Construct a Boston Celtics Team that Beats the Miami Heat Next Season

Here's your template:

PG: Rondo
SG: Bradley | Johnson
SF: Pierce | Moore
PF: Williams
C: KG

You have about 18mill to work with.

I'll start:

Jeff Green (S&T) + Johnson + Williams + Moore to Atlanta for Josh Smith. OJ Mayo for MLE. Kaman for 2 year 4 mill per season deal. Watson, Hill, and Azubuike for vet minimums.

[B]Celtics[/B]
PG: Rajon Rondo | Earl Watson
SG: Avery Bradley | OJ Mayo
SF: Paul Pierce | Grant Hill | Keleena Azubuike
PF: Josh Smith | Jared Sullinger
C: Kevin Garnett | Chris Kaman | Fab Melo

:bowdown:

Trade the entire franchise for LeBron.

Celtics are coming out of the East next year. :(

Ray Allen will walk but they might sign Mayo... Which gives exactly what they need more- consistent scoring.

And the Rookies are legit.

that's a tall order...If u had a time machine!

Get Toney Douglas, Scal, Kwame, Walton, and Morrison at all cost.

If LeBron is LeBron in those series, you just can't .

[QUOTE=Sakkreth]If LeBron is LeBron in those series, you just can't .[/QUOTE]
The Heat were on their way to losing that series had Bosh not returned and Lebron was having a great series. Everyone knows LeBron will get his but it's a matter of stopping the other players like Wade and Bosh and controlling the boards.

Rondo
Gordon
Melo
Kevin Love
Howard

Thats what they need.

With the template, there is no way for Boston to beat the Heat next year.

[QUOTE=BallsOut]Here's your template:

PG: Rondo
SG: Bradley | Johnson
SF: Pierce | Moore
PF: Williams
C: KG

You have about 18mill to work with.

I'll start:

Jeff Green (S&T) + Johnson + Williams + Moore to Atlanta for Josh Smith. OJ Mayo for MLE. Kaman for 2 year 4 mill per season deal. Watson, Hill, and Azubuike for vet minimums.

[B]Celtics[/B]
PG: Rajon Rondo | Earl Watson
SG: Avery Bradley | OJ Mayo
SF: Paul Pierce | Grant Hill | Keleena Azubuike
PF: Josh Smith | Jared Sullinger
C: Kevin Garnett | Chris Kaman | Fab Melo

:bowdown:[/QUOTE]

Asik/Melo/Stiemsma
Garnett/Sullinger/Johnson
Pierce/Green
Mayo/Bradley/Moore
Rondo/Bradley/Dooling

Asik 15M/3years
Stiemsma 5M/3years
Green 13M/2years (2nd year Team Option)
Mayo 18M/3years
Dooling Vet min/1year

I think this is realistic.

[QUOTE=Nash]Rondo
Gordon
Melo
Kevin Love
Howard

Thats what they need.[/QUOTE]

F*ck that. We had one of those pieces, plus a bunch of other busted dudes playing good ball and we were one game from the Finals.

Celts have already proven Lebron's no match in a seven-game series when he's stuck on an island on his own. Eliminate the other weapons, the Heat lose. That's the team Doc and Danny are putting together for these next two years.

[QUOTE=jalbert009]Asik/Melo/Stiemsma
Garnett/Sullinger/Johnson
Pierce/Green
Mayo/Bradley/Moore
Rondo/Bradley/Dooling

Asik 15M/3years
Stiemsma 5M/3years
Green 13M/2years (2nd year Team Option)
Mayo 18M/3years
Dooling Vet min/1year

I think this is realistic.[/QUOTE]

:bowdown:

Yes.

