We Want Andre
We still need a big man. However, there are rumors that the Celtics are looking to acquire one. Specifically, Andre Drummond has been talked about as the next potential big man for the Celtics. Would Drummond be an effective piece for the Celtics? Could he be the dominant big man that gets the Celtics to the finals?
Andre Drummond is still under contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The contract is only for the next season, and the Cavaliers have no shot of being a contender by the time Andre Drummond is ready to sign a new deal. I cannot see a situation in which Drummond resigns with the Cavaliers, unless he is offered a supermax deal since the Cavaliers have nothing else to do with their money. I think if a non-athletic, balding gamer can recognize that Drummond will be moving out of state soon, the Cavaliers organization recognizes it as well. This is likely why there are trade rumors surrounding Drummond right now. There is really no point in keeping him on the team all season, not make the playoffs, and then watching him walk away in free agency for no value in return. The smartest move is to trade him now, even if his trade value is overall is low due to his expiring contract.
Now, there will be critics to Drummond joining the Celtics. I have posted an article below that touches on some of these issues. It is said that Drummond may not fit in with Brad Steven’s system, requiring his players to stretch the floor. I think that if Drummond takes Theis’ spot on the roster, not much will change. Theis doesn’t have the physical tools to be a great rebounder or defender, and it seems most of his value comes from shooting. I don’t think Theis provides enough from the 3 point line to justify having him over Drummond’s rebounding, defending, and athleticism. Please Cleveland, just take Theis and a few picks, give us Drummond, and start your rebuild. Nobody wants to watch a team that can’t make the playoffs 8 years at a time, start rebuilding your team and GIVE US DRUMMOND.
NBA On TNT
I absolutely love when the NBA game I am watching is on TNT. The guys are so funny and I would argue that it makes the games way more enjoyable. Kenny, Shaq, Chuck, and Ernie Johnson have such great on air chemistry.
Whenever it’s half time, I don’t go do something else. I don’t make another snack, or look at my phone for 20 minutes until the game is back on. No, I listen to Ernie Johnson put on a little game show so everyone can watch Chuck answer things in ways that are not even relevant to the question being asked. That’s the high quality basketball side content that I need.
I think TNT really allows the guys to have fun in a way that a more strict network may not. I think this adds an additional level of entertainment and keeps the audience engaged during non-game time. I think this is likely recognized by TNT and encouraged, it should be making them extra money.
Guys I totally promise this isn’t short because I just wanted to post a compilation of the TNT guys being funny and worked backwards from that.
We Need A Big
I’ve been saying it since around 2013, the Celtics need to get a good center. While the Celtics have played a lot of small ball with Tatum playing at the power forward position, we haven’t been strong at the center spot since I started watching basketball back in 2012. I remember back in late 2016/early 2017, when Demarcus Cousins trade rumors were afloat, how hopeful I was that the Celtics would land him.
Demarcus “BOOGIE” Cousins was my favorite big man in the modern NBA. Following Andrew Bynum’s abrupt retirement from basketball, I was pretty bummed. I really like the old school, back-to-basket big man game. Fortunately for me, when Bynum was gone, there was still Cousins. I think he’s the most dominant center in the league, or at least was prior to injuries.
Demarcus Cousins is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With his injuries and non-performance, I think this is a “buy low” moment in the market. His value has been demonstrated, he’s a veteran, he knows this is probably his last contract, and he’s going to sign for cheap wherever he goes- SIGN BOOGIE COUSINS.
Miami In 6
Alright I’m writing this during the first quarter of game 3 of the NBA finals and I want to make a bold prediction: the Miami Heat are about to hit the Lakers with a variation of the gentleman’s sweep. They lost the past two games, and now they’re going to win every game from here on out.
The one serious point I want to make this week is that Jimmy Butler really has been a superstar in these playoffs. One of my earlier posts praised Butler and I’m going to continue the praise. While the Heat got blown out in game 1, Jimmy Butler had 23 points on 8-13 shooting with 5 assists. In game 2, he scored 25 points on way worse efficiency (7-17), but had 13 assists and 8 rebounds. The way he gets looks for his teammates is really special. I would compare his court awareness to that of a solid point guard or even a worse LeBron James. To say a worse LeBron James is a compliment even if it may not seem like that. Jimmy always manages to use his physical attributes to get to the rim and kick out. The way I expect a small forward to earn assists usually swinging the ball around the perimeter, but Jimmy Butler does way more than that to get his teammates looks.
Anyways, here is my foolproof plan for Miami to win the next 4 (or 3, since its on now) games:
This shot actually made me stop watching the Celtics/Heat series. Tyler Herro, the 20 year old rookie from Kentucky, is the key for Miami to make me not hate the outcome of this year’s NBA finals. They just need to let this man shoot 25-30 shots a night for the rest of the series and just kind of see how it goes. What’s the worst that can happen? Since I started writing this, Miami lost the double digit lead they had on the Lakers. Give Herro the ultimate green light and let Jimmy Butler try to create as well. The bubble has been a joke anyway and I’m bored of it, onto offseason speculation I go.