FanPost

Danny missed a layup (2016 Offseason)

I just want to preface this post by saying how grateful I am to be a lifelong Celtics fan, and for the Celtics to have such brilliant basketball minds such as Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge in place to bring this franchise forward into a new era, where we will see our Celtics go from a young, "rebuilding" team to a perennial contender for the next two decades. The fun is just beginning for us Celtics fans, and that's a fact.

I think Danny and the Celtics have had a fantastic offseason thus far. Al Horford will provide Brad Stevens with a stable front court workhorse capable of doing just about everything on the basketball court. Jaylen Brown will provide instant defensive toughness and easy dunks in transition. In my opinion, Yabusele and Zizic will also turn into physically gifted rotation players that bring energy and rebounding night in and night out. However, all of us can agree that they are still a player or two away from winning the much desired 18th banner.

With that being said, I really believe Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics missed an easy opportunity to become a strong threat to Cleveland/ championship contender THIS upcoming 2016-2017 season.

It's apparent to most realistic Celtics fans that the team has one glaring flaw in the team's construction:

A BIG who can DEFEND THE RIM and REBOUND THE BASKETBALL!

There was one free agent who checks those two boxes resoundingly.

His name is Bismack Biyombo.

Biyombo, turning just 24 years old next month, is the 6'9, 245 pound center who was just signed with Orlando at four years/ 72 million dollars.

Before you laugh at the idea of Biyombo being the 'missing piece' to a championship run, keep in mind that this tremendous athlete will be working with none other than Brad Stevens, the best coach in basketball. Let's also examine how Biyombo would fit here in Boston, which would be nothing short of spectacular.

Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Al Horford, and Biyombo is fantastic all-around starting five that is not only skilled, but tough. Isaiah, AB, and Crowder all can shoot the three ball well, while AL and BB wear out opponents up front.

Either Olynyk, Jerebko, or even Jae Crowder would look terrific next to Biyombo, seeing as Biyombo is a legitimate shot blocker, rebounder, and lob threat on offense. Brad would have himself a ball configuring rotations around such an immense talent such as Biyombo at the center position. Biyombo has an INCREDIBLE motor and is relentless on the glass. I couldn't say the same thing about any other big man on the roster (Smart and Rozier are both high motor guys, and good rebounding guards).

Last season per 36 minutes, the 23 year old Biyombo averaged 9 points on 54% shooting, in addition to 13 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. He also improved his free throw shooting to a not-great but respectable 63%. Per 36 minutes, the young Biyombo looks as if he's on a career path similar to that of the great Big Ben Wallace.

Let's also consider his eye-popping performance against the best team in the NBA and defending NBA champions, the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.

But first, in game 7 against Miami, Biyombo logged a +27 on the court, as he played 40 minutes of basketball --- recording 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 6-8 shooting from the field.

If you watched Biyombo versus Cleveland, you would know that Biyombo had a historic game three down 2-0 to Cleveland. 7 points, 26 rebounds, and 5 blocks against the best team in the league in the playoffs. Biyombo bullied Lebron, Love, and Thompson and willed his Raptors to a big win at home. He followed up his performance with 14 more rebounds and three more blocks in another winning performance before Cleveland proceeded to blow the doors off of Toronto in games 5 and 6. But, it was obvious that Biyombo's performance had earned him a huge pay day .... and it did.

Signing Biyombo could have been a very simple, yet effective move that could've put the Celtics in position to have the toughest and most physically bruising team in the league.

DANNY AND THE CELTS BLEW THIS ONE...

Now we'll sign Noel to the max this offseason...

GO CELTS

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