Around the league 2017-2018

[Kobblehead]

Jae Crowder is on one of the best contracts currently in the league. No way Ainge parts with him. He's also one of the few established options they have to play at the PF spot in small ball line-ups.

[Sixerscan]

Jae Crowder is on one of the best contracts currently in the league. No way Ainge parts with him. He's also one of the few established options they have to play at the PF spot in small ball line-ups.

Aren't Brown and potentially Tatum small ball 4 guys?

Crowder looked like he didn't belong on the court against the Cavs. If his contract is really that great he should be able to fetch a decent front court piece.

[PLO]

Seemingly one of the things to come out of this off-season is how loathed Ainge is around the league; Colangelo (a noted establishment guy) wouldn't speak with him and he either low-balled or couldn't get deals done for Butler and Paul George. Colangelo in particular took time to note that he wouldn't speak with Ainge in his presser for the pick swap we had to get Fultz. Ainge leaks lies to the press about deals/near-deals/non-deals that paints a picture of other GMs being incompetent, ie the Pritchard stuff with PG. The only top-shelf player he was able to get was through free agency. For these reasons I think any deals with Celtics players would be looked on as particularly onerous for other teams - I would be surprised if any Celtics players came to the Sixers in particular given the extra obstacle of dealing a player in conference.

[Kobblehead]

I can't wait to spank Boston in the postseason in 2019.

[Sixerscan]

I can't wait to spank Boston in the postseason in 2019.

Why wait?

[Eyeamok]

Seemingly one of the things to come out of this off-season is how loathed Ainge is around the league; Colangelo (a noted establishment guy) wouldn't speak with him and he either low-balled or couldn't get deals done for Butler and Paul George. Colangelo in particular took time to note that he wouldn't speak with Ainge in his presser for the pick swap we had to get Fultz. Ainge leaks lies to the press about deals/near-deals/non-deals that paints a picture of other GMs being incompetent, ie the Pritchard stuff with PG. The only top-shelf player he was able to get was through free agency. For these reasons I think any deals with Celtics players would be looked on as particularly onerous for other teams - I would be surprised if any Celtics players came to the Sixers in particular given the extra obstacle of dealing a player in conference.

So how did BC get the deal done to move up to take Fultz? Did he speak with someone else in the Celtics organizaiton just not Ainge?

From what I hear the problem with Ainge and PG was that he wanted to wait to get Haywood before he made a deal for PG. And in the process he was not willing to give up a top pick or say defenitively Indiana this is what we are going to give you for PG. It was like we want PG but after we get Haywood, and then we will talk terms. Which if true is no way to get things done.

Good Job signing Haywood but it reminds me of the Goran Dragić deal a few years ago. The press was all over the deal and how it made Miami better etc. It was just a momentary blip and things went back to being the same. Haywood is good, but he does not do much for Boston getting past Cleveland this upcoming season or even beating anyone from the east.

[Chris76]

Jae Crowder is on one of the best contracts currently in the league. No way Ainge parts with him. He's also one of the few established options they have to play at the PF spot in small ball line-ups.

Aren't Brown and potentially Tatum small ball 4 guys?

Crowder looked like he didn't belong on the court against the Cavs. If his contract is really that great he should be able to fetch a decent front court piece.

IT/Smart
Jaylen/AB
Hayward
Tatum/Crowder
Horford/Zizic

Boston had a really good offseason. Tatum is going to be a good stretch 4, he may have some trouble with strong PFs, Simmons, on defense. If, Jaylen tightens his handle, he could be a nice size SG. Also, if Boston could get Marc Gasol, if possible, they would be a very competitive team.

[PLO]

Seemingly one of the things to come out of this off-season is how loathed Ainge is around the league; Colangelo (a noted establishment guy) wouldn't speak with him and he either low-balled or couldn't get deals done for Butler and Paul George. Colangelo in particular took time to note that he wouldn't speak with Ainge in his presser for the pick swap we had to get Fultz. Ainge leaks lies to the press about deals/near-deals/non-deals that paints a picture of other GMs being incompetent, ie the Pritchard stuff with PG. The only top-shelf player he was able to get was through free agency. For these reasons I think any deals with Celtics players would be looked on as particularly onerous for other teams - I would be surprised if any Celtics players came to the Sixers in particular given the extra obstacle of dealing a player in conference.

So how did BC get the deal done to move up to take Fultz? Did he speak with someone else in the Celtics organizaiton just not Ainge.

From what I hear the problem with Ainge and PG was that he wanted to wait to get Haywood before he made a deal for PG. And in the process he was not willing to give up a top pick or say defenitively Indiana this is what we are going to give you for PG. It was like we want PG but after we get Haywood, and then we will talk terms. Which if true is no way to get things done.

