Random Thoughts on Trades, Rondo, Rotations, and More

The trade of Joel Anthony for Will Bynum has created more questions than it has answered.   Stan Van Gundy, Detroit's coach has said that they made the trade because he wants to make the statement that defense is their priority.   I half expect Danny to say that he made the trade because having a gazillion combo guards is the Celtics top priority. 



There are a lot of theories as to why the Celtics made this trade.  I've read a few theories that Bynum was brought in because Danny is trading Rondo.  Others believe that Bynum was brought in to be a good locker room presence and veteran leader for the young players on the team.  Phil Pressey would then be the most likely to be cut.  And finally, I've read theories that this is simply about the dollars.

By trading Anthony for Bynum,  the Celtics save almost a million dollars.  If they had planned to cut Anthony,  they can now cut Bynum and save money in the process.  By trading Anthony, it would seem that Danny is planning to have Vitor Faverani in the plans for this season.  To me, saving money seems to be the most likely scenario, but we'll have to wait and see how it plays out.  The final move could be a 2 for 1 trade, just cutting one player.   I do think that Dwight Powell sticks with the team.  He has a lot of upside and has shown that he can play the 3 at 6'11" and can also play the 4. 

In Rondo's video interview with Emily Austen, he said that he's been working out but hasn't been cleared for contact as yet.  He said he hoped to be re-evaluated in the next couple of days.   Brad Stevens said that there is a possibility that Rondo could be back by opening night.   That would make his return at least 2 weeks ahead of the original estimates.  Stevens wouldn't commit to anything, but did say that it's not out of the question.  Given Rondo's toughness and determination,  I wouldn't be surprised. I'll never understand why some Celtics fans are so ready to get rid of him. 

Dionte Christmas, who was a fan favorite when he was in Boston because of his work ethic and effort,  played last year with the Phoenix Suns but didn't return this season.  He attended training camp with the Pelicans but today they announced that they were waiving him.  Like the Celtics, they are in a roster crunch and so Christmas was expendable.   I'm pulling for him.  Hopefully another team will pick him up.

There's  lor of attention on Sunday's game between the Celtics and the Nets because the league is experimenting with a 44 minute game.  I'm not a big fan of cutting the game because it will change stats and make it difficult to compare between 48 minute games and 44 minute games.  I'm all for eliminating a television time out or two.   But, I hope they don't cut the games by 4 minutes.  It will be interesting to see how Sunday's game goes. 

From the Celtics official Twitter comes this interesting tidbit...

Brad Stevens leaves door open for anyone to start at SG: "Rondo will start at the 1 but we could go with any number of combos next to him."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 16, 2014

So far, Brad Stevens has made two statements on his starting lineup. First he said that Kelly Olynyk is his starting center and it would be hard for anyone to beat him out for the position. Now he is reported as saying that Rondo will start at the 1, which isn't a surprise to anyone.  What is surprising is taht he is leaving the door open for anyone to start at SG.  I would have thought that Avery Bradley was set in that spot.

Bradley has been playing very well and earned the spot last season.  Other possibilities could be Evan Turner to give the back court a bit more size.  Or,  maybe Marcus Smart, who also brings more size than Bradley and brings a bit more toughness.  Or, he could start Marcus Thornton, who would give the starting lineup a bit more fire power.  Maybe that spot will rotate depending on the matchups.    I would say that Jared Sullinger will be the starting 4 because he is our best rebounder and works will next to Kelly.  I also think his play has earned him that spot. 

  And,  I would imagine that Jeff Green will start at the 3.   Evan Turner would make a great 6th man because he is versatile and can come in at the 1, 2, or 3.    It will be interesting to see the rotations for the final two preseason games.  Will he give the guys at the end of the bench a chance to play and rest key rotation guys to be sure to avoid injury, or will he try out his regular season rotation? 

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