some girl who might look almost as good in a few years lol.

Take the sure thing.

[chambers]

Give him the max and let Fultz play SG. Very simple.
At 6'4" with a 6'10" wingspan and unlimited range on the floor, Fultz can be an elite shooting guard in the NBA. He's possibly still growing.


Go from there.

[KG Living Legend]

Some you guys embarrass me as a Celtics fan. What makes any of you think that Fultz is a lock to be anywhere near as good of a scorer at the NBA level. Thomas is a transcendent scorer, top shelf closer, inside out game, you name it. He gets the line like a star. He is a true max player.

The only thing not to love are his offensively challenged lunch pail teammates. I love the grit, but you need guys who make a lot of baskets in this game today. Houston is on the right track with the supporting cast around Harden. Give IT a cast that can shoot and he'll take you places.

Yes he needs to be covered for on defense, but at his talent level, I'm happy. Some of you would dump Kate Upton for snoring, probably for some girl who might look almost as good in a few years lol.

Take the sure thing.

 Dude we Love Thomas but if push comes to shove are you okay with giving him 5 years and over 150 million dollars a contract that will take him until he's 34 years old.

 Tough decision in this game that's all Fultz would give us options because either Avery or It will likely be moved or let go.

[Somebody]

I'd just extend him to the 4 year max extension this summer (saves us some money as well as getting him for the rest of his prime). Would also keep him happy. Btw does anyone know how would a 4 year extension look like (I know he'll be 33 at the end of it, I want to know the money he gets and stuff)

[Chris22]

IT is not worth max money.
He can't defend.

Sigh. Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open. He gets a pass on this kind of defense seemingly because he "looks" like he would be a good defender. Harden's defensive issues are well document. Irving is an awful defensive player. Are those guys not worth a max contract either?

You are comparing a 5'8" defender to Westbrook and Harden.
Bwhahahaaaaaaaaa...........

How much exactly do you think IT is worth? State the number that you think is fair. Starting salary, years and total contract.

You be the GM. Lay it on us. And be specific.

Draft Fultz, trade IT.

[D Dub]

Some you guys embarrass me as a Celtics fan. What makes any of you think that Fultz is a lock to be anywhere near as good of a scorer at the NBA level. Thomas is a transcendent scorer, top shelf closer, inside out game, you name it. He gets the line like a star. He is a true max player.

The only thing not to love are his offensively challenged lunch pail teammates. I love the grit, but you need guys who make a lot of baskets in this game today. Houston is on the right track with the supporting cast around Harden. Give IT a cast that can shoot and he'll take you places.

Yes he needs to be covered for on defense, but at his talent level, I'm happy. Some of you would dump Kate Upton for snoring, probably for some girl who might look almost as good in a few years lol.

Take the sure thing.

 Dude we Love Thomas but if push comes to shove are you okay with giving him 5 years and over 150 million dollars a contract that will take him until he's 34 years old.

 Tough decision in this game that's all Fultz would give us options because either Avery or It will likely be moved or let go.

I'd be okay with the 5 year max only because i expect IT's game to age well.   He's a superb athlete and very capable of being a 25ppg guy for at least the next 3 maybe 4 seasons.   At that point we'd likely work out some sort of fair extension that will allow him a smooth transition to 2nd option and/or six-man vet spark plug guy.   

[SuddenFame]

Draft Fultz, trade IT.

This

Sorry IT, your services are no longer required.  We are more than capable of getting blown out at home by the Cavaliers, with a different point guard.

[nickagneta]

IT is not worth max money.
He can't defend.

Sigh. Westbrook and Harden are horrible defenders. Westbrook contests shots at an embarrassing rate and frequently turns and runs in for a rebound leaving shooter wide open. He gets a pass on this kind of defense seemingly because he "looks" like he would be a good defender. Harden's defensive issues are well document. Irving is an awful defensive player. Are those guys not worth a max contract either?

You are comparing a 5'8" defender to Westbrook and Harden.
Bwhahahaaaaaaaaa...........

How much exactly do you think IT is worth? State the number that you think is fair. Starting salary, years and total contract.

You be the GM. Lay it on us. And be specific.

Draft Fultz, trade IT.

So you have moved on from the "Draft Fultz sign Noel" offseason stance?