How do we improve the defense?

[Beat LA]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Or WCS. He is younger, and less likely to be burned on switches

What is it with the love for this guy?  I've never understood it.

[saltlover]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Or WCS. He is younger, and less likely to be burned on switches

What is it with the love for this guy?  I've never understood it.

He was the best big I've ever seen at defending guards on switches at the college level, and it wasn't particularly close.  Since the Celtics employ a ton of switching on defense, he seems like a natural fit (although I've barely seen him since college personally, because I can't stomach watching SAC games.)

[saltlover]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Or WCS. He is younger, and less likely to be burned on switches

Which is funny, because the main issue with him, is that he doesn't know how to help on defense, or switch properly.

I like WCS, but I think at this point, he's set to be a role playing lite version of Tyson Chandler.

He knew how to switch properly in college.  He was savant-like.   I haven't seen him much in the NBA, but it's not difficult for me to believe that some of his teammates in SAC have made him look bad.

His primary issue coming to the pros was defensive rebounding, and it looks like that's still an issue, albeit an improving one.  It is my biggest aversion (although I'd still happily give him a look for the right price.)

[Beat LA]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Or WCS. He is younger, and less likely to be burned on switches

What is it with the love for this guy?  I've never understood it.

He was the best big I've ever seen at defending guards on switches at the college level, and it wasn't particularly close.  Since the Celtics employ a ton of switching on defense, he seems like a natural fit (although I've barely seen him since college personally, because I can't stomach watching SAC games.)

That's what I thought, TP .

[Celtics4ever]

He was the best big I've ever seen at defending guards on switches at the college level, and it wasn't particularly close.  Since the Celtics employ a ton of switching on defense, he seems like a natural fit (although I've barely seen him since college personally, because I can't stomach watching SAC games.)

Defensively, yes is he a great fit but offensely  he is a poor fit.   76% of his shots come within 10 feet of the bucket.

He knew how to switch properly in college.  He was savant-like.   I haven't seen him much in the NBA, but it's not difficult for me to believe that some of his teammates in SAC have made him look bad.

His primary issue coming to the pros was defensive rebounding, and it looks like that's still an issue, albeit an improving one.  It is my biggest aversion (although I'd still happily give him a look for the right price.)

He is a weak rebounder for a man of his mobility and size.   I think he is a poor fit in CBS system because of an lack of any offensive skills.   He can do putbacks and dunks.  He need a jumper and post go to move or the like.


I think the way to improve our defense:

1) Is to get guys who play D.  I like two way players.  Get guys who commit to play it. 

2)  Add some athletic bigs.  We don't have many of those.  We have a lot of slow guys who watch the other team penetrate on offense and don't rotate on defense.  Horford alone was good at helping at the rim.   KO in the Cavs series might as well bought some popcorn the way he was watching guys go past him.

3)  Get some size, for other team small is an option, for us it is our only option most of the team.   This is not Gulliver's Travels, get some bigs that fit 1&2 and give us that option.  We were abused by a lot of mediocre players who looked all world against us because we lacked size.

Anyone we get has to meet some offensive criteria.  They want guys who can spread the floor and shoot the three.  Being a good passer is a plus.

I hope Ainge learned from this year that you should not ignore certain positions on the court.

[obnoxiousmime]

It would be nice to have good defense and rebounding, but from the flawed selection of players that may become available to us you have to take some bad with the good. We accept Thomas' bad defense because of his offensive shooting and playmaking. Conversely, we should consider the cost to the offense of having a defensive-minded PF in there just to say that we have one. I'm not saying we should give up on defense, just that we were able to make it to the ECF without that type of player.

Now, don't get me wrong, since we are likely letting Johnson, Zeller, and perhaps Olynyk go and currently only adding Zizic for sure, we definitely need more frontcourt bodies. I just don't think that we can expect a really solid, all-around guy in that spot due to our cap situation.

In some ways, Ainge is paying the price for not balancing his picks out position-wise in the draft. By taking Smart/Young, then Rozier/Hunter/Mickey in 2014-2015, he created a lack of cheap big man depth on rookie deals that would be ready to play now. He addressed it last year, but kept Yabusele and Zizic overseas due to our roster crunch (and probably to delay their free agency clock). I understand that taking the BPA is smart, but I think that sometimes if you're picking late among a bunch of low-ceiling prospects, it's OK to let need guide your decision a little bit.

EDIT: Yes, Mickey is technically a PF but unfortunately he's not so good and I wouldn't expect a 2nd rounder to have a great probability of panning out anyway.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Bring back DJ White :-p

[Darío SpanishFan]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Definitely, the best way to improve the defense 

[nickagneta]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

He'll be 35 in October, has two years left on his deal, has never had any appreciable level of skill, and has always been a punk (well, at least imo, anyway).  Pass.

No appreciable offensive skill? Maybe if you discount offensive rebounding and setting monster picks. But that's not what you get him for. You get him to be the defensive anchor and suck up defensive rebounds. His age doesn't bother me. He is still putting up. 9 PPG and 11 RPG while being a great last line of defense.

[gouki88]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

He'll be 35 in October, has two years left on his deal, has never had any appreciable level of skill, and has always been a punk (well, at least imo, anyway).  Pass.

No appreciable offensive skill? Maybe if you discount offensive rebounding and setting monster picks. But that's not what you get him for. You get him to be the defensive anchor and suck up defensive rebounds. His age doesn't bother me. He is still putting up. 9 PPG and 11 RPG while being a great last line of defense.

Agree with all said nick, plus, not sure why Chandler is a punk. Has always seemed to prioritise winning and the team above all else.

[__ramonezy__]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Or WCS. He is younger, and less likely to be burned on switches

Which is funny, because the main issue with him, is that he doesn't know how to help on defense, or switch properly.

I like WCS, but I think at this point, he's set to be a role playing lite version of Tyson Chandler.

He knew how to switch properly in college.  He was savant-like.   I haven't seen him much in the NBA, but it's not difficult for me to believe that some of his teammates in SAC have made him look bad.

His primary issue coming to the pros was defensive rebounding, and it looks like that's still an issue, albeit an improving one.  It is my biggest aversion (although I'd still happily give him a look for the right price.)

What about trading for John Henson... good foot speed, rim protector, reasonable contract, on a rebuilding team that treasures draft picks. He's already they're backup center so he should be attainable

[gouki88]

After signing Hayward by trading away Bradley for draft picks do a sign and trade of KO for Tyson Chandler.

Or WCS. He is younger, and less likely to be burned on switches

Which is funny, because the main issue with him, is that he doesn't know how to help on defense, or switch properly.

I like WCS, but I think at this point, he's set to be a role playing lite version of Tyson Chandler.

He knew how to switch properly in college.  He was savant-like.   I haven't seen him much in the NBA, but it's not difficult for me to believe that some of his teammates in SAC have made him look bad.

His primary issue coming to the pros was defensive rebounding, and it looks like that's still an issue, albeit an improving one.  It is my biggest aversion (although I'd still happily give him a look for the right price.)

What about trading for John Henson... good foot speed, rim protector, reasonable contract, on a rebuilding team that treasures draft picks. He's already they're backup center so he should be attainable

I wouldn't be surprised if Milwaukee moved him on. He hasn't really improved significantly since turning pro, yet he fits a need for us quite easily. Not sure what we'd give up to get him though.

To be honest I got distracted by the potential of Brooklyn pursuing him in an offer based around Lopez that I overlooked how nicely he'd fit in here.

[Boris Badenov]

Here's a list of players who are decent rebounders, 26 or under, with decent advanced defensive metrics. The criteria I picked are subjective of course, but you can play around with them. It's a way of maybe finding some people who aren't immediately obvious.

http://bkref.com/tiny/r9tEE

[gouki88]

Here's a list of players who are decent rebounders, 26 or under, with decent advanced defensive metrics. The criteria I picked are subjective of course, but you can play around with them. It's a way of maybe finding some people who aren't immediately obvious.

http://bkref.com/tiny/r9tEE

Makes me want JaMychal Green even more.

[nickagneta]

Here's a list of players who are decent rebounders, 26 or under, with decent advanced defensive metrics. The criteria I picked are subjective of course, but you can play around with them. It's a way of maybe finding some people who aren't immediately obvious.

http://bkref.com/tiny/r9tEE

Why limit it to 26 and under in age. We are talking role player and a role player on a one or 2 year contract can be just about any age.