POST GAME MIAMI GAME #7

Love this team.

Heart, Class, Desire, Friendship. Win or lose they represent all that is good with the Boston Celtics.

Enjoy the off season. Go Perk and OKC.

In hindsight the Perk trade cost us two appearances in the Finals if not two championships. We got absolutely nothing out of the Perk trade and lost continuity last year. This is not to recriminate Danny. He's been a great GM but missed big time on the Perk trade. Let's hope he wins big this summer. We've been SO close and played so well as a team despite enormous adversity related to injuries. Win, lose , or draw the Celts are still VERY MUCH my favorite team to watch.

The Heat had too much talent for us to overcome this year, though we came DAMN close. With a few added increments we could be the team to beat in 2012-13.

Keep KG absolutely, my only advice to Danny.

BobH,

Good rundown. As you know, I tend to look at this sort of thing by first determining what team system I think will work best and, only then, conjecturing about which available players (or player types) will best lend themselves to that system.

The only appropriate starting point is to recognize how fortunate we were, this year, to be fans of one of the grittiest teams in Celtics history. In times of adversity, they were superb grinders. I’m convinced that their togetherness and determination were intangibles that took them much farther than their physical condition warranted. For me, the privilege of liking this team so much actually helps to soften the blow of their eventual departure from the playoffs. And, when the final buzzer sounded on their season, I didn’t waste one second of remorse. The way I handle such things is to begin instantly to look forward. So let’s look forward.

Defensive Identity

Ever since Tom Thibodeau came on the scene, I believe the identity of the Celtics has been predicated on their defensive excellence. Even several players not noted for their defensive skills have been able to function satisfactorily in the Celtics’ team defensive scheme featuring rotations, “showing” and help. I was afraid, when Thibs left, that the defensive intensity might depart with him. Not so. Doc and his staff have been able to perpetuate the team’s ability to get stops when they needed them (with some exceptions, such as in the most recent game when they just plain ran out of gas).

I expect the team’s signature to remain its defense, almost regardless of who plays for them because the system—to say nothing of the coaches who teach it—will not permit nothing less. Even if their defense occasionally flames out, it seems that the coaches have the ability to reignite it in short order. Of course, it will always be important to avoid players who are defensive liabilities. But my first priority, in looking to the future, will involve the offense.

The Offense: A Tale of Two Directions

During the Rome training camp prior to the 2007-08 championship run, Doc put the offense squarely in the hands of the Three Amigos. We were all fortunate that they left their individual egos at the door and arrived at a collaboration that led to a championship. We were equally fortunate that Rondo’s role, while certainly important, was complementary in nature. In other words, he proved more than adequate in accommodating the tone set by the Amigos, but he didn’t try to impose his will to an inordinate degree.

Since that season, Rondo’s imprint on the team has expanded hugely to the point where the prevailing wisdom is that this is now his team. While that may be philosophically true, I’m not at all sure it plays out that way on the floor. The Amigos have always favored a deliberate, half court offensive approach, while switching to an up-tempo style opportunistically; and this tendency has been reinforced with the passage of time. Rondo has possessed sufficient playmaking skills to accommodate the Amigos’ halfcourt orientation; in fact, he has expanded greatly on that ability as the years have passed.

But we all know that Rondo has a latent passion and an amazing facility for up-tempo basketball. In the best of all worlds, his priority would be to run first and default to half court basketball when necessary. It just so happens that this is the style favored by the two teams that remain standing in the playoffs as well as another team (the Bulls) that would have contended fiercely if their main catalyst had not gone down. It also tends to be the style of younger teams who have the legs and who are not yet mature enough to have very efficient halfcourt offenses. Considering these facts and the tendency for athleticism in general to be increasingly prominent in pro basketball, I believe the Celtics offensive system needs to be predicated on energy first and shooting efficiency second.

I freely admit that I’m heavily influenced by having cut my basketball fan teeth on a diet of dominating defense, withering fast breaks that debilitated opponents, with efficient halfcourt basketball as a default. In my estimation, there has been too much predictable halfcourt play while the Celtics are not taking maximum advantage of their primary catalyst because Rondo’s transition skills are under-utilized. This leads me to my model for the near-future.

First Unit—Early Achievers

I foresee a starting unit built to set a blistering pace out of the box and creating early cushions that will suck the energy out of opponent by making them play catchup. Such a starting unit would need a playmaking catalyst (Rondo), athletic teammates, and strong defensive rebounding to ignite the break.

I believe that, with reduced minutes, KG could be the center on such a team for at least another year. In the running game, he could beat other centers down the floor, or he could serve as an excellent trailer. But he would need a rebounding and defensive stud beside him at PF. This person would be my primary draft goal. And I’m not talking about someone who has good skills but is undersized. Bass fits that description perfectly, and I want him on my bench (see below). PF will have to be a strong rebounding position in my model, because it’s essential to the fast break. So I’d be looking for a PF who’s at least 6’ 10” without sneakers, hopefully has a good wingspan, has very good hands, and is mobile. He wouldn’t have to be all that great a shooter, although it would be nice if he can hit his freebies.

I actually flirted with putting Jeff Green at SF on the starting unit because of his athleticism as part of an up-tempo game. It’s entirely conceivable that, depending on the number of skills Jeff shows, he might end the season having replaced Paul on the starting team. On my starting unit, Paul is arguably the weak link because he’s not an athletic wing player. But, at the outset of the season, I find it necessary to concede some athleticism to take advantage of Paul’s veteran savvy, ability to create his own shot, presence that spreads the floor, and ability at point forward if needed. I don’t believe Paul can penetrate as he used to, and I’d like the penetration to come more from the guard positions. Paul’s perimeter game would become a more prominent part of his role in my model because my first team doesn’t include Ray.

Avery Bradley gets my nod as starting SG because of (1) his incredible defensive skills, (2) his rapidly improving shooting prowess, (3) his athleticism in being an integral part of the fast break, (4) his ability to disrupt opposing guards—even taller ones—on defense, and (5) the fact that he penetrates well and gives the team a lot of motion on offense, although I’d like him to spend the summer (maybe in the summer leagues) working to improve his handle. I’m just one of many who really appreciates the apparent synergy between Rondo and Avery. Despite Avery’s improvement in shooting from the perimeter, I wouldn’t want to count on him to space the floor, which is why that element in Paul’s game assumes great important.

Rondo at PG. Any questions? I thought not.

The Bench: Firepower, Inc.

My bench wouldn’t necessarily enter the game as a unit, as I believe Doc has gotten away from that tactic. The bench wouldn’t have the athleticism of the starting unit, but would become known for its instant offense.

A long rebounding stud would be my center. (Bare minimum 250 pounds but with agility.) It’s possible that Greg Stiemsma would qualify, but he’d have to become tougher and nastier under the boards as well as continuing to develop better hands. I think he’s done an admirable job in becoming more savvy and more active (especially considering his foot problems) in his defensive play. My guess, though, would be that I’d focus both of my first round picks on long, mobile bruisers. By the way, Chris Wilcox could be a very good addition if he's healthy. However, I would look at him as a stopgap backup center and would still want to have young stud (as described above) on board and learning the ropes.

Brandon Bass would be my bench PF. He seems not to complain about much of anything, and I’d hope that an opportunity to become a trusted hired gun on of the bench would appeal to him. I think he did a very consistent job on the starting unit this season, but I want more length up front among the starters to get the boards and start the break.

Jeff Green would be my SF off the bench. As I said earlier, he could potentially swap places with Paul Pierce to add athleticism to the transition game as the season progresses. (I have no idea how that would sit with Paul Pierce, but it could become the best thing for the team depending on Jeff’s performance.)

