As I have explained before the NBA draft, I believe there is reason to be excited about the Celtics this off-season. But after the draft I am a little less confident. I'm not as opposed to the selections made by Danny Ainge as many fans are, but I do think it puts a lot of pressure on the team going forward. I think it is clear that some players will have to be moved this off-season and hopefully for strong players in return. I would not be surprised if the Celtics looked to move either Marcus Smart or James Young. Perhaps even Avery Bradley.
The biggest scare for myself, as a fan, is that Boston will come away from free agency empty handed. That cannot happen. I don't think they will come away with nothing but I do think its looking more and more like they will not be able to land an all-star type player. Demarcus Cousins via trade seems to be the most likely, and even that doesn't look promising right now.
If the Celtics could land a player like Kevin Love or Lamarcus Aldridge, good things will happen. Why Boston is no longer a destination for players is beyond me. The fans are great and so is the city, yet the weather turns players away. Despite all of them owning a home in Los Angeles or Miami anyways.
The free agent frenzy will begin this week and I sure hope Boston ends up with Kevin Love and Paul Pierce, as opposed to Al-Farouq Aminu and Greg Monroe.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Storied Franchises Get a Shot in The Draft
This year's NBA draft will be so intriguing, because of the NBA franchises involved. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks have top four picks in the draft, and many needs to fill. It seems if the Lakers keep their pick, they will be selecting Duke big man Jahlil Okafor. Okafor could be the next great big man in the storied history of the Lakers. From George Mikan to Wilt Chamberlain to Kareem to Shaq. The Lakers have always succeeded when led by great centers. Especially ones with as much offensive skill as Okafor.
The New York Knicks may be looking for a guard. D'Angelo Russell is one many think will fall to the Knicks at number four. Russell has been receiving nothing but high praise these past few weeks. Viewed as the best passer in the draft, Russell could be the next great point guard in the league. His size and sneaky athleticism makes him even more appealing. The last time the Knicks had a solid point guard was Jason Kidd, who was at the end of his career.
Both the Knicks and the Lakers have a lot of work to do, but both should take big steps towards future success with top four picks.
The New York Knicks may be looking for a guard. D'Angelo Russell is one many think will fall to the Knicks at number four. Russell has been receiving nothing but high praise these past few weeks. Viewed as the best passer in the draft, Russell could be the next great point guard in the league. His size and sneaky athleticism makes him even more appealing. The last time the Knicks had a solid point guard was Jason Kidd, who was at the end of his career.
Both the Knicks and the Lakers have a lot of work to do, but both should take big steps towards future success with top four picks.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Should the Celtics Still Pursue Cousins?
The Boston Celtics have shown interest in Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins for the past couple of years. Going back to when they were looking to shop Rajon Rondo. As we enter the summer of 2015, the interest is still there. Just yesterday, however, the Lakers and Magic were a part of a proposed trade involving DeMarcus Cousins. Picks would be swapped and Cousins would end up in Los Angeles. It would also mean Jahlil Okafor would likely go to Sacramento or Orlando.
The Celtics fan in me hopes this falls through, but the basketball fan in me knows Boogie Cousins and the Black Mamba would be must watch television. Perhaps they add Rondo in free agency and all of a sudden you have one of the most intriguing starting lineups in the league. One filled not only with three of the biggest personalities in the league, but also with talent.
Boston will not let this go that easy. The team has ties with Cousins through point guard Isaiah Thomas. Although the two had trouble sharing the ball in the past, the friendship is still strong, and in Brad Stevens I trust.
The reason Boston should really try for Cousins is that he would immediately be that franchise player the Celtics have been searching for ever since the "big three" broke up. Cousins is a perennial all-star player who would be an MVP candidate if he played for a contender. Boston would embrace the big fella, and get behind him 100%. I still believe he should be the goal for this summer, but if he can't be obtained there are still other options.
Dwyane Wade is potentially going to be open to other teams. I think Boston should give him a call. Even if the Celtics were able to acquire a player like Cousins or Lamarcus Aldridge, Wade would provide leadership and experience in the backcourt. Something the team has lacked in recent years. Not to mention when he is healthy he is still one of the best shooting guards in the league. Wade could also help bring in other players.
There is reason to be excited for this off-season if you are a Celtics fan. I do not believe this team is in complete rebuild mode. They are close to contender than people might think.
The Celtics fan in me hopes this falls through, but the basketball fan in me knows Boogie Cousins and the Black Mamba would be must watch television. Perhaps they add Rondo in free agency and all of a sudden you have one of the most intriguing starting lineups in the league. One filled not only with three of the biggest personalities in the league, but also with talent.