[B]Edit: I have no idea why this board isn't letting me post Green's salary, but it's 3 years/$15 million with the third year as a Team Option.
[/B]
Here is what I would realistically want the Celtics to look like next season:
[COLOR="Green"]* Free Agent Signings[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"]* Resigned 2011-2012 Season Players[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"]* Rookie Signings[/COLOR]

[B]PG:[/B] Rajon Rondo/[I][COLOR="Green"]Kirk Hinrich (2 years/$6 million)[/COLOR][/I]/[COLOR="Green"][I]Patty Mills (1 year/$1.2 million)[/I][/COLOR]
[B]SG:[/B] Avery Bradley/[COLOR="Green"][I]Jason Terry (2 years/$14 million)[/I][/COLOR]/[I][COLOR="Green"]DeShawn Stevenson (1 year/$2 million)[/COLOR][/I]
[B]SF:[/B] Paul Pierce/Jeff Green for 2 years/$10 million/[COLOR="Red"]Mickael Pietrus (2 years/$5 million)[/COLOR]
[B]PF:[/B] [COLOR="Red"]Kevin Garnett (3 years/$33 million)[/COLOR]/Jeff Green/[COLOR="Blue"]Jared Sullinger (3 year/$3.3 million)[/COLOR]
[B]C:[/B] [COLOR="Green"][I]Spencers Hawes (3 years/$18 million)[/I][/COLOR]/[COLOR="Blue"]Fab Melo (2 years/$2 million)[/COLOR]/[COLOR="Red"]Greg Stiemsma (Player Option, $1 million)[/COLOR]
---------------------------------------
[U]Players Waived: JaJuan Johnson[/U]

Two words: [B][COLOR="Red"]DAT DEFENSE[/COLOR][/B]. Stevenson/Pierce/Pietrus/Rondo/Bradley/KG? :bowdown:

This puts Boston just over $10 million over the cap, paying just $10 million extra in taxes through the 2012-2013 season. With this lineup, they can make a huge push for another ring with a combination of youth and championship caliber experience. Then, try and deal some of the expirers to get closer to the cap when the 2013-2014 season rolls around.

A lot of people think [B]Kirk Hinrich[/B] is a tough sell for the price I'm suggesting, but a lot of those people forget the reason he was making so much to begin with. The guy was signed to a five-year, $47 million dollar extension when he was still delivering the goods in Chicago. A perfect comparison to his situation is Mike Bibby, who was rewarded for his high level of play only a few short years ago but went downhill fast.

Hinrich's play has fallen off considerably and he'd get a great backup role playing for a contender.

[B]Patty Mills[/B] is an under-the-radar talent that somebody will take a flyer on and luck out with tremendously. Boston would have an incredible player rounding out their PG rotation.

[B]Jason Terry[/B] may get a better contract elsewhere, but he probably wants to play for a contender/elite. Boston has the cap space and the opportunity for minutes, with Ray Allen gone and Avery Bradley pushed into the starting lineup. If Bradley's shoulder injuries linger, Terry could find himself in the starting lineup frequently.

Besides being a great defender with championship experience, [B]DeShawn Stevenson[/B] still carries the unofficial title of "LeBron Stopper". While I think that's a bit of a stretch, you can't ignore his ability to frustrate LeBron with his hardnosed defense - hell, he's been doing it since LeBron came into the league. While he might be looking for some long term, the guy has to consider his age and realize he just wasted a year of his dwindling career on a bottom-feeder.

[B]Jeff Green[/B] signs with Boston because he's been within the teams inner circle, even as RFA, and Ainge loves him. I'm not sold on him, but it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that he's a Celtic. :confusedshrug:

[B]Mickael Pietrus[/B] is an excellent defender and can stroke the 3-ball with relative consistency... Boston will need all the perimeter shooting they can get if/when Ray Allen jumps ship.

The biggest stretch of all may be with [B]Spencer Hawes[/B] and his desire to sign for a contract of this size. He may want more years and demand more cash per season in a barren landscape of serviceable centers.

[QUOTE=AMISTILLILL][B]Edit: I have no idea why this board isn't letting me post Green's salary, but it's 3 years/$15 million with the third year as a Team Option.
[/B]
Here is what I would realistically want the Celtics to look like next season:
[COLOR="Green"]* Free Agent Signings[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"]* Resigned 2011-2012 Season Players[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Blue"]* Rookie Signings[/COLOR]

[B]PG:[/B] Rajon Rondo/[I][COLOR="Green"]Kirk Hinrich (2 years/$6 million)[/COLOR][/I]/[COLOR="Green"][I]Patty Mills (1 year/$1.2 million)[/I][/COLOR]
[B]SG:[/B] Avery Bradley/[COLOR="Green"][I]Jason Terry (2 years/$14 million)[/I][/COLOR]/[I][COLOR="Green"]DeShawn Stevenson (1 year/$2 million)[/COLOR][/I]
[B]SF:[/B] Paul Pierce/Jeff Green for 2 years/$10 million/[COLOR="Red"]Mickael Pietrus (2 years/$5 million)[/COLOR]
[B]PF:[/B] [COLOR="Red"]Kevin Garnett (3 years/$33 million)[/COLOR]/Jeff Green/[COLOR="Blue"]Jared Sullinger (3 year/$3.3 million)[/COLOR]
[B]C:[/B] [COLOR="Green"][I]Spencers Hawes (3 years/$18 million)[/I][/COLOR]/[COLOR="Blue"]Fab Melo (2 years/$2 million)[/COLOR]/[COLOR="Red"]Greg Stiemsma (Player Option, $1 million)[/COLOR]
---------------------------------------
[U]Players Waived: JaJuan Johnson[/U]

Two words: [B][COLOR="Red"]DAT DEFENSE[/COLOR][/B]. Stevenson/Pierce/Pietrus/Rondo/Bradley/KG? :bowdown:

This puts Boston just over $10 million over the cap, paying just $10 million extra in taxes through the 2012-2013 season. With this lineup, they can make a huge push for another ring with a combination of youth and championship caliber experience. Then, try and deal some of the expirers to get closer to the cap when the 2013-2014 season rolls around.

A lot of people think [B]Kirk Hinrich[/B] is a tough sell for the price I'm suggesting, but a lot of those people forget the reason he was making so much to begin with. The guy was signed to a five-year, $47 million dollar extension when he was still delivering the goods in Chicago. A perfect comparison to his situation is Mike Bibby, who was rewarded for his high level of play only a few short years ago but went downhill fast.

Hinrich's play has fallen off considerably and he'd get a great backup role playing for a contender.

[B]Patty Mills[/B] is an under-the-radar talent that somebody will take a flyer on and luck out with tremendously. Boston would have an incredible player rounding out their PG rotation.

[B]Jason Terry[/B] may get a better contract elsewhere, but he probably wants to play for a contender/elite. Boston has the cap space and the opportunity for minutes, with Ray Allen gone and Avery Bradley pushed into the starting lineup. If Bradley's shoulder injuries linger, Terry could find himself in the starting lineup frequently.

Besides being a great defender with championship experience, [B]DeShawn Stevenson[/B] still carries the unofficial title of "LeBron Stopper". While I think that's a bit of a stretch, you can't ignore his ability to frustrate LeBron with his hardnosed defense - hell, he's been doing it since LeBron came into the league. While he might be looking for some long term, the guy has to consider his age and realize he just wasted a year of his dwindling career on a bottom-feeder.

[B]Jeff Green[/B] signs with Boston because he's been within the teams inner circle, even as RFA, and Ainge loves him. I'm not sold on him, but it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that he's a Celtic. :confusedshrug:

[B]Mickael Pietrus[/B] is an excellent defender and can stroke the 3-ball with relative consistency... Boston will need all the perimeter shooting they can get if/when Ray Allen jumps ship.

The biggest stretch of all may be with [B]Spencer Hawes[/B] and his desire to sign for a contract of this size. He may want more years and demand more cash per season in a barren landscape of serviceable centers.[/QUOTE]

Stevenson is a good suggestion. I almost put him in place of Azubuike.

You gotta think San Antonio isn't letting Mills go after that terrific season.

Terry shall always be referred to as the Miami Heat killer. However, I think Mayo is a better all around player and a lot younger so he'd be worth throwing the money at.

Hinrich and Watson are interchangable in my opinion. For some reason, Watson has always been the cheaper to be had player throughout their careers, but having seen both, it's really a wash. A plus for Watson is his terrific 3pt shooting. I am unsure about bringing Pietrus back, wasn't his 3pt shooting very unconsistent last season?

Lastly, I prefer Kaman over Hawes since Kaman should come a bit cheaper.

Get fair reffs. Done.

[QUOTE=Harison]Get fair reffs. Done.[/QUOTE]

Let me rephrase.

Construct a Boston Celtics Team that Beats the Miami Heat and the Refs Next Season

I'd take Mayo if he doesn't expect a big contract, which I think he might. It's his first free agency and he'll want to get paid.

DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Terry SCREAM Boston Celtics to me. They were carved from the same rock as guys like Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce.

[QUOTE=Harison]Get fair reffs. Done.[/QUOTE]

true

[QUOTE=AMISTILLILL]I'd take Mayo if he doesn't expect a big contract, which I think he might. It's his first free agency and he'll want to get paid.

DeShawn Stevenson and Jason Terry SCREAM Boston Celtics to me. They were carved from the same rock as guys like Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce.[/QUOTE]

Alright, how's this?

PG: Rondo/Watson
SG: Bradley/Terry
SF: Pierce/Hill/Stevenson
PF: Bass/Sullinger
C: KG/Hawes/Melo

[QUOTE=BallsOut]Alright, how's this?

PG: Rondo/Watson
SG: Bradley/Terry
SF: Pierce/Hill/Stevenson
PF: Bass/Sullinger
C: KG/Hawes/Melo[/QUOTE]

We just tossed Stiemsma an offer, so he's gonna be taking the back-up minutes at the center spot. When he gets into inevitable foul trouble, that's when Melo will get some burn. Bass is gonna be looking for more years than I think Danny will want to give him so we keep some flexibility.

PF: KG/Sullinger
C: Hawes/Stiemsma/Melo

Feels more likely. As AMI was saying, KG can slide to the five in short spurts. Meanwhile, I really like Hawes starting at the 5 and letting KG go back to his natural position. I hope Danny attacks Hawes...I'm tired of hearing Kamen's name getting thrown in.

CP3
Kobe
Durant
Griffin
Howard

[QUOTE=BallsOut]Alright, how's this?

PG: Rondo/Watson
SG: Bradley/Terry
SF: Pierce/Hill/Stevenson
PF: Bass/Sullinger
C: KG/Hawes/Melo[/QUOTE]

I still think Chicago exercises their option for Watson with Rose out. Without Watson, they have no other prospective PG options. Maybe they get serious about chasing Hinrich but Hinrich is not the same player who went 7 games with Chicago in 2009's first round. I can't imagine they feel terribly confident rolling him out as their starting point.

Bradley/Terry looks good, with Stevenson alternating between the 2/3 when needed. I wouldn't mind Hill signing with Boston at all but the verdict is out on whether he leaves Phoenix (which hinges almost entirely on Nash's plans, I'm sure). I still think Green signing with Boston is one of the only sure things about Boston's summer.

Bass is as good as gone too. He upped his value with that deep Playoff run and showed he's more than just the shoddy backup in Orlando. I can see Brooklyn floating Bass an offer and a chance to start if Humphries goes someplace else.

I think Bass will get more than he's worth. I'm fine with having garbage start at centre because KG will probably get most of the minutes, and Green/Sullinger/Pierce can take the rest of the minutes at the 4. I also think Ray gets more than he's worth, so I'd aim for Mayo.

[QUOTE=AMISTILLILL]I still think Chicago exercises their option for Watson with Rose out. Without Watson, they have no other prospective PG options. Maybe they get serious about chasing Hinrich but Hinrich is not the same player who went 7 games with Chicago in 2009's first round. I can't imagine they feel terribly confident rolling him out as their starting point.

Bradley/Terry looks good, with Stevenson alternating between the 2/3 when needed. I wouldn't mind Hill signing with Boston at all but the verdict is out on whether he leaves Phoenix (which hinges almost entirely on Nash's plans, I'm sure). I still think Green signing with Boston is one of the only sure things about Boston's summer.

Bass is as good as gone too. He upped his value with that deep Playoff run and showed he's more than just the shoddy backup in Orlando. I can see Brooklyn floating Bass an offer and a chance to start if Humphries goes someplace else.[/QUOTE]

I've heard Hinrich is the official target for the backup PG due to nostalgia. I think they've done all but let Watson walk at this point. Plus they still have Lucas.

Watson would come a lot cheaper than Hinrich so that's a plus for Boston. Bass is more useful than Green to me at this point. If I had to let one of the two walk, I keep Bass. He can hit the jumper just as good as KG/Hawes which is needed.

[QUOTE=BallsOut]I've heard Hinrich is the official target for the backup PG due to nostalgia. I think they've done all but let Watson walk at this point. Plus they still have Lucas.

Watson would come a lot cheaper than Hinrich so that's a plus for Boston. Bass is more useful than Green to me at this point. If I had to let one of the two walk, I keep Bass. He can hit the jumper just as good as KG/Hawes which is needed.[/QUOTE]

Lucas is a free agent. They could bring him back but he's hardly the kind of guy you want starting all 82 games for a team that was poised to at least make the ECF last season (prior to Rose going down, obviously).

Chicago has a lot of interesting decisions to make this off season, almost all related to the back court.

[QUOTE=swi7ch]CP3
Kobe
Durant
Griffin
Howard[/QUOTE]
[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/30988509/lol-eccbc87e4b5ce2fe28308fd9f2a7baf3-350.gif[/img]

[QUOTE=Derka]We just tossed Stiemsma an offer, so he's gonna be taking the back-up minutes at the center spot. When he gets into inevitable foul trouble, that's when Melo will get some burn. Bass is gonna be looking for more years than I think Danny will want to give him so we keep some flexibility.

PF: KG/Sullinger
C: Hawes/Stiemsma/Melo

Feels more likely. As AMI was saying, KG can slide to the five in short spurts. Meanwhile, I really like Hawes starting at the 5 and letting KG go back to his natural position. I hope Danny attacks Hawes...I'm tired of hearing Kamen's name getting thrown in.[/QUOTE]

Most of Boston's successful playoff run last season was due to the resurgence of KG. And it was no coincidence. KG was well rested for much of the season, rarely ever playing major minutes until the playoffs. So letting Bass go means KG will have to play more minutes at the 4 in his place in the regular season, and that's a lot of minutes unless Doc puts his trust in the rookie Sullinger. I would prefer to keep Bass for just that very reason, a fresh Kevin Garnett for the playoffs.

PG: Rondo/Watson
SG: Bradley/Terry
SF: Pierce/Hill/Stevenson
PF: KG/Bass/Sullinger
C: Hawes/Stiemsma/Melo

Maybe Dallas can work a S&T deal for Terry to Boston with Green, Moore, Johnson and Williams going the other way. Terry can play 1 or 2, and Stevenson can play both 2 and 3, pretty solid rotation me thinks.

Grant Hill is a vital pickup. Even at his age, he was one of the top individual defenders last season guarding 1,2,3 and 4s.

[QUOTE=BallsOut]Most of Boston's successful playoff run last season was due to the resurgence of KG. And it was no coincidence. KG was well rested for much of the season, rarely ever playing major minutes until the playoffs. So letting Bass go means KG will have to play more minutes at the 4 in his place in the regular season, and that's a lot of minutes unless Doc puts his trust in the rookie Sullinger. I would prefer to keep Bass for just that very reason, a fresh Kevin Garnett for the playoffs.

