1990 Boston Celtics Presser

[AngryBanana]

Morning everyone.

Ya boy is sad.

I really thought last season was our season. I was cautiously optimistic that I built a team that was going to challenge anyone. My one weakness was Small Forward and Ehlo was a great upgrade. I also picked up Purvis Short as a great backup option too. I figured out how to properly manage Ralph, Petersen, and Hakeem. We had a +20 game win streak and passed up all teams for the #1 seed.

Cue the playoffs.

First Craig went down against the bucks, it was manageable because we still had Short and he had a short timeline. Well, then Short gets knocked out by those damn Bucks and I’m suddenly dirt thin at SF. I tried my best to get past it, but they bested us and congrats to them for moving on.

This offseason we had to make some difficult choices. We had been fortunate with our frontcourt being at the price it was, but there was zero chance we were keeping both Ralph and Petersen and we knew it. The books just wouldn’t allow it. Sure enough, we moved on from both. Ralph got a great deal to go to Chicago and we traded Jim for Hot Rod. Both were going to require large pay bumps and both just didn’t fit the timeline and pay that were given. I am happy for both the players and teams because both look like they are going to ball out on their new teams.

With that being said, our team is now more focused around Hakeem this upcoming year. Still not sure if we will play him at PF or C full time and may float him around some. Early indicators are that he is ready to be the main star though now that the other mouths in the front court are gone. The players we got back, Hot Rod and Laimbeer, are both complimentary pieces instead of a twin towers approach and I’m excited to see how that plays out. We also have Hot Rod on a very team friendly deal for the next several seasons.

We’re also very excited to see how Mark Jackson does this season. He appears ready to make a jump in his contract season (go figure) and really play at a new level. All that with Ehlo and Porter playing great ball I think we’re going to be a top end team again this year. Other teams have improved, but I’m hoping that what we have built in the bean town will surely translate to a finals appearance.


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[Eazy P]

Last season didn't go as planned for you team. What lessons did you learn from last season that you will use this upcoming season to ensure you make the finals this season?

[JNR]

GWR: The frontcourt is crowded with Hakeem, Laimbeer, Dawkins and Hot Rod. Are you planning on splitting up their minutes a little more evenly in the regular season or do you think you'll trade one to free up minutes?

[Darth Vegito]

MotherBucker...it's all about the Bucks isn't it. 3 of the last 4 years you've been eliminated from the playoffs by the Bucks.

How do you finally get over the hump that is the big ol' Buck standing in the road right in your way every year?

[AngryBanana]

Last season didn't go as planned for you team. What lessons did you learn from last season that you will use this upcoming season to ensure you make the finals this season?

I mean, not really. I’m mostly chalking up the loss to injuries which is just part of the game. I guess I can remember shit happens, where even though I thought I had the deepest team - I can still be sidelined by injuries. I also probably looked past the bucks thinking the finals was in reach.


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[AngryBanana]

GWR: The frontcourt is crowded with Hakeem, Laimbeer, Dawkins and Hot Rod. Are you planning on splitting up their minutes a little more evenly in the regular season or do you think you'll trade one to free up minutes?

I wanted to be two deep at both spots, so I am happy with it. It probably depends on where Hakeem winds up, and me choosing between three men. If it’s Center, Laimbeer probably moves to the bench. If it’s PF then Hot Rod. Either way, I think Dawkins will be a bench guy unless I look to really shake it up.

I could ultimately move one, but not having a tax this season, I’m not as motivated to do it unless I get a good offer in return.


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[AngryBanana]

MotherBucker...it's all about the Bucks isn't it. 3 of the last 4 years you've been eliminated from the playoffs by the Bucks.

How do you finally get over the hump that is the big ol' Buck standing in the road right in your way every year?

In order to Buck that trend, I need to just mail some Taylor’s Farm lettuce to Quail’s house and hope he eats some before we play.

Otherwise, let’s see how the season goes before I think ahead to playoff matchups.


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[tbone963]

You spoke about making tough decisions and finances playing a role in that. Have you thought about how next offseason might play out? Mark Jackson will have to be paid. You'll have to pay to bring Ehlo back. Do you think you'll look elsewhere for help (especially at SF) for cheaper options? Or use bird rights and other tools to bring back your guys, regardless of cap implications?

[AngryBanana]

I’m torn. Mark is for sure getting paid. Ehlo will get an offer from me, I just don’t know if it will be what he signs. I’ve already thought about some exploratory offers, but have to wait and see how that plays out.

We really like Ehlo, and he has gelled well with this team, but I can’t pay everyone as much as I’d like to.


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[jlmarines]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: On paper you have the perfect team, but unfortunately as mentioned above, you have been close the last 2 seasons. However, not winning the Championship is basically the same level of K100 of being a loser. If you have to pick, what's your weakness from your starting 5.

[AngryBanana]

Justin Bieber, Teremana.com: On paper you have the perfect team, but unfortunately as mentioned above, you have been closed the last 2 seasons. However, not winning the Championship is basically the same level of K100 of being a loser. If you have to pick, what's your weakness from your starting 5.

Biggest weakness will be whoever replaces Ralph and Jim in the starting lineup. They were very crucial to our last few years and won’t be easy to replace.


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[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: Have you thought about contacting your other team… er, the Cleveland Cavaliers GM, to address your weakness at the SF position?

[AngryBanana]

Nick Melon; Charlotte Observer: Have you thought about contacting your other team… er, the Cleveland Cavaliers GM, to address your weakness at the SF position?

No


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[WigNosy]

Steve Duin, the Oregonian:

With Ehlo, Jackson, Pierce, and Laimbeer all in contract years, any concerns the salary cap is going to cause the team to implode next season?

[AngryBanana]

Steve Duin, the Oregonian:

With Ehlo, Jackson, Pierce, and Laimbeer all in contract years, any concerns the salary cap is going to cause the team to implode next season?

Nah. We have a rough plan to figure it out I think. But those are mostly older players that I can rotate out as well potentially. Equally we’re out of the tax this season, so it resets that counter thankfully.


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