The roster and preseason

[kozlodoev]

And starting with Morris at the 4 is not "small ball." Small ball would be playing Jae as the 4. Morris has enough size to be a full-time stretch 4 in today's game. We're actually pretty decently sized in a lineup of IT, Brown, Hayward, Morris, and Horford.

Morris is 6'8 and change (depending on how thick his shoes are). He's also a decidedly mediocre rebounder. He's a poor power forward, and he didn't play all that much PF with Detroit, unless you consider Tobias Harris to be a SF.

He's been measured at 6'9" on numerous different occasions: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marcus-Morris-5178/

He's essentially the exact same size as Amir, perhaps a few pounds lighter, and Amir was our legit starting center last year. And every time I watched him last year in Detroit he played more of the PF role than the SF role.

He's definitely a mediocre rebounder, but since when has Danny or Brad really cared about that? His other attributes far outweigh that deficiency, specifically his spreading of the floor, isolation offense abilities, versatile defense, and athleticism.

I really, really, really don't see us playing Baynes and Horford together all that much at all. That significantly hurts our offense and spacing, along with our defensive versatility.

At the NBA combine, Morris measured 6'8.75 with 1'75 shoes. That's an extraordinarily thick sole, as far as shoes are concerned (normal would be around 1'25, IIRC), so he's likely closer to 6'8 than to 6'9.

I'm sure they'll try to have him as the full-time PF, I'm just not all that convinced it's going to work very well.

[Darío SpanishFan]

As I said, Theis is not signing here if he didn't have at least the first year guaranteed, as he had good offers in Europe.

Besides, David Pick is the most reliable basketball journalist regarding FIBA, especially European basketball.

Adam Himmelsbach (Boston Globe):

The Celtics also agreed to terms on a two-year deal with German forward Daniel Theis, a league source confirmed. The source said that the first year of Theis’s deal is fully guaranteed.

Good offers in Europe were beaten by the NBA veteran minimum contract?!

Some players just want to prove themselves with the best in the world. Others, like Sergio Llull or Fran Vázquez, prefer to stay at home in a comfortable position and collect money.

I think you are missing the key piece of my post: Theis has at least one guaranteed year, which you were constantly asking for verification and denying until then.

[jpotter33]

And starting with Morris at the 4 is not "small ball." Small ball would be playing Jae as the 4. Morris has enough size to be a full-time stretch 4 in today's game. We're actually pretty decently sized in a lineup of IT, Brown, Hayward, Morris, and Horford.

Morris is 6'8 and change (depending on how thick his shoes are). He's also a decidedly mediocre rebounder. He's a poor power forward, and he didn't play all that much PF with Detroit, unless you consider Tobias Harris to be a SF.

He's been measured at 6'9" on numerous different occasions: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marcus-Morris-5178/

He's essentially the exact same size as Amir, perhaps a few pounds lighter, and Amir was our legit starting center last year. And every time I watched him last year in Detroit he played more of the PF role than the SF role.

He's definitely a mediocre rebounder, but since when has Danny or Brad really cared about that? His other attributes far outweigh that deficiency, specifically his spreading of the floor, isolation offense abilities, versatile defense, and athleticism.

I really, really, really don't see us playing Baynes and Horford together all that much at all. That significantly hurts our offense and spacing, along with our defensive versatility.

At the NBA combine, Morris measured 6'8.75 with 1'75 shoes. That's an extraordinarily thick sole, as far as shoes are concerned (normal would be around 1'25, IIRC), so he's likely closer to 6'8 than to 6'9.

I'm sure they'll try to have him as the full-time PF, I'm just not all that convinced it's going to work very well.

I think you'll be surprised. The extra spacing/shooting and defensive versatility he provides out on the perimeter should more than make up for the marginal rebounding loss we get from going from Amir to Morris.

[kozlodoev]

I think you'll be surprised. The extra spacing/shooting and defensive versatility he provides out on the perimeter should more than make up for the marginal rebounding loss we get from going from Amir to Morris.

I think the rebounding downgrade from Amir(17% DRR)/Kelly(20%) combo to Morris (12%) is a more than marginal. Let's just hope he'll trend towards his career average of 14%

[detour]

I think you'll be surprised. The extra spacing/shooting and defensive versatility he provides out on the perimeter should more than make up for the marginal rebounding loss we get from going from Amir to Morris.