Boston will not let this go that easy. The team has ties with Cousins through point guard Isaiah Thomas. Although the two had trouble sharing the ball in the past, the friendship is still strong, and in Brad Stevens I trust.
The reason Boston should really try for Cousins is that he would immediately be that franchise player the Celtics have been searching for ever since the "big three" broke up. Cousins is a perennial all-star player who would be an MVP candidate if he played for a contender. Boston would embrace the big fella, and get behind him 100%. I still believe he should be the goal for this summer, but if he can't be obtained there are still other options.
Dwyane Wade is potentially going to be open to other teams. I think Boston should give him a call. Even if the Celtics were able to acquire a player like Cousins or Lamarcus Aldridge, Wade would provide leadership and experience in the backcourt. Something the team has lacked in recent years. Not to mention when he is healthy he is still one of the best shooting guards in the league. Wade could also help bring in other players.
There is reason to be excited for this off-season if you are a Celtics fan. I do not believe this team is in complete rebuild mode. They are close to contender than people might think.
Brady Against the League
Tom Brady is meeting with the NFL league offices today, to attempt at proving the league they were wrong in suspending him four games to begin the NFL regular season. This deflategate saga has been going on for months now. Weeks before the Patriots captured the teams forth Super Bowl. As a Patriots fan I have believed this was ridiculous from the start. This opinion has only grown stronger after the Wells Report was released along with all the information that has been released following this story.
Brady does not deserve this, it is clear that there is not enough information against Brady to warrant a suspension, but the league could not go without giving him at least one game. Not after coming down so hard on both Brady and the team.
The New England Patriots open up the season hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. A team which is always going to put up a fight, led by a quarterback who knows all about controversy, Ben Roethlisberger. A good first test for the team I believe is going back to the Super Bowl. Suspension or not, the Patriots will answer the call and make another run. The revamped Buffalo Bills squad could test the Pats, but even when the team didn't have the best roster, AFC east battles are always tough.
I am very interested to hear how these talks go, and what kind of impression Tom Brady makes on the league. I do not believe the NFL is out to get Brady, but I do think they feel they must do something after so much was made of deflategate. So many former players, coaches and GM's have let there opinion be heard. Many defending Tom Brady and many against his alleged actions.
I can confidently say that once this is all done Brady will not be sitting out four games, and the league may have to take back some of its actions towards the New England Patriots as well. Today should be a step towards that.
Brady does not deserve this, it is clear that there is not enough information against Brady to warrant a suspension, but the league could not go without giving him at least one game. Not after coming down so hard on both Brady and the team.
The New England Patriots open up the season hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. A team which is always going to put up a fight, led by a quarterback who knows all about controversy, Ben Roethlisberger. A good first test for the team I believe is going back to the Super Bowl. Suspension or not, the Patriots will answer the call and make another run. The revamped Buffalo Bills squad could test the Pats, but even when the team didn't have the best roster, AFC east battles are always tough.
I am very interested to hear how these talks go, and what kind of impression Tom Brady makes on the league. I do not believe the NFL is out to get Brady, but I do think they feel they must do something after so much was made of deflategate. So many former players, coaches and GM's have let there opinion be heard. Many defending Tom Brady and many against his alleged actions.
I can confidently say that once this is all done Brady will not be sitting out four games, and the league may have to take back some of its actions towards the New England Patriots as well. Today should be a step towards that.
Celtics Offseason Begins
Now that the draft is upon us and we are officially done with the 2014-15 NBA season, it's time to start talking about the Boston Celtics. The Celtics want to improve the roster going into next season. This could be through the draft, free agency or trades. Boston only has a couple players they'd really like to hold onto, Isiah Thomas being the main asset.
A lot of mock drafts have the Celtics taking Kelly Oubre out of Kansas at the number sixteen spot. Oubre would be a nice wing player who the team could develop. At 6'7", Oubre would add more size and versatility to the wing spot. This could be a direction the Celtics want to go the way the NBA is shaping right now. The Golden State Warriors just won a title starting three players in the front court who stood 6'6", 6'7" and 6'8" respectively (Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes).
Currently the Celtics have Jae Crowder as the teams only real wing. James Young has potential, but has yet to display it at the NBA level. If the Celtics do not acquire a wing through the draft it will have to be through free agency. A pure shooter is also a need for Boston, maybe a couple of them. Rumors have swirled that the Celtics were looking to acquire one of the biggest names in free agency this summer, Lamarcus Aldridge. Aldridge's teammate Wesley Matthews is also a free agent, one who could have been up for a max contract this summer if his season was not cut short by an achilles injury. If the Celtics could acquire both they would instantly be contenders for a top seed in the eastern conference, as it stands.
