Love in town to "see what it's like"

[Ben-N1ce]

Let me ask you something guys. What happens if we don't get Love or Melo or any big name. What happens if we remain the same team with minor tweaks and also end up a lottery team next year ? Then what ? Ugh...

They will draft Smart and look to move Rondo.

[Bar Fight]

Let me ask you something guys. What happens if we don't get Love or Melo or any big name. What happens if we remain the same team with minor tweaks and also end up a lottery team next year ? Then what ? Ugh...

We still have a **** ton of 1st round Draft picks and will pile more of them up.

[irie]

I looked up Jimmy Butler today. He averaged 13.7 points on over 38 minutes per game. Shot less than 40% overall, and less than 30% from 3. When his teams leading scorer went down (twice), he took backseats to Nate Robinson and DJ Augustin, respectively. He did just make the "All Defense 2nd team" though. He's good, but he's not a star, and I'm real surprised anyones treating him like one.

Avery Bradley responded to his team losing it's leading scorer by stepping up and increasing his scoring by over 5 ppg, while shooting over 40% from 3pt range. He also made the All Defense 2nd team, just one season. He's also a year younger, with one year more NBA experience.

I don't think Avery Bradley is necessarily as good as Jimmy Butler (mostly because of height), but I don't think he's much far below too. I also don't think Butler will ever be much better than an above-average role player in the NBA (how much higher than an "in his prime Tony Allen" can his ceiling be, really??). The position he defends so well (2 guard) is not currently loaded up with offensive threats like it used to be either, and is currently occupied by a very capable/well compensated player (Martin) who might be the best player on the team if Love does get traded. I don't think Kevin Love will be traded for a package built around a poor shooting, offensively passive, defensive role player. I also don't think Gibson is better than Sully, even before including age and salary. This Mirotik guy would have to be one HELL of a prospect, that Minnesota is singularly focused on acquiring, for me to think the Bulls package beats our package (whatever that package ends up being.)

I feel very bad for Flip. The offseason he needs to trade his star, is the offseason that none of the good enough teams have enough assets to pull it off. At least McHale got to choose between a couple quality packages before settling on the Celtics.

Like I said in another thread, Chicago role players always get extreme levels of hype regardless of objective reality. Look at Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons, Luol Deng, etc. They're ok. But they were all given way larger contracts than they deserved and ended up being exposed elsewhere. Wait until Gibson and / or Butler hit free agency and they get huge contracts. Within a few years everyone will be laughing about how bad of a deal they're on. Typical Chicago role player overpay.

[12buckets]

Like I said in another thread, Chicago role players always get extreme levels of hype regardless of objective reality. Look at Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons, Luol Deng, etc. They're ok. But they were all given way larger contracts than they deserved and ended up being exposed elsewhere. Wait until Gibson and / or Butler hit free agency and they get huge contracts. Within a few years everyone will be laughing about how bad of a deal they're on. Typical Chicago role player overpay.

I wanted to say something along the lines of "You'd think these guys played for the Knicks with the way they're being overhyped". Now there's a town to be mediocre in. Obviously the same thing is happening in Chicago too.

[humblebum]

Let me ask you something guys. What happens if we don't get Love or Melo or any big name. What happens if we remain the same team with minor tweaks and also end up a lottery team next year ? Then what ? Ugh...

If that occurs I'd bet that Ainge goes to ground zero and trades Rondo too. After all this hype I think it's be hard for Rondo to accept a losing season and still be open to coming back. Maybe I'm wrong but if the Celtics strike out on Love and Melo, it's probably Rondo on the block next.

[Shamrock]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

[ILC]

I would probably feel like crap if we end up with nothing this off season. And I'm not asking for much; Kevin Love and a defensive center, that's all.

It's just about all these rumors, "hints" by Love's visit (and yeah, this weekend is coming close, I hope we don't see him in another town like last weekend), Rondo's sneaky comments, people saying Love loved Boston, etc., it's just too much for me, or I just want it to be.