I think the rebounding downgrade from Amir(17% DRR)/Kelly(20%) combo to Morris (12%) is a more than marginal. Let's just hope he'll trend towards his career average of 14%

Amir and Kelly were virtually our only rebounders at times this year, while Morris played with Drummond. You can't ignore context.

[DooVoo]

You guys are obsessing over the C-PF-SF-SG-PG positions again and that isn't how the Celtics operate anymore. It is not about who can play PF.

It's Bigs-Wings-Ball Handlers.

[kozlodoev]

I think you'll be surprised. The extra spacing/shooting and defensive versatility he provides out on the perimeter should more than make up for the marginal rebounding loss we get from going from Amir to Morris.

I think the rebounding downgrade from Amir(17% DRR)/Kelly(20%) combo to Morris (12%) is a more than marginal. Let's just hope he'll trend towards his career average of 14%

Amir and Kelly were virtually our only rebounders at times this year, while Morris played with Drummond. You can't ignore context.

Sure, but Morris has never been above 17% in his career. So the best case scenario is he's Amir from last year. Context doesn't make this much rosier.

[kozlodoev]

You guys are obsessing over the C-PF-SF-SG-PG positions again and that isn't how the Celtics operate anymore. It is not about who can play PF.

It's Bigs-Wings-Ball Handlers.

In the end, it doesn't really matter what sort of fancy mumbo-jumbo Brad S attaches to the stuff he wants you to believe is important. The bottom line is that you need someone to defend the second biggest player on the other team and clean out the boards.

The plan right now is to do this with Marcus Morris and a bunch of rooks who have never set foot on an NBA court. If you think that's going to work just swell, more power to you.

[Vermont Green]

You guys are obsessing over the C-PF-SF-SG-PG positions again and that isn't how the Celtics operate anymore. It is not about who can play PF.

It's Bigs-Wings-Ball Handlers.

OK, our bigs will be Horford and Morris, our wings will be Crowder and Hayward, and our ball handler/initiator will be Thomas.

There is quite a bit of debate over whether Morris is PF or a Big or something else.  I expect he will be used as a starting big on the Celtics.  He will defend and rebound probably a little better than Amir Johnson and will provide more scoring.  I am not expecting him to be a game changer but I think he will play an important role.

[jay]

You've left out Daniel Theis from the list who has been signed for next season, presumably guaranteed.

That also means that one of the guys you have listed won't be making the roster. Honestly I thought that Yab would be stashed another year because these roster problems were always going to exist but it seems like he's on his way over. So it'll be 2 spots between Nader, Semi and Jackson. Jackson has the edge in that he has a guarantee in his contract but he is also the least needed of the 3. I think we end up trading him for a protected 2nd at some point and sign the other two guys.

Of course that would mean no Gerald Green this year as well which would be a shame, I'd like to find a way to get him on the team again.

you are right i keep forgetting about Theis. Either Jackson doesn't make the team or DA lets Nader walk in order to for him to find a bigger role. Personally I would move on from Jackson.

Nader and Semi May get  two way contracts Both have great potential. We have 2 of those this year. Since Jackson has a real contract he can't be one.
We technically have 17 slots.

I agree, I don't think the 2nd round guys have much of a chance to make the roster. He basically has 15 players now:

IT  Smart  Rozier  Jackson
Hayward  Brown
Crowder  Tatum
Morris  Yabusele  Mickey
Horford  Baynes  Theis  Zizic

He could waive Mickey or Jackson and add a player at the veteran minimum, or try to trade them for a cheap backup big.

Semi and Nader are perfect for the 2-way contracts. Even if the really love Semi, they could sign him to a 2-way contract and then try and sign him to a cheap, guaranteed deal next summer. As far as Bird and Allen, they could play for Maine this year (like Nader did last year) or let them go overseas (we would still hold their rights like we did with Colton Iverson for a couple years correct?) . I don't see much value in giving one of them a 2-way contract.

The main thing is, Danny took a #1 seed, added an All-Star, and now it's time to compete. Adding several 2nd round picks to the 15 man roster doesn't seem to fit with the goal of trying to unseat Cleveland.

[CFAN38]

You've left out Daniel Theis from the list who has been signed for next season, presumably guaranteed.