Good Job signing Haywood but it reminds me of the Goran Dragić deal a few years ago. The press was all over the deal and how it made Miami better etc. It was just a momentary blip and things went back to being the same. Haywood is good, but he does not do much for Boston getting past Cleveland this upcoming season or even beating anyone from the east.

Colangelo said he spoke with Mike Zarren (Cetlics assistant GM) in his presser, he said something like "they're really smart guys (Celtics)....I'm talking about Mike Zarren, not Danny Ainge by the way". He also said he had been talking to Zarren "for what seemed like a year and a half" about the picks and other things.

Watch on YouTube

[Sixerscan]

Seemingly one of the things to come out of this off-season is how loathed Ainge is around the league; Colangelo (a noted establishment guy) wouldn't speak with him and he either low-balled or couldn't get deals done for Butler and Paul George. Colangelo in particular took time to note that he wouldn't speak with Ainge in his presser for the pick swap we had to get Fultz. Ainge leaks lies to the press about deals/near-deals/non-deals that paints a picture of other GMs being incompetent, ie the Pritchard stuff with PG. The only top-shelf player he was able to get was through free agency. For these reasons I think any deals with Celtics players would be looked on as particularly onerous for other teams - I would be surprised if any Celtics players came to the Sixers in particular given the extra obstacle of dealing a player in conference.

So how did BC get the deal done to move up to take Fultz? Did he speak with someone else in the Celtics organizaiton just not Ainge.

From what I hear the problem with Ainge and PG was that he wanted to wait to get Haywood before he made a deal for PG. And in the process he was not willing to give up a top pick or say defenitively Indiana this is what we are going to give you for PG. It was like we want PG but after we get Haywood, and then we will talk terms. Which if true is no way to get things done.

Good Job signing Haywood but it reminds me of the Goran Dragić deal a few years ago. The press was all over the deal and how it made Miami better etc. It was just a momentary blip and things went back to being the same. Haywood is good, but he does not do much for Boston getting past Cleveland this upcoming season or even beating anyone from the east.

Colangelo said he spoke with Mike Zarren (Cetlics assistant GM) in his presser, he said something like "they're really smart guys (Celtics)....I'm talking about Mike Zarren, not Danny Ainge by the way". He also said he had been talking to Zarren "for what seemed like a year and a half" about the picks and other things.

Watch on YouTube

He was joking. He's known Ainge for over 25 years, as Bryan says Ainge was his coach at one point, they are friends. Would be shocked if Ainge wasn't highly involved in a trade like this regardless of what Colangelo said. It could very well be that Bryan and Danny were trying to pump Zarren up for a GM position.

[shawn_hemp]

Maybe it's just me but I don't really see Gordon Hayward as a top 25 player in the league and certainly not enough to put Boston over the top.

Good for them I guess? Hopefully they trade Crowder

[WMDman]

Hayward on the Celtics dosent scare me, they seem to really love their SFs huh

[Unbreakable99]

The Celtics are in good position. Once LeBron leaves next year Boston will be the best team in the East. They have a good chance of going to the finals.

[PLO]

So how did BC get the deal done to move up to take Fultz? Did he speak with someone else in the Celtics organizaiton just not Ainge.

From what I hear the problem with Ainge and PG was that he wanted to wait to get Haywood before he made a deal for PG. And in the process he was not willing to give up a top pick or say defenitively Indiana this is what we are going to give you for PG. It was like we want PG but after we get Haywood, and then we will talk terms. Which if true is no way to get things done.

Good Job signing Haywood but it reminds me of the Goran Dragić deal a few years ago. The press was all over the deal and how it made Miami better etc. It was just a momentary blip and things went back to being the same. Haywood is good, but he does not do much for Boston getting past Cleveland this upcoming season or even beating anyone from the east.

Colangelo said he spoke with Mike Zarren (Cetlics assistant GM) in his presser, he said something like "they're really smart guys (Celtics)....I'm talking about Mike Zarren, not Danny Ainge by the way". He also said he had been talking to Zarren "for what seemed like a year and a half" about the picks and other things.

Watch on YouTube

He was joking. He's known Ainge for over 25 years, as Bryan says Ainge was his coach at one point, they are friends. Would be shocked if Ainge wasn't highly involved in a trade like this regardless of what Colangelo said. It could very well be that Bryan and Danny were trying to pump Zarren up for a GM position.

Fair enough

[Eyeamok]

Seemingly one of the things to come out of this off-season is how loathed Ainge is around the league; Colangelo (a noted establishment guy) wouldn't speak with him and he either low-balled or couldn't get deals done for Butler and Paul George. Colangelo in particular took time to note that he wouldn't speak with Ainge in his presser for the pick swap we had to get Fultz. Ainge leaks lies to the press about deals/near-deals/non-deals that paints a picture of other GMs being incompetent, ie the Pritchard stuff with PG. The only top-shelf player he was able to get was through free agency. For these reasons I think any deals with Celtics players would be looked on as particularly onerous for other teams - I would be surprised if any Celtics players came to the Sixers in particular given the extra obstacle of dealing a player in conference.

So how did BC get the deal done to move up to take Fultz? Did he speak with someone else in the Celtics organizaiton just not Ainge.

From what I hear the problem with Ainge and PG was that he wanted to wait to get Haywood before he made a deal for PG. And in the process he was not willing to give up a top pick or say defenitively Indiana this is what we are going to give you for PG. It was like we want PG but after we get Haywood, and then we will talk terms. Which if true is no way to get things done.

Good Job signing Haywood but it reminds me of the Goran Dragić deal a few years ago. The press was all over the deal and how it made Miami better etc. It was just a momentary blip and things went back to being the same. Haywood is good, but he does not do much for Boston getting past Cleveland this upcoming season or even beating anyone from the east.

Colangelo said he spoke with Mike Zarren (Cetlics assistant GM) in his presser, he said something like "they're really smart guys (Celtics)....I'm talking about Mike Zarren, not Danny Ainge by the way". He also said he had been talking to Zarren "for what seemed like a year and a half" about the picks and other things.

Watch on YouTube

Thanks for the video, BC is not at ease speaking about moving up in the draft there. You would figure with all his experience this would be a snap for him.

Secondly BC may have referred to Mike Zarren, but no deal is getting done without the GM saying ok. So BC may have been giving praise to Mr. Zarren, but believe you me Ainge and BC did a lot of communicating to get this deal done GM to GM.

[LongLiveHinkie]

The Celtics are in good position. Once LeBron leaves next year Boston will be the best team in the East. They have a good chance of going to the finals.

Well you said Marcus Smart is the best defender in NBA history, so if they lose him that should be absolutely catastrophic, no?

Unless you think Hayward is the best SF in NBA history or Thomas is the best PG in NBA history.

Wait nevermind, you said Bradley is the best defender in NBA history. Whew good for them then. Until they lose him next year though.

[Unbreakable99]

The Celtics are in good position. Once LeBron leaves next year Boston will be the best team in the East. They have a good chance of going to the finals.

Well you said Marcus Smart is the best defender in NBA history, so if they lose him that should be absolutely catastrophic, no?

Unless you think Hayward is the best SF in NBA history or Thomas is the best PG in NBA history.

Wait nevermind, you said Bradley is the best defender in NBA history. Whew good for them then. Until they lose him next year though.

Bradley is the best one on one defender I have seen. He makes players work and it's tough to dribble against him. I hope he does leave in 2018. Boston is still in good shape. They should make the finals once LeBron leaves. I still like our future better though.

[GabeCerebro]

Maybe it's just me but I don't really see Gordon Hayward as a top 25 player in the league

lmao you can't be serious. I hope not..
I understand we all hate Boston, but come on now. That's a ridiculous statement. If anything he's almost top 15

[tsmith]

Maybe it's just me but I don't really see Gordon Hayward as a top 25 player in the league

lmao you can't be serious. I hope not..
I understand we all hate Boston, but come on now. That's a ridiculous statement. If anything he's almost top 15

No way is he top 15, their are easily, easily 15 better players in the league then him. Not saying he isn't a good player because I quite like him but he's definitely not top 15 and there is argument for him not to be top 25.

[CoreyGallagher]

Maybe it's just me but I don't really see Gordon Hayward as a top 25 player in the league

lmao you can't be serious. I hope not..
I understand we all hate Boston, but come on now. That's a ridiculous statement. If anything he's almost top 15

Ranked 29th in RPM, taking into consideration role, Id probably consider him about 20th this season, optimists can maybe rationalize about 15th.

It's whatever, I like Hayward, but issue remains the same for the Celtics and that's their bigs, in which they got even weaker. I still don't believe that they compete with the Cavs.

[LongLiveHinkie]

Better than Hayward:

Curry
Durant
Thompson
Lebron
Kyrie
Love
Harden
Chris Paul
Blake Griffin
Paul George
Embiid(yes, he is when healthy)
Booker
Giannis
Butler
Kawhi
Towns
Wiggins
Westbrook
Wall
Lillard
McCollum
Jokic
Anthony Davis
Cousins
Lowry
Isaiah Thomas

Guys I'd also consider better, but it's close:

Beal
Middleton
Marc Gasol

and Simmons and Fultz will surpass him in short order. I'm tempted to just count them because I know they'll be better, but I won't even do it yet.

And even if you wanna disagree with one of my above names, you can, but if you disagree you'd have to at least acknowledge most of them are better and for the ones you don't consider better it's very very close. If you can't do that, I question how much you watch the NBA.