The Weekend Greenie Bag - Everything From The Playoffs To The Summer To Isaiah
Welcome friends, to the last Weekend Greenie Bag before the playoffs start. if you’re like me, you’re still a little fucked up on Kool Aid as we prepare for tomorrow, so what better way to keep that good feeling going than to check in with fellow Cs fan stoolies to see what’s on their mind. As expected, the playoffs were the primary focus and I’m with you. HUGE series for this team, not so much because of the opponent, but because all year we’ve said this whole season has been about what this team does in the playoffs. Now that’s finally here. Sorry I’m rambling. There is no doubt in my mind that throughout this playoffs we will all be frustrated. That’s why you should tweet to #GreenieBag or email greenieceltsbag@gmail.com and let it all out. We’ll go through this journey together.
Now, to your questions!
Listen, nobody cares more about FTs than me. My stance on missing 4th quarter FTs is well known. HOWEVAH, I could not disagree more with your statement. My concern for the Celts this postseason is 100% rebounding and defense. How could it not? I know you’re probably kidding, but in reality there can be no other choice.
Here’s some positive spin though. Since the ASB the Celts have upped their rebounding (43.8 vs 41.2) and slightly improved their defense (104.8 vs 105.6….OK this one feels wrong, their defense has been pathetic).
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Sup Greenie,
Ready for some amazing weeks…
1. Who would you want to win wizards hawks? wiz clearly the more talented team, hawks have our number (as acknowledged by Millsap). I’d lean towards Hawks, but definitely would be nervous in that series.
2. Looking towards the summer… I just don’t see how AB, Jae, Marcus, and Isaiah all stay. We’re going to have to make a move to get better at the 1-3. We have very good players like there who are not necessarily championship pieces imo. Guys like Jae- definitely a good player to have, but not sure he’s up for battling Durant/Lebron. Whether we try to improve by drafting Fultz/Jackson, trading the pick for an elite wing, or going after Hawyard, there’ll likely be a jam there. What’s the plan? – Matt
Two good questions,
1. Personally, I prefer Washington. I know that sounds a little crazy as the Wizards most certainly have more talent than ATL. Here’s the thing though, for whatever reason this team matches up and plays better against WSH. We’re talking about a team you split with and then a team that you lost the head to head battle 1-3. Weird shit happens when we play ATL, and while the Celtics will have to play better to beat WSH, they play a style that fits what the Celtics do well. I also don’t believe in the Wizards mediocre defense.
2. It’s important to remember that the Celtics have roster spot options as we head into the summer. They are most likely moving on from Amir, Zeller, Green, Young, could possibly not match on Olynyk, and Mickey. Right there thats around 26M and leaves them with spots in positions they can draft/sign. You don’t have to worry about Smart until summer of 2018, the same summer they have a team option on Rozier. There is ways you can draft good young players, keep your current core guys, and trim the fat.
This is why it wouldn’t shock me if they got a legit offer for the pick this summer. It all depends on where they fall, and if it’s the number 1 pick and you could get a REAL piece with it, isn’t that the best scenario? Isn’t that why we got these picks in the first place? There’s still the 2019 pick that let’s be honest is going to be #1, and quite frankly, I’d rather have that proven NBA piece than a young kid at positions we already have young kids.
Just throwing this out there, but would a lineup next year of like IT/Avery/Butler/Hayward/Horford with Marcus/Jaylen/Kelly off the bench be the worst thing in the world?
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Hey Greenie,
I don’t really have a question here, I just want to take another moment appreciate what IT has done this season. Everyone knows IT put up huge scoring numbers this season, but I feel like no one talks about his ridiculous improvement in efficiency. So I’m going to go ahead and just leave this here:
Essentially, nobody in NBA history has ever scored more efficiently while simultaneous carrying a larger burden of the offense than IT did this season. That is all. – Jesse
Let this be a lesson to all the readers. You want to make the Greenie Bag, this right here is a pretty good way to do it. Frankly, I couldn’t agree more with Jesse. The thing that made me most happy about Isaiah’s season is how much he developed as a player. His decision making is so much better in terms of both his shot selection, his passing, and his clutch play. That improvement in efficiency was the one missing piece from what we saw in his breakout season last year. The numbers were great, but it didn’t always look great getting there.
At this point, every time Isaiah touches the ball I now just assume something positive is going to happen. When he’s open for a three it’s basically a layup to me, and I have the same level of confidence about him shooting a three that I had for Ray. That is WILD and probably a bit ridiculous but it’s true. Isaiah has been that good.
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Greenie,
Who do you predict to be a surprise key player in this years playoffs? Someone who steps up and shows something we weren’t expecting and changes a game or two because of it. I’m going to guess Marcus, just because he has a play every few games that is just impactful. Although he made some lucky three pointers last year in the playoffs that I don’t want him taking this year lol.
Thanks – Cory
I think Marcus is a solid choice, if only because I don’t think any of us expect him to shoot even remotely average, so if that happens it without a doubt makes an impact. For me, I’m going to go Jaylen. I think he is going to show Brad that he deserves minutes, and I bet he makes a couple big plays on either end to help a win.
Take this first series with the Bulls for example. Who on the Bulls second unit is going to match up with Jaylen? Valentine? Morrow? Zipser? I like Jaylen’s chances.
I can already see him knocking down a big corner three, or running the break on a big late turnover and do what he does best.
That is of course relying on the fact that Brad actually gives him over 20 minutes a night.
To some degree. If he shows he can shoot on the NBA level, and Jaylen continues to improve off his 45/34% splits they’ll definitely be a pretty legit duo. I almost hope they lose out on the #1 pick so we can go the SF/PF route instead of the PG route.
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Would you trade Horford for Melo straight up? – Jeremy
Jeremy, how can I put this. Would I make that trade?
In no way shape or form would I ever even consider making this trade. Not even for a split second. Trade a great teammate that plays an important position and has made your team better for a 32 year old Carmelo Anthony? If you would make this trade I’m sorry you are guilty of precrime and I am calling the police.
I can’t be the only one who hopes CLE loses today so we can all clown on them for the Kardashian Curse right? That shit is 100000000% real. The TNT Bulls are not a thing in the playoffs. I am so ready to see CLE chemistry look fucked, Lebron to be mad at everyone on his team, and see them actually have to play and not coast through the East. Just look at the list of dead bodies the Kardashian’s have left in their wake. You know that fight between Lebron and Thompson a few weeks ago? Tell me that wasn’t the doing of the Kardashian Curse. You can’t.
We now move to this week’s Greenie Awards!
This week’s MVP: Isaiah Thomas
The Celts finished the season with three straight wins, all of which Isaiah played a major role in. He’s entering the playoffs playing as well as he has all year, and even got his rest on Wednesday. Can’t end the year with anyone else in this spot.
Play of The Week: Tie between Kelly Olynyk and Jaylen Brown
I can’t choose. Both were ridiculous for very very different reasons
This week’s LVP: Tyler Zeller
Just four rebounds this week in nearly 30 minutes of floor time. Not great for the 7 foot center
This week’s Most Improved Player: Avery Bradley
Shooting slump = over. In three games this week Avery shot 17-33 (51%) from the field and 6-15 (40%) from deep. We need Avery to shoot like this in the playoffs because it opens everything else up. Having a solid secondary scorer next to Isaiah is going to make all the difference in the world, and that player should be Avery.
OK that’ll do it for this week. Hopefully you all have a better time waiting for tomorrow than I am currently experience. Antsy like a motherfucker. Thanks again to everyone who wrote in, ‘preciate you.
Have a fantastic weekend!