NBA Blog Previews: Boston Celtics

by Jeff Clark on Oct 20, 2011 5:39 AM EDT in NBA Previews

Team Name: Boston Celtics
Last Year's Record: 56-26
Key Free Agents: Jeff Green, Big Baby, Delonte West
Team Needs: Centers, depth everywhere

1. What are your team's biggest needs this offseason?

Let's start with the Center position. I've actually been quite pleased with Jermaine O'Neal when he's been on the floor. But counting on him for 82 games (or 70 or 50 or whatever) is like counting on the players and owners to think of the fans first. Shaq retired to pursue Shaq things and Nenad Krstic has moved on to Dancing With the Russian All Stars. I don't consider us to be players in the big name free agent sweepstakes because that would financially eliminate us from the Dwight sweepstakes of next year. So we'll probably be shopping in the bargain bin but if Danny can pull a seven foot rabbit out of a hat via trade, more power to him.

Beyond that, we need depth everywhere and perhaps a few young, developing players that might actually stick around after the Big 3 shuffle off. But first things first. The team needs to once again build around the core group for one more run at the title. So it would be nice if Delonte West, Jeff Green, and Big Baby would all agree to one year deals (perhaps with team options for a 2nd year for some of them)

2. What are the team's biggest strengths & weaknesses? (so far)

Strengths: You may have heard of guys named Pierce, Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rondo. They have continuity with the core group and one of the best defenses (when properly motivated) anywhere.

Weaknesses: Age, injury, and inability to handle back-to-backs come to mind. Lack of continuity with the reserves also seems to be a recurring issue.

Opportunities: Just get this team to the playoffs in one piece and let the chips fall where they may.

Threats: The Heat and Bulls are good and young and getting better. The Magic are looking to give Dwight reasons to stay. The East is as tough as ever. Oh yeah, and there's that whole possibility that the season might be cancelled. That might put a damper on the team's chances for a banner.

3. If there is no season in 2011-12, how is your team set up for 2012?

Danny has lined things up to maximize his cap flexibility for 2012. He'll have Rondo, Pierce, the rookies, and a lot of cap room to play with (assuming he sticks to script and doesn't sign anyone to a large, long term deal this offseason).

They'll obviously be aggressive for Dwight Howard but even if they come up short, cap flexibility puts you in a good position to make moves to set you up for the future. As long as they don't waste it like the Pistons did a few years back on Gordon and Charlie V. An added bonus is being able to take back more salary in trades. Amnesty or no amnesty, there will be owners of other teams that won't want to pay the new super tax (if it is included in the new CBA) that will be happy to dump salary in a bad way.

And if all else fails, just bring KG and Allen back for another year and try again in 2013.

4. If you could make one change the NBA's new CBA, what would it be?

Eliminate the need to match salaries in trades. I hate this rule because it is so inherently unintuitive. I don't see why you can't just let a team manage their own payroll. If they make a trade to put themselves over the cap or tax threshold, they pay the price in penalties. There shouldn't be a need to toss in random players to "make the dollars work." Keith Van Horn shouldn't be pulled off his Lay-Z Boy, inked to a multi-million dollar contract, traded, and then thanked for his time and sent home (although I'm available if anyone wants to do that with me). Enough already. Death to the Trade Machine!

5. Do the Celtics have a legit chance to win a title this year?

I believe so, yes. It is probably the smallest chance they've had since the Big 3 were brought together, but I'll never count this team out in the playoffs. They need a lot of help to get them to the playoffs and it isn't clear where that help will come from, but if things fall right and we can stay relatively healthy, I'll take my chances against anyone.

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Comments

Finally!

A team I care about!

…I hate the lockout.

by green18, 19, 20... on Oct 20, 2011 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

If there is a season...

Assuming the C’s go with the core this season and Ainge does not blow it up to start rebuilding the club…

I think regarding the C’s roster and what they have to do this year to make a run for a title this year:

The 1st priority is for the core of Rondo, Allen, J.O , KG and Pierce and to remain healthy, and not breakdown.

The 2nd priority is to structure the bench with depth, talent, a mix of veteran and young athletic players and to make sure players acquired have short term, low cost contracts so the C’s will have financial flexibility next season.

My preference to attain the above goal would be to see the C’s bench make up look something like this:

To sign Delonte (to a 1 yr. low cost deal) and allow him and Bradley to allow both of them (who are combo guards) and Moore to offer depth and athleticism at the guard positions.

To sign Green (at the right price) and Deshawn Simms (to a 1 yr. low cost deal) to offer depth and athleticism behind Pierce at the small forward position.

To see Baby moved ( possibly in a sign and trade to help the C’s acquire a draft pick or another player to better help the C’s either this year or long term)
Then to see J.J. and veterans like Troy Murphy and Stephen Lasme (signed to a 1 yr. low cost deals) to offer length, depth and athleticism behind KG at the power forward position.

Id like to then see the C’s sign 2 veteran centers (to 1 yr. low cost deals) like Thomas, Battie, Pryzibilla maybe etc. to offer back up depth and insurance behind J.O. at the center position.

I think having a bench make up of the above mix of veteran (playoff tested) and young (athletic) players would be a good mix playing behind the starting 5 and would make the C’s a contending team this season.

Though I would prefer the above players fill out the bench, it will be interesting to see if this lock out ends who Ainge will actually acquire to fill out the bench, because the bench when all is said and done will probably play a big role (especially with the starters minutes probably going to be reduced) on how good a club and how far the C’s will go this season.

by fordescort on Oct 20, 2011 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

There would be no purpose in a sign and trade for big baby. He’s a free agent and PROBABLY won’t get a six year deal. He would be 450 lbs by the end.

Would love to see Delonte and Marquis back. Delonte will want, and should get, more than a one year deal though (prob 2yr). I would rather they sign a high rebound PF that could back up both JO and KG than a bum center.

by Tommypointz on Oct 20, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Contenders?

Get real!

The glaring weakness at center alone eliminates any chance of the Celtics contending this coming year.

Start the campaign to sign Dwight immediately!

by Title 18 on Oct 20, 2011 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Slightly Disagree w/Title 18

You could be right about the center position, but I think, if healthy JO is still a solid defender and rebounder he and can score a little – probably won’t play 82 games. There are also big guy available to fill out the roster to add depth. Also, I wouldn’t mind seeing KG play some backup Center – he’d be a nightmare matchup for most backup centers. This is especially true if Doc plays KG in 5-6 mins spurts as he’s talked about doing. The key is we do have the Big 3 and Rondo, that’s not bad.

I think much of the season, if there is one, rests on Jeff Green being the player Danny thought he was trading for. And the Jeff Green that played in OKC, not in Boston. Personnally, I’m not giving up on him after 35+/- games. I think the guy can play and will be show that this season.

by badax33 on Oct 20, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

If they could package Green in a trade...

For someone capable of doing some “serious defensive & rebounding damage” in the paint, that would significantly catapult the Celts!

In the meantime, “Old & Fragile” is not a recipe for championships.

by Title 18 on Oct 20, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I really like the idea of trading Green for a big. He’s too much of a commodity to ride the bench behind Pierce and I don’t like the idea of playing him at 4.

by Tommypointz on Oct 20, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

6'7"

Is it just me or is there no way Paul Pierce is 6’7". Or is this picture just an optical illusion.

by Phil125 on Oct 20, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

He's 6'7 in basketball shoes,

which typically adds about 1.5 inches to your barefoot height. The picture seems about right. He’s 2 inches taller than Ray. 6 inches taller than Rondo and 4 inches shorter than KG. Rondo looks a little taller because he’s standing closer to the camera.

by Yogesh Raghunathan on Oct 20, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

My Suggestions

I think the biggest problem facing Danny in filling out the roster is maintaining Cap Space for next year. My suggestions add physicality, depth and possible young/athletic players at a bargain basement price.

Young/Athletic
Al Thorton
Shawne Williams (scares me too)
Brandan Wright
I’d be happy with 1 for min salary 2/2-3M

Resign DWest +1 Michael Redd, Roger Mason, or Jason Kopona – Shooting

1 = Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker or S. Battier (pie in the sky) – Defense

1 = Craig Smith, Josh Powell, Kris Humphrey (probably pie in the sky) – Physical

1 or 2 = Jeff Foster, Etan Thomas, Jason Collins, Aaron Gray – Physical

by badax33 on Oct 20, 2011 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

Even tho they cant afford some of these players this year , this is my list of the best talents out there -

Celtics Roster -

Starters -

PG – 9 Rajon Rondo
SG – 20 Ray Allen
SF – 34 Paul Pierce
PF – 5 Kevin Garnett
C – 7 Jermaine O’Neal

Bench -

PG – 0 Avery Bradley
PF – 12 Jajuan Johnson
SG – 55 E’Twaun Moore

Top 5 Free Agents ( By Position )

PG -
. 11 Jose Juan Barea
. 3 Rodney Stuckey
. 0 Aaron Brooks
. 13 Delonte West
. 15 Mario Chalmers
. ( 5 T.J. Ford )

SG -
. 11 Jamal Crawford
. 23 Jason Richardson
. 1 Tracy McGrady
. 6 Shannon Brown
. 6 Arron Afflalo
. ( 22 Michael Redd )

SF -
. 22 Tayshaun Prince
. 4 Caron Butler
. 8 Jeff Green
. 47 Andrei Kirilenko
. 33 Grant Hill
. ( 31 Shane Battier )

PF -
. 30 David West
. 43 Kris Humphries
. 24 Carl Landry
. 11 Glen Davis
. 30 Reggie Evans
. ( 31 Yi Jianlian )

C -
. 6 Tyson Chandler
. 31 Nene Hilario
. 33 Marc Gasol
. 9 DeAndre Jordan
. 10 Samuel Dalembert
. ( 52 Greg Oden )

by fRANKZILa 2 1 on Oct 20, 2011 1:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Good pull frankzilla

I think Danny and Doc could do some good with some of those players listed. I believe the Celtics still have some gas left in the tank to make another run at banner 18. I’m to gonna cynical like some, but if Danny can get some talent to back up the core and most importantly stay healthy I like the C’s chances.

by KWW on Oct 20, 2011 2:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions