We read articles every day about how young the Celtics are and that because of it, we won't win many games. It seems that everyone equates youth with inexperience. The truth is that we may be young but many of those young players now have experience. The team has 10 players that are 25 or younger: Allen, 25; Gomes, 25; Green, 21; Jefferson, 22; Perk, 23; Powe, 23; Ray, 23; Rondo, 21; Telfair, 22; and West, 24.
Although they are young, they can no longer be considered inexperienced. Perk has 4 years of experience. Al, Delonte, Telfair and Tony all have 3 years experience. Green and Gomes both have 2 year of experience, and Rondo, Ray, and Powe have 1 year of experience.
Every one of them has worked hard on their games in the off season, improving the areas that they were weak in. They have built confidence in themselves and their abilities. The core of these young players have grown together as they gained their experience in the league. The chemistry that they have built is important to the success of the team. Many of them play together for much of the off season, continuing to build chemistry and familiarity with each other's games.
We can no longer equate our youth with inexperience. This season I expect several of our players to take their games to the next level. Al had a break out season last year. Perk is poised to break out this season as he is no longer plagued with foot pain and is working harder than just about anybody else on the team. He took 3 days off after the season and then was back in the gym working on his conditioning and his game. This will be Perk's first offseason working with Clifford Ray and I am expecting it to pay big dividends. The article in today's Herald just reinforces my expectations that Perk will break out this season and he has become a leader on the team and he will challenge the others on the team to step up as well.
People can talk about how young our team is, but it can no longer be used as an excuse for poor performance. Quite the contrary, our youth can be a benefit. We should have more stamina and be able to run longer because of our youth. We have a lot of young and athletic players who should be able to run non stop throughout the game. Being so young, we should be able to run other "older" teams out of the gym and make our youth into a benefit rather than an obstacle.
Doc has used youth as an excuse for two years and then last season combined youth with injuries as his excuse. From Bulpett's article in the Herald, it seems as though Doc is preparing to use it yet again this season:
“No. I don’t think you can just say we’re ready,” he said. “I’m realistic. If our guys are ready to win, we’ll win. If they’re not and they need another year, then we need another year. There’s no years on it. That’s such idiotic stuff. You just don’t know when it’s going to come together, or if it’s going to come together.”
“That’s the thing with young players. They tend to focus on that (individual) part first, and you can make a case that none of them have gone past that besides Al (Jefferson). So if you go by that model, that doesn’t sound great. But a lot of them are getting closer to being able to do that and being able to do a little bit of both, establish themselves individually and with the team.”
Yes, we are young, but we are no longer inexperienced and so we have reached the point where our youth is no longer an excuse for losing. This may be a young team, but a young team with experience. That could make us very dangerous.
The Herald and Globe both report briefly on Danny's trip to see Jeff Green in DC. The Herald article also discusses the Marion and Lewis trade rumors. Here is the last part of the Globe article that gives Danny's impression of Green as well as some future workout plans.
"Green is a very good player," said Ainge. "He's very versatile. He's a good player all around. He handles well, passes well, and shoots well. He's a good athlete, a well-rounded player." After the workout, Ainge, Rivers, and Hill watched possible second-round prospects, though they are more likely summer league team candidates. Ainge will watch more second-round candidates today in New York, completing an East Coast trip that started Wednesday in Philadelphia, where the Celtics looked at University of Washington center Spencer Hawes in a noncompetition workout. Hawes is not on the Celtics' short list for the No. 5 pick, but he could be a possibility if the Celtics move down in the draft. The Celtics will resume predraft workouts in Waltham Monday, getting a look at Kansas forward Julian Wright and Holy Cross guard Keith Simmons
. The LA Times reports that Kobe is once again asking out of LA. I doubt he would come to Boston but stranger things have happened. ESPN reports that Monday is the final day to withdraw from the draft. This could change things as a couple of the projected lottery picks may withdraw, including Jeff Green and Spencer Hawes.
Rivals.com feels that Brandon Wright could be taken early in the draft. Many of the rumors I have heard have him going to Atlanta with the 3rd pick. In the NY Sun, Hollinger feels that there is too much emphasis put on the pre-draft workouts.
Sports Hernia has a bit of satire that has Danny ready to fire himself after an analysis by the Brain Doc. TSN reports that GMs have just 8 weeks each year to cement their reputations.
The Journal Sentinel reports that Noah elected not to work out for the Bucks who pick just behind the Celtics. It would be too much to hope that he got a promise at #5 from the Celtics. More likely that he just doesn't like Milwaukee. Draft Express evaluates the Small Forward class in this draft.
Counting down the days to the draft: just 12 days left. Danny is evaluating players for the 5th pick as well as a few that would be available if he should move down in the draft. I can't help but worry about what Danny might do. I am hoping for Noah in the draft, but I am not all that worried about who he will draft. He has shown from the past that he is very good at evaluating draft talent. I worry about the trade that he may make as he has also proved that he is terrible at making trades. Stay tuned to LOY's Place for reports on news and rumors as we hear them.
I have said it before and I am now strongly convinced that Doc is the weakest link in this team. We have a lot of young players who will come into their own this season. We have talent and depth but what we don't have is a head coach who knows what he is doing. He says all the right things, but I haven't seen him doing the right things. He has been incapable of managing the rotation, making wise decisions during games, and teaching defense to a young team very capable of playing it.
First and foremost is his lack of respect for defense. He has made the comment that he worked on offense in practice because because "after all half of the team is playing defense when they work on offense." This would seem to be a bad approach to coaching because our team desperately needs more defense. We won't win without it. Any coach who doesn't stress defense is not a good coach. Defense wins games and championships and a team will go nowhere without it. We have seen that in this team over the past 3 years.
Second, Doc doesn't know his players. He plays Scal big minutes and believes that he is a starter. He even played Scal big minutes in the preseason last year when he should have been looking at the younger players. He already knew what Scal could do. At the same time that Scal is getting big minutes, Powe is sitting on the bench because he doesn't "get the system." When Powe got a chance to play he did very well and produced quite well in limited playing time. The previous season, we had a similar situation with Gomes. He never got off the bench and then finally when Doc was forced to play him due to injuries, he came in and became a starter. I can't believe that Gomes wasn't showing enough in practice to warrant some playing time and then when he got into a game, he suddenly got it. Telfair started at PG while Rondo got limited minutes and even a few DNP's. When Rondo finally got to start, he proved that he should have been playing more all along.
Third, Doc doesn't have a clue as to how to use our bigs. Before the trade, he played Raef big minutes because he loves a center "who can spread the floor." Raef rarely played under the basket and roamed on the 3 point line. Last year he made a remark about liking centers who play under the basket. When did he develop this proclivity? Doc constantly played Blount big minutes, even though he was turnover prone and didn't rebound. Because of this, Perk got precious little playing time over his first 3 years in the league. I am so tired of seeing the center inbound the ball on the baseline and then run up to stand behind the arc and wait for the pass to come around the arc. Bigs need to play under the basket and not on the 3 point line.
Doc loves small ball but doesn't realize that when you go small ball, you will be at a big disadvantage on the boards if you don't keep at least one of your bigs in with them to grab rebounds. Yes, the small ball teams are faster and can run more, but you can't run without the ball. Small ball is good to shake things up but you have to have a rebounder in with the small lineup. Also, our young bigs play tentatively because at their first mistake, Doc tends to pull them and sit them. They know that they get very little time in the first place because Doc tends to rely on veterans, whether they play well or not. And they are afraid of making a mistake because they don't want to be pulled from the game and that makes them more tentative. Too many times Doc went to small ball without a rebounder and shot blocker in there.
