Celtics Begin Looking To Next Season
by Roy_Hobbs on May 18, 2009 10:32 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
Email
PrintNo doubt about it, the Celtics should be in for a busy off-season. As things settle down over the coming days and weeks, there will be plenty of time to figure out what went wrong, and how we should move into the future. In the meantime, let's look at some of the early thoughts from some of the Celtics free agents:
"I don't know... it's too early to know right now," said Davis. "I love Boston. It's a wonderful place. But if the opportunity is here, it's here. If it's somewhere else, it's somewhere else. I have to go where the opportunity is.
"I love it here, the city, the fans," said Davis. "The coaching staff has been a really important part of my game, helped me, first, as a player. This is my first start here, and I'm always going to have that Celtics pride. We won a championship here. I hope that it works out for the best."
Davis was then asked about the potential for the Celtics to get back to championship-caliber basketball next season, particularly if he was back in Boston, and he seemed to hint he'd even be OK resuming his role off the bench.
"Yeah, especially with my confidence coming off the bench, understanding the game even more," said Davis. "With Paul (Pierce), a hungrier Kevin (Garnett), it's going to be hard to beat us."
"I mean I love it here, I loved playing basketball here," said Marbury. "That's where I am right now... I don't know what my future holds. I"m just going to wait and see what the future holds."
“I would love to be here,” Moore said. “No doubt.” . . . Right now I’m like at a handicap. I came in late and haven’t been playing. My timing’s off. But just being able to concentrate on one playbook and one role and knowing how to play with each player, it’d help out a lot.
Gabe Pruitt is hoping the team picks up his option, and is looking forward to showing what he can do in summer league:
The Celtics have a team option on second-year guard Gabe Pruitt, who said he'd like to return.
... and Doc looks forward to KG's surgery, while explaining the team's thinking regarding KG's injury:
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the team was still hopeful Kevin Garnett could have returned had Boston advanced past the second round of the playoffs, but Rivers declined to give any definite timeline.
"You know, we were hoping," said Rivers. "Obviously I didn’t think it would happen. But someone asked me that today and clearly that’s why we didn’t do surgery. I think that was not a secret. I still didn’t think there was any chance of it to happen. If we had won this series, I can tell you there was no way he was going to play the next series. But, you know, as reported as one point he was going to do surgery. And then we decided well, why? Just fate, hope, you never know. So we were hoping. But we didn’t -- I didn’t think it was going to happen.”
Rivers said Garnett will eventually have surgery on his ailing knee."Yeah, he’ll get surgery eventually, him and, you know Leon [Powe] has had his already. But it’s no rush. His surgery is not going to be anything that’s going to take all summer."
For more, see Marc Spears writeup for ESPN. My quick thoughts? Obviously, our chances next year hinge primarily on KG. Let's hope his surgery is successful, and that he makes a full recovery by the start of next season.
In terms of our free agents, we need to get BBD back in the fold. He's proven that he can make a consistent impact in games, and he allows the Celts to do a lot of things offensively. Starbury showed me enough for me to want him back on a one-year near-minimum deal; let's see if he'll take something along those lines. I'd love to see Powe back, although the word is that he won't be playing until at least the all-star break. Lastly, let's hope that Eddie House picks up his player option and stays with the team.
In terms of the rest of our free agents, good riddance to Mikki Moore. I believe Gabe Pruitt's deal is only partially guaranteed for next season, as well, so I'd gladly show him his walking papers.
(As a preview of coming attractions, Jeff should have more on this topic later this morning.)
55 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
It's been mentioned in the news that ....
“Mikki Moore than OK with returning” …
For goodness’ sake, Danny, we are NOT OK with that!
I'm comfortable with Marbury and even Davis leaving
Marbury just hasn’t showed he’ll be able to recover his basketball ability. Plus, I don’t like the Marbury-House pairing – we need House 3 point shot, but he can’t play the 2, unless we sign a small guard like Jason Kidd. I’d let Pruitt walk and bring a cheap veteran like McIntyre (very good player who just needs a chance in the NBA) or a defensive minded youngster like DJ Strawberry to be the 3rd string.
Davis has probably priced himself out of Boston’s price range. I’m all for keeping as long as it doesn’t affect other signings – meaning as long as there are no budgetary restrictions. If signing Davis eats part of our exceptions – not technically, of course, but in terms of budget – I probably wouldn’t offer him more than LLE type of money, because I think there will be some big men free agents available for cheap this Summer.
