Official Boston Celtics Thread

[tonybologna]

Quote: Originally Posted by redsox4evur

Yea IT is being a little whiny kid. No reason to get pissed at an owner and not even respond to his text to him. As Wyc pointed out during his preseason interview with Felger and Mazz. Quick recap in this Twitter thread. https://twitter.com/jaredweissnba/st...25817069117440 Now back to IT, I’m now even more firmly in the camp that is happy he is gone. He should know this is a business and you get traded, hell he was traded 2 times in 2 years. And I now like him less because he didn’t text Wyc back after Wyc gave him his best wishes. Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

IT isn't being whiny bud. He's just expressing his feelings. Ainge popped this trade on him out of nowhere when what he told IT after we initially got him was that he was going to be the main cog for the rebuilding process in Boston. Now he's gone just like that so I support him & how he feels. Ainge could have went to him before the trade & told him what was about to go down.

What about IT's game all of a sudden Ainge didn't want him as part of the rebuilding process? Was it the hip injury? Was it something IT had done behind closed doors? Yes, we got Kyrie who is a couple years younger but we also lost a sparky 5'8" PG that the Boston fans really really liked. Add to that we lost our best defender in Avery Bradley & our 2nd best defender in Jae Crowder. I like Hayward too. I wanted us to go after him but not to lose especially IT.

Quote: Originally Posted by jeremym480

I still love IT even though he's been up in his feelings since the trade. His season and playoffs last year were really something. I get how he feels, I mean he was the front man on this quick rebuild and was right there with Ainge on selling the Celtics to Durant, Horford and Hayward. He was true warrior on and off the court. With all of that said, I'm not mad at the trade.... at all. Irving is younger, has a better contract and I think he's going to take the offense to another level. I'm also happy that we don't have to worry about overpaying a 30 year old PG. I've got no ill will towards IT, I hope that he does get paid and that he continues to have success, just not too much success (ie beating Boston in the playoffs).

Bold above. I can't say that I'm still what you would call mad at the trade but I'm still in shock & aggravated at the trade. I really thought IT was going to be a Celtic for years to come. We still are going to be a contender in the East no doubt but I just loved IT & his competitive spirit & play on the court. He was a much much better Spud Webb.

Small but is so quick & can get his own shot off no matter who is guarding him. It's going to take a few games into the season probably before I will get completely over this trade. If we somehow fail & end up being a worse team than expected then it's not going to leave me & make me even more aggravated about it. Only time will tell just like only time will heal. Thanks.

[CaseIH]

Quote: Originally Posted by redsox4evur

Yea IT is being a little whiny kid. No reason to get pissed at an owner and not even respond to his text to him. As Wyc pointed out during his preseason interview with Felger and Mazz. Quick recap in this Twitter thread. https://twitter.com/jaredweissnba/st...25817069117440 Now back to IT, I’m now even more firmly in the camp that is happy he is gone. He should know this is a business and you get traded, hell he was traded 2 times in 2 years. And I now like him less because he didn’t text Wyc back after Wyc gave him his best wishes. Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I can see why IT is hurt by being traded, here IT help recruit Gordon, although Hayward was going there with or without IT, Brad Stevens is why Hayward is a Celtic, but IT gave his all for that team, to do what he did, right after his sister died, and play, not sure too many would be able to do what he did right after his sister was killed.

But it was a smart move by Ainge, the upside of Kyrie is more than IT, IT wasnt like IT was going to hit a growth spurt, its amazing he is able to do what he does at that size. Also IT had made the comment they better back the brinks trucks up with money for him, as he said he wants to break the bank. If Im a GM, Im not breaking the bank, for a player who is vertically challenge, nor will you win a ring with your best player being 5'9, actually truth be told he is probably more like 5'7
Ainge made the right move, but I definitely understand why IT is unhappy with Ainge. Thats got to be a tough job for any GM of any of the sport, especially in the NBA, because you have alot less players on the roster, than in MLB or the NFL, so NBA GM,s probably form more of a bond with their players, making it hard to deal players away, and for players to get dealt away, from a place they are happy at.


Man it sucks seeing Hayward go down like that. I really thought they were a serious threat to knock the Cavs off this yr. It was still going to be tough to do, but with Hayward and Kyrie I felt they could do it. Now they may not even be the 2nd best team in the East. But Stevens is a heck of a coach, so if anyone can overcome the loss of 1 of your 2 best players, it will be Brad Stevens. I just hope Hayward is able to fully recover and get back to being 1 of the better players in the league. That was nasty to watch.

[tonybologna]

So hurt by the Hayward injury guys. He didn't even get to showcase a hint of why he might be able to help the Celtics. What a shame guys. That's the way things go sometimes though. Other players have to step up & I say that Kyrie now has to even be better than we expected.

I also say that Horford can't be just giving us 14-15 pts/game & 6-7 rbs/game. He has got to give us more now. Closer to 17-19 pts/game & 9-10 rbs/game. Jalen Brown had a solid 1st game & he needs to continue playing like he did in game #1 as well. Tatum although a rookie he has got to try & average double figures & grab 4-6 rbs/game. Thanks.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeremym480

I still love IT even though he's been up in his feelings since the trade. His season and playoffs last year were really something. I get how he feels, I mean he was the front man on this quick rebuild and was right there with Ainge on selling the Celtics to Durant, Horford and Hayward. He was true warrior on and off the court. With all of that said, I'm not mad at the trade.... at all. Irving is younger, has a better contract and I think he's going to take the offense to another level. I'm also happy that we don't have to worry about overpaying a 30 year old PG. I've got no ill will towards IT, I hope that he does get paid and that he continues to have success, just not too much success (ie beating Boston in the playoffs).

I can't blame him for being hurt, though. He was aware enough to know his writing was on the wall at some point so it wasn't a total shock to him, but pulling that rug out from him when he was the star of a fantastic season has to hurt.

Not to mention how much **** players get for leaving a team and fans yelling about "loyalty," but the GM gets out of that scrutiny. Hopefully he helps the Cavs, but I have no faith in Wade or Rose being able to make a difference at the end of the season unless King James can keep their mindset right all year.

As for last night. As a Wizards fan I just feel sick for him and everybody involved with some kind of stake in the franchise. I was literally shaking after watching. Harlan saying, "he broke his leg" repeatedly just echoed in my head the whole night. I want to beat you guys up and down the court every game, but I hate seeing anybody go down like that.

Brad Stevens is a hell of a coach. You could tell he was excited for last night - he had a glimmer in his eyes those first 5 minutes. I'm sure he'll be able to keep you guys competitive throughout the year. Just a terrible way to start the season for the whole league.

[CaseIH]

Quote: Originally Posted by tonybologna

So hurt by the Hayward injury guys. He didn't even get to showcase a hint of why he might be able to help the Celtics. What a shame guys. That's the way things go sometimes though. Other players have to step up & I say that Kyrie now has to even be better than we expected. I also say that Horford can't be just giving us 14-15 pts/game & 6-7 rbs/game. He has got to give us more now. Closer to 17-19 pts/game & 9-10 rbs/game. Jalen Brown had a solid 1st game & he needs to continue playing like he did in game #1 as well. Tatum although a rookie he has got to try & average double figures & grab 4-6 rbs/game. Thanks.

Yep, every player will need to up his game some, if they have any shot to even make it back to the ECF. Just sucks to see Gordon go down like that, I just hope he fully recovers, injuries like that, you just never know.

[BleacherBum2310]

man the Hayward injury really just puts a bummer in this season for me. He was the guy I was looking forward to watching in this offense more so than Kyrie. You gotta feel for him for what he is going through....

They will still make the playoffs because the east is bad and I'm sure there will be Tatum and Jaylen moments but Kyrie is going to get triple teamed now and with the lack of shooting and defense will be fine but it's not a top end defense this will be a struggle me thinks.

[tonybologna]

Quote: Originally Posted by BleacherBum2310

man the Hayward injury really just puts a bummer in this season for me. He was the guy I was looking forward to watching in this offense more so than Kyrie. You gotta feel for him for what he is going through.... They will still make the playoffs because the east is bad and I'm sure there will be Tatum and Jaylen moments but Kyrie is going to get triple teamed now and with the lack of shooting and defense will be fine but it's not a top end defense this will be a struggle me thinks.

I agree that the East is weak but already 0-2 & no Hayward there are no guarantees that the Celtics will make the playoffs. If players don't step up then we just might be on the outside looking in when it comes playoff time.

My guess is though that we will get in & should be no worse than a 5th seed but if everybody don't step up & play their game & some even above their head then we might end up not getting a playoff spot. Thanks.

[jeremym480]

Quote: Originally Posted by BleacherBum2310

man the Hayward injury really just puts a bummer in this season for me. He was the guy I was looking forward to watching in this offense more so than Kyrie. You gotta feel for him for what he is going through.... They will still make the playoffs because the east is bad and I'm sure there will be Tatum and Jaylen moments but Kyrie is going to get triple teamed now and with the lack of shooting and defense will be fine but it's not a top end defense this will be a struggle me thinks.

Hayward getting injured definitely brought my excitement for the season way down. I mean, this is a guy that we've been waiting on for years and his free agency was such a roller-coaster of emotions his, then the wait and anticipation of the off-season. Finally it was time to see him on the court and it lasted just a little over five minutes. I was a wreck Tuesday night, then depressed Wednesday and yesterday I was in a bad mood all day.... and this really has no real effect on my life. I can only imagine how Hayward and his teammates feel.

As for us on the court, yeah any slim chance of Championship hopes and decent chance of winning the Eastern Conference is out the door. I still think we can be a top 4-5 team in the East, however I think my exceptions went from hoping to making the finals to hoping to make the 2nd Round of the playoffs.

I'm not too worried about the 0-2 start. Starting the season versus two of the best teams and two of the best players in the East and having such a bad injury in the first few minutes of the season was rough. However, both games were winnable at the end. I had us going 4-3 in October with Hayward. If we can finished 3-4 without him, then I'll take that. Getting Morris back will be huge. He can take some of the pressure off of the young guys and hopefully everyone starts picking it up a bit once they get a few games under their belts.