Celtics head into offseason focused on future, not ending

https://www.yahoo.com/news/celtics-head-offseason-focused-future-230721861.html



Celtics head into offseason focused on future, not ending



KYLE HIGHTOWER
,Associated Press•

September 28, 2020


BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum emerged as a bona fide star, Jaylen Brown showed he can be a consistent presence in the lineup and Kemba Walker helped the Celtics put the failed Kyrie Irving experiment behind them.

But following their Eastern Conference finals loss to Miami, it’s clear there is still work to do in Boston after the Celtics squandered their best opportunity yet under coach Brad Stevens to make it to the NBA Finals.

Stevens said he heads into the offseason lamenting only the outcome and not the effort by his players during the abnormal season.

“My regret is not what we put in. My regret is not how we prepared or worked or how hard our guys worked or how committed they were to playing and staying together,” he said. “You look back at those first couple of games (against Miami) and it put us in a tough spot. I just think that ultimately we had our chances and we didn’t take advantage of it enough.”

The Celtics returned from the COVID-19-caused hiatus and emerged as one of the hottest teams in the Florida bubble, winning five of their eight seeding games entering the playoffs.

They then swept the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round and held off the defending champion Toronto Raptors in seven games to advance to the conference finals — all without Gordon Hayward, who was sidelined in the opening game of the Philly series with a sprained right ankle.

Despite big efforts from Tatum, Brown and Walker, who all averaged 20 or more points per game in the playoffs, Hayward’s absence was felt in the back-to-back losses to open the series against the Heat, as the Celtics struggled to score against Miami’s athletic front line.

That combined with uncharacteristic lapses in defense contributed to them being unable to close out games in the 4-2 series loss.

But unlike in previous seasons, the issues were situational and don't seem to be systemic. That's something to build on for a team expected to remain a contender in the East next season.

“We got to use this fuel to fuel us to come back stronger, better, mentally, physically, emotionally, psychologically, all of it,” Marcus Smart said. “We’ve got to use it to our advantage to come back. It’s over. We can’t change the past. We can only get ready for the future.”

It’s also why Tatum said he doesn’t believe there needs to be wholesale changes.

“I believe in this group. I think we were capable. We had more than enough to get the job done. We just let a couple slip away,” he said. “A lot of guys got so much better this year and throughout the season, so much better from last season. So just to see guys continue to grow and get better, it’s a lot of fun. It was fun this year.”


GOOD FIT

Irving’s tumultuous two seasons in Boston almost unraveled the chemistry that president of basketball operations Danny Ainge spent building within the team's young core.

But Ainge appears to have found his point guard for the foreseeable future.

Walker signed with Boston hoping to play in meaningful games. He seized that opportunity this postseason, averaging 19.6 points and 5.1 assists per game.

“You just have to learn how to grow,” he said. “We’re going to have to figure out how to win those games down the stretch. But we got time. ... I thought we fought hard. That’s all you can ask for. I have a lot of respect for the guys that I play with."


ROSTER MOSTLY INTACT

The Celtics are on good roster footing for next season, with only three potential free agents this offseason.

Hayward and center Enes Kanter both have player options, and the team must decide whether to pick up Semi Ojeleye’s fourth-year option.

Considering Hayward’s injury history, it’s unlikely he would give up a $34.2 million guarantee to test the free-agency waters. Kanter was solid off the bench but could go elsewhere in search of more than the roughly $5 million he’d make next year.

Coming off his first All-Star season, in which he led the team in scoring in both the regular season and playoffs, Tatum could possibly get a long-term deal. But he doesn’t become a restricted free agent until after next season, so there’s still time.

Tatum said he isn’t concerned about it.

“This was a hell of a year and I enjoyed it and I’m appreciative of everybody," he said. “But at the end of the day, this was fun. I’m not really thinking about the other stuff right now.”


bob
MY NOTE:  I agree with almost all of this article except for one thing:  I think Jaylen proved he is more than just a "consistent presence in the playoffs".  Just because he isn't the #1 option on offense doesn't mean he couldn't be if he needed to be, and he does so much more than score.


.

