Celts Too Good, Calves Moo In Agony! Victory Cigar vs CLE 10/29

[tfribs45]

not another good effort for the tank mafia lol. These guys aren't going out without a fight! Minott is another Stevens Steal @ 2 years 5 Mil...Obviously 3 ball was falling tonight, Hauser was en fuego, team defense was spot on to. Solid team win, and it will be interesting to see what this roster looks like mid season. Team Needs = PG, Ctr, lets go!

[Fierce1]

Sam Hauser off the bench with 21 points.

Let Sam keep coming off the bench because he's been very effective like that.

Sam's better off facing 2nd stringers than the opposing team's starting unit.

[Half-Full]

If Mynot continues to play well heading into All-Star break, we might have found one of the key pieces for a deep playoff run.

Imagine a lineup of C, Mynot, JT, JB, and White.
That's going to be similar to what OKC has when it comes to perimeter defense.

The question now is can Brad get a reliable Center using Simons as trade bait.

Simons needs to continue to play well to raise his trade value.

Brad can hit 2 birds with one stone if he ends up trading Simons for a Center that can compete with Queta for the starting Center spot.
And the Celts might be able to lower even more their payroll if Simons' contract is gone.

Why not Minott?

[Larry_Russell]

Minott is looking like a fantastic addition.

Right now he is the most key player on the team, and supported by advanced stats.

His advanced stats are elite.


Minot and Hausers shooting won the game last night even though Brown scored more points.

[Hal14]

Sam Hauser off the bench with 21 points.

Let Sam keep coming off the bench because he's been very effective like that.

Sam's better off facing 2nd stringers than the opposing team's starting unit.

Yup..that 7th man spot seems to fit him well.

[flintsky21]

2 blowout wins and 3 losses where they built double digit leads. Take from that as you will.

Klaylen Brown is back?

I thought Hauser set the tone offensively with his early 3s. White and Pritchard still shooting badly but Pritch is silently averaging 6 apg. Everything to be said about Minott has been said. What a pickup. Garza has been good too. 7 ppg in 13 mins. Forgive me for ever doubting you, Lord Brad.

[Fierce1]

Sam Hauser off the bench with 21 points.

Let Sam keep coming off the bench because he's been very effective like that.

Sam's better off facing 2nd stringers than the opposing team's starting unit.

Yup..that 7th man spot seems to fit him well.

That's because he's up against 2nd stringers instead of the 1st string players of the opposing team.

Sam even defended well against those Cavs 2nd unit.

[Fierce1]

2 blowout wins and 3 losses where they built double digit leads. Take from that as you will.

Klaylen Brown is back?

I thought Hauser set the tone offensively with his early 3s. White and Pritchard still shooting badly but Pritch is silently averaging 6 apg. Everything to be said about Minott has been said. What a pickup. Garza has been good too. 7 ppg in 13 mins. Forgive me for ever doubting you, Lord Brad.

Brad is even going to make you happier when he gets something in return for Simons.

[31to6]

so the KEY is: don't play Chris Boucher

[31to6]

Sam Hauser off the bench with 21 points.

Let Sam keep coming off the bench because he's been very effective like that.

Sam's better off facing 2nd stringers than the opposing team's starting unit.

Yup..that 7th man spot seems to fit him well.

That's because he's up against 2nd stringers instead of the 1st string players of the opposing team.

Sam even defended well against those Cavs 2nd unit.

I think Sam can play against starters just fine, including in the NBA Finals, but what's nice about him coming off the bench is it gives a change of pace -- if the defense relaxes a bit, and the Cs are moving the ball, Sam's hitting 3s and it's easy for the bench to hold its own offensively in that scenario.

In terms of starting, if he's out there between the Jays, he provides some spacing for them and that's cool. But right now the Cs clearly need the defense and athleticism and ?*(%) of Minott with the starters more, so for this season at least let's hope this current lineup keeps rolling!

[Fierce1]

so the KEY is: don't play Chris Boucher

Joe has 2 months to figure out how to use Boucher.

But if Boucher really doesn't fit in, Simons and Boucher can be packaged together.

[31to6]

Pritchard played a great point guard game running the team. The shot will come, I’m not worried about that at all. He’s adjusting to being a starter, but we absolutely need him there over Simons for his creation skills. Last few games have been very encouraging for him, imo.

Last night -- for the first time -- had me wondering if Pritchard might be able to develop his passing into a 'weapon' like Marcus Smart did (sort of/sometimes). Smart was not a direct-the-offense, make-nice-passes PG for his first several years, then mid-career seemed to develop it. Since Point Tatum was ascendant at the same time, we didn't really need it, and didn't miss it once he was gone -- but if Pritchard can develop it, it's another tool for the toolbox.

[31to6]

so the KEY is: don't play Chris Boucher

Joe has 2 months to figure out how to use Boucher.

But if Boucher really doesn't fit in, Simons and Boucher can be packaged together.

I mean maybe he'll prove to be useful tradable salary, but I think it's more likely that if he doesn't really fit in, he can be part of the stay-ready-crew and leave as a vet min expiring at the end of the season. It'd only take one sprained ankle to get him into the lineup, and seems to be a good lockerroom guy/practice player.

[Fierce1]

so the KEY is: don't play Chris Boucher

Joe has 2 months to figure out how to use Boucher.

But if Boucher really doesn't fit in, Simons and Boucher can be packaged together.

I mean maybe he'll prove to be useful tradable salary, but I think it's more likely that if he doesn't really fit in, he can be part of the stay-ready-crew and leave as a vet min expiring at the end of the season. It'd only take one sprained ankle to get him into the lineup, and seems to be a good lockerroom guy/practice player.

Yeah, no doubt.

I like Boucher, but I'm sure there will be teams interested in him.

Maybe Joe can use him as a small-ball Center.

[Hal14]

Pritchard played a great point guard game running the team. The shot will come, I’m not worried about that at all. He’s adjusting to being a starter, but we absolutely need him there over Simons for his creation skills. Last few games have been very encouraging for him, imo.

Last night -- for the first time -- had me wondering if Pritchard might be able to develop his passing into a 'weapon' like Marcus Smart did (sort of/sometimes). Smart was not a direct-the-offense, make-nice-passes PG for his first several years, then mid-career seemed to develop it. Since Point Tatum was ascendant at the same time, we didn't really need it, and didn't miss it once he was gone -- but if Pritchard can develop it, it's another tool for the toolbox.

We also saw a few possessions last night where Simons was pushing the ball up the floor, running the point, spraying the ball around - finding open shooters, etc.

They can both handle the rock, they both have some playmaking chops. They can both shoot.

I'm not convinced Pritchard has better creation skills than Simons..

[bucknersrevenge]

Shak, Luka is winning me over a bit. He keeps scrapping, has started to have a few more effective defensive plays in the paint, and seems to be finding his touch. I'll be ready to kick him to the curb next time, but I'm starting to see how he can a potential role player this season at least. You?

Yeah, I was ready to stick him to the bench. He’s been better. Still shouldn’t be tasked to defend outside of the paint, we’ll be in deep trouble. Once he’s inside the paint others have to guard perimeter guys or help because he can’t get back out there to contest. Don’t like that he can’t make the baskets around the hoop either, don’t know why. He is getting the call or RB so I can’t be too hater. Love the rebounding! He’s growing on me, but I’m keeping an eye on him.

He doesn't have to be a featured offensive player but our guards still miss him on the roll. He has nice touch in the paint. Always has. He can score down there. When they figure out how to use him, he can be really effective on offense. Maybe effective enough to offset some of his defensive inefficiencies.

[itrsteve]

That was friggen awesome, the Garden got playoff loud when Sam went on that flame thrower run. It was friggen awesome.

One of my co-workers who was there is a Wolves fan and was livid seeing Minott out there thriving.

[bucknersrevenge]

Pritchard played a great point guard game running the team. The shot will come, I’m not worried about that at all. He’s adjusting to being a starter, but we absolutely need him there over Simons for his creation skills. Last few games have been very encouraging for him, imo.

Last night -- for the first time -- had me wondering if Pritchard might be able to develop his passing into a 'weapon' like Marcus Smart did (sort of/sometimes). Smart was not a direct-the-offense, make-nice-passes PG for his first several years, then mid-career seemed to develop it. Since Point Tatum was ascendant at the same time, we didn't really need it, and didn't miss it once he was gone -- but if Pritchard can develop it, it's another tool for the toolbox.

We also saw a few possessions last night where Simons was pushing the ball up the floor, running the point, spraying the ball around - finding open shooters, etc.

I'm not convinced Pritchard has better creation skills than Simons..

Still would rather Simons start because he's more dynamic but I will give credit for Pritchard making the play available to him and taking care of the ball. Also a good rebounder.

[playa-hater]

so the KEY is: don't play Chris Boucher

It's hard to play everyone. Hugo can barely get in... But Minott is playing so well and at age 22, I want him to get all the minutes > Boucher. Sucks for Boucher. But he seems like he can be effective when he gets a Big chunk of Minutes. But there just isn't any there for him.

[jmr07019]

I agree with the "can't play everyone" thinking. It's only fair to give guys like Boucher, Tilman, Scheierman and Gonzales chances, especially early in the season, but those 4 seem to be lower on the depth chart.

Based on last night the top 8 is Pritchard White Brown Minott Queta Garza Simons Hauser.