First Take Gives The C's Love

[Phantom255x]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXafcmVKMLY

So as you all probably heard the past few days, Stephen A. Smith was the "main reporter" who stated that his "sources" believed the C's traded down to #3 with the hope that they can use it in a package to land Jimmy Butler, and then head into FA and sign Gordon Hayward. This was also because Philly had ZERO interest in Butler, and the Bulls seem to REALLY WANT the #3 pick. Whether you support this idea (of adding Butler+Hayward) or not, it does seem to make sense honestly based on what the C's are trying to do.

In essence, the C's could have traded #1 for Butler AND a Top 5 pick in 2018 (or a Top 10 pick in 2019). That seems pretty good, I'll admit.

S.A.S thinks the Celtics, if they pull this off, can LEGITIMATELY challenge Cleveland, and possibly even beat them if everything lines up like that for them, and CLE don't make any significant moves (like adding George, or Butler). Max says the same for the most part.

Even if they aren't good enough to beat CLE, or Golden State (they have a "puncher's chance" against them if they beat CLE), the C's could still have top picks the next few summers to keep building, while also competing.

Both Max and S.A.S think Ainge has done BRILLIANTLY so far with the rebuild and his reputation is one of the best in the league.

Also, doing this makes the East a "two team race", as S.A.S believes Toronto losing Lowry takes them out of the conversation of winning the East, and WAS will have trouble adding another star, which they need to challenge CLE/BOS.

You guys can watch the segment. It felt nice seeing them say all this about the C's. 

Will be interesting to see what they actually do.

My preference is drafting Tatum, then signing either Hayward/Griffin.

[RJ87]

I'm firmly on the Jimmy Butler train. Might as well give me a conductor's hat.

[greece66]

Please don't take these kind of TV shows as a source.

[Phantom255x]

Please don't take these kind of TV shows as a source.

I just watch it for the entertainment lol, see what others have to say about this.

But everything Stephen A. said is what most of the national media reports are saying as well.

Not saying it guarantees anything though.

[Surferdad]

We are talking about Stephen A. Smith here, a guy whose mouth is engaged even when his brain isn't.

That said, I do agree with him that it makes the East a 2-team race, it's just not quite enough (by itself) to get past Cle.

[Phantom255x]

We are talking about Stephen A. Smith here, a guy whose mouth is engaged even when his brain isn't.

That said, I do agree with him that it makes the East a 2-team race, it's just not quite enough (by itself) to get past Cle.

If Cleveland ends up not doing anything big, who knows? I think there's a chance to be honest.

You only had one lethal scoring threat a month ago. NOW you would have 3, and a great defender in Butler and an above average one in Hayward.

I could see that series hypothetically going the distance.

But yeah, no chance IF Cleveland nab Paul George or some other legit star.

[Timdawgg]

"First Take Gives The C's Love"

I thought they were going to say the Celts were getting Kevin Love in a deal...LOL

[wiley]

We are talking about Stephen A. Smith here, a guy whose mouth is engaged even when his brain isn't.

That said, I do agree with him that it makes the East a 2-team race, it's just not quite enough (by itself) to get past Cle.

If Cleveland ends up not doing anything big, who knows? I think there's a chance to be honest.

You only had one lethal scoring threat a month ago. NOW you would have 3, and a great defender in Butler and an above average one in Hayward.

I could see that series hypothetically going the distance.

But yeah, no chance IF Cleveland nab Paul George or some other legit star.

Plus, if Cleveland doesn't add anyone, no real motivation for Lebron to head back for another whooping...a tough Boston team could take them down and save them from that.  In other words, you might see Lebron at 98% effort instead of 100.  Lebron looked very tired at the end of GS series...at some point he needs a year off from visiting the finals.  Agree if they can add George and new help mates it's a different story.