The Top 5: Celtics Changes
Trade Marcus Smart
We know what the problem is with this team. It’s the DNA. I’ve been the trade Marcus train for years. However, I’ll be the bigger man in the room here and admit he has had a good season. You could extend that to last year too if you want and that fake DPOY. It’s not necessarily about his play anymore. It’s the fact that he is the “longest tenured Celtic” and for some reason that hold water in that locker room. He is a defacto leader and is not shy about it. Even if he is a decent leader their comes a time when the message runs dry. That’s the deal with Smart. He is not good enough to lead by example, as much as he might try with all of those 4th quarter close and late shots. Those kind of shots are a microcosm for why he should go. Tatum and Brown still have a reluctance to tell him to get the fuck out of the way! Do your best to replace him with a real PG who can control pace and offense. This could be addition by subtraction vaulting Tatum and Brown in an even bigger role as the true leaders.
Fire Mazzula. Hire NBA Vet
This aint happening. Brad Stevens has already given the go ahead to bring Joey Mazz back. Plus you just can’t have 4 different head coaches in 4 years. The plan will be to surround him with NBA veteran coaches. The staff has already lost 3 assitants to Udoka in Houston. This makes sense. This was never Mazzula’s staff. He was plunged into the job 30 seconds before the season started because Ime couldn’t stop plunging his Udoka into the ladies at Celtics Corp. Clearly though there needs to be a veteran voice. Preferably with NBA playing experience. Tatum and Brown clearly respond well to those guys (Stoudamire, Udoka). What’s that Alien looking mother fucker Sam Cassell upto after Doc’s latest departure? ( I wrote this last week).
Even with the hiring of Cassell and Rondo being in the mix Mazzula is NOT safe. If they get off to a slow start next year Sam Cassell is sitting right there ready for his shot.
Run it back
Here is what’s going to happen. I hate to use the age card but these guys are still young. Yet to hit that magic 27 age where champions are made. Their early success is working against them a little bit, but growth is not linear. We all expected them to take the next step and bring home the title this year. We also did predict how wild of a dick game Ime had, the Gallo injury, Rob Williams time off completely fucking his rotation minutes and usage (Actually you all should have see that coming.) So, sign Brown. Run it back. Try to fill the holes with vets who can lend the necessary motivation. Preferably grab someone who has actually won a god damn championship? Roll out the Mazzula ball and hopefully shoot 40% next time you’re in the the finals.
Trade Jaylen Brown
Let’s get juicy. Look, I’ve gone hard on the don’t trade Jaylen camp. I may be wavering. Tatum has clearly separated himself as the superior player. And I don’t even think Jaylen has more of the guts or balls intangible either. It’s hard to be less docile than Tatum as a player so Brown looks like a dog at times out there in comparison, but he’ no Ja Morant. He aint about that life. And even if he is he aint good enough to back it up. See game 7.
The only guys I trade Brown for right now Luka. That’s it.
Blow it up
Fuck it.