Last but not least, Doc's rotations are bizarre. He will stick with players who are not playing well and pull players who are playing great but make a mistake. He plays small ball way too much and doesn't keep defensive units out there enough. In spite of talking about a running game and in spite of having a PG who could run a fast break team, Doc doesn't know how to coach a fast break team. They don't run and settle for way too many half court sets and usually Pierce with an ISO.
I am not alone in my assessment of Doc's weaknesses. Here is a quote from Mike on BSMW's Full Court Press.
I certainly don’t think Doc is at the top of his profession. He seems incapable of managing his team’s rotations, to the point where it seems like every other game finds the Celtics with 5 subs getting run off the floor by an opponent playing 2 or 3 starters. Similarly it is rare to see the Celtics play a solid game two games in a row. Most people would lay that at the feet of the youth movement, but the coach has some say in that too.
Also, Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy, constantly called out Doc for his poor in game decision making and his inability to manage the rotations. We have seen this every year of Doc's tenure. Every season that Doc has been here, our win total has gone down. We all expected that Doc would be fired after last season, but instead, he was given an extension.
In a recent article in the Herald, Steve Bulpett pointed out that there are no more excuses and questions the results that Doc has gotten over his first 3 seasons with the team.
If a player has the requisite talent and aptitude to learn, then exactly whose fault is it if he doesn’t perform to his capabilities? I don’t know,” said Rivers. “I don’t think it’s necessarily on the coach. I think it’s on both of us, but I don’t think you can say, ‘Now this year I’ve got to get them to do this.’ That’s just idiotic thinking.” Even after the positive signs displayed by a number of the Celtic kids? “What did we accomplish?” countered Rivers. “We accomplished a bunch of individual guys doing things.” Precisely. And the logical flow model states the next step is getting the conductor to figure out how to put his musicians into the same harmonic key. What sets best fit their talents? The measure of a coach will be told in the results. First, however, the coach must get his players to put team concerns ahead of personal matters.
We can blame youth, injuries, and whatever for the failure of this team to progress, but it all comes down to the coach's inability to bring it all together.
I firmly believe that if this team fails to make the playoffs this season, it will be Doc's fault. Danny has continually stuck by Doc and supported him. But when it is obvious to everyone else, including 99% of the fans and media, that Doc is a poor coach and is costing us games by his inability to manage rotations, failure to play deserving players while playing others who don't deserve playing time, and his disregard for the importance of defense, something should be done by the organization. I don't know who would be the best coach for this team, but I do know that Doc cost us quite a few games last season and will do the same this season if he continues along the same road he has been following.
I like Doc, I really do. He is a great guy and is good with the press and he is a very likable guy. But he just isn't a good coach. He has never won more than 45 games in his 7 years as a head coach. He has never gotten a team out of the first round of the playoffs. Most of us hoped for David Blatt to come in as an assistant this season but our hopes for that have been dashed since he signed with a Turkish team. With the departure of Tony Brown, we could really use a defensive minded assistant who can help to turn this team around. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a very good assistant who can help Doc do a better job of coaching. I am all for keeping Doc if he can do the job, but if this team doesn't get off to a good start, Doc should be fired even with the extension in place. He is all out of excuses.
In the Herald, Steve Bulpett tells us that Danny has added some names to his list of possible draftees. After saying that the Celtics had no interest in Noah, Bulpett now grudgingly adds him to the list. I wonder if it is just Bulpett who doesn't like Noah. He does add that some of the players Danny is considering is only if the Celtics trade down to a lower pick than 5th.
The Globe once again doesn't discuss the Celtics but has an interesting article on how the Finals lacked competition and consequently, lacked viewers.
Talks have stalled between the Lakers and Pacers on the O'Neal trade. Haaretz is reporting that Blatt has signed with a Turkish team.
Both Yi and Greg Oden have Blogs now. Draft Express has a new podcast up that discusses Yi's workouts, a possible promise for Hawes and more. Draft Express also has a good article on common profiles of draft busts. They also project which players in this draft may fit those profiles. Some possible Celtics picks in Yi, Green and Thornton are mentioned. Please note that Noah is not.
Florida power forward Joakim Noah has elected not to work out for the Bucks, who hold the No. 6 pick in the draft. "He and his agent made a decision it wasn't a workout they wanted to do," director of player personnel Dave Babcock said. "We would have liked him to work out, but everybody has their views on each situation." Noah already has gone through workouts for Chicago, Charlotte, Minnesota and Boston, and he has workouts scheduled with Memphis, Sacramento and Atlanta. It's apparent that he doesn't want to be drafted by Milwaukee, which is curious since the sixth pick seems like the highest spot he'd be taken.
13 days until the draft and I am getting very nervous wondering about what Danny is going to do. Will he make a good trade and get a lower draft choice and a young All Star in return? Will he keep the pick and pick someone very good? Or will he trade for a used up player and a third string player? Given Danny's past performance, I really don't know what to expect.
I was browsing You Tube and found a video that made me very nostalgic. Ever find yourself wishing for the good old days? I remember watching the Celtics when defense was important and when the Celtics didn't back down from anyone. They had a certain swagger back then. Of course, I know that part of that swagger came from winning, but anther part came from just being the Celtics. They had the attitude that they were the Celtics and they won because of the swagger, not the other way around.
The video was from the classic 7 game Detroit/Boston playoff series in 1987. In game 4 of this series, the Evil Bill Laimbeer jerked Larry Bird to the floor by the neck. Bird reacted with some good punches and a bench clearing brawl ensued. After the tangle of bodies was straightened out, Bird and Laimbeer were both ejected. It was at this point that Larry fired the ball point blank at Laimbeer's face so hard that it had to have left an imprint of the logo on his face. Later, hearing that Laimbeer claimed he was just trying to go for the ball, Larry replied that he was just giving it to him.
In game 5 of that same series, Robert Parish, who was generally even tempered and very hard to rattle, got very tired of all of the elbows and abuse he was getting from Laimbeer and he sucker punched him. No foul was called and he wasn't thrown out of the game for it but was later suspended one game. Since he was nursing a mildly sprained ankle at the time and probably wouldn't have played in that game anyway, it wasn't all that bad of a punishment. Most fans in the league at that time felt that he did a very good deed since Laimbeer was well known for his dirty deeds.
In the 1984 finals, Larry Bird wasn't happy with his teammates. He called them out saying that they had played like a bunch of sissies. In the game after this pronouncement from Bird, the teams locked in a classic battle. It was literally 48 minutes plus overtime of a basketbrawl. Kareem attempted to take Larry's head off his shoulder with an elbow. James Worthy hammered Cedric Maxwell into the basket support and Rambis and Carr were at each others throats over and over. The most memorable of these run ins was McHale's clothesline of Rambis. Laker fans still hate McHale and talk about it to this day. This play and this game changed the whole complexion of that playoff series. A little intimidation goes a long way.
And finally, there are no two players who are as professional and as classy as Bird and Doctor J. But in 1984, frustration set in and with his team losing, Doctor J punched Larry Bird. Larry then went for Dr J's throat giving us the photo that leads off this article and one that will live in NBA infamy.
We all remember the "Bad Boys" from Detroit who were famous for their intimidation and tough play. I can still hear Johnny Most complaining about McFilthy and McNasty and who can forget the call when Boston played in Detroit, "Oh, the yellow gutless way they do things here!”