No shit bob, agree on Jaylen, can Stevens take some blame for you know, bad decisions, bad strategy, bad coaching....guy is a wimp in my book who does not know how to use his players or control them at this level.

Doc River is looking for a job

so is D'Antoni

both the Van Gundys

pick one of them or whoever else you guys feel is such a better coach.

dboss wrote:I do not like any articles that diminish Jaylen's impact  He proved to be consistent presence in the lineup 2 years ago during the playoffs.  

Last year a poor decision by Brad Stevens almost short circuited this kid.  Only an idiot would have played him 25 MPG last year.  

Exactly and only an idiot would constantly put him in the corner over and over

Sam Mitchell

cowens/oldschool wrote:

dboss wrote:I do not like any articles that diminish Jaylen's impact  He proved to be consistent presence in the lineup 2 years ago during the playoffs.  

Last year a poor decision by Brad Stevens almost short circuited this kid.  Only an idiot would have played him 25 MPG last year.  

Exactly and only an idiot would constantly put him in the corner over and over

Cow,

I don't have any stats to back this up, which probably makes you happy, but my eye test says Jaylen was absolutely lethal from the corner, especially the left corner.  If I'm right, and he's shot nearly as efficiently as from midrange, then the corner is a good place for him.


bob


.

bobheckler wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:

dboss wrote:I do not like any articles that diminish Jaylen's impact  He proved to be consistent presence in the lineup 2 years ago during the playoffs.  

Last year a poor decision by Brad Stevens almost short circuited this kid.  Only an idiot would have played him 25 MPG last year.  

Exactly and only an idiot would constantly put him in the corner over and over

Cow,

I don't have any stats to back this up, which probably makes you happy, but my eye test says Jaylen was absolutely lethal from the corner, especially the left corner.  If I'm right, and he's shot nearly as efficiently as from midrange, then the corner is a good place for him.


bob


.

Did you ever see a wing like Hondo, Dr J, Bernard King, Pippen, Jordan, Pierce stand in a corner over and over, I didn’t. Maybe we should use him more like those guys, Jaylen can do a lot of roles. How many 2’s can defend a Siakim and shutdown a perimeter wiz like Hero, he should alternate and put Tatum in the corner sometimes and let Jaylen do more iso in the middle. Keep on going to him like Bernard King, let him punish or blow by just about anyone his size. Just like they should have played him more than 25 minutes a game last year, he should have been used in a lot more ways like those players I listed.

worcester wrote:Sam Mitchell

is that the guy you want to replace Stevens next year?

of you just throwing another unemployed former HC name out there.

I just asked dboss in another thread what he thought about bringing Dave Joerger in as lead assistant on Stevens staff next season. I think something like that would be a solid move myself.

Sam Mitchell would be a good addition to the staff, and perhaps as a HC.

worcester wrote:Sam Mitchell would be a good addition to the staff, and perhaps as a HC.

as an assistant I might agree. as HC I think that's a downgrade.

I hate to sound like a Stevens apologist here, as I understand he has flaws. I think must of the angst against Stevens is because of expectations from fans that has been too high for the teams we've had here, just my opinion.

I just look at the names floated out there as HC candidates of other teams and I don't see a real upgrade.

I'm guessing Brad and Danny are both safe for the foreseeable future.

If Danny can add to a couple of positions of need, and the team doesn't at least make conference finals again next season, that would be Stevens' finale. Or so I believe.

Ainge's rope may be just a little longer. I think he would survive a coaching change and be given a season or two to see if that's the fix.

Doing the math in my head, that's a minimum of one more season for Brad and two more for Danny.

