Home
Register
Log inCeltics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
4 posters
Page 1 of 1
Celtics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
by bobheckler Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:56 pm
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/06/bulpett_celtics_biggest_draft_need_is_an_nba_seasoned_scorer
Bulpett: Celtics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
Steve Bulpett
Friday, June 17, 2016
Credit: John Wilcox
Isaiah Thomas shoots between Al Horford and Dennis Schroder in the fourth quarter of a game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Even after a very nice 48-34 season, the Celtics are still not good enough to draft for need.
And they hope they’re not even in position to ask themselves that question.
The best case scenario for the Celts is to gather their pickage — three first-rounders and five in the second — and combine them with players currently on the roster to acquire more impactful people who could be of service sooner than young gentlemen who require development.
That’s where need would come into play, and those most-sought elements really haven’t changed around here for a while.
While there has long been talk of finding a so-called rim protector, someone who would anchor the middle of the defense and make the lane a no-fly zone for opponents, the larger need is at the other end of the floor.
We’ve been saying for a while that the greater imperative is a legitimate and consistent scorer — a guy who walks up to the stat table before tipoff and says, “Put me down for the usual 20, and we’ll see what we can do beyond that.”
Such players are obviously extremely rare, which is why the Celtics will go to great lengths on the slim chance of successfully recruiting Kevin Durant. And it’s why they’re prepared to put together a strong trade package for Jimmy Butler. And don’t think Kevin Love would be out of their realm.
Of those who figure to be available to them in the draft (this assumes Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons are gone), Jamal Murray may be the best bet to fit that bill, but the Celts would rather bring in a veteran who doesn’t need an NBA orientation.
Yes, the Celtics still have to get stronger defensively in the paint, but such help may be easier to find.
Scoring — efficient scoring — is what can provide them a giant step in their progression. The C’s did finish fifth in points per game last season, but they were 24th in field-goal percentage and 28th in 3-point percentage. And a good part of their scoring was due to the fact they were third in the league in points off turnovers, just one-tenth of a point out of first.
Their numbers took a dive in the playoffs, where the Celts were the worst shooting team, both overall and on treys, of the 16 postseason participants. It didn’t help that Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk were injured, but the problem is much deeper than that.
Having true scorers on the court can change everything. The Celtics saw how big the difference could be when they acquired Isaiah Thomas in February 2015 and went from being a team headed for the lottery to the seventh seed in the playoffs. The alteration was far more than the 19 points per game he gave them that year (22.2 this past season); it meant better looks for others when the opponent’s defensive attention turned to Thomas.
But the lack of another strong shooter/scorer also spelled doom in the first-round losses the last two years. Thomas seemed better equipped to deal with it this time around, but when the Hawks collapsed on him and he passed out to open shooters, the next sound heard was most often that of leather striking iron.
If the Celtics don’t get him help, they will be helpless in the playoffs when better opponents have time to tailor defenses to their limited options.
But with all this said, it’s not like the C’s don’t still need to be better inside. And it’s more than just someone to swat away shots. There were times last season when the Celts were simply manhandled by larger and stronger front lines. They were fifth-worst in the NBA in allowing second-chance points, and that’s a rather representative shortcoming when you consider Philadelphia and the Lakers were Nos. 1 and 3 on that lousy list.
bob
MY NOTE: I concur. This is where all of the players we've been talking about for the past month; Hield, Murray, Bender, even Ingram all fall down. They have never laced up an NBA sneaker. If you are willing to wait for 3-4 years and hope they don't balloon like Sully, wimp like Kelly or bust like Gerald Green (at least for the first 5 years) then great but if you want to compete for a championship sometime within that 4 year window then you need someone who is already there. And at the end of that 4 year window, they are coming up for a new contract. We spent the money, the time and effort developing them and then we have to pay a premium for them to do what we trained them to do. Or, instead of paying to build an NBA shooter, and then paying a lot more later, we could just pay for an "already built". We are too young now, as it is.
.
Bulpett: Celtics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
Steve Bulpett
Friday, June 17, 2016
Credit: John Wilcox
Isaiah Thomas shoots between Al Horford and Dennis Schroder in the fourth quarter of a game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Even after a very nice 48-34 season, the Celtics are still not good enough to draft for need.
And they hope they’re not even in position to ask themselves that question.
The best case scenario for the Celts is to gather their pickage — three first-rounders and five in the second — and combine them with players currently on the roster to acquire more impactful people who could be of service sooner than young gentlemen who require development.
That’s where need would come into play, and those most-sought elements really haven’t changed around here for a while.
While there has long been talk of finding a so-called rim protector, someone who would anchor the middle of the defense and make the lane a no-fly zone for opponents, the larger need is at the other end of the floor.
We’ve been saying for a while that the greater imperative is a legitimate and consistent scorer — a guy who walks up to the stat table before tipoff and says, “Put me down for the usual 20, and we’ll see what we can do beyond that.”
Such players are obviously extremely rare, which is why the Celtics will go to great lengths on the slim chance of successfully recruiting Kevin Durant. And it’s why they’re prepared to put together a strong trade package for Jimmy Butler. And don’t think Kevin Love would be out of their realm.
Of those who figure to be available to them in the draft (this assumes Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons are gone), Jamal Murray may be the best bet to fit that bill, but the Celts would rather bring in a veteran who doesn’t need an NBA orientation.
Yes, the Celtics still have to get stronger defensively in the paint, but such help may be easier to find.
Scoring — efficient scoring — is what can provide them a giant step in their progression. The C’s did finish fifth in points per game last season, but they were 24th in field-goal percentage and 28th in 3-point percentage. And a good part of their scoring was due to the fact they were third in the league in points off turnovers, just one-tenth of a point out of first.
Their numbers took a dive in the playoffs, where the Celts were the worst shooting team, both overall and on treys, of the 16 postseason participants. It didn’t help that Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk were injured, but the problem is much deeper than that.
Having true scorers on the court can change everything. The Celtics saw how big the difference could be when they acquired Isaiah Thomas in February 2015 and went from being a team headed for the lottery to the seventh seed in the playoffs. The alteration was far more than the 19 points per game he gave them that year (22.2 this past season); it meant better looks for others when the opponent’s defensive attention turned to Thomas.
But the lack of another strong shooter/scorer also spelled doom in the first-round losses the last two years. Thomas seemed better equipped to deal with it this time around, but when the Hawks collapsed on him and he passed out to open shooters, the next sound heard was most often that of leather striking iron.
If the Celtics don’t get him help, they will be helpless in the playoffs when better opponents have time to tailor defenses to their limited options.
But with all this said, it’s not like the C’s don’t still need to be better inside. And it’s more than just someone to swat away shots. There were times last season when the Celts were simply manhandled by larger and stronger front lines. They were fifth-worst in the NBA in allowing second-chance points, and that’s a rather representative shortcoming when you consider Philadelphia and the Lakers were Nos. 1 and 3 on that lousy list.
bob
MY NOTE: I concur. This is where all of the players we've been talking about for the past month; Hield, Murray, Bender, even Ingram all fall down. They have never laced up an NBA sneaker. If you are willing to wait for 3-4 years and hope they don't balloon like Sully, wimp like Kelly or bust like Gerald Green (at least for the first 5 years) then great but if you want to compete for a championship sometime within that 4 year window then you need someone who is already there. And at the end of that 4 year window, they are coming up for a new contract. We spent the money, the time and effort developing them and then we have to pay a premium for them to do what we trained them to do. Or, instead of paying to build an NBA shooter, and then paying a lot more later, we could just pay for an "already built". We are too young now, as it is.
.
bobheckler- Posts : 62582
Join date : 2009-10-28
Re: Celtics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
by swish Fri Jun 17, 2016 3:47 pm
bob
It is now,and always has been, about veteran teams with ELITE talent. You need at least one player that is a habitual Hall of Famer with all league credentials. As a matter of record most champs have 2 or more elite players. Even then, there will generally be 5 or 6 teams each year that can boast a roaster with those super players. Its just not that easy to be the best of 30 teams.
swish
It is now,and always has been, about veteran teams with ELITE talent. You need at least one player that is a habitual Hall of Famer with all league credentials. As a matter of record most champs have 2 or more elite players. Even then, there will generally be 5 or 6 teams each year that can boast a roaster with those super players. Its just not that easy to be the best of 30 teams.
swish
swish- Posts : 3147
Join date : 2009-10-16
Age : 92
Re: Celtics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
by dboss Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:33 pm
I agree and I also disagree.
Having established veterans certainly provides experience and maturity that you will not get with a team full of young pups.
The question however is about how you acquire those players. Do you trade the cream of your draft picks along with players to get the scoring veteran or do you use that cap space to sign key free agents and still have a chance to draft a future star?
The Celtics have become a team that the entire league recognizes as a team that is very good and destined to get better.
It is up to Ainge to convince a free agent to sign. How many 20 points per game players are available?
Simply adding a 20 point per game scorer is not what we need unless that player moves the needle on our fg %.
That is the main reason why some of the potential trade targets do not peak my interest.
The author has no idea how long a newly added draft pick will develop.