[DarkAzcura]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

Ummm.. If that is Ainge's son that may not look good..

[irie]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

Wow, that's a really **** thing to say.

[FingerRoll]

No disrespect, I stopped reading here.

Okay but your post argues points made after that sentence so clearly you continued to read. But anyways...

It's nice that you have some assumption about what teams are offering and what is "best", but

#1 - You don't ACTUALLY know what Boston or any other team is offering

#2 - It's entirely subjective beyond the pick itself.

We know what everyones assets are. We know what players are under contract from what teams, and what future assets they have. From there its not hard to deduce what assets are on the table, and if a team gets into a bidding war, whats the most they can offer.

Boston has the most 1st rounders out of any NBA franchise at the moment. Thats a fact. And out of all teams currently bidding the have the highest lottery pick at #6.

I agree that the #6 pick is better than the #8 pick. Fine. But if the Warriors offer up a package around Lee and Klay Thompson, it's not up to you to decide that #6 + Sully + future picks is a "better" offer.

A team built around Lee and Thompson is not better than, well lets see:

spurs
thunder
Clips
Portland
GSW (assuming that were including Love here)
memph
suns
mavericks
houston
N.O.

Maybe they'll be better than the utah, sac, denver.

With that said, Why would the Wolves trade Love to be in the same exact position they're in today. They're not taking a step forward with that trade. Thats a one way ticket to stay treading water at the bottom of the western conference.

We don't know what is being offered. Maybe Ainge isn't even offering the #6. Maybe he's offering Sully + middling future picks that likely will fall into the late 1st round. Who are you to say if that's more valuable than a Houston offer of Terrence Jones + middling future picks that likely will fall in the late 1st round? Outside of Boston fandom, the perception of JOnes trade value is about even with Sully. Basically the same age/production without the back issues. But what if Houston is also including Chandler Parsons? It's not definitive that the #6 has more trade value than Parsons. What if Houston also intends to include a 1st rounder they have coming from a potential Asik trade? #6 + #17 + Sully ... or Parsons, Jones, and future 1sts? It starts to get even. What if Houston intends to include James Harden ?

The 6th pick is unequivocally more valuable than Chandler Parsons. If Danny traded the 6th pick for Chandler Parsons he would lose his job or any GM in the same position.

Any pick coming back for Asik will be less than the 6th pick. Have you heard of Cleveland, Milwaukee, Philly, Orlando, or Jazz attempting to trade their lotto pick for Asik? Nope, I haven't either. Its safe to say Boston still has the greatest asset in this scenario.

And no…James Harden will not be included in ay trades.

We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. We can only speculate. I do agree that if Boston puts together a package of #6 + #17 + Sully + Oly + Green + filler + 2015 Clippers + 2016 Brooklyn + 2018 Brooklyn ... it would be hard to theoretically top that quantity of assets. But perhaps Houston looks at that package and decides, "First of all, Green sucks. Second of all, we don't like anyone at #6 or #17. Third of all, Sully and Oly are long-term role players. Forth of all, the clips pick is garbage. Lastly, we're not trading our superstar on a gamble that those Brooklyn picks 2-4 years from end up being key pieces..." Maybe they look at that package and decide there isn't a single key building block in the entire lot. Ben McLemore alone arguably has more trade value than any single one of those pieces (aside from maybe the #6)... there's some folks who look at his struggles his rookie year, chaulk it up to youth, and still think he's a potential star.

So what your saying is…

McLemore>#6 + #17 + Sully + Oly + Green + filler + 2015 Clippers + 2016 Brooklyn + 2018 Brooklyn? That right there may be the most delusional comment Ive read on this forum.

and to say "Second of all, we don't like anyone at #6 or #17" means that Minny wouldn't like any of the other picks being offer because all the other picks being offered, whether it be from Chi, GS, Houston, LA, whomever, will NOT be higher than #6.

No where in sight does any of those aforementioned teams have a pick that can be offered of that value. All them are playoff bound and will parlay a pick in the upper 20s.

These are just random examples. There are teams we have heard about, but there are several other teams that could make compelling offers. If Philly calls up tomorrow offering a package around the #3 pick... and Love decides he's willing to opt-in to play with MKW and Nerlens Noel... don't freak out simply because you didn't see some sports writers predict it beforehand. I mean, we were a bottom 5 team this year. We have our binkies like Oly and Sully and it's natural for homers to overestimate the trade value of their binkies. But understand that almost every team in this league has binkies of their own that arguably have more trade value. What if the Wolves are very intrigued by the potential of someone like Otto Porter (#3 pick last year and didn't really get an opportunity to play)... perhaps the Wizards are putting together a competitive package. If they bite the bullet and offer up Beal, forget about it... game over. Point is... if Sota is discussing potential Kevin Love trades, i'd guess they are discussing it with far more teams than we are hearing about right now.

Yes, a package centered around Bradley Beal would do it. Are the wizards going to trade Beal? Obviously not so Im not sure why your posturing that.

And Otto Porter played 0.000000003 seconds in the playoffs. The wolves are not "very intrigued."

I think Boston has a shot, but it's far from over. I suspect a lot of Celtic fans will be "shocked" and disappointed if they see Love traded for a package from a team like Chicago or the Suns. I figure there's 28 teams in this league other than Boston who would like to land Kevin Love... a large chunk that will be making offers... and very likely a handful that Love is willing to opt-in for... and maybe a few that have competitive offers. A best, I'd say we are one of the Top 5 most likely destinations if Sota actually trades him.

Its a lose lose for the wolves. They're not getting back a superstar in return. All the actually players going back their way, gibson, butler, thompson, lee, olynyk, sullinger, parsons, etc, are not superstars. They are just not getting back equitable compensation in terms of present assets that will immediately make them better.

Which is the beauty of the celtics' package. With all the picks, they are in control to what talent is drafted by organization. If they draft busts (as they often do) then is that really Danny's fault? But the possibility is certainly there for them to reshape the future and direction of the franchise.

[soxfan2003]

Let me ask you something guys. What happens if we don't get Love or Melo or any big name. What happens if we remain the same team with minor tweaks and also end up a lottery team next year ? Then what ? Ugh...

If that occurs I'd bet that Ainge goes to ground zero and trades Rondo too. After all this hype I think it's be hard for Rondo to accept a losing season and still be open to coming back. Maybe I'm wrong but if the Celtics strike out on Love and Melo, it's probably Rondo on the block next.

I would think Ainge would just trade Rondo if their was around a top 10 pick incoming.

I wouldn't even consider the Celtics at ground zero at all after a Rondo trade. Ground zero is getting rid of Bradley, Olynyk, Sullinger and Green as well. In all honesty, the EC is so damn weak, the Celtics could trade Rondo, trade for Asik(to help Houston sign Melo and possibly get a future pick from them) and get 3 picks this year and make the playoffs next year. That scenario is not that farfetched with Stevens as coach and a team with lots of depth. Wallace is good off the bench and Bass would still be on the team.

Celtics probably ended the season as a 22-24 win team if you exclude Rondo/tanking. Add Asik to that and 3 picks(2 lottery) plus the development of Sullinger, Olynyk and Bradley and its not farfetched to be contending for the 8th spot with around 38 wins.

Then the best case for Boston may be Love goes to Chicago with the Bulls giving up lots of assets and the Bulls implode due to injury and lack of depth. I'm not frightened by the Rose/Noah/Love combo since I figure one of them will always be hurt and Rose may never be the same.

Ainge I believe has a pretty strong hand to play for the medium to long term but he absolutely has to play it right since a strong hand can turn weak awfully quickly.

[Dreamcast]

I don't know but to me Rondo knows something. He is just happy lately and "jumpy". Now imagine this: What if Ainge leaves ?

[FingerRoll]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

Wow, that's a really **** thing to say.

What a fool.

[SuperDeluxe]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

Wow, that's a really **** thing to say.

What a fool.

I've been to northern (rural) Minnesota and loved it. That guy is an idiot. He's probably actually sitting in his mom's basement, grounded.

[soxfan2003]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

Wow, that's a really **** thing to say.

One of four things that I can think of.
1) that this is a fake twitter account. Why would Ainge's son be in MN?
2) Ainge's son is a bit out of control
3) Aing'e son is super competitive and will try and say anything.
4) that is a MN plant to make Boston/Ainge look bad and get sympathy from Kevin Love who probably is at least OK with Minneapolis the city....its the basketball team losing he has grown tired of.

Minneapolis I found very nice and if you take away the cold probably better then Boston in many ways. The streets are well maintained and its nice near the Mississippi River/downtown. Some of the suburbs I didn't like quite as much. I've traveled to about 27 of the 30 NBA cities and Minneapolis is one of the nicer ones but they are at a huge disadvantage because the weather there at times makes Boston look like Florida.

I have friends from MN who would go up north during the winter and its crazy cold.

[irie]

Ainge's son:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/UncleCR3W/status/474679314190180352[/tweet]

Wow, that's a really **** thing to say.

One of four things that I can think of.
1) that this is a fake twitter account. Why would Ainge's son be in MN?
2) Ainge's son is a bit out of control
3) Aing'e son is super competitive and will try and say anything.
4) that is a MN plant to make Boston/Ainge look bad and get sympathy from Kevin Love who probably is at least OK with Minneapolis the city....its the basketball team losing he has grown tired of.

Minneapolis I found very nice and if you take away the cold probably better then Boston in many ways. The streets are well maintained and its nice near the Mississippi River/downtown. Some of the suburbs I didn't like quite as much. I've traveled to about 27 of the 30 NBA cities and Minneapolis is one of the nicer ones but they are at a huge disadvantage because the weather there at times makes Boston look like Florida.

I have friends from MN who would go up north during the winter and its crazy cold.

No need to rationalize it. He's a moron. It is Ainge's son, apparently.

The reality is, Kevin Love doesn't care about some spoiled kid being a badass on twitter.

[Bar Fight]

That better not be Ainge's **** son. I swear as the days go by and I feel and worse about Love being moved here. Minnesota's FO has to be pissed that a lot of reporters/media in Boston are talking about this like it's a done deal.

[Bar Fight]

Wow, that's a really **** thing to say.

One of four things that I can think of.
1) that this is a fake twitter account. Why would Ainge's son be in MN?
2) Ainge's son is a bit out of control
3) Aing'e son is super competitive and will try and say anything.
4) that is a MN plant to make Boston/Ainge look bad and get sympathy from Kevin Love who probably is at least OK with Minneapolis the city....its the basketball team losing he has grown tired of.

Minneapolis I found very nice and if you take away the cold probably better then Boston in many ways. The streets are well maintained and its nice near the Mississippi River/downtown. Some of the suburbs I didn't like quite as much. I've traveled to about 27 of the 30 NBA cities and Minneapolis is one of the nicer ones but they are at a huge disadvantage because the weather there at times makes Boston look like Florida.

I have friends from MN who would go up north during the winter and its crazy cold.

No need to rationalize it. He's a moron. It is Ainge's son, apparently.

The reality is, Kevin Love doesn't care about some spoiled kid being a badass on twitter.

The Wolves front office won't be happy about it though.

[Banks2Pierce]

I follow Ainge's son on instagram(creep status, whatever) and that is 100% in line with his character.

[GreenMachine]

Looking threw Crew Ainge's twitter page... that kid is a disgrace to the Ainge family. Danny always talks about his "Mormon Values"... I guess he forgot to teach them to his son? Disgraceful.