Ok, enough of the reminiscing. That was then and this is now. I am not pushing for more fights or for the current Celtics to become thugs, but it would be nice to see that swagger again. That tough defense that says "Not in my house." We need more of the heart and the swagger that shows people that the Celtics won't back down and that we are a force to reckon with.
I think that is why I love Perk so much. He brings some of that swagger and toughness back to the Celtics and he does it with defense. His "No layups!" motto takes me back to the days when the Celtics took defense seriously. Back to when Parish guarded the basket with the intense visage that won him the nickname "Chief." Back to the days when it meant something to be a Celtic and they didn't back down from anybody in the league. Perk is a throwback to those days. He is our enforcer. Now if we could get the coach and the rest of the team on board with that attitude. "No Layups!" They need to play that tough form of defense that says "You won't score on me!" I believe that Noah will be this kind of player. He plays hard and takes basketball and winning seriously and that is why I like him for this team. He played like this at Florida and I believe he will bring it to the NBA.
No, we don't need to get in fist fights or to clothesline players to get that swagger or that Celtics Pride back. We need to go with Perk's "No Layups!" We need to play tough strangling defense on teams and let them know "Not in my house!" It's time to go back to the good old days. It has to start with the coaching staff and then filter down to the team. Every player must commit to playing defense and bring back that swagger to Boston. Only then will we get back to the good old days.
Eurobasket has posted that David Blatt signed a contract with the Turkish team.
The rumors regarding Efes Pilsen's new head coach has come to an end and the Turkish powerhouse finally signed with Benetton Treviso coach David Blatt for the upcoming season. Former Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Dynamo St. Petersburg coach put pen on paper for a lucrative 1+1 deal.
Of all the rumors that are circulating, this is the one I most hoped would come true. Our coaching is the weak link for this team. I believe that our young players are all going to come back better and I believe that we will add players who can help. But, Doc has not yet proved that he can coach a team to the playoffs and he hasn't proved that he can coach defense. Blatt would have helped immensely in both areas.
14 days, just 2 weeks, until the draft and trade rumors and speculation are heating up. The latest comes from Chad Ford out of the Eurocamp.
The talk here in Italy is that the Warriors are trying to move Jason Richardson and the No. 16 pick to move up higher into the draft to grab Yi Jianlian. Their targeted trade partners appear to be the Grizzlies (for Stromile Swift, Damon Stoudamire and the No. 4 pick), the Celtics (for Theo Ratliff and the No. 5) and the Bobcats.
So far, we have the rumors of Atlanta offering Joe Johnson, Rashard Lewis wanting to come to Boston, Phoenix offering Sean Marion, and now the Warriors offering Richardson. Of the bunch, I like the Lewis rumors since we don't give up the 5th pick.
To that end, his camp asked if the Celtics could come watch this workout. President Billy King allowed it, and so Danny Ainge, Boston’s executive director of basketball operations, was on hand. It’s not unheard of for teams to pair up during pre-draft workouts — New York and New Jersey have been holding joint sessions since June 5. “This is the first time we’ve done it, but actually it gave me a chance to talk to Danny about some other things,” King said with a smile.
Makes me wonder what Billy wanted to talk to Danny about. Is he trying to trade up also?
Also on the draft, the Herald discusses Danny's trip to see Jeff Green tomorrow and the players who don't work out against competition. Gerald Green's unwillingness to work out against competition is believed to have caused his slide from a projected top 5 pick to the Celtics at 18.
It is no secret that I have been on the Noah bandwagon since the beginning. I just think that he fits our needs and is emerging as a very viable pick at #5. SI has a good article on him.
The lottery team that shows faith in Noah will be rewarded each time the defense shades off him. That's when he's capable of taking it strong to the basket, drawing the defense back his way in order to pass to the open teammate, or exploiting an open lane to the offensive glass.
Noah's upside is tremendous. He'll block shots, harass bigger opponents and run the floor as many teams yearn to do. Don't think his shooting stroke won't improve: He's one of the hardest-working players in this draft, and though he'll never have three-point range, he'll surely upgrade his release in a fundamental way.
Most impressive is that Noah is the rarest of draftable commodities: a mature grown-up who will have the easiest transition to the NBA after enduring criticism as his stock fell over the past year. Even as he plummeted, Noah maintained his focus on winning the championship; a lesser character would have gone selfish and tried to prove that he could indeed be a scorer at the expense of his team's larger goal.
I just think we will be making a big mistake if we pass on this kid. On the subject of Noah, how can you not like a kid with this much energy left after winning a National Championship? This is too funny.
Brewer has been projected to go as high as fourth and as low as 14th in the draft. Thornton is slotted to go somewhere between seven and 14. But things could change as they travel from workout to workout, perhaps meeting again.
"I try to give him a little beef," Thornton said of Brewer. "But I hate chasing him around. Man, I hate chasing that guy around. He never gets tired. He runs forever."
The Celtics worked out both players twice. If we don't get Noah, I wouldn't be upset with Brewer. Defense is a much needed commodity on the Celtics and he would bring it. Word is that the Celtics are very high on Thornton, though.
David Stern responds to the low TV ratings for the finals. Hoopsworld takes a look at the Sean Marion trade rumors. Personally I don't see the Suns moving Marion. Finally, in the way that only he can, JB discusses Zebraphobia over on CelticsStuff Live.
I am getting so anxious to see what Danny does. This is such an important offseason and with the right moves, the Celtics will be back in contention this season and be on the way to #17. With the wrong moves, we can slip back into mediocrity for years to come. I just hope and pray that Danny will make the right moves.
In this era of 10 minute oil changes, 1 hour photo developing, and instant everything, we tend to get impatient with anything that takes awhile. This includes basketball. Where in most cases a little impatience won't change much, in basketball impatience can be the difference between continual mediocrity and building a contender. Pitino was impatient with Chauncey Billups and traded him for Kenny Anderson so he would have an instant PG instead of trying to develop Billups into the PG of the future for the Celtics. Billups helped to lead the Pistons to championships while the players we traded him for are out of the league.
Jim O'Brien was impatient with Joe Johnson and traded him for instant help to propel them down the stretch. Joe Johnson is now helping other teams get better while the two players we traded him for (Delk and Rodgers) are aging role players. However, we may get Johnson back again if Danny goes for the proposed Atlanta trade.
Another example of impatience is Jermaine O'Neal. I see any number of message board posts saying that we should get O'Neal and how good he is. Well, it took O'Neal years to get that way. He was drafted out of high school by Portland in '96 and only averaged 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds his first year. Second year he upped it to 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds. In O'Neal's 3rd year in Portland, his averages dropped to 2.5 points and 2.7 rebounds and played in only 36 games due to injury. If he was in Boston I can just read all the posts saying what a bust he is. (Is this sounding familiar by any chance?) In O'Neal's 4th year he averaged 3.9 points and 3.3 rebounds. This kid showed promise in high school. Enough that he was the 17th pick in the first round. But yet in 4 years he didn't seem to be showing a lot of progress. Then, in 2000, he was traded to Indiana for Dale Davis. In his 5th year in the league he finally started to show the talent that was promised when he was drafted. He averaged 12.9 points and 9.8 rebounds in his 5th season. If Portland had just a little more patience, they could have this young and promising All Star center on their team. J O'Neal has continued to improve his averages every year after that break out year.
By now, you know where I am going with this, I am sure. The Shaq's, the CP3's, the LeBron James's, the Kobe's who come into the league and are impressive right away are few and far between. Centers and PG's especially take more time to develop. Especially when you draft a player out of high school or an underclassman, you have to realize that they probably won't be stars right away. Especially with high school players, it is like a whole new world. They have to learn the game all over again on the pro level as it is nothing like the high school game. Along with that, they have to learn to live on their own for the first time, learn how to condition their bodies for the NBA season and their whole lives are in upheaval.