PG: Rondo/Watson
SG: Bradley/Terry
SF: Pierce/Hill/Stevenson
PF: KG/Bass/Sullinger
C: Hawes/Stiemsma/Melo

Maybe Dallas can work a S&T deal for Terry to Boston with Green, Moore, Johnson and Williams going the other way. Terry can play 1 or 2, and Stevenson can play both 2 and 3, pretty solid rotation me thinks.

Grant Hill is a vital pickup. Even at his age, he was one of the top individual defenders last season guarding 1,2,3 and 4s.[/QUOTE]

You can't combine sign-and-trade players. Green and Moore aren't under contract with Boston.

I'm really interested to see what Ainge and management does. Hurry up and start free agency!

[QUOTE=AMISTILLILL]You can't combine sign-and-trade players. Green and Moore aren't under contract with Boston.[/QUOTE]

I thought Moore was? Williams might be as well.

[QUOTE=BlackWhiteGreen]I thought Moore was? Williams might be as well.[/QUOTE]

Nah, Moore and Williams aren't on the books for 2012-2013. The only players Boston have on the books right now, if you include KG's new contract to be signed in a couple weeks:

Kevin Garnett
Paul Pierce
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
JaJuan Johnson
Greg Stiemsma (qualifying offer)

They had Brandon Bass but he opted out of his player option to test free agency.

Won't be realistically done. It's lookin like a breeze for the Heat through the EC

I feel like they only signed Williams so they could meet the league quota of players on a roster. Signing a guy for that and having to eat his contract for the second year seems... odd.

Actually, I feel like Mayo is a lot better option than Terry at this point and worth the extra 1-2 mill per season if that's what it would take for the Celtics to land him.

Mayo is a legit SG. Terry is a bit undersized at SG. and Mayo is only 24 vs. Terry who is 10 years older at 34.

PG: Rondo/Watson
SG: Bradley/Mayo
SF: Pierce/Hill/Stevenson
PF: KG/Bass/Sullinger
C: Hawes/Stiemsma/Melo

Mayo can slide to 1 or 2, Stevenson can play 1 or 2. Now that's a solid lineup.

[QUOTE=AMISTILLILL][IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/24map9l.png[/IMG]

:confusedshrug:

Clear your cache maybe..?[/QUOTE]

Notice how Shaquille O'Neal and Rasheed Wallace haven't played for the Celtics for at least 3 years. It's time to clear your cache dude. :oldlol:

[QUOTE=AMISTILLILL][IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/24map9l.png[/IMG]

:confusedshrug:

Clear your cache maybe..?[/QUOTE]

Yours looks like an older page. The page I'm looking at doesn't have Bass' player option on there.

[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/1zpoc9s.png[/IMG]

[QUOTE=BallsOut]Notice how Shaquille O'Neal and Rasheed Wallace haven't played for the Celtics for at least 3 years. It's time to clear your cache dude. :oldlol:[/QUOTE]

The length of their contract is still on the site. It has nothing to do with a cache. :facepalm

[QUOTE=BlackWhiteGreen]Yours looks like an older page. The page I'm looking at doesn't have Bass' player option on there.[/QUOTE]

Weird. I looked at it on two different types of browsers. One has his option, one doesn't. Shaq and Sheed are still there though, and E'Twaun and Williams do have cash coming to them this season. Weird.

This browser *****, I guess.

All they need to do is resign Green and Pietrus, add Mayo to replace RA, and get 1-2 more bigs (perhaps Wilcox as one?).

They key is health. At full strength they are the better team.

[QUOTE=StateOfMind12]The Heat were on their way to losing that series.[/QUOTE]
Take that weak stuff out of here, the Heat won. And the series wouldn't have lasted long had Bosh played from the get go.

You Bulls fans are so hilarious. :oldlol: