S4 Boston Celtics Presser

[AngryBanana]

Good morning everyone, I hope you are all well today. Please allow us to go through a moment of silence as we run a montage of the players we “lost” this offseason that helped us get to the playoffs last year.

Maurice “do a little dance sing a little Mo” Cheeks

He was a valued member of this roster, dating back all the way to the creation draft where we took him with our first overall pick. He was instrumental in all our builds while on the roster (given we had multiple in such a short span). A true locker room presence that showed up every night. We ultimately felt that keeping him was not best for both parties. We were destined to not be a competitive team this year and he was going into UFA next offseason. We saw what Johnny Moore did in UFA this year, leaving Dallas who made him an all start, for another team, and felt it was even more justified to move him.


Mark “I just want to keep” Eaton and LaSalle “park the bus” Thompson

We got both players in the draft last year hoping to build around them long term. Both played well last year with Eaton being the defensive presence we expected. A guy, a little older than your normal rookie, who will anchor many defensive teams this next few seasons. LaSalle was another guy who always showed up. He played bench role and starter with equally well and didn’t complain. We drafted him thinking we would eventually trade him, but do think he may wind up a better player than Eaton when all is said and done.

Ultimately, both were sent out to consolidate with Ralph Sampson, who we will get into later.

George “Don’t call me Bob” Gervin

An in season addition that made the biggest impact on our ye. He was the missing piece that put us in contention. He wasn’t here a long time, but it was a good time.

Dr. J

Another player we got in season last year that were forever grateful for. He wasn’t the leader of the team. His experience was something Boston missed when we sent out Kareem and he will also forever be in our Boston lore.

As you can see from above that’s five players. We lost our whole starting unit that got us to the playoffs last year. While it hurt doing it, I felt it was the best decision. This roster was limited I felt in how high we could climb looking at our books and roster age. Also add on the previously mentioned Cheeks UFA, and fear that Dr. J or Gervin would fall off a cliff in TC, we decided we needed to finally reset.

This season was the reset we were planning last offseason before we realized we didn’t have our own pick. This was after hastily trading away some players and then being told there was zero percent chance we would get our pick back. That lead to the aggressive moves to get win now players of Gervin and Dr. J. Their offense was what the team needed and they propelled my team to a winning season. However, with those move, we knew this roster was not a long term fix but a bandaid at best to spite others for not giving us our pick back.

Finally, no one believed we would make the playoffs too. Even up to the last sim, people were saying the Jazz would catch us. But we did. Then people thought the Cavs would sweep us. Well, we swept them! I put that on the back of our knowledge and experience of the players and coaches.

So with the season done out the above players, plus more, went for a new centerpiece of Ralph Sampson, Andrew Toney, Allen Leavell and TBD. We felt that Sampson was a better, younger, version of Mark Eaton who is able to provide on both ends of the court, and also is on the young side that provides switching capabilities similar to LaSalle. We like the idea of him also getting ROY this season. We have also noticed a spring in Ralph’s step in addition to him looking stronger, so look out for that.

We also approached UFA 1 with the idea we would get other support role players. Guys who would be great adds for the long term, instead of fighting for the top end b/b players. We got Leavell who we didn’t expect, given the Kings all in mentality that they expressed before UFA, at what we think will be a discounted price in a season or two. We also signed, unexpectedly, Andrew Toney with a max. We weren’t really wanting/thought to get a player on a max, but honestly of the possible players to sign, were happy with him. He’s young and will be a good compliment to Ralph, and the roster we’re trying to build here in bean town. We also signed Valentine, who we are happy with, but have already been offered trades for him that we are seriously considering it.

All in all, we think it was a radical change over that will lead to better long term success than what we had. With that, any questions?

[greepleairport]

There were some tensions between the kings mgmt and Leavell. Sources indicate the kings were happy to see him go. What does Boston see in Leavell that the Kings might have missed?


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[AngryBanana]

There were some tensions between the kings mgmt and Leavell. Sources indicate the kings were happy to see him go. What does Boston see in Leavell that the Kings might have missed?