Now if we compare Perk to J O'Neal, Perk is ahead of O'Neal in terms of his game and development over the first 4 years of his career. Perk played only 19 minutes his entire first season while he reamade his body to NBA condition. Perk didn't get much more playing time his second season. He didn't get much more playing time his second season as he was playing behind both Blount and Raef. His third season, just as he started to get playing time after the trade of Blount, he injured his shoulder. He ended up getting surgery in the offseason and wasn't able to work with Clifford Ray over last season. Then, just as his shoulder healed, he developed the plantar fasciitis. But the pain in his foot never stopped him and he played through it showing a level of Celtic Pride rarely seen these days. I read a lot of posts that say that Perk will never be more than a back up center and others that call him a bust. But this kind of thinking is why J O'Neal is an All Star in Indiana and not Portland and why Chauncey Billips led the Pistons to a championship and not the Celtics. I truly believe that Perk will break out this season and hopefully it will be for the Celtics.
Sure we can trade our young kids with so much promise for a player who can help us right now... but just as Chauncey, O'Neal and Joe Johnson are starring in the league long after the veteran players they were traded for have fallen by the wayside, if we trade our youth, next year or 2 years from now we will be in the same position and OUR young players will be breaking out and starring and leading their teams to championships when whoever we get for them is long gone. It would be to our benefit if Danny keeps the core of this team together. I am for the Lewis or JJ trades as we can get them and still keep the core of the team together.
There is also a lot to be said for chemistry. This team has spent 3 years learning each other's tendencies and moves and learning to play together. We can see the benefits of chemistry with teams like Detroit and San Antonio where the teams have kept the same core unit together for many years. I know that talent has to go along with chemistry because chemistry alone doesn't get you there. But, I think we do have talent and the young players that Danny drafted out of high school have been in the league now for 2,3, and 4 years and they have grown as players and are ready to break out in the next year or two. That plus chemistry along with our draft pick and perhaps a young veteran added will be enough to get this team to the playoffs and beyond.
I for one hope that Danny has learned that patience is a virtue and that being impatient may just doom the Celtics to a perpetual state of mediocrity.
The first trade of the offseason is in the works. The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to send former Celtic Mike James to the Houston Rockets for Juwan Howard. ESPN is reporting that another player or two may be added but as of now, just the two players have been announced. Apparently bringing in Howard is an effort to appease Garnett who has been asking repeatedly for more size in the front line and more veteran presence in the locker room. (Does that sound familiar?) Now that the ice has been broken, I wonder who is next, but I expect that most trades won't go down until the draft, though.
Nothing on the Celtics in the Boston papers today. There are a couple of stories in the East Valley Tribune and the AZ Republic that say that Marion is not getting traded. They say that Thomas and Banks are on the block and not Marion. While the Suns are denying that they want to move Marion, the FanHouse asks if Marion could save Boston. Personally, I think Marion will stay in Phoenix. They are close to a championship team and I don't see them breaking up the core for money purposes.
The Bleacher Report is asking whether Danny will trade another draft pick. I always worry about Danny and trades. I would rather he keeps the pick as he always seems to get the short end of the stick in trades.
And speaking of keeping the pick, by all reports out of Boston, Noah isn't really in the mix for the 5th pick. The more I hear about this kid, the more I like him. Wherever he goes, he is going to help right away and I believe that he is going to be a very, very good NBA player. ESPN has an article that describes a shoulder injury that he is playing through. This kid has skills, size, drive, intensity, a fantastic work ethic, plays defense, and he doesn't let a little pain get in his way. What is there not to like? ESPN also has a discussion of NBA dynasties including the Celtics from 1980 to 1988.
FSN has new videos with interviews from Danny, Doc, Noah and Wright. Celtics 24/7 has an interview with one of Sebastian Telfair's former classmates. MVN discusses the former Gators who are all vying for position in the NBA draft.
Celtics Blog and CelticsStuff Live are both discussing Wings. Makes me hungry for some reason. SI.com feels that poor management is to blame for the huge difference in strength between the Eastern and Western conferences. I don't think it is poor management alone. There is some bad luck involved. The Celtics have certainly had bad management, but they also have had more than their share of bad luck and tragedy.
I just watched New England Sports Tonight and Tanguay and Dickerson feel that the Celtics are no longer interested in Yi. They also voiced their opinions that the Lewis to Boston rumors are just that, rumors. Guess Danny doesn't want to tip his hat and sent his minions out to throw a blanket on it. As far as the rumors that are out there, I don't think Marion will be traded. The Atlanta trade bringing JJ back and swapping picks 5 and 11 seems the most likely to happen. It seems the safest because we can't really do anything until July 1 with Lewis and that may fall through after we turn down offers for the pick. But, that being said, I wouldn't mind the Lewis trade if we can keep the 5th pick and get a player like Noah.
Only 15 more days until the draft and I am getting very anxious!!
The most interesting take I got on Oden and Durant was from Danny Ainge's "brain doctor" Jon Niednagel, who is in Treviso "brain-typing" the various prospects.
Niednagel observes the players and assigns each player to one of 16 different brain types. According to Niednagel, some brain types are more prone to success in the NBA than others. Ainge uses brain-typing as a tool to narrow down the pool of prospects.
Niednagel said both Oden and Durant are excellent and will have bright futures in the NBA, but that the players they are often compared to, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan, respectively, aren't good matches in terms of brain-typing. According to Niednagel, Oden does not have Russell's brain type, and Durant doesn't have Jordan's.
Niednagel refused to say what brain types he believes they have, but neither, he said, has Jordan's coveted ISTP type.
There have been countless jokes made about Danny's reliance on the brain doctor and his name always comes up when discussions turn to draft picks or trades. But just who is this guy and what exactly is Brain Typing? Danny has come to depend on it in choosing players in the draft and in signing free agents. We have brain typing to thank for bringing Scal here since he has the same brain type as Michael Jordan and Scal depends on Dr Niednagel for advice himself. Kevin McHale also believes in Brain Typing and has used Dr Niednagel's services many times. As I understand it, Dr Niednagel is now under contract with the Celtics and no longer consulting with other teams. Danny has sought out Mr. Niednagel's advice going back to when he was with the Suns.
Jonathan P. Niednagel has a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from California State University, Long Beach. Although born and raised in Missouri, he attended college and lived in Southern California for about 20 years during that area’s real estate boom. He made money in real estate and left that business before the real estate market caved. His also worked as a commodities broker during this time.
On a personal side, he loves to fish and is proud of his personal stance as a born-again Christian. Eventually, Mr. Niednagel began developing his entrepreneurial skills through marketing positive thinking material and promoting multilevel marketing.
In April 1997, Jonathan Niednagel became the president, CEO and co-founder of a company called Mobile Automation, Inc. (Mobile Automation, 2002). This company developed IT solutions for managing mobile devices such as laptops, palmtops and handheld PCs. He left the company in 1999.
Sometime in the late nineties, Mr. Niednagel came up with a new product based on his interest in Carl Jung and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). He self-published a new book entitled, Brain Typing: Gain an Uncanny, Razor-Sharp Understanding of Yourself and Everyone Around You.
Near the end of the 90s, Mr. Niednagel created an organization called the Brain Type Institute in Thornfield, MO. The purpose of this organization is to promote the business of selling his Brain Typing product. Although the name conjures a large building with highly trained staff and possible research facilities, it is an “institute” in name only. A phone call to the headquarters will either result in an answering machine message or a personal contact with Jonathan’s brother, Jeremy.