If we did not have a playoff team right now or if we did not have cap space to add a high end free agent or if we did not have an impressive number of draft picks our only path would be to trade for the pieces that we need.
The author assumes that Celtics fans want to contend yesterday and do not want to wait for young players to develop.
The problem is that Boston is not going to get 2 top 10 players via free agency or through trades. Durant is not walking through the door.
The Celts have not had a top 3 pick in a very long time. Long term contenders are built through the draft because a team gets a legit shot at drafting a stud.
If moving the 3rd pick yields a top 10 player go for it.
Dboss
Having established veterans certainly provides experience and maturity that you will not get with a team full of young pups.
The question however is about how you acquire those players. Do you trade the cream of your draft picks along with players to get the scoring veteran or do you use that cap space to sign key free agents and still have a chance to draft a future star?
The Celtics have become a team that the entire league recognizes as a team that is very good and destined to get better.
It is up to Ainge to convince a free agent to sign. How many 20 points per game players are available?
Simply adding a 20 point per game scorer is not what we need unless that player moves the needle on our fg %.
That is the main reason why some of the potential trade targets do not peak my interest.
The author has no idea how long a newly added draft pick will develop.
If we did not have a playoff team right now or if we did not have cap space to add a high end free agent or if we did not have an impressive number of draft picks our only path would be to trade for the pieces that we need.
The author assumes that Celtics fans want to contend yesterday and do not want to wait for young players to develop.
The problem is that Boston is not going to get 2 top 10 players via free agency or through trades. Durant is not walking through the door.
The Celts have not had a top 3 pick in a very long time. Long term contenders are built through the draft because a team gets a legit shot at drafting a stud.
If moving the 3rd pick yields a top 10 player go for it.
Dboss
dboss- Posts : 19217
Join date : 2009-11-01
Re: Celtics’ biggest draft need is an NBA-seasoned scorer
by NYCelt Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:36 pm
"The best case scenario for the Celts is to gather their pickage — three first-rounders and five in the second — and combine them with players currently on the roster to acquire more impactful people who could be of service sooner than young gentlemen who require development."
This is the main idea I disagree with. I don't feel there is an absolute approach. In our case, I don't think we have many players on the roster that are in demand elsewhere. To me it makes no sense to package up 3 first rounders, no-one gives a flip about the seconds, and who exactly on our current roster? What does that leave us with; 1 skilled veteran and no supporting cast?
I think this year is the perfect example of a time when you use your three first round picks; because you can't get enough in return if you swap them out. I think you do take the longer approach and develop players, at least in our case, because we don't have enough of value to bring in the number of players it takes to build a competitive roster by dealing.
Trade the whole draft wad and a couple of our better players. What do you end up with? The equivalent of Robert Parish, Kenny Anderson, and 13 D-League players?
I think we use the 1st round picks simply because we can get up to 3 players who may build into rotation or role players, versus weakening our current roster, and limiting our future, by dealing for only one or two players who may provide help now, except that they have no supporting cast.
Develop the long way, through the draft and a few smart deals for depth, and be competitive for a long time.
This is the main idea I disagree with. I don't feel there is an absolute approach. In our case, I don't think we have many players on the roster that are in demand elsewhere. To me it makes no sense to package up 3 first rounders, no-one gives a flip about the seconds, and who exactly on our current roster? What does that leave us with; 1 skilled veteran and no supporting cast?
I think this year is the perfect example of a time when you use your three first round picks; because you can't get enough in return if you swap them out. I think you do take the longer approach and develop players, at least in our case, because we don't have enough of value to bring in the number of players it takes to build a competitive roster by dealing.
Trade the whole draft wad and a couple of our better players. What do you end up with? The equivalent of Robert Parish, Kenny Anderson, and 13 D-League players?
I think we use the 1st round picks simply because we can get up to 3 players who may build into rotation or role players, versus weakening our current roster, and limiting our future, by dealing for only one or two players who may provide help now, except that they have no supporting cast.
Develop the long way, through the draft and a few smart deals for depth, and be competitive for a long time.
NYCelt- Posts : 10794
Join date : 2009-10-12
Similar topics» Celtics’ R.J. Hunter Voted Second-Biggest Draft Steal By Fellow Rookies
» What The Celtics Really Need Is A Proven Scorer
» Wanted: Big Scorer To Help Celtics
» Ainge: Celtics need another 'dynamic scorer'
» GREATEST PURE SCORER IN CELTICS HISTORY
» What The Celtics Really Need Is A Proven Scorer
» Wanted: Big Scorer To Help Celtics
» Ainge: Celtics need another 'dynamic scorer'
» GREATEST PURE SCORER IN CELTICS HISTORY
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum