Our Best Hope For Banner 18, ...Jeff Green?

Such optimism Jeff – have you morphed into the Po-dizzle?

I’m playing Jeff. Yes, I read it.

But, somehow the title just didn’t jump out with excited optimism. IMHO. I think this bench s something to pin our hopes into, not Reggie Lewis Lite.

He either proves himself or we let him walk after the year.

BTW, he was missing from today’s practice. with no excuse.

I thought I was reading The Onion for a second there.

rondo has a very big chip on his shoulder because of the paul fiasco and the fact that rose has already moved past him in terms of talent and maybe in terms of how many rings each one has.

plus your also forgetting our two rookies, i have a feeling doc is going to play them this year.

I think he just signed.

not.
a.
playoff.
team.

Really need a combo guard. Our guard situation is frightening.
Crossing my fingers for Delonte. I’d welcome AI too.

we pretty much know what to expect from the Big 3

what does everyone think of Rudy Fernandez ? -a nice backup for Ray
It seems to me we need scoring off the bench; if KG does play some center, we should be covered there.

I finally decided to chime in. An Oklahoma resident my entire life, graduate of Oklahoma State and Boston Celtics fan as long as I can remember (I’d take Bird first in any draft of all-time greats), I winced at the criticism of Tony Allen, thinking, “Yeah, he’s a knucklehead, but they’ll appreciate him one day,” rolled my eyes when Danny drafted J.R. Giddens (as a former coach here in OK, I’d seen and heard enough of him to anticipate he’d bust), and, although I understood some of the criticism of Jeff Green, don’t agree with the vast majority that he won’t benefit the team. I’ll admit that my first reaction to the trade of Perkins was, “Nooooo!”, but I’ve seen Green play plenty for the Thunder, and even being the third best player, he had plenty of moments that showed he could be more than just a nice filler. So, now I’ll put my money where my mouth is and say (write?) that I anticipate everyone will be pleasantly surprised by his contributions this year. Love this site, love the positive attitudes, love the objectivity and appreciation of everyone’s opinions, and Jeff, I think you’re one heckuva writer. Thank you for allowing me to ramble. Can’t wait to wear my Celtics 18th banner t-shirt in July.

Every team in the NBA can only dream of the chemistry the celtics have maintained. Look @ the east: the heat can’t win a title w/o Pat at the helm; the Knicks are Dallas 5 years ago; the bulls are great with rose but if you double him who’s left, boozer???? If you add the experience of the big three, the motor of RR and some extremely hungry players, you get a championship team.

And all we need out of Jeff Green is a James Posey contribution and that is very much within the capacity of this young player. The C’s were smart. Green for one year to see if he loses the “deer in headlights” look he had last year. That can happen joining a team and city like this. If his game approaches his gifts we’ll have the money to extend then.

I don’t know Dooling’s game but if Danny says so! I like Daniels, Pavlovic and have some faith in Bradley (Talk about deer in headlights last year).

i thik Jermaine O’Neal is the biggest swing piece – he swings healthy we are tough. He swings unhealthy and we struggle in post.

for next season. Let’s be real. Miami and Chicago are better, and Knicks are probably even with us. This is not going to be fun.

But he won’t be the difference maker. The big 4 would still dictate the destiny of the ballclub. Still, I don’t think last year’s issue of having those scoring droughts were addressed with the line up we have right now. We still don’t have someone who can break down the defense and make a play when Pierce is unable to do so. And he is getting up in years so those ISOs for Paul and being able to score will not be as often.

I think Green is going to be fine and folks are going to be pleasantly surprised.

But our “best hope” lies squarely on health. We have been atrociously unlucky in the health department the last 3 years.

If our bench can stay healthy and actually contribute positive net points, then that alone will be a fantastic upgrade over last year, when our bench was basically in the infirmary.

If this team avoids any major injuries and can hit the playoffs healthy, then they have just as much chance at a title as any other team in the NBA.

But Forsberg on espn is saying Danny already used it on Wilcox. So there is no major money left, right?

Wow! Is he worth that? I have a feeling only the Cs were willing to spend that much on him. Wasn’t he earning the minimum in Detroit last season? Looks to me like a waste of money.

I do agree #1 is the big 4’s health. But Jeff Green will be key to a deep playoff run. I actually love the idea of him maybe starting and having Pierce come off the bench. Imagine what Pierce would do to the other teams second team. Last year that was our downfall the second units input. This would also keep Pierce"s minutes down and keep pressure off of Green with the first unit. ANY THOUGHTs?

In the playoffs last year, the way I remember it the Celtics were not at all overmatched by Miami before Rondo was injured. After that the comparison means little for this year. That series was very up for grabs with a healthy Rondo the way I remember it.