There are more options for the Celtics in free agency, and a couple of potential trade targets with all of the assets Boston have to offer.
A lot of mock drafts have the Celtics taking Kelly Oubre out of Kansas at the number sixteen spot. Oubre would be a nice wing player who the team could develop. At 6'7", Oubre would add more size and versatility to the wing spot. This could be a direction the Celtics want to go the way the NBA is shaping right now. The Golden State Warriors just won a title starting three players in the front court who stood 6'6", 6'7" and 6'8" respectively (Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes).
Currently the Celtics have Jae Crowder as the teams only real wing. James Young has potential, but has yet to display it at the NBA level. If the Celtics do not acquire a wing through the draft it will have to be through free agency. A pure shooter is also a need for Boston, maybe a couple of them. Rumors have swirled that the Celtics were looking to acquire one of the biggest names in free agency this summer, Lamarcus Aldridge. Aldridge's teammate Wesley Matthews is also a free agent, one who could have been up for a max contract this summer if his season was not cut short by an achilles injury. If the Celtics could acquire both they would instantly be contenders for a top seed in the eastern conference, as it stands.
There are more options for the Celtics in free agency, and a couple of potential trade targets with all of the assets Boston have to offer.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
2015 Finals
The Cleveland Cavaliers put up a fight in game six, but the series was over near the end of game four. It is still shocking to me that the Cavs even won two games in this series. Two games that put them in a position to go up 3-1 in the series. I think it is safe to say we all knew the Warriors would not let that happen, and that we all knew Golden State would win the series. Not once did I believe otherwise. Not even when Matthew Dellavedova was hitting and one bank shots from the ground. I remained confident that the best team I have seen since the 2008 Boston Celtics was going to turn it around, especially against this undermanned Cleveland squad.
After game three, players like Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were simply not themselves, and looked like the spotlight was perhaps too big. Those two turned it around and played their best basketball of the series in the last two games. Green in particular with an impressive triple double in the closeout game. Something not many players have ever done in finals history.
This match up could be one we see for years in the future. I think the Cavs will be the favorites in the east as long as LeBron James continues to suit up, and Golden State have no reason to not be the favorites in the west.
After game three, players like Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were simply not themselves, and looked like the spotlight was perhaps too big. Those two turned it around and played their best basketball of the series in the last two games. Green in particular with an impressive triple double in the closeout game. Something not many players have ever done in finals history.
This match up could be one we see for years in the future. I think the Cavs will be the favorites in the east as long as LeBron James continues to suit up, and Golden State have no reason to not be the favorites in the west.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Warriors Should Be Worried
The series is 2-1. Cleveland leads. It is truly shocking. I thought the Warriors would have more energy and a sense of urgency in game three. Instead the team looked lost through three quarters. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes are not only missing a ton of shots, but also do not seem to know what they're doing at times. All four guys have played tremendously through the first three rounds, but cannot seem to figure it out against Cleveland's physical play.
At least Curry did late. Curry finished the game with 27 points and hit five of his seven threes in the fourth quarter. A lot of people believe this is a good sign for the Warriors, as they will be able to use Curry's play as momentum for game four. I think that may be true, but Curry was hitting the shots, not Barnes, Green or Thompson.
Stephen Curry will lead his team to an improved performance in game four, but the rest of the starters must pick up their individual games. This team needs to force the officials to make more calls. Golden State has not been nearly as aggressive as they need to be. Cleveland is physically punishing each Warrior player as they come up the floor. Someone needs to lay out Matthew Dellavedova, or Tristan Thompson, because those two players are doing whatever they want on the defensive end, and will continue to if no one hits them back.
Hopefully Golden State will come out in came four with that killer mentality. They need to. If the Warriors come out like they did in game three, LeBron James will take full advantage and put the city of Cleveland on the brink of a championship.
At least Curry did late. Curry finished the game with 27 points and hit five of his seven threes in the fourth quarter. A lot of people believe this is a good sign for the Warriors, as they will be able to use Curry's play as momentum for game four. I think that may be true, but Curry was hitting the shots, not Barnes, Green or Thompson.
Stephen Curry will lead his team to an improved performance in game four, but the rest of the starters must pick up their individual games. This team needs to force the officials to make more calls. Golden State has not been nearly as aggressive as they need to be. Cleveland is physically punishing each Warrior player as they come up the floor. Someone needs to lay out Matthew Dellavedova, or Tristan Thompson, because those two players are doing whatever they want on the defensive end, and will continue to if no one hits them back.
Hopefully Golden State will come out in came four with that killer mentality. They need to. If the Warriors come out like they did in game three, LeBron James will take full advantage and put the city of Cleveland on the brink of a championship.
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