Brain Typing, which is being developed by Jonathan P. Niednagel, is an effort to create a typology that categorises individuals based on mental and motor skill patterns. Niednagel believes these patterns are based on inborn genetic traits.
Niednagel first concieved of the idea in the 1970s while coaching for little league. When observing the kids' baseball-playing tendencies, he noticed that those with similar personalities also had similar motor movement skills. After conducting extensive research, Niednagel fully developed the Brain Typing system and has since been promoting his Brain Typing skills as an asset to professional sports teams.
Here's how it works- Niednagel believes each person is born with one of 16 brain types. These types, also called brain wirings, or designs, are based on four basic pairs of psychological attributes.
E-extroverted versus I-introverted. S-sensing versus N-intuitive. T-thinking versus F-feelings. And J-judging versus P-perceiving. Thus, if you are extroverted, sensing, thinking, and perceiving, you'd be labeled an ESTP type.
There are 16 possible combinations or types. And each brain type, according to Niednagel, has inherent strengths and specific weaknesses. For Niednagel, those qualities are particularly apparent in sports.
Applied to sports, a player's brain type is viewed as a helpful predictor of how he will perform as a professional athlete.
"I believe in Jon's evaluation," said Ainge. "He's not 100 percent right. There's been times when I've been right and he's been wrong. There's been times when I question his overall conclusion. There's a lot that factors into success. [Brain typing] is just a measurement, one of a lot of things in the process.
"Not until I really like a player do I usually have Jon look at him. But he's not afraid of giving his opinion. He's passionate about his decisions and I like that. It's controversial for anybody who doesn't know [brain typing]. But I like Jon because of my history with him. I'm working with a guy I trust."
Another of his supporters is Brian Scalabrine. Brian has sought out Niednagel's advice on several occasions. According to Niednagel, Scal has an ideal basketball ISTP brain type with underwhelming athleticism. Scal feels he makes the most of his natural abilities and wiring by calling on the Brain Doctor. Scalabrine estimates that eight of his 10 best NBA performances followed pregame conversations with Niednagel, including Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference semifinals against Detroit. In the Nets' triple-overtime victory, Scalabrine set playoff career highs for points (17), 3-pointers made and attempted (4 for 4), and field goals made and attempted (6 for 7).
"Jon always can get me to a point where I can just go out there and do what I need to do," said Scalabrine. "I'm a spatial player. I can't just focus in on one thing. I have to take in everything around me. With that [information], I get into a zone. "I'll never play like Michael Jordan, but by learning about my brain type, I can maximize my own potential. That's what it's all about. Every time I'm struggling a little bit, I call Jon and he gets me back on track."
Judging by Scal's performance over the past 2 years in Boston, the Brain Doctor may be slipping.
There are many who doubt the validity of brain typing and of Dr Niednagel's research. When asked if brain typing helped his franchise, Phoenix president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said,
"Actually, it was somewhat counterproductive and proved divisive for us because of the doubt that existed on the staff. There were even a few players that questioned Jon's presence and role with the team."
Whether brain typing is science or guesswork, it is here to stay as long as Danny Ainge is the GM. I would say that his brain typing advice is about 50-50 at this point. It seems to have worked for our draft picks but has failed considerably when it comes to trades and free agents so far.
Noah and Wright came to town for their workouts yesterday and there are reports from those workouts in the Herald, Globe, MetroWest Daily, and on Celtics.com. All of these reports contrast the fact that Noah worked out against Courtney Sims and Wright had a solo workout just running drills. Noah did well in the sprint test while Wright struggled with it. I liked this from Doc:
“I really enjoyed how he could communicate,” the Celtics coach said. “It was probably the loudest workout we’ve had in some time. He naturally talks and points things out defensively, and those are good traits.”
I still like Noah as a pick for the Celtics. He has skills and traits that would make this team better and he would come in and contribute right away. Danny hasn't said much about Noah and Bulpett said he didn't think that Noah was in the mix for the 5th pick, so either we aren't interested or they are putting up a good smokescreen.
In the Globe article, Shira also confirms the Rashard Lewis rumor with this little bit tucked away in the piece:
If Phoenix doesn't work out as a trading partner, there is speculation around the league about a possible deal with Seattle that would bring forward Rashard Lewis to Boston. Lewis reportedly is good friends with Gerald Green and would consent to the deal if Green is not a part of the package. Robert Swift also could be in the mix. Ainge has coveted Swift in the past . .
Now either Shira reads the message boards to get her news or there is a very good chance that this happens. The deal seems to be Ratliff, next year's first and a young player, possibly Gomes. The 5th pick is a sticking point for this right now, and possibly Danny is trying to get Swift included. A center rotation of Perk and Swift wouldn't be too shabby. Imagine Tommy's joy of adding another redhead to the team. Lewis and Green have been working out with John Lucas in Texas and reportedly, Pierce may join them at some time. More on this as it happens.
Chad Ford checks in from the Eurocamp and has this little tidbit.
A straw poll of NBA scouts and executives here had everyone -- that's right, everyone -- saying they'd take Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick over Kevin Durant. The most interesting take I got on Oden and Durant was from Danny Ainge's "brain doctor" Jon Niednagel, who is in Treviso "brain-typing" the various prospects. Niednagel observes the players and assigns each player to one of 16 different brain types. According to Niednagel, some brain types are more prone to success in the NBA than others. Ainge uses brain-typing as a tool to narrow down the pool of prospects. Niednagel said both Oden and Durant are excellent and will have bright futures in the NBA, but that the players they are often compared to, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan, respectively, aren't good matches in terms of brain-typing. According to Niednagel, Oden does not have Russell's brain type, and Durant doesn't have Jordan's. Niednagel refused to say what brain types he believes they have, but neither, he said, has Jordan's coveted ISTP type.
Durant doesn't have the same brain type as Jordan, but Scal does. Makes perfect sense. I can see the similarities in Scal and Jordan's games, can't you?
The Hartford Courant has a good article that tells us that whether we keep the pick or trade it, we will get help. I have to agree that we are in good shape to get better this off season. I like the scenario of trading for Rashard Lewis and then taking Noah, Brewer, Horford, or Green in the draft.
Sports in Boston has a fun look at the State of the Boston Celtics. JB on CelticsStuff Live has his own version of Dumb and Dumber in an article on Doc and Danny. Red's Army debates whether to pick or trade the pick. The Review Journal says that teams, including the Celtics, very obviously tanked last season. I think this drum has been banged enough.
Shamrock Headband has an article that discusses Doc's misuse of Ryan Gomes. I feel, and have voiced it often, that Doc misuses most of his players. Look at all the games that Rondo and Powe sat on the bench before being given a chance to play. Look at his system that forces bigs to stand outside the 3 point line waiting for the pass. Look at how the point guards are not the primary ball handlers. Doc doesn't use players to their strengths. Instead he tries to fit them into square holes in his "system."
It's time for our weekly look around the mock drafts. Here is what they are saying this week.
Draft Express has Noah going to Boston with the 5th pick with B Wright and Al Horford going 3 and 4. It is interesting that they don't have Yi going until the 10th pick.
SI.com says that Boston will take Corey Brewer with the 5th pick and that B. Wright and Horford will go 3 and 4. Here is what they have to say: "Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge understands offense, and he's unlikely to pass up a player with Brewer's expansive offensive repertoire and vast potential. Brewer is a quick, rangy player who should be able to contribute right away on both ends of the court. The potential is there for Brewer to become a major offensive force one day."