Ray would be my SG off the bench. He’d be the primary floor spacer and a major sharpshooter for this unit. But, in light of his recent injury situation, his possible health susceptibility over time, and looking toward the future, my primary free agent push would be for a lights out shooting wing. It seems as though almost every contender has a bench who’s reliably red hot almost every time he enters the game. I think we need one of those not only for the bench but also for situational matchups. Moore should get plenty of opportunity to prove himself, which is why I’d prefer to get a free agent shooter who can play either SF or SG.

I’d try to get a free agent Brevin Knight, shoot first, retread type (not Brevin himself) as my backup PG. Rondo’s the only PG on the Celtics who really has a strong facility for running a team.

Complementary Players

A good basketball team always needs reliable “utility players” (to borrow a baseball term). Filling out the roster wouldn’t be difficult. I could make cases for retaining the specialized talents of Dooling, Pietrus, Pavlovic and even Sean Williams. I’m not a fan of Johnson’s slight frame, but he’s supposed to be a good defender, and miracles have happened.

In Summary

My overall objective would be to put together an attacking starting unit that would propel the Celtics to early leads with the complementary objective of forcing opponents into fatiguing attempts to play catchup. My next objective would be to construct a second unit that would have sufficient firepower continue or expand the offensive onslaught against secondary players of opponents. My ongoing assumption would be that the Celtics’ defensive system would almost automatically make both units effective on the defensive end. And, finally, through free agency and/or the draft, I’d look for help at starting PF (big bruiser), backup C (big bruiser) and wing (lights out shooter). (I think high quality, free agent wings who are not over-the-hill retreads are more available than high quality, free agent big men.) I’m not a huge fan of trades because of their inherent principle of giving up as much as you get. So any trades would either have to be blockbusters, yielding a “can’t refuse” foundation for the team, or minor tweaking. In the back of my mind, throughout this process, has been the need to strive for a roster of interchangeable players in order to guard against health and foul contingencies.

Go Celtics in 2012-13!

Sam

worcester wrote:In hindsight thew Perk trade cost us two appearances in the Finals if not two championships. We got absolutely nothing out of the Perk trade and lost continuity last year. This is not to recriminate Danny. He's been a great GM but missed big time on the Perk trade. Let's hope he wins big this summer. We've been SO close and played so well as a team despite enormous adversity related to injuries. Win, lose , or draw the Celts are still VERY MUCH my favorite team to watch.

The Heat had too much talent for us to overcome this year, though we can DAMN close. With a few added increments we could be the team to beat in 2012-13.

Keep KG absolutely, my only advice to Danny.

I feel you worse, you know how many times I thought that of the whole Perk fiasco.....many posters here are we can't live in the past, time to move forward. Well we didn't get enough depth or offense to make up for all the defense and toughness we lost last year. When Bron would drive right in front of Krstic and just shoot it over him in his face it made me cringe, then my NY hoop friends would ask me why did they trade Perk? all of em said BAD MOVE. The discontinuity we could never overcome, if we had kept Perk I think Sasha could have done a servicable job playin D and giving Pierce a breather. With Perk and KG and JON giving them a breather we would have had enough fearsome BIGS and fouls to force Heat into taking enough jumpers just like Mavs did with Tyson Chandler.
Now we need to get a young big with bulk and length, like Sam says that can defend and rebound.....if Jeff Green comes back he better be great. I think Perk was the final piece that Thunder needed to get over the hump to their level, great job Danny thats 2 championship teams he built up besides us, Pistons and Thunder.

Cow, Pistons?

Ainge was responsible for some trade that enabled the Pistons to acquire Rasheed Wallace.

Can I assume that this thread has outlived it's usefulness as we move into the off season?

Seeing great stuff from Celtics fans. At the end of th he Bird we had little to look, forward to but now we are almost rebuilt.

Watching okc and heat.

Grudgingly,

Dboss go Perk