I still think Brad needs some assistants, especially a big man coach, and he needs a better bench. That is on Danny, for sure. Maybe Romeo and GWill and RWill can help next year, but we need some other solid veteran bodies in there. Think of the 2008 Celtics roster which had lots of bench strength. BTW, I had Big Baby's massage therapist as a patient once. He said BB Glen Davis had the most toned musculature he had ever seen or felt.

worcester wrote:I still think Brad needs some assistants, especially a big man coach, and he needs a better bench. That is on Danny, for sure. Maybe Romeo and GWill and RWill can help next year, but we need some other solid veteran bodies in there. Think of the 2008 Celtics roster which had lots of bench strength. BTW, I had Big Baby's massage therapist as a patient once. He said BB Glen Davis had the most toned musculature he had ever seen or felt.

no way...WHAT parts were they massaging?

thanks worcester for  bringing up about moves needed, most of you know I only need a little light to become the armchair GM and have lots of ideas that will never happen!!

with that said:

My top options for the off-season or playing the armchair GM

I will assume that Hayward opts into the final year of his deal at $34M. I would bring Kanter in and let him know that if he opts into his final year that I am planning on trading him. The point is for Kanter to opt out and pick his next team.
I bring in a vet former NBA HC to be Stevens top assistant next season.

Then before the draft I contact Atlanta and see if there is any interest in moving John Collins. Collins is the second best player on their roster , so there may not be much interest. However, he is on the final year of his contract next season. The Hawks also have Capela and Dedmon under contract as big men, in a league where a team typically only plays one big now (if that). Last year’s Lottery pick for Atlanta D. Hunter is a four in today’s NBA also.

IF the Hawks are interested I would be willing to send R. Langford, G. Williams along with #14 and #30 picks this year for Collins. That may not be enough, but if the Celtics first the next season gets it done, I would do that.

Assuming we can’t pry Collins and his expiring contract away from Atlanta and no other deals can be made before the draft, then I look to move up on draft day

right now the top 8 players in the draft are generally considered to be ( in some order)
 Anthony Edwards
 LeMelo Ball
James Wiseman
Deni Avdija
Obi Tobbin
Killian Hayes
O. Okongwu
Tyrese Haliburton

The guy I would want is Okongwu, so if he’s still on the board I offer all three first to move up or #14 and 26 plus Langford for the pick.  By draft day we may need to move up to 4 or 5 to get him.

Collins is my first option, with Okongwu my second in the off-season. Either one gives us that big man we need , though Collins will be ready to take us to the next level sooner of course, with the higher cost in assets and contract sooner being the price.

If either one of those players is brought in, we may not need much more moves in the off-season. Re-sign Wanamaker and use the MLE on the best spot up shooter who is a FA . Some players who may be available for the MLE next season could be, L. Galloway, M. Belinelli,  J. Holiday. F. Korkmaz.

All of the above are good 3 point shooters and could be used for instant offense off the bench.

With that said, my roster would be as follows:

Starters:
J. Collins
J. Tatum
J. Brown
M. Smart
K. Walker
Bench in order of playing time:
G. Hayward
D. Theis
L. Galloway or J. Holday
B, Wanamaker
R. Williams
Deep Bench:
S. Ojeleye – keeps his job one more year because we send out so many players/picks for Collins
V. Poirer
J. Green
T. Waters
Z. Nnaji- #30  pick in the draft.

This was when BB was on the Magic. Post game rubdowns, etc.

I once had a star Red Sox center fielder as a patient and was astounded by his muscle tone. i had never seen anything like it, ever. These pro athletes are a cut above the rest of us.

kdp59 wrote:thanks worcester for  bringing up about moves needed, most of you know I only need a little light to become the armchair GM and have lots of ideas that will never happen!!

with that said:

My top options for the off-season or playing the armchair GM

I will assume that Hayward opts into the final year of his deal at $34M. I would bring Kanter in and let him know that if he opts into his final year that I am planning on trading him. The point is for Kanter to opt out and pick his next team.
I bring in a vet former NBA HC to be Stevens top assistant next season.

Then before the draft I contact Atlanta and see if there is any interest in moving John Collins. Collins is the second best player on their roster , so there may not be much interest. However, he is on the final year of his contract next season. The Hawks also have Capela and Dedmon under contract as big men, in a league where a team typically only plays one big now (if that). Last year’s Lottery pick for Atlanta D. Hunter is a four in today’s NBA also.

IF the Hawks are interested I would be willing to send R. Langford, G. Williams along with #14 and #30 picks this year for Collins. That may not be enough, but if the Celtics first the next season gets it done, I would do that.

Assuming we can’t pry Collins and his expiring contract away from Atlanta and no other deals can be made before the draft, then I look to move up on draft day

right now the top 8 players in the draft are generally considered to be ( in some order)
 Anthony Edwards
 LeMelo Ball
James Wiseman
Deni Avdija
Obi Tobbin
Killian Hayes
O. Okongwu
Tyrese Haliburton

The guy I would want is Okongwu, so if he’s still on the board I offer all three first to move up or #14 and 26 plus Langford for the pick.  By draft day we may need to move up to 4 or 5 to get him.

Collins is my first option, with Okongwu my second in the off-season. Either one gives us that big man we need , though Collins will be ready to take us to the next level sooner of course, with the higher cost in assets and contract sooner being the price.

If either one of those players is brought in, we may not need much more moves in the off-season. Re-sign Wanamaker and use the MLE on the best spot up shooter who is a FA . Some players who may be available for the MLE next season could be, L. Galloway, M. Belinelli,  J. Holiday. F. Korkmaz.

All of the above are good 3 point shooters and could be used for instant offense off the bench.

With that said, my roster would be as follows:

Starters:
J. Collins
J. Tatum
J. Brown
M. Smart
K. Walker
Bench in order of playing time:
G. Hayward
D. Theis
L. Galloway or J. Holday
B, Wanamaker
R. Williams
Deep Bench:
S. Ojeleye – keeps his job one more year because we send out so many players/picks for Collins
V. Poirer
J. Green
T. Waters
Z. Nnaji- #30  pick in the draft.

kdp,

Collins is a 23 year old who puts up 20 and 10 and hits 3 pointers.
If Atlanta trades him, if would be for a huge offer, not another teams extra parts.

If I'm Boston I would build a package around Brown and try to acquire KAT from Minnesota.

TJ, I generally agree and I know that Collins is the second best player on that team now. So its un-likely (as I said  at the beginning things that will never happen).

however Collins will be a RFA after next season and will want a big contract, they have Capela also. The Hawks ARE the Hawks, so there is always that,

Langford (a #14 pick last year), Grant W, (a #22 pick last year I think), #14 pick this year , #30 this year and a first rounder next year. that's five first round picks in total , two of which are/were late lottery picks.

might not be enough, I agree. but then I would look at moving up on draft day using SOME of the same assets as above (but obviously not all).

Collins would allow the Celtics to possible take that next step next season, Okongwu would be a longer term improvement and maybe not move the needle next season by himself like Collins could.

I think Okongwu could be a better player in the end though.

kdp59 wrote:Doc River is looking for a job

so is D'Antoni

both the Van Gundys

pick one of them or whoever else you guys feel is such a better coach.

NONE. The only coach I’d consider replacing Brad with is Pop. I think/hoping Brad learned from all of this. Now, from this point on, side courses on his time are fine but as far as I’m concerned, school is out. Time to produce that thing we call a ring.

worcester wrote:Sam Mitchell

As an Assistant? Absolutely! Hey brings toughness.

kdp59 wrote:

worcester wrote:Sam Mitchell

is that the guy you want to replace Stevens next year?

of you just throwing another unemployed former HC name out there.

I just asked dboss in another thread what he thought about bringing Dave Joerger in as lead assistant on Stevens staff next season. I think something like that would be a solid move myself.

Why Joerger? He hasn’t done very much. There’s a whole lot of other guys out there with more cache’ then Joerger we could tab as an assistant.

dboss wrote:Can we just end all the chatter about Stevens being replaced?

He is not going anywhere.  He does not deserve to be fired.  The guy in the corner office is the one who has generated more successes and more failures than anyone else.  We have not had a complete team that fit together since our last true contending run.  That's over a decade ago.  Maybe it's time for Danny go.  Maybe it's not.

From my perspective this team had too many rookies on it and collectively their impact was a disaster.  Brad cannot be blamed for that.  Here is a stat to chew on.

Marcus Smart, our 5th leading scorer on this team scored more total points all season than all 7 of our rookies combined.  You want a number?  Marcus scored 776 total points and our 7 rookies scored a combined 704 points.  Danny Ainge drafted or signed, as Free Agents, all 7 of those guys.  Those 7 represent 41% of our 17 man (Including 2-way) roster.

They didn’t play