Chad Ford says that Boston will take Yi at 5 while Atlanta takes B. Wright and Memphis takes Horford. here is what Chad has to say: "The skinny: This is a tough call since the future of the Celtics is so murky. Yi has the most upside at this point but also carries a significant risk that Celts boss Danny Ainge might not want to bear. And with Paul Pierce stumping for immediate help, it might be an unpopular pick. I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics traded the pick -- the Warriors and Bulls would like to move up here and grab Yi. If the Celtics go with Corey Brewer instead, it might mean the end of the Paul Pierce era in Boston."
Fox Sports has us taking Jeff Green with B Wright going to Atlanta and Horford going to Memphis. Here is their blurb: "The Celtics were hoping for Oden or Durant. Instead, Danny Ainge will add the versatile Hoyas forward — who is multi-dimensional. We're going with Jeff Green with the slight nod over Al Thornton."
CBS Sportsline has Yi at 5 with Horford going 3rd and Brewer 4th. "More Dirk Nowitzki or Pau Gasol than Yao Ming, Jianlian is shooting up draft boards. It's possible he could be selected as high as the third overall pick."
The Sporting News puts Green in Boston, Horford in Atlanta and Wright in Memphis. "Jeff Green, SF, Georgetown. The Celtics have pooh-poohed the point guards in the draft class, so unless it was a smokescreen, they have no intention of picking Conley here. Yi Jianlian has been discussed, but the Celtics are in good shape at power forward. They could use a versatile forward. That's Green, who is a terrific passer on the wing with an improving jump shot."
Inside Hoops has us taking Noah with Atlanta taking B Wright and Memphis taking Horford.
ProBasketball News has Boston taking Yi, Memphis taking Wright and Atlanta taking Conley.
RealGM has Boston taking B Wright with the 5th pick and Atlanta going with Conley at 3 with Horford going to Memphis at 4. "Danny Ainge can rest easy if Wright slides to the fifth slot because he fills their most pressing need and is also the third best player in the draft. Al Jefferson had a breakout season and the very long Wright will be the perfect complement down low. Life in the NBA will resemble his one year playing beside Tyler Hansbrough for North Carolina."
MSNBC has Horford sliding to 5 with the Hawks taking Wright and Memphis taking Yi. "Did you see the nice runner down the lane in the title game? He can also hit a fadeaway jumper and he gives the effort on defense. Character counts for something, too. The Celtics have a lot of good young players, but none of this caliber."
NBC Sports puts Horford in Boston, Yi in Atlanta and B Wright in Mrmphis. "The bad news just keeps building up for the Celtics. After missing out on their shot at Oden, the draft's next best center, Roy Hibbert, pulls out. Horford, though, could still be a good fit in Boston. He and Al Jefferson would make for a very strong 1-2 punch inside, much like the one Horford and Joakim Noah formed at Florida. Given Danny Ainge's apparent affection for Durant, another Florida product, Corey Brewer, could also be an option to add to the athletic core Ainge has built. Either way, the sting of losing the lottery will likely last a while in Beantown."
Fanball has Boston taking Horford at 5 and Conley and Wright going 3 and 4. "Although the Celtics front office staffers will likely still have tears in their eyes while making this pick, there is still talent to be had at No. 5. The Celtics are pretty much full to the brim from point guard to small forward, meaning help in the frontcourt must be on its way. Jianlian and Spencer Hawes are both 7-foot options the team could consider, and with Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins both undersized centers at 6-foot-10, neither Jianlian nor Hawes would be a surprise. But Horford's strength and athleticism would be the strongest complement to Al-Jeff and Perkins, so I expect the Celtcis to go that route."
Yahoo Sports puts Wright in Boston, Brewer in Memphis and Yi in Atlanta. "Brandan Wright, 6-10 forward, North Carolina. Doc Rivers will be gone by the All-Star break, but Wright, with those condor arms, is a long, fluid offensive talent who will block shots and score around the basket. He isn't Durant, but he'll be a major scorer in the pros"
Scout.com says that Boston will take Brewer, Atlanta will take Wright and Memphis will take Yi.
Dime puts Brewer in Boston, Horford in Memphis and Conley in Atlanta. "Gerald Green can jump, but he’s not an NBA starting wing yet. Wally Szczerbiak makes starter money, but he’s probably better coming off the bench. Brewer is a do-it-all type who already might be better than any of the current C’s defensively, and doesn’t demand shots, so he won’t butt heads with Paul Pierce."
Hoopshype has Noah going to Boston, Horford going to Memphis and Wright going to Atlanta.
Ryen Russillo puts Yi in Boston, Horford in Memphis and Conley in Atlanta. "You almost feel stupid placing any name with this pick. Every team in Orlando mentions the Celtics as the team most likely to move out of the lottery. Ainge has put out the for sale sign and the bidding will heat up once the workouts get started. Yi is a possibility but you wonder if Ainge would rather take a player that is less of a risk and can contribute next year if they are stuck picking at #5. Al Horford is a possibility as well as Corey Brewer. Ainge has said that Rajon Rondo is better than any point guard in this draft so it sounds like they will pass on Conley Jr. if he was still on the board. The Celtics and the Washington Wizards have called Seattle about the availability of Robert Swift."
Is is any wonder that Noah says he doesn't put any stock in the mock drafts. The Celtics are seen to be taking 6 different players and every mock has a good reason for the pick. The truth is that no one really knows who is going where at this point. There are rumors and speculation but they can only guess. I'm with Noah on this one. Maybe they are made by kids in their parents' basement.
Doc's comments in Bulpett's article in yesterday's Herald have been bothering me.
“What did we accomplish?” countered Rivers. “We accomplished a bunch of individual guys doing things.” “I think it’s the biggest thing,” Rivers said. “That’s the thing with young players. They tend to focus on that (individual) part first, and you can make a case that none of them have gone past that besides Al (Jefferson). So if you go by that model, that doesn’t sound great. But a lot of them are getting closer to being able to do that and being able to do a little bit of both, establish themselves individually and with the team.”
What Doc basically did was throw everyone not named Al Jefferson under the bus. In effect, he is saying that they are all selfish and putting themselves before the good of the team.
From all reports, our players get along very well on and off the court. They work out together all the time and all seem to be pretty unselfish players and hard workers. Is Doc saying that West was focusing on himself when he was playing in pain last season because he knew that the team needed him? And Perk was focusing on himself when he played game after game in excruciating pain from his foot, knowing that the team needed him?
Bulpett asks this question in his article:
If a player has the requisite talent and aptitude to learn, then exactly whose fault is it if he doesn’t perform to his capabilities?
I believe that our players have the requisite talent and they also have the aptitude to learn. So doesn't that point to the coach as the reason that a group of very talented players doesn't put it all together? According to Doc, it isn't his fault at all. It seems to me that Doc is already setting up an excuse for why the team doesn't win next season. It can't be the coach. Has to be the selfish players.
Doc's system doesn't play to the strengths of players. He doesn't allow them to use their instincts but they have to follow Doc's system and the plays he calls out. If a player happens to break a play, he knows that he will be pulled and spend much of the game on the bench. Bigs have to stop at the top of the arc and wait for the ball to be passed around the arc before moving in to play under the basket. The point guard isn't the primary ball handler, and how many times do we have to watch Pierce drive into a triple team and turn the ball over with at least 2 of his teammates open?
We have some very talented players. The youth excuse no longer flies as Perk has 4 years experience, Al, Tony and Delonte have 3 years experience, Green and Gomes have 2 years experience and Rondo and Powe will have 1 year experience. The only problem is that all of that experience has come with Doc as coach. If they aren't improving and advancing as they should, given the talent involved, you have to point at the coach.