Powe should be signed for a minimum salary 2 years deal, with the 2nd being a team option. I know you disagree, but I don’t see any team making him a better offer than this.
Moore… I’m still shocked by the discussions I had here when we signed him. There were people saying he was a better fit than Joe Smith or even a better player than Powe/Davis or that he was exactly what we needed, etc. etc. He has to go, no point on keeping him – plenty of min. salary players available that are better than him.
Tony Allen…. what do we need to do to get rid of his salary? Tony Allen + Pruitt + 2nd round pick+ money for Greg Buckner + Haddadi? Is this feasible?
Would rather house leaving
We need a backup PG, and I think marbury could still do that for 15 minutes a game.
house is an undersized 3PT shooting guard.
I'd like to see both Starbury and Eddie back...
Marbury is a “true” point guard, and can help the team. He’s better than just about any other free agent who is in our price range. As for Eddie, he’s proven his worth time and time again.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
house picking up his option
would be a big sigh of relief. to describe has as anything less than a bargain would be silly.
Well
House is a much better player than Marbury right now. And as long as we keep Rondo, we’ll need backup guards who can shoot the 3.
House is solid backup PG. I don’t think he has another position anyway. You either pair him with a point-forward or with a very tall PG, like Jason Kidd.
Everything...
…hinges on KG’s knee and his ability to make a “KG” impact next season…his salary dictates it.
The Celtics put all their eggs in one basket with the KG signing
It worked out great last year; not so much this year…but they’re on the hook now…gotta ride it out.
No choice.
So for the banner 18 run, it’s all about who they put around him.
- is in place, #20 is in place, #9 is in place.
Mikki can return if he has a steady diet of McDonald’s and Gold’s Gym.
Marbury can return, I’ve no issue with that…in a BACKUP role.
Tony Allen? Pruitt?
Now we’re just talking about stragglers…
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
huh...
formatting above took over, that’s supposed to say #35 is in place
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
BBD and Leon - unrestricted?
i heard both described as unrestricted this morning. i was under the impressioned both are restricted. can anyone be definaitive about this?
That's wrong...
They’re both restricted, if the team extends a qualifying offer. That’s likely in the case of BBD, and up in the air with Powe.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
thanks
heard tony masseroti call baby unrestricted this morning, and read spears calling powe un-re.
No problem
Rules on restricted free agency, ala Larry Coon:
Restricted free agency exists only on a limited basis. . . . [Restricted free agency] is allowed for all veteran free agents who have been in the league three or fewer seasons. … All other free agency is limited to unrestricted free agency.
In order to make their free agent a restricted free agent, a team must submit a qualifying offer to the player by June 30. . . . The qualifying offer for all other players must be for 125% of the player’s previous salary, or the player’s minimum salary plus $175,000, whichever is greater. The qualifying offer must be for one season. A player can elect to accept his qualifying offer (the qualifying offer must be accepted by March 1) and play the following season under its terms. This is sometimes done in order to become an unrestricted free agent the following summer.
http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q36
Assuming we extend BBD a qualifying offer, we can match any contract he receives, due to us having his "early Bird" rights.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Also...
If Tony Masseroti has shown anything since coming over to the Globe, it’s that he doesn’t have a clue about the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
agreed
hardly took his words for fact, but was a little confused when spears added that leon would be unrestricted. perhaps he was just reading into his situation post injury.
Yeah, I'm assuming so...
It’s pretty likely that Leon becomes unrestricted, since the Celts could probably resign him for a guaranteed minimum deal. Why commit to the qualifying offer, if you can sign him for cheaper than that?
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
of course
makes sense. but a little strange for the globe to report both as free agents without said explanation
scal & tony for posey
works on the trade machine. NO wants to cut salary and pose disappointed there. perhaps this isnt the deal but the combo of those two expiring salaries could bring back a good player from a team whose books are in the red.
For me, this is on Danny.
Since KG was going to get hurt, we couldn’t have won the title anyway, but the way the bench was so poorly constructed when the PP, KG, Ray window not open for very long was inexcuseable. They draft two players who rot on the bench, they pass on several big men who even the folks here knew could help(Chris Anderson), the wait through 2/3 of the season to pick up another back up guard and its a guy who hadn’t played in a year, they don’t sign Posey and they do nothing reasonable to replace him. It was unbelievable.