That also means that one of the guys you have listed won't be making the roster. Honestly I thought that Yab would be stashed another year because these roster problems were always going to exist but it seems like he's on his way over. So it'll be 2 spots between Nader, Semi and Jackson. Jackson has the edge in that he has a guarantee in his contract but he is also the least needed of the 3. I think we end up trading him for a protected 2nd at some point and sign the other two guys.

Of course that would mean no Gerald Green this year as well which would be a shame, I'd like to find a way to get him on the team again.

you are right i keep forgetting about Theis. Either Jackson doesn't make the team or DA lets Nader walk in order to for him to find a bigger role. Personally I would move on from Jackson.

Nader and Semi May get  two way contracts Both have great potential. We have 2 of those this year. Since Jackson has a real contract he can't be one.
We technically have 17 slots.

I agree, I don't think the 2nd round guys have much of a chance to make the roster. He basically has 15 players now:

IT  Smart  Rozier  Jackson
Hayward  Brown
Crowder  Tatum
Morris  Yabusele  Mickey
Horford  Baynes  Theis  Zizic

He could waive Mickey or Jackson and add a player at the veteran minimum, or try to trade them for a cheap backup big.

Semi and Nader are perfect for the 2-way contracts. Even if the really love Semi, they could sign him to a 2-way contract and then try and sign him to a cheap, guaranteed deal next summer. As far as Bird and Allen, they could play for Maine this year (like Nader did last year) or let them go overseas (we would still hold their rights like we did with Colton Iverson for a couple years correct?) . I don't see much value in giving one of them a 2-way contract.

The main thing is, Danny took a #1 seed, added an All-Star, and now it's time to compete. Adding several 2nd round picks to the 15 man roster doesn't seem to fit with the goal of trying to unseat Cleveland.

I would be totally shocked to see Semi or Nader sign a 2 way deal. Allen and Bird are 2-way level prospects. In the open market both Nader and Semi would get signed pretty quick no reason to not sign full NBA contracts.

I stick with my prediction Mickey and Jackson are gone. The Cs sign Allen and maybr Bird to 2-way deals. Allen is a good enough defender to give value in practice and play spot minutes if injuries hit this team hard.

[kozlodoev]

There is quite a bit of debate over whether Morris is PF or a Big or something else.  I expect he will be used as a starting big on the Celtics.  He will defend and rebound probably a little better than Amir Johnson and will provide more scoring.  I am not expecting him to be a game changer but I think he will play an important role.

Or probably not (at least on the rebounding part), given that last year's version of Amir Johnson narrowly beat Marcus Morris' career high in DR%...

[dreamgreen]

There is quite a bit of debate over whether Morris is PF or a Big or something else.  I expect he will be used as a starting big on the Celtics.  He will defend and rebound probably a little better than Amir Johnson and will provide more scoring.  I am not expecting him to be a game changer but I think he will play an important role.

Or probably not (at least on the rebounding part), given that last year's version of Amir Johnson narrowly beat Marcus Morris' career high in DR%...

Than Amir fell off a cliff and was sent to the abyss (bench). I'm willing to bet MM shows up more than old man AJ!

[Tr1boy]

You guys are obsessing over the C-PF-SF-SG-PG positions again and that isn't how the Celtics operate anymore. It is not about who can play PF.

It's Bigs-Wings-Ball Handlers.

And? CBS can try to evolutinize basketball

But until he wins a championship it wont be the gold standard

Celtics still dont matchup well against teams like the raptors (with Baynes a little better). Or against a pure traditional pf like Tristant Thompson

Hopefully additions like Morris, Theis help

[Snakehead]

And Horford isn't a PF, no matter how much he wants to call himself one.

And starting with Morris at the 4 is not "small ball." Small ball would be playing Jae as the 4. Morris has enough size to be a full-time stretch 4 in today's game. We're actually pretty decently sized in a lineup of IT, Brown, Hayward, Morris, and Horford.

Dude... he played at PF for us so much last year what are you talking about?  He started almost every single game at PF.

Morris is not good at PF.  I think people are acting like him and brother are the same without doing any research.  He isn't starting at PF for this team.

The "today's NBA" thing you're saying is small ball.

Stevens loves to run small line ups but he almost never, ever starts them.  All anyone has to do is look at any of Stevens history to say he probably starts big with Baynes then goes small after.