What would Fultz and IT look like together?

[CF0022]

They are both so fast and similar in ways.  Scoring machines. Fultz is slightly bigger is the difference.  The celtics obviously are not stupid.  Sometimes when you have two stars that do similar things teams end up switching off and it doesn't really work.  Both IT and Fultz play at such a tempo it's going to be like a blur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2DHVAnrNlk&t=473s

Thomas has said in the past that he believes Fultz will be the #1 pick and that he and Fultz could coexist.  Would they flourish though?  According to IT's comments they would.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2017/03/2017_nba_draft_news_boston_cel.html

"When we first played together," Thomas said Friday morning in Los Angeles, "when he first got on campus, you knew that day: he's special."

[Tr1boy]

Cant see AB being happy about this

[CF0022]

Also one thing I've noticed about the C's this postseason is their pace.  Watching that footage of Fultz it's that same pace and an extra gear. 

[BitterJim]

You know how when Smart and IT are on the floor together, IT is able to play off ball and just run his man ragged/get even more space on cuts? And you know how when AB and IT are on the floor together, Bradley's off ball movement and floor spacing helps to get AB open looks and spread things out for IT?

I think IT+Fultz will look a lot like those two combined.  Defensively, though... we'll see.

[Tr1boy]

You know how when Smart and IT are on the floor together, IT is able to play off ball and just run his man ragged/get even more space on cuts? And you know how when AB and IT are on the floor together, Bradley's off ball movement and floor spacing helps to get AB open looks and spread things out for IT?

I think IT+Fultz will look a lot like those two combined.  Defensively, though... we'll see.

I agree... Could be a small problem

[CF0022]

I agree. I don't think AB necessarily gets traded for that reason.  AB is really starting to reach his potential and is a good defender and rebounder.  Fultz might take a bit and be more a sparkplug his first couple years to give us that extra gear when we need it. He'll probably replace Gerald Green his first couple years.  It's going to be weird how it will all work that way.  But get Fultz this year. Ayton next year.

Get rid of Amir, Jerebko, Green etc.  Still a lot of guards.  Crowder isn't going to be around forever.  Bradley will prbably move on at some point as well, but keeps getting better.

AB is only 26 years old.  So is Crowder.  Smart is 23.  Brown is 20.

[CF0022]

I more see  Fultz as a  replacement to IT down the road and a sparkplug i n the interm if it happens but Ainge might pull the trigger on something  bigger earlier.

Fultz not sure he is going to be on AB's level his rookie year though.  I think he takes Gerald Greens role.

Thing is is jaylen n eeds to play and develop too.  I don't think Crowder is here forever.

[Spilling Green Dye]

I think Fultz & IT are a great combo.

And Fultz is more than "slightly bigger" than IT... he's 6'5" with a 6'10" wingspan.  That's one of the reasons I think his game will translate so well to the NBA.

[Smartacus]

The best case scenario will be a rich man's Portland backcourt. Similar to Lillard/McCollum, IT/Fultz will be able to break down defenses with their advanced ball handling, above average passing, and reliable shooting range. Both players want the ball but that's fine because both players will be able to find each other and neither are afraid to shoot when their number is called.

The worst case scenario is something like Bradley Beal and John Wall. While those two are truly talented and have games that should complement each other's, it seems they often take turns rather than playing together.

Some nights John Wall is the orchestrator scoring and carving teams up while Beal sits on the 3-point line and ball watches his way to a 12 point night. Other nights play out like game 7 where Beal is engaged, on fire, running through screens and torching his matchup, all the while John Wall takes a back seat.

IT/Fultz will need to play together as 1 backcourt unit and not two individuals.

[jambr380]

I agree. I don't think AB necessarily gets traded for that reason.  AB is really starting to reach his potential and is a good defender and rebounder.  Fultz might take a bit and be more a sparkplug his first couple years to give us that extra gear when we need it. He'll probably replace Gerald Green his first couple years.  It's going to be weird how it will all work that way.  But get Fultz this year. Ayton next year.

Get rid of Amir, Jerebko, Green etc.  Still a lot of guards.  Crowder isn't going to be around forever.  Bradley will prbably move on at some point as well, but keeps getting better.

AB is only 26 years old.  So is Crowder.  Smart is 23.  Brown is 20.

I really really hope that Fultz, the #1 pick in the NBA draft, plays more than the Gerald Green role for this team in his first couple of years. If his role is planned to be that limited, then Danny needs to trade him asap.

[Tr1boy]

I agree. I don't think AB necessarily gets traded for that reason.  AB is really starting to reach his potential and is a good defender and rebounder.  Fultz might take a bit and be more a sparkplug his first couple years to give us that extra gear when we need it. He'll probably replace Gerald Green his first couple years.  It's going to be weird how it will all work that way.  But get Fultz this year. Ayton next year.

Get rid of Amir, Jerebko, Green etc.  Still a lot of guards.  Crowder isn't going to be around forever.  Bradley will prbably move on at some point as well, but keeps getting better.

AB is only 26 years old.  So is Crowder.  Smart is 23.  Brown is 20.

I really really hope that Fultz, the #1 pick in the NBA draft, plays more than the Gerald Green role for this team in his first couple of years. If his role is planned to be that limited, then Danny needs to trade him asap.

Cbs is going to make fultz work.... No freebie mins

[CF0022]

I agree with you in ways jambr.  I want to see IT and Fultz play together.  I'm just trying to figure out how that works.

it's not like IT plays ehre then Fultz takes over in 4 years.  They need to find a way to be a duo much earlier than that.

We have Rozier too.  It's ridiculous in a good way though.

[CF0022]

Fultz chimes in. just googled haha

http://nesn.com/2017/05/markelle-fultz-my-chemistry-with-celtics-isaiah-thomas-would-be-amazing/

just take the guy and don't worry about it I say. Things have a way of working themselves out.  Luck of the irish woo.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Remember how lack of a secondary playmaker was such a complaint when we let ET walk? Maybe Fultz fixes that.

[ETNCeltics]

Essentially replacing AB with Fultz will be a step back defensively. Almost anyone we add will be that. But in the long run, he'll be a much better player, and the offensive benefits will be worth the wait.