Can't agree
I think you’re overlooking the rest of the team’s injuries. Plan for the year was:
Perk / BBD
KG / Powe
Pierce
Allen
Rondo
With Scal, Tony, and House being used tactically depending on who the other team was. They added Marbury for nothing to sure up the roster, but both Scal and Tony were both injured for signifigant periods, which forced them to play Pierce and Ray too much. Beyond that KG being out puts a lot of extra stress on Pierce and Allen anyways. I do agree Giddens and Walker contributed nothing, but its not clear that was a bad move, DA tried to bring in enough Wings that one might break through. He also tried to sign Maggette and Posey, but both got contracts that over paid – good for those players, but bad for the C’s.
Time to get that surgery, KG...
How about today?
I hope that BBD and Starbury sign a new contract with Boston
Multiple years for Big Baby, and one year for Marbury. They enjoy their time in Beantown so I truly hope that Marbury’s future “holds” in Boston. With a summer camp and a full season under his belt he will be a tremendous player off the bench, and he seems to have accepted his role. Plus, I don’t think he will attract many teams this summer.
We must re-sign Big Baby, it’s our priority, especially when you consider that he is OK to return to the bench (probably as the 6th man). And I’m sure Eddie won’t leave us like Posey did.
I loved Mikki’s journey with us, even though he didn’t help us basketball wise, I thought he was truly part of this team, and I’m disappointed because he’ll leave Boston but we need more effective players if we want to win a championship. Good luck to him!
Why..
.. do we must to sign Davis? If signing Davis prevents us from signing another free-agents due to fiscal restraints it may be wise to let him walk. Say you have to opt between signing Davis or Grant Hill and Brian Skinner. What would you do?
How do you know that after the Summer training camp, Marbury will be a “tremedous” player off the bench? Wasn’t he supposed to be that player this season already after “a month to shake the rust”? I’m not saying he won’t be much better next season, I only think it’s far from a given.
I tend to agree...
I want BBD back, but I don’t know what Danny’s budget is. If it comes down to BBD or, say, Grant Hill and Antonio McDyess, then I’d take option #2. Hopefully, though, the Celtics determine thatsolidifying our championship hopes is worth an additional $5 million or so in the short-term, while allowing us to keep a decent player in the long run.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Seconded
He’s shown a real skill level and ability to play both PF and C. He also has a chance to be a decent player on the team down the road. But if signing him precludes filling out the rest of the bench with enough talent to win, that’s a mistake. Especially since they can probably get Powe ready by playoff off time and he’ll cost them next to nothing (two year deal, with team option near the minimum for the first two and a bump for the option year).
Confirmation that the Celts have an option on Gabe...
The Celtics have a team option on second-year guard Gabe Pruitt, who said he’d like to return.
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/05/18/two_of_three_not_enough/
Goodbye, Gabe.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Ideal play out
The big waste of Roster is the T. Allen/Giddens/Walker/Pruitt group – four roster spots 5 million-ish in salary and no value.
House and Marbury are fine. Marbury can be the backup Guard and House can be a reserve guard / shooting specialist. Plenty of teams, including CLE and at times LAL go small enough in the backcourt and allow them to play side by side, and Marbury does a real nice job collapsing with dribble penetration and kicking to an open House. Also I expect Rondo to play more and more minutes.
Assuming a resigning of Marbury and cleaning out the bad wing log jam, we’d be looking at something like:
Perk
KG / Scal
Pierce
Ray / House
Rondo / Marbury
If they could get Sheed and Hill, and resign Powe on the cheap, they’d have a nice cast that would look like:
Perk, KG, Pierce, Ray, Rondo – still the best starting 5 in hoops
Sheed, Hill, Marbury – veteran backups that can still perform their roles, with not too much drop off from starters
Powe, Scal, T. Allen, House – decent reserves who can accept smaller roles, but still do one or two things well.
I don't see why anyone would want to sign Powe.
He can’t help this team until late next season and he might not be effective even then. I think it’s a waste to use a roster spot on him.
I don't fully disagree
To sign him to a 1 year contract doesn’t make much sense unless the information they got from the doctors was very optimistic.
OTOH, I’d want to sign him to a 1+1 contract. If he recovers and keep his effectiveness, he’d be a huge bargain to have in the following season.
Powe's effectiveness
he’s come back from this before and he was highly effective each of the last two years… with NBA medical staff, I can’t see him not making a full recovery.
bringing back powe
if the celtics had powe for the series they would have beat orlando he would have done a better job than davis and scal on lewis the celtics are loyal to there players powe will get a contract that is fair for his injury to his knee any way who is out there to replace him not so many that the celts can afford…..
Cordobes, I agree that BBD is not a priority...
.. if it prevents the Celtics from signing other quality players for the bench. But if we can re-sign him and other quality players, just do it, because he’s shown us how good he is, and he would be great for the offense of our second unit.
I also want us to sign McDyess but I would certainly not sign Grant Hill over Big Baby because of Hill’s health (even though he played 82 games for the first time in his career this season).
I'd like to see Ray Allen as our 6th Man next season
FWIW….. i think it would leave him fresher for the playoffs and more importantly would let us get a bigger defensive-minded SG in the starting lineup (someone like a Dahntay Jones or Quinton Ross).
by Gainesville Celtic on May 18, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions
Can we afford to have two guards that can't shoot in the starting lineup?
I like Ross, but I’m not sure that he’s a great fit with Rondo. There’d be very little floor spacing.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
agreed
Can’t afford to start 2 guards that can’t shoot. need a really ‘shooting’ guard at the 2 spot.
I totally agree with you Gainseville Celtic. I started a Fan Post on this very topic but I was very much in the minority that Ray should come off the bench. Then, after we lost Game 7, the mantra of many on here was to trade Ray. We need a bigger guard next to Rondo who can play D and score. Someone like Michale Pietrus who killed us last series. He played excellent defense on Ray and made some key shots in Game 7.
Wasn't your idea to play BBD at the 3?
There were various reasons your fan post was criticized; it wasn’t solely because you wanted to bring Ray off the bench. Also, those advocating trading Ray generally still respect him as a player, but want to use him to ultimately extend our window.
I don’t think we need a bigger guard to play with Rondo. Frankly, I think Ray is a perfect complement. I do agree, though, that we could use another dynamic swingman on the team, to spell both Ray and Pierce at times.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Leon's got to go.
We can’t take chances this late in the game. BBD stays and hopefully we’ll be able to get a shot at a FA. We need next years “Posey” type bad. Sorry Mikki, you didn’t cut it.
If the Cowboys could only play like a team with passion and unity like my beloved
Boston Celtics, I would be happy.
by Captain Comeback on May 18, 2009 4:16 PM EDT reply actions
celtics offseason
this team is still in good shape just some fine tuning over the summer i think davis and powe should get contracts plus they need a backup center for perk i dont see why they cant get back to the finals next season as long as garnett is healthy thanks for another great season celtics we just ran out of gas ……..
Trade Ray Allen's expiring contract
Let’s see how the season unfolds, but if things are cruising along nicely at the deadline, RA has a big, fat expiring contract that I’m sure a few teams would like.
Why?
If we’re “cruising along”, why would you break up the team to trade Ray at that point and disrupt the ‘cruising’? Makes no sense.
If the team is having difficulties, and moving Ray might solve them, that may be worth considering but I doubt he goes anywhere unless the team is heading for lottery land due to injuries.
Hopefully this is based on more than a couple of playoff games?
Ray is a much better player, on both ends of the court.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Ray
I love Ray. He’s one of my favorite players, but defensively he’s not a whole lot better than Eddie. He really can’t guard anyone at this stage of the game that I can see. On the other hand, he’s got the type of game, a la Reggie Miller that could keep him in the NBA up till age 40 assuming he would accept a lesser role at some point.
He’s a key part of this team next season and hopefully beyond if they can figure out a way to keep him.
Statistically...
Ray was a very good defender last year, for the second year in a row. I don’t see much evidence that he’s been a poor defender with the Celts.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Going by what I see
Roy, can you post a link to the numbers that support what you say? Every time I looked up in the playoffs, it seemed like someone was going by him…..more so in the Chicago series, but I’ve considered him a weak defender all season long.
The reason Chicago gave them so much trouble was the C’s being unable to guard the Bulls backcourt and Ray was the main guy getting lit up by Gordon, though he certainly gave nearly as much as he took.
The numbers:
http://www.82games.com/0809/08BOS6.HTM#bypos
and
http://www.82games.com/0708/07BOS6C.HTM
Opposing shooting guards haven’t been very effective at all the past two seasons when Ray has been in the game. A “PER” of 15 is the average (including all players, starter and bench); Ray’s man has been below 13.0 both seasons, which is phenomenal.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Chris Paul is recruiting J.R. Smith to the Clippers
- Video: ‘Where in the World is Nikola Pekovic?’
- Jeremy Lin’s teammate snaps a picture of his famous couch
- Dwight Howard picks a strange time to ask for more fourth-quarter shots
- Spike Lee texts to thank the coach that cut Jeremy Lin before seeing him play
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