Doc is already making excuses:
“I don’t know yet,” he said. “I think that’s something we’ll see. It’s tough to tell. We had so many injuries and all that crap last year, so I don’t know the answer. I think we’ll find that answer out. I’m hoping they are. I believe they’re a lot closer, but whether they are or not we’ll find out.”
But while he is making excuses, players like Perk took 2 days off and then was back to work trying to improve his game. Green has put on muscle and is working hard with John Lucas to improve his game. Al, Powe, Gomes, Rondo, and West have all been working hard as well. These kids care about the team. They care about winning. They work hard and play hard and with heart. A coach who says they care more about individual stats than the team only cares about covering his own back. If this team doesn't come out strong, Danny should finally admit that Doc can't coach and give this team a chance with a coach who can. [Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!]
Joakim Noah and Brandon Wright were in Waltham for workouts. They did not work out against each other, however. Wright has decided to workout by himself and not against competition, feeling that he can get more attention that way. Noah worked out against Michigan's Courtney Sims. Noah gave a great interview, according to the report on Celtics.com. He was impressed with Yi's solo workout, but questions how that will transfer to a court with 9 other people.
Ainge continues to feel that the workouts are more for the coaches to get a feel for the players and to talk with them about life on and off the court. Ainge made no comment on Noah's workout, but on Wright's solo work out, Ainge had this to say:
"It's tough to determine how workouts go when you don't play against people," Ainge said of today's session. "I'm not going to comment on that, that's Brandan's decision and his agent's. That's their strategy. It's worked before and it hasn't worked, so we'll see."
The latest rumors are that Rashard Lewis would like to come to Boston. A poster on Real GM who has some credibility has said that Lewis works out with Gerald Green in the offseason and is friends with several of the Celtics, including the Captain. He would like to come to Boston and word is that Danny can get him in a sign and trade for Ratliff's contract and a young player. Reportedly he wants to come to Boston and that is a huge plus.
Lewis is 28 years old and 6'10. He can play both the 3 and the 4. Last season he averaged 22.4 points and 6 rebounds. He would definitely be a good addition to the team. According to the post, we would not have to give up the 5th pick in order to get him since we can't negotiate for him until July 1. Although this is just rumor at this point, it is good to think about and one of the better deals that have come up in rumors so far. Steve Bulpett mentioned the Celtics interest in Lewis last night on CelticsStuff Live so it isn't coming completely out of the blue. But keep in mind that this is just at the rumor stage and should be accepted as such. However, it is fun to think about.
UPDATE: Jeff over on Celtics Blog has confirmed that this rumor does indeed have legs. His sources are telling him that the Celtics are in a good position to make this happen but the bone of contention at this point is the 5th pick. Check out Jeff's comments on it here.
In the Herald, Steve Bulpett tells us that there are no more excuses for the Celtics this season. We can no longer use the youth excuse as most of our young players are entering their 3rd, 4th, or 5th seasons. Doc sounds ready to make more excuses to cover himself.
“No. I don’t think you can just say we’re ready,” he said. “I’m realistic. If our guys are ready to win, we’ll win. If they’re not and they need another year, then we need another year. There’s no years on it. That’s such idiotic stuff. You just don’t know when it’s going to come together, or if it’s going to come together.”
If a player has the requisite talent and aptitude to learn, then exactly whose fault is it if he doesn’t perform to his capabilities?
“I don’t know,” said Rivers. “I don’t think it’s necessarily on the coach. I think it’s on both of us, but I don’t think you can say, ‘Now this year I’ve got to get them to do this.’ That’s just idiotic thinking.”
Am I imagining things or did Doc just call all the fans who expect him to do a better job of coaching this young and talented team idiots? Jeff over on Celtics Blog thinks he did. We saw several of our young players step up last season when the injuries to our veterans gave them playing time. Shouldn't that indicate that the team is ready to take the next step? not according to Doc.
“What did we accomplish?” countered Rivers. “We accomplished a bunch of individual guys doing things.”
If players are accomplishing individual things but the team isn't coming together, it sounds like the coach isn't doing his job.
Also on Celtics Blog, Jeff asks whether Sean Marion makes sense for the Celtics. If you missed last night's CelticsStuff Live, you need to listen to it. Steve Bulpett was an incredible guest. It was one of the best shows yet. Steve said that he expects the Celtics to take Jeff Green if they keep the pick and Celtics 24/7 profiles him today.
The Denver Post catches up with Scott Wedman from the Celtics' last championship team. Hoopsworld covers some of the draft rumors that are circulating.
NBA.com announces a new show that will air on NBA-TV called Red and Me. Bill Russell will share his memories of Red Auerbach and their relationship. Should be a good one. The show will air tomorrow, Tuesday June 12, at 7:00 pm on NBA TV.
Celtics 17 has a very good article on the pros and cons of the running game. In spite of hearing year after year that the Celtics will run this season, we see them lapse back into a half court game. With Rondo as our point guard, we have a real chance to be a running team. I would love to see some kind of balance between a running team and a defensive team. Defense is the key to the playoffs and I don't want us to play a running game at the expense of developing a defensive mindset.
The Lowell Sun discusses the draft and the fun one can have watching it unfold. I would enjoy it much more if I didn't have to worry so much about Danny trading our pick for a used up veteran or 3rd string point guard.
In spite of reports to the contrary, AZ Central says that the rumors of Marion to the Celtics didn't start with Phoenix. They also say the Danny has been enamored with Marion since he was with the Suns.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Bulls also like Marion along with the fact that Boston is the team considered most to trade out of the lottery. There is also a Golden State trade scenario.
Draft Express has reports from Day 1 and Day 2 of the Eurocamp.
17 days until the draft. More and more trade rumors pop up every day. Brandon Wright and Noah are coming in to Boston to work out today. According to Steve Bulpett, Noah isn't being considered with the 5th pick but could be an option if they trade down.
The Celtics are the most storied franchise in NBA history. The 16 banners hanging from the rafters attest to this. But it has been 21 years since the last championship. It has also been 21 years since the death of Len Bias, and the Celtics have never recovered from that tragedy. I have to tell you that as a fan, I have never gotten over it either. I remember the elation I felt when I saw the Celtics make that pick. And I remember all too well the heartbreak of hearing the news that Bias had died. I have to admit that even now, watching the above video brings tears to my eyes.
On June 8, 1986, the Celtics beat the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. They were on top of the NBA world. They were World Champions and owned the 2nd pick in the draft that season thanks to the trade of Gerald Henderson to Seattle. A little more than a week later, the Celtics selected Maryland star Len Bias with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
On the morning of June 19, less than 48 hours after he was introduced by NBA commissioner David Stern as the Celtics pick, Bias was dead of heart failure brought on by cocaine use. He was just 22 years old. The basketball world would never get to see what he could do at the next level. He would be remembered only by what he had accomplished at Maryland, where he transformed himself from an athletic freshman who could do little more than dunk into one of the most explosive offensive players in Atlantic Coast Conference history.
Bias had spent hours working on that picture-perfect jumper and building that power-forward physique. By the time he was finished playing for Lefty Driesell at Maryland, Bias had become the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,149 points, a record that stood until 2002 when it was broken by Juan Dixon.
Though we will never know what kind of player Len Bias might have been if he had he lived and played out a full career in the NBA, those who played against him in college and those who would have played a part in his life as a Celtic feel that he would have developed into one of the most dynamic NBA stars of his era, maybe in league history.
