Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

[eyes of hazel]

September 28, 2015

Ainge Promises Drastic Moves For Upcoming Season
by Samantha Smith
Staff Writer

With a smile that can light up the most grim basement in New England, the current President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics spoke passionately about the upcoming 2015-16 NBA season.

"Read my lips," exclaimed Danny Ainge. "Drastic roster moves will be made. I promise we will capitalize on the overachieving season we enjoyed last season. We are moving forward, not backward."



The Celtics, who were swept out of the 1st round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs by the Cleveland Cavs, benefited by injuries of other elite teams in the East -- most notably the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers -- to sneak into the 8th seed.

But the four-leaf clover was not just on the Celtics side last season. There is no denying the job Head Coach Brad Stevens has done in his two years with the Celtics, with no elite star on his roster.

"(Brad) has proven to be a hell of a coach and winner at this level in record time," explained Ainge. Now it's time for him to benefit and enjoy what all the other elite coaches in the NBA enjoy -- coaching the elite." Ainge said.

The Celtics, unlike other franchises coming fresh off a playoff appearance, hold major influence and will be instant power players in acquiring new talent.

For one, Ainge's past wheeling and dealing has led to Boston owning a whooping three 1st round draft picks in this upcoming 2016 NBA Draft (8 overall).

Most importantly, there are 10 players currently on the roster in the last year of their current deals. Veteran players like David Lee ($15.49 mil), Amir Johnson ($12 mil), Jonas Jerebko ($5 mil), and Evan Turner ($3.43 mil) are guaranteed to attract other General Managers. Franchices are always interested in cutting salary, or trading valued players already locked in long-term contracts.

"Get ready. Celtics faithful... Get ready," Ainge exclaimed. "My phone has been blinking red like Batman's all summer."

Will any of these guys still be around at start of training camp?

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)



Celtics Rook Inks Jordan Brand Deal
R.J. Hunter has reportedly signed a deal with Jordan Brand.

Hunter, the 28th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, sounded shock to be selected to join the elite.

"Man, this is a dream come true," Hunter explained. "To not being able to afford these growing up, to coming to my new condo with 25 new pair delivered express... I'm just blessed."

Hunter, pictured below, will wear the popular Jordan XI retro model this upcoming season -- "Concord" colorway at home, and the "Cool Gray" colorway on the road.

[trekfan]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

NICE. Jealous of that article up there, gonna have to up my game

The Celtics have a ton of picks and pieces, I'll be interested to see who you can get. Will you go after a big man? A star forward? Maybe a guard?

Following, happily.

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

September 29, 2015
Sources: Celtics pushing deal to acquire Harrison Barnes

by Stephen A. Smith
ESPN

Danny Ainge is keeping the public promise he made to Celtics fans yesterday. And multiple insiders have informed me that Harrison Barnes is his main target.

Oh, yeah. And remember where you heard it first.

Let's just call a spade a spade, and see who follows suit. Barnes has been under-appreciated since his McDonald's All-American high school days.

He wasn't "enough" at Carolina for the Tar Heel faithful, as he didn't dominate like his "forefathers" Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter.

He wasn't "enough" for scouts at the 2012 NBA Draft and fell to the 7th overall pick, as his home state and team (Charlotte Bobcats) passed on him in favor of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. I mean damn, Dion Waiters and Thomas Robinson were selected ahead of him.

Let's just go there, OKAY -- Barnes currently is not "enough" at Golden State, as the Warriors acquired Andre Iguodala and STARTED him last season over Barnes.

Harrison Barnes HELPED Golden State win it all last season. Barnes now has the ultimate chip on his shoulder and wants to LEAD a team to winning it all.

Bulls eye.



This is the genius of Ainge, as he is banking on bringing a mega talent to Boston who is nothing short of a dynamite stick needing a lit match to explode.

Barnes is a restricted free-agent at the end of the season, but his agent has made it CLEAR that Barnes will demand a max deal this summer. Not A PENNY LESS. The Celtics are one of the few teams who will have the funds outright and are willing to sign Barnes to a max offer sheet this offseason.

Given Barnes can walk -- and will walk if the Warriors don't match a max offer sheet -- why not get some kind of equal compensation?

My sources have confirmed Jae Crowder is in the discussion, which makes perfect sense. Crowder has developed just as much as Barnes, but is a better defensive fit in Steve Kerr's system. He just signed a similar deal the Warriors would like Barnes to accept -- $5yr/35 mil -- and the team chemistry stays in tacy with him and Iggy at the SF position, regardless who starts.

And trust me, since Ainge places such a high value on Barnes, Mr. Bob Myers ( who just happens to be the 2015 NBA Executive of the Year by the way) will bleed Ainge dry of those 1st round draft picks he's banked and some of the young talent on Boston's roster.

Sounds crazy doesn't it? Well, not really.

This is nothing new -- This is simply Danny going Danny, yet again.

[trekfan]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

Way to channel Steve A., heard it all the way in his voice.

Love the idea of the move, too -- Harrison Barnes is under-appreciated and IS a guy who could break out big if he gets a chance. Being the forgotten son in GS has got to be eating at him and having a franchise as storied as the Celtics give him the keys will be a huge honor for a basketball players, especially considering the legends that have walked through those doors in the past.

[Bradster224]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

It would be a very good pick up for the Celtics if you can land Barnes. For some reason I feel he just doesn't have an identity at Golden State, maybe he might find it in Boston?

I'll be following this!

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)


September 29, 2015

Breaking News: Boston Celtics Players Scuffle at Mall
Jim Berd
E-Editor

A nasty scene at Faneuil Hall Marketplace may immediately force Danny Ainge's hand in roster changes for the Boston Celtics.

Witnesses confirm Celtics point guards Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier brawled in front of Urban Outfitters after words were exchanged.

Smart, the 6th overall pick in last year's draft, had a disappointing season and is battling to keep his job as starter. Smart has been embarrassed and outplayed continuously by the rookie Rozier since opening day of training camp two days ago. Amir Johnson confirmed this, as he was quoted directly by MassLive.com.

Rozier took to his Twitter feed, which has since been deleted:


We will report more as this story develops, but it appears that trading one of these guys is imminent.

[BlueJays09]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

Following...Very interested!

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)



"Thank you all for coming out on such a short notice. Special thanks to CSN-New England. I will not take any additional questions; Just want to address the reports today that started around lunchtime involving a couple of our employees."

"This is a big year for the Boston Celtics. In a positive way. We as a organization will not tolerate negativity, especially if it leads to violence. We have a no tolerance policy in this family. Period. There is a difference in competition and negativity going overboard. This afternoon was an example of going overboard."

"Brad and I are going to interview Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier individually. We will collect our facts, compare notes, and decide how to move forward with this exciting 2015-16 season of NBA2k underway."

"This is something that needs to be said... You all see these guys as athletes cashing big NBA checks and endorsements. The facts you all tend to ignore is that these are young adults, still maturing, still developing, still trying to find their way in this corrupt world we live in."

"So before you all judge and crucify and go into a frenzy via social media and whatever other outlets, be responsible and keep in mind that incident involved two 21 year old young adults who technically should be enjoying their junior years of college."

"Thanks. God Bless. Go Celtics!"

[trekfan]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

A very compassionate response from Danny Ainge.

Both are being traded I think. Just don't send them to Sactown, no one deserves that.

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)


September 30, 2015

Smart, Rozier Practice Together
Less than 24 hours after rift, teammates preach professionalism
by Jon Rhoades
Contributor

Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier arrived at the Boston Celtics practice facility at 5 am, together, almost three hours before another teammate joined them on the court.



"Today is a new day," Smart said with a noticeable grin. "It's time for me and my brother to get to work."

There seems to be no elephant in the room, as Smart and Rozier worked on guard drills and practicing game-like scenarios. Just yesterday, both were reportedly fighting outside a retail store at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

"Yesterday was yesterday. You see what's going on this morning? This is what matters most, moving forward," Rozier said.

Turner Sports insider David Aldridge is reporting a number of NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, have contacted Boston about the availability of both players.

Rozier, the 16th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, has been impressive in training camp and has drawn comparisons to all-star guard Damian Lillard.

Smart earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors after averaging 7.8 points and 3.1 assist in 67 regular season games last season.

Both President Danny Ainge and Head Coach Brad Stevens declined comment.

[trekfan]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

*shakes head* Too little, too late, I think.

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)


September 30, 2015

New Signature Shoe Puts Validity on Rumors
Dennis Scott
NBATV Correspondent
You know, I'm not the smartest man in the world. But I'm not the dumbest either!

I've been involved with this league in some kind of capacity for 25 years now. And even back in "my day" in the "throwback" 90's, getting a shoe deal was the norm, but getting YOUR OWN signature shoe meant something BIG.

For Adidas to tweet a "hint" at Harrison Barnes getting his own signature shoe this upcoming season -- The H-Bar I -- tells me that he is on the move:


Where? Well, with a signature shoe on the horizon, I can guarantee Barnes will be moving to the starting lineup. Exactly WHERE I'm not sure, but I won't be so quick to dispute Stephen A. Smith's reporting. The Celtics and Barnes seem to be a match made in heaven.

I mean, Smith publishes his piece, then next day Adidas leaks this info.

Isn't it ironic? Don't cha think?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)


September 30, 2015
Pelicans Pursuing Isaiah Thomas, Amir Johnson from Celtics

David Aldridge
Turner Sports

The Boston Celtics continue to headline NBA trade rumors. But this time they are the hunted, and not the hunters.

My sources are confirming the New Orleans Pelicans have been in a non-stop pursuit attempting to acquire Isaiah Thomas and Amir Johnson from the Celtics.

The belief is 'Nola wants to add these pieces -- vets with playoff experience -- with Anthony Davis to be major threats in the West this season. Another first round exit out the playoffs is deemed unacceptable by ownership with their new coaching staff.

Johnson is in the last year of his deal, at $12 mil. Thomas is locked up for this season and the next two, at a very modest $19.76 mil estimated left on the deal he signed with the Sacramento Kings last summer.

Who the Pelicans are selling to the Celtics in a swap is yet to be determined. Rumors are Ryan Anderson, who's in the last year of his contract at $8.5 mil owed. But for the deal to be approved by the league and match money-wise, a third team will have to get involved for the Pelicans to get this deal done.

The Celts have a log jam at the PF spot currently, while 'Nola roster is obviously missing a banger to battle beside Anthony Davis. So Amir makes sense.

Thomas, on the other hand, is the ultimate wildcard. Ainge, from what I have been told, has NO interest in dealing Thomas. Thomas was the key factor in the Celtics making the playoffs last year -- after the mid-season trade from the Phoenix Suns -- and is a favorite of coach Brad Stevens.

But history tells us Danny Ainge is always an opportunist in these situations. Will more draft picks and players with expiring contracts -- as if he needs anymore -- entice him to move his best player and clear even more cap room for a future transaction?

Stay tuned.

[eyes of hazel]

Re: Boston Celtics - The Ultimate Return to Glory (NBA 2K16 Dynasty)

September 30, 2015
Blockbuster 3-Team, 9 Player Trade Finalized
Harrison Barnes, Taj Gibson land in Beantown
Associated Press

Just as training camps begin across the league, the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, and Chicago Bulls agree to a trade involving 5 current players and 4 future NBA draft picks.

The finalized deal has Boston acquiring Harrison Barnes from the Warriors and Taj Gibson from the Bulls.

The Warriors will receive Evan Turner, Jae Crowder, Celtics ’16 1st round pick, and Celtics ’17 1st round pick (from Nets).

The Bulls get Jason Thompson from the Warriors, Celtics ’16 1st round pick (from Mavs), and Celtics ’16 2nd round pick (from Cavs).