Final Game Thread of the Season --> Hawks vs Celtics -- 4/8

[Spud2nique]

We keep Prince Jamal. No way I’m trading him.

I was literally thinking how much Taurean's trade value has increased since last summer.

TP looks good and I wouldn't be mad if we keep him. But I see him as a 4th option at best. The 14 ppg he's posted this year don't change that for me.



Serious question since I didn't see the game: Were Celtics really trying to win this game down the stretch?

They have literally nothing to play for at this point in the regular season.

I think I wrote I wouldn’t trade Prince last year as well. He’s just got a killer instinct in him and plays super hard. Man, we could have used him in the 2014-15 playoffs. I want to see Prince stay and grow with us. Prince is Schlenk’s Draymond.

[kg01]

I had one other rando thought from this game watching Printz go smooth-clean off. This is the reason I'm not high on Devin Booker. It's always said, "Shiii, somebody's gonna score 20 on bad teams."

If anyone suggests Printz is as good a player or prospect than Booker, it'd be considered laughable. However IMHO, if Printz had a neon-green light like Booker does, he'd be able to put up great nimbers too.

Devin Booker has all these great stats but I contend it's more indicative of his situation than on his supposed greatness as a player. "Greatness" leads to wins. I'm not saying he should drag them to the Finals. I'm saying the fact that they have the worst record in the league and have absolutely no prospects for sniffing the playoffs even next season should factor more into how folks view Booker. That roster isn't this bad.

I'm not saying Printz is better. I'm saying I wish folks would pump the brakes on the hype that follows players like Booker.

Booker is fool’s gold. I said that a few months back and some sorry Suns fan came in here and got his feelings all bent outta shape. Booker is following in the footsteps of Melo.

You bite your tongue, sir. sMelo led his DEN teams to the playoffs from the time he was a rookie. He didn't drop off until he got that Knick-stank on him.

[Spud2nique]

I had one other rando thought from this game watching Printz go smooth-clean off. This is the reason I'm not high on Devin Booker. It's always said, "Shiii, somebody's gonna score 20 on bad teams."

If anyone suggests Printz is as good a player or prospect than Booker, it'd be considered laughable. However IMHO, if Printz had a neon-green light like Booker does, he'd be able to put up great nimbers too.

Devin Booker has all these great stats but I contend it's more indicative of his situation than on his supposed greatness as a player. "Greatness" leads to wins. I'm not saying he should drag them to the Finals. I'm saying the fact that they have the worst record in the league and have absolutely no prospects for sniffing the playoffs even next season should factor more into how folks view Booker. That roster isn't this bad.

I'm not saying Printz is better. I'm saying I wish folks would pump the brakes on the hype that follows players like Booker.

Booker is fool’s gold. I said that a few months back and some sorry Suns fan came in here and got his feelings all bent outta shape. Booker is following in the footsteps of Melo.

You bite your tongue, sir. sMelo led his DEN teams to the playoffs from the time he was a rookie. He didn't drop off until he got that Knick-stank on him.

That’s true. He just turned into a bum around Amare, the guy who moved to Israel and apparently became Jewish...ya I don’t know what happened there.

[Jamaaliver]

This conversation went some weird places...

Yes. Having Taurean alongside Horford and Korver seems like it could have been a nice transition from one era to the next. (Especially if we could have added Dedmon to play alongside at Center.)

Taurean is a good dude and worth keeping. But at age 24, he's approaching his physical prime and may not fit this timeline.

The top 6 selections this draft and next are still teenagers. Long term, that's gonna be an issue.

[Spud2nique]

This conversation went some weird places...

Yes. Having Taurean alongside Horford and Korver seems like it could have been a nice transition from one era to the next. (Especially if we could have added Dedmon to play alongside at Center.)

Taurean is a good dude and worth keeping. But at age 24, he's approaching his physical prime and may not fit this timeline.

The top 6 selections this draft and next are still teenagers. Long term, that's gonna be an issue.

Ok for the sake of argument, who or what kind of package would you want/expect in a Prince trade? Just an example. I’m wondering if you think he’s worth a Wilson Chandler, a late first rounder, late lotto pick this year?

[Jamaaliver]

Ok for the sake of argument, who or what kind of package would you want/expect in a Prince trade? Just an example. I’m wondering if you think he’s worth a Wilson Chandler, a late first rounder, late lotto pick this year?

Another prospect of similar caliber, perhaps a little bit younger, but at a position of need. (Fultz, Ingram, Rozier?)

Or a top-20 pick.

I'd also be open to packaging him, Dennis and the Minny pick for a higher caliber young guy.

Maybe Wiggins. (Yes, I know that Wiggins' age is problematic...for a kid that talented, I'd take a gamble.)

[Spud2nique]

Ok for the sake of argument, who or what kind of package would you want/expect in a Prince trade? Just an example. I’m wondering if you think he’s worth a Wilson Chandler, a late first rounder, late lotto pick this year?

Another prospect of similar caliber, perhaps a little bit younger, but at a position of need. (Fultz, Ingram, Rozier?)

Or a top-20 pick.

I'd also be open to packaging him, Dennis and the Minny pick for a higher caliber young guy.

Maybe Wiggins. (Yes, I know that Wiggins' age is problematic...for a kid that talented, I'd take a gamble.)

Fultz and Ingram yes...I like Rozier but I’d keep Prince.

Prince over Wiggins for me. I know it sounds crazy but if it came down to one possession, I’d trust Prince a lot more than Wiggins. Wiggins is missing a certain something in his game so far.

[jayu70]

I swear if Prince was on another team doing what he's doing we'd want him in a Hawks uniform.
Rozier is also 24, rather have Dennis and Prince than Rozier and a 20s pick.
SF is in high demand, lots of teams want one - Hawks have one, why not let him develop. Check his numbers since Baze has been out.
Oh, and I want nothing to do with anything from Boston.

[Spud2nique]

I swear if Prince was on another team doing what he's doing we'd want him in a Hawks uniform.
Rozier is also 24, rather have Dennis and Prince than Rozier and a 20s pick.
SF is in high demand, lots of teams want one - Hawks have one, why not let him develop. Check his numbers since Baze has been out.
Oh, and I want nothing to do with anything from Boston.

YES!

[MaceCase]

Fultz and Ingram yes...I like Rozier but I’d keep Prince.

Prince over Wiggins for me. I know it sounds crazy but if it came down to one possession, I’d trust Prince a lot more than Wiggins. Wiggins is missing a certain something in his game so far.

Rudy Gay 2.0

All the physical tools in the world yet none of it shows up on defense or rebounding then a lack of a jumper and weak handle reducing their athleticism on offense to mile-high fadeaway attempts coupled with entitlement issues.

[Jamaaliver]

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[macd-gm]

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Was that Baynes? Damn he's the worst. Why Boston didn't trade for Moose I have no idea.

[Jamaaliver]

^While I agree Moose (or Kelly Olynyk) would be better offensive options, Baynes has been a key defensive contributor.

Their best defensive lineup (per advanced metrics) apparently includes Baynes at Center and Horford at PF.

Don't ask how I know this.

NOTE: If they luck out and get that LAL pick this summer, I've heard rumors they'd likely go after Bamba or JJJ for that very reason.

[MaceCase]

Terrible play. Had a big man drawing two defenders on the perimeter opening up the middle for a layup attempt.

[macd-gm]

While I agree Moose (or Kelly Olynyk) would be a better offensive options, Baynes has been a key defensive contributor.

Their best defensive lineup (per advanced metrics) apparently includes Baynes at Center and Horford at PF.

Don't ask how I know this.

NOTE: If they luck out and get that LAL pick this summer, I've heard rumors they'd likely go after Bamba or JJJ for that very reason.

That's interesting. I don't have any real knowledge of Baynes defensive abilities but I'd guess this lineup was only used when facing non-shooting centers like Gortat, Dwight. That and, ah geez don't make me say it, Horford is a good defender of smaller guys.

[D21]

Serious question since I didn't see the game: Were Celtics really trying to win this game down the stretch?
They have literally nothing to play for at this point in the regular season.

Surely they gave ATL this game.
All their starters had positive Plus/Minus, and BOS didn't play them in the fourth. This is not trying to win.
They were in a record case where winning or loosing the last games can't change anything

[graymule]

Last game of the season is tonight. In the west, two teams, playing each other, are tied for 8th and 9th place.
Winner goes to the playoffs. Loser goes home.

In the race to the bottom of the NBA and the lottery, we find that the bottom two are all set. Then we find:

24-57 Atlanta
24-57 Dallas
24-57 Orlando

Win tonight and be tossed out of the bottom four? Or, will all three win or lose and still be tied? Tie breaker?
Who will do what to who?

[jayu70]

Well poop.

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Rest day for TP required.