The Big Three were aging and the Celtics looked at Bias as the link to the future of the 30-year Celtics dynasty that began with Bill Russell in 1956 and continued to the glory days of the 80's culminating with the 16th championship in 1986. It was even felt that Bias could have been the rival that Michael Jordan never really found during his career. Bias was a better outside shooter than Jordan. He didn't handle the ball as well, but he was bigger and tougher and every bit as athletic, perhaps even more so.
As a rookie in Boston, Bias would have assumed the role of the team's sixth man, a much vaunted tradition in Boston. He would have provided young legs and instant offense off the bench to back up a starting lineup that featured Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish in the front court and Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge in the back court. It is widely believed that had Bias lived he would have been able to prolong the careers of the Celtics Hall of Fame starting five and because he was so talented, he would have worked his way into the starting lineup before long, continuing the dominating play that people had come to expect from the Celtics.
The championship in the spring of 1986 was the second in three seasons and third in six years for the Celtics. And, unfortunately, it was the last of the 16 championships to this day, 21 years later.
But the tragedy for the Celtics didn't end with the death of Len Bias. The next year, the Celtics chose Reggie Lewis with the 22nd pick to try to fill the void left by the death of Bias. Reggie succeeded Bird as captain and was just reaching the peak of his career when he died of a heart attack in the summer of 1993. The back to back deaths took an emotional toll on the franchise, but they also sent it into a tailspin from which it still hasn't recovered.
There was no financial relief from the league to help the team after the two deaths. The Celtics were not allowed to sign another player to replace Reggie. They were given no salary cap compensation. The league eventually changed the rule, but too late to help the Celtics recover from the dual tragedy that had hit them.
The deaths of Bias and Lewis basically turned the NBA's most successful franchise into a mediocre team. They reached the Finals in 1987 and lost to the Lakers in 6 games. They reached the Eastern Conference finals in 1988 and lost to the Pistons in 6 games. Since then, they have been to the playoffs only 10 times and made it to the conference finals only once, losing to the Nets in 2002.
The ball that started rolling on that fateful morning back in June 1986 still haunts the franchise to this day. Of course there have been a series of bad decisions and bad management in between, but chances are good that had Bias and Reggie lived, the fortunes of this franchise would have been very much different. We can only hope that the franchise is finally headed in the right direction to get back to the top again. This year we have the highest draft pick we have had since Bias was picked 2nd in 1986. We can only hope that whoever we choose with this 5th pick can finally fill the hole that was left by the death of Len Bias which has not yet been filled to this day.
The Celtics have completed their first workouts with Brewer and Thornton and start another round next week with Noah and Horford coming in along with a trip to see Jeff Green in DC. MetroWest Daily reports that Danny was very impressed with Thornton's offense. The Sun Sentinel discusses the Brewer and Thornton workouts. And SportsinBoston reports that Yi and Brewer dominate in workouts. Brewer against other players and Yi against a chair. I don't mind telling you that Yi's fears of working out against other players and his failure to attend the measurement session in Orlando has me a bit worried about picking him. Makes you wonder what he is hiding from. I know that Danny has seen him play several times, but it just sounds fishy that he won't workout against another player, even in a structured situation. Does he maybe have a promise from a GM (like Danny, for instance) so that they are doing the chair thing and pulling out of Orlando so as to disuade other GM's from taking him? Makes me wonder.
The Globe has one of Peter May's columns on everything under the sun including Vincent and Iavaroni paying their dues, the player's association weighing in on Telfair's situation, a funny Chris Wallace story, trade talks and more. One thing caught my attention above everything else.
"We want to attack the opponent," said Iavaroni. "We want to make sure that the opponent is feeling uncomfortable. We want to bring out the energy, the talent, the athleticism that we have in our players. We want them to play instinctively. They can't do that unless it's simple. I'll be a simplicity and execution coach."
A coach with less experience in the NBA might not have the confidence to advocate simplicity.
Just when I get resigned to Doc as our coach, I read something like this. Red Auerbach always preached simplicity. Keep it simple and let the players use their strengths. Doc has so many plays and calls one just about every time down. If a player doesn't execute the play to his satisfaction, expect him to be pulled, not to be seen again for awhile. We have players looking over their shoulders all the time expecting to be pulled from the game after every mistake. I remember Doc saying at the end of training camp last season that he was implementing 3 more defensive sets (on top of the 8 that were mentioned previously). No wonder that our players have trouble getting his system down. With a player like Rajon Rondo who has such great instincts, we need to have a coach who will let him play and create on the floor. I just worry that we will never improve until we get a good coach. I also worry that Danny is going to trade a young player away before we get a coach who will play to each players strong points instead of trying to fit them into square holes. The article also delves into some trade talk.
At least one NBA executive figures the Celtics will trade the No. 5 pick before the draft rolls around June 28, and he sees Phoenix as a prospective partner. The Suns are looking to dump salary and picks. New Phoenix president of basketball operations and general manager Steve Kerr has the No. 24, No. 29, and No. 59 picks. One of the scenarios raised by the executive had Shawn Marion and the $33.6 million and two years remaining on his contract headed to Boston for the No. 5 pick and Theo Ratliff, who has one year remaining worth $11.7 million. The Celtics would throw in another player or two with one year left to make the money work -- say, Delonte West ($1.9 million), Tony Allen ($1.9 million), or even Sebastian Telfair ($2.6 million). One way or the other, Celtics assistant executive director of basketball operations Leo Papile predicts a lot of deal-making in the days and hours preceding the draft, because there are teams with too many picks and teams with no picks. Look for an organization like Indiana, without any picks, to try to deal its way into the mix.
The Herald article also discusses several topics including Al's thoughts on Yi, the prospects of Donovan testing the NBA waters again, the fact that Oden really loved college, and the Grizzlies' situation.
USA Today mentions Noah's workout for the Bobcats. He comes to the Celtics next. I am still puzzled by the fact that none of the Boston papers mention Noah as one of the 6 prospects being considered at 5. I think he would fill a need on the Celtics. He plays well around the basket, is a defensive force and even though his shot is unorthodox, he hits them with regularity. I just love his intensity and fire and work ethic as well. He knows how to win and would bring that attitude to the Celtics, another thing we need.
Noah said there wasn't a lot you can take from a short workout, but he wanted the team to know that if they draft him they'll be taking a player with a great work ethic.
"I just want to show them that I am somebody who takes basketball very seriously and not somebody who is just all about going out and partying and doing all kinds of things like that — that's not me," Noah said. "I'm somebody who takes basketball very seriously."
Hoopsworld has a piece on Stern and the Lottery. He says he is delighted with the top 2 picks going to Portland and Seattle. This just fuels the speculation that he may have fixed the lottery. I still say it would be so easy to do. Just a tiny bit of extra paint or plastic in the 1,2, and 3 balls and no way the Celtics or Grizzlies or Bucks get the top pick. Much easier than picking a bent envelope from a hopper. Having worked with numbers most of my life, it just doesn't sit right with me that the 3 teams with the best chance of landing the top 2 picks got shut out.
FanHouse has an interview with Nick Young. The guys at The Shamrock Headband have visions of Sean Marion dancing in their heads. Oregon Live discusses Golden State's trade possibilities and say that if they trade it will likely be just before the draft.
Only 18 days until the draft and trade rumors are likely to be coming a lot more often the closer we get. I am looking forward to hearing about Noah's workout for Boston. I am so nervous that Danny is going to make another trade that will: (A)bring in a used up veteran and, (B)trade away a young talent who will break out for another team and come back to haunt us. [Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!]
