Besides, I don't think this draft is as great as is being reported. There isn't an overwhelming #1 franchise player in the group. You know...a Bill Russell, or Larry Bird, or Tim Duncan. AND, lest we forget, Danny's got a "ton" of draft picks to work his magic again, like he did in bringing our last title to Boston. (K.G., Ray Allen and company)...lest we forget. If not for a couple of injuries and some horrendous officiating we'd have had two or even three world championships. Again...lest we forget.
So here's MY take on Danny's plan.....Turn these kids loose and get them all the basketball knowledge and experience(s) possible. Let them flex their muscles and see what's possible for them to accomplish as a TEAM...and give them as much a taste of WINNING as they can get, possibly even a taste of playoff basketball, even if it's from the number eight (last) slot in the playoffs. Think of what a boost it would be for them, as well as the fans, If they knocked off the #1 seed (or at least scared the heck out of them). That would certainly prepare them for bigger things next year.
"We've got lots of young guys on the floor and a few "savvy" guys as well," says Brad Stevens. They're all working hard and seeing themselves getting better. Jared Sullinger is really picking up his game and those double doubles are adding up. How good can he be?" I don't see a ceiling for him. He's not near the top of his game. He can get a double double nearly every ngame and that's who we need him to be. The more we can continue to build on that the better it is for the overall success of the team.
I'm reminded of the night Danny drafted Sullinger. I was sitting with Tommy Heinsohn, Bob Cousy, Togo Palazzi and "Satch" Sanders. Tommy said, "That's a great move. I wouldn't be surprised if he became a starter in his first season." Non of these great Celtics of the past disagreed. I reminded myself Tommy coached that great Celtic's rebuilding process in 1971. If you younger fans just see Tommy as a Celtic TV broadcaster who sounds like Johnny Most re-incarnated,
look up your Celtic history. He's one of the greatest basketball minds on the planet. And why not...he studied under the master, Red Auerbach, and was his best student. By the way, he was also "Rookie of the Year" in Bill Russell's rookie season and a huge part of the legendary Celtics' teams of his era.
So all you younger, impatient Celtic fans, just know your Celtic history and how we always managed to get back to championship form. Remember Red Auerbach gave us the formula for building championship teams and he's passed that on to some great Celtics who took over the team. Heinsohn, KC Jones and now Danny Ainge. Also, Bill Sharman. Although he did it with the Lakers it was still Red's philosophy and Sharman not only worked it but passed it on to Jerry West, and so on.
NOTE: The Celts have EIGHT players hitting over .750 from the free throw line. Three of them, Bass, Humphries and Olynik are over .800. To me this is a telling statistic and I hope Rajon Rondo is taking notice. All it takes is hard work. Paul Pierce was barely a .600 shooter from the line but built himself up to .800 plus. 'nuf said.....Stay tuned.....
TRIVIA.....Although Brad Stevens is the youngest coach in the NBA who is the youngest coach the
Celtics EVER had?
ALSO--Who was the first ever Celtic head coach.....Julian, Auerbach, Russell, McKinney or Brown?
Watch this space for the answers. You'll win a lot of bets.....