04/20/24
August 22, 2017
Boom goes the dynamite.: After promising off-season fireworks for the past few years, the Boston Celtics have delivered. A trade of Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Anton Zizic, and the unprotected first round draft pick from Brooklyn in exchange for Cleveland's Kyrie Irving has been announced. Does this put Boston into the NBA finals? What is Cleveland thinking? 2017-18 will be an interesting season.
posted by Howard_T to basketball at 08:49 PM - 7 comments
I'm surprised that Dan Gilbert was able to get himself anything more than used gum after Kyrie's trade request went public. A) It's Dan Gilbert that we're talking about here and 2) Cleveland lost a lot of leverage after it was known that Kyrie wanted out.
In conclusion, NBA trades are a land of contrasts.
posted by NoMich at 07:49 AM on August 23, 2017
The more I think about the deal, the less I like it from a Boston perspective. There must be stuff in the background that factored in. Perhaps the main thing is not wanting to open the vault for Isaiah when he's due for a new contract.
posted by beaverboard at 09:20 AM on August 23, 2017
Cavs won in 2016 because they went to Irving in key moments. For whatever reason they chose not to ride him when he was hot in the 2017 series, and I think this is what fueled his desire to get out of Cleveland, or more so, away from LeBron. If the Celtics can retain the chemistry they had last year, which they had largely because of Thomas, they will be better this year. But don't kid yourselves .. if Irving and LeBron can't beat Golden State, Irving and the Celtics aren't doing it either.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:01 AM on August 23, 2017
I'm surprised at how well the Cavs did in this deal. I feel like the first rounder (which Celtics fans have been salivating over for years) puts it way over the top.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:52 AM on August 23, 2017
My thoughts as a Celtics season ticket member:
I am really going to miss Isaiah Thomas. He was fun to watch.
Jae Crowder was one of the few who could actually play some effective D on LeBron or other 3s or 4s. I hope that Jaylen Brown can raise his game on D in a hurry.
Ante Zizic might be a sleeper or he could be just another Euro stiff. My bet is he will be a journeyman if coaching doesn't ruin him.
To quote one of the talking heads: "What are the odds of a high draft pick turning into a superstar the caliber of Kyrie Irving?"
Tickets for the Cavaliers game in Boston on Feb 11 were going for about 5X face value before the trade. It's going to be the day Paul Pierce's number goes to the rafters. Bet on a ticket being unavailable at any price now.
posted by Howard_T at 12:04 PM on August 23, 2017
Echo your thoughts on Crowder, he was the Celtics best defender. And that first rounder who is almost a lock lottery pick (Nets) ...
I think the Cavs are really happy with the return for Irving.
posted by cixelsyd at 01:46 PM on August 23, 2017
I guess Ainge didn't proportionally overpay in relation to all the "assets" he has stashed away, but I wouldn't have given up both Crowder and Zizic. It felt like he gave up too much.
In this year's playoffs, LeBron brought his usual commanding presence, but Kyrie was downright electrifying. And unstoppable at times. The level of effort and determination was remarkable. When he drove to the hoop, I didn't worry about him on the way in; I worried that he would hurt himself trying to stick the dismount after he scored.
Lue will be put to the test, as people will be watching to see if he can get as much out of Isaiah as Stevens did.
Cleveland needs to cash in the pick on a franchise stud if the revamped roster doesn't gel and LeBron bolts for Lonzoland.