I think I like the bench Danny has formed for this year. Green and Bass give them a great combination of youth, athleticism and experience, that should allow them to keep Pierce and KG strong for the playoffs if they stay healthy. Daniels if back to form, gives Doc more depth and flexibility off the bench. I think Jermaine is needed for 25 or so minutes per game and Wilcox and Stiemsma may be able to give them the defense and rebounding they need for the other 20 or so. The concern is that the 3 aging stars all stayed pretty healthy last year, so doing that again may be fighting the odds.

As for Jeff Green he should be a more comfortable member and contributor to the team and the Celts better at using him this year with a training camp, even a short one. And he should be pretty happy with his contract and very motivated.

Bradley, Dooling and Daniels will all likely contribute more than those spots did last year. Daniels and Dooling should be able to surpass waht Daniels and Delonte did last year, since Delonte was out almost all season and Daniels lost after looking quite good early. I did like what Delonte did when healthy. I’m very glad they kept Bradley because I think he is far more ready to contribute this year based on his end of season showings last year and he still has not even had a training camp or a summer league. The upside for him is high.

There’s enough to be intrigued about, with what seems like a strong character foundation to build upon especailly with the team’s leadership, depth that could contribute the very key support that the starters need, and even rookies that seem to have the potential to contribute this year because of their extended and strong college backgrounds. I’m building some of my interest and excitement back that was lost in the strike/lockout. The pieces may be there, but there is a fair amount of healthfulness that we need to hope for.

He seemed timid last year…maybe coming into the Cs replacing our beloved Perk.
He and we have had time now…so I’m hopeful he will step it up the and realizes how great he can be. He was amazing at Gtown…watched him for 4 years there…he needs to be aggressive and confident. I’d love to see the chemistry and heart come together for this team..they’ve truly got a lot of great players!

Any word on green’s health?

Rondo is the key and has been. Im tired of watchin him dog it when he doesnt feel like playin. And he should be a better shooter by now. As he goes, so goes the C;s this year

is for the Cs to all play throughout this season like junk yard dogs, like it’s their last chance, so they just lay it all out every game of the season and the playoffs. They don’t have much time to gel so a strong start, early reward, and feeling good about themselves early on is key I would say.

He’s not the best hope, but he better contribute the best way he can. This has been a lackluster free agency and the lockout is partly to be blame for it. Contenders such as the Celtics, Heat, Bulls, Lakers, Mavs, Spurs have all made minor tweaks to their rosters, but nothing major.

Most of the tweaks have been done to rosters bench and not so much for starting line-ups. Adequate role players u thought would sign with contenders instead signed w/ non-contenders, sadly. These trade debacle between Dwight Howard and Chris Paul is no longer news and I can care less about Howard and Paul at this point.

As for the Celtics I don’t expect much, but don’t expect less. Obviously the window of contending is will definitely after this 2012 season. If they’re planning to chase banner 18, then everybody has to try or remain relatively healthy which will be a challenge.

Injuries have been a major issue for the Celtics starting from 2009. And I believe the reason why the Celtics have come up short the past couple of years is because of injuries. They’re a veteran team so I’m sure some will have low expectations others will have high.

Only time will tell if this newly constructed bench will be as good as 2008 or 2011. I doubt 2008, but as far as 2011 not sure yet? I would like to see Delonte again not sure why Ainge didn’t resign him. The news guys must step up or it’s going to be rough ride during this 66 game season.

Although I thought the series was closer than people realized, we just looked way too slow….our back court just got smothered by lebron and wade

I see this team going to the playoffs and maybe getting past the first round depending on who we play (If it’s Bulls, Heat or Knicks I say no chance). But I guess if CP3 and D12 are able to not get traded we really push for them in free agency. I know CP3 had no interest but if there is a huge push for Howard that may change it. And as much I hate to see him go Rondo and a draft pick or two could be used to get another very good player. I also don’t really know the Celtics cap situation after the season so I’m just going off a very sick pipe dream that is about as realistic as me becoming a trillionaire.

i’m always optimistic about the c’s even during that dismal 17 game losing streak a few years ago. we need a big man to split time with jo and wilcox. we were at our best last year when rondo was setting up shaq. i can’t see kg spending appreciable time as a 5—too old and fragile. we are good but considerably older than the miami,chicago, ny, and even nj.teams’ superstars. danny has to pull some more rabbits out of the hat for this year and clearly, he is setting the stage for big moves next year.we will make the playoffs and we need more for the whole enchilada. cp3 was worth the effort but he thinks we are too old and cold for him- no young superstar to pal around with. as far as green goes. he has to be more assertive-not be afraid to take over games and not worry about failing. and rondo has to set him up and not worry as much about satisfying the big 3.