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I think the Kings may be wishing they could have retained Leavell at this point. We see a guy who produces regularly, even around other stars. We see a guy that was the starting pg on a championship team. These things are great finds. I then reviewed what I thought would be a good offer to him, that I’d be fine if Darth beat me out on, and we got him at that rate. We’re very happy for our gain and the Kings loss.


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[Eazy P]

After this preseason sim you are slated at number 1 in the draft lotto. Will you make any adjustments or stay same?

[AngryBanana]

After this preseason sim you are slated at number 1 in the draft lotto. Will you make any adjustments or stay same?

I will do my best to continue doing what I feel is best for this club, but also will do my best.


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[JNR]

GWR: How long are you going to commit to a rebuild? It feels like you've changed your mind on team direction in the past.

[AngryBanana]

GWR: How long are you going to commit to a rebuild? It feels like you've changed your mind on team direction in the past.

It’s been fluid due to my own missteps. Where not having my own pick last season really hurt and caused me to get into fray of contenders prematurely. However, I’ll ride the build/rebuild in whatever way I think is best for the organization.


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[RPF]

Scoot in the afternoon, Net Nation: After our first look at Ralph Sampson in the pre-season, can you tell us about the excitement level around him from inside the organization?

[WigNosy]

Steve Duin, Portland Trailblazers beat writer for the Oregonian...

Some would call the decision to basically send your entire team from last year to Chicago "shocking," particularly with the inclusion of your 1985 first-round pick. Should we take the inclusion of that pick as an indicator that you feel very optimistic about how quickly you can build up a contender around Ralph?

[AngryBanana]

Scoot in the afternoon, Net Nation: After our first look at Ralph Sampson in the pre-season, can you tell us about the excitement level around him from inside the organization?

It’s as tall as he is on the court. We’re pretty excited about him and what he has to offer.


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[AngryBanana]

Steve Duin, Portland Trailblazers beat writer for the Oregonian...

Some would call the decision to basically send your entire team from last year to Chicago "shocking," particularly with the inclusion of your 1985 first-round pick. Should we take the inclusion of that pick as an indicator that you feel very optimistic about how quickly you can build up a contender around Ralph?

Yeah, I preferably would have liked to not send that pick out but it was the biggest sticking point and I already was invested enough in the other things I was sending to not break it down. I do think we have a good chance at a quick rebuild, with pieces already in place, by next season hopefully.


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[Mike Lowry]

I really admire the full dump reset and working from a strong foundation.
I think I recognize some of the dynamics at hand that may have lead to that decision, and that you may benefit from very soon.
For some of the newer guys that are oblivious, can you speak about factors in the climate that made this a great time to shoot for stars and free up your books?

[AngryBanana]

I really admire the full dump reset and working from a strong foundation.
I think I recognize some of the dynamics at hand that may have lead to that decision, and that you may benefit from very soon.
For some of the newer guys that are oblivious, can you speak about factors in the climate that made this a great time to shoot for stars and free up your books?

To be clear, I would have done that this offseason no matter what was happening for the future classes. I really liked Ralph and felt he was an outstanding piece to build around.

The obvious elephant in the room is you talking about the 1984 draft I think. Where yes, if I hit big next offseason I should be set. But let’s look at everything outside of that for why I did it.

I had Cheeks, Eaton, and LaSalle as my core. I didn’t own my own pick, and had two other guys that were very old, past their prime, that I relied on for offense. So I saw that this team was kinda peaking in some ways with Eaton at 26, Cheeks one year left on his deal not guaranteed to come back, while also struggling in the playoffs against other teams. So I thought at best I would have to throw a max at Cheeks and overpay for potentially other players, which would then prove me out of Eaton and LaSalle coming back.


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[digiskunk]

Hugh Jazz, ABC: Cliff Levingston remains on the team despite his charge for vehicular manslaughter last season. Has the team personally punished him in any way or do you feel that enough damage has been done by the judicial system? Moreover, what lessons did you (and him) learn from this experience?

[AngryBanana]

Hugh Jazz, ABC: Cliff Levingston remains on the team despite his charge for vehicular manslaughter last season. Has the team personally punished him in any way or do you feel that enough damage has been done by the judicial system? Moreover, what lessons did you (and him) learn from this experience?

We do not discuss those matters outside of the facility. We have handled it internally and had those talks with Cliff.


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