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Your Morning Dump… Where Wyc is packing the ring (and Isaiah) for the lottery

Chuck - Red's Army May 17, 2016 The Morning Dump, Wyc Grousbeck 34 Comments

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2007 NBA draft lottery, after the pingpong balls defied the Boston Celtics in their quest for a top pick, team co-owner Wyc Grousbeck promised that he’d never return to the draw room again.

On Tuesday night, he’ll break that reactionary promise. But why the change of heart?

“The parade,” said Grousbeck, referencing the team’s championship celebration after the 2008 title season.

…

At the 2007 lottery, Grousbeck wore a green pin-striped suit and a leprechaun-speckled tie that Red Auerbach gifted both him and co-owner Steve Pagliuca after they bought the franchise in 2002. The tie might return this year, but the suit will stay in the closet. Grousbeck has a new preferred accessory to wear in the draw room that he didn’t have in 2007.

“I will be wearing my championship ring,” said Grousbeck. “That is the one lucky charm I have in my life.”

Grousbeck is quick to downplay the influence of the person representing the team behind the scenes. Said Grousbeck, “I actually don’t believe that who is sitting there has any influence. … I actually believe it’s just pretty random and it doesn’t matter who is sitting there.”

ESPN Boston

Luck, chance, fate, fortune, karma, destiny…

To some, those terms are credible realities in an existential world. To others, they are the names of the ladies dancing tonight at the Golden Banana.

The Celtics might be one of the most successful franchises in all of sports, but you can’t deny their lack of success in the draft lottery.

Does the past have any bearing on what happens tonight? Like Wyc, I say absolutely not. It’s all about the numbers.

Full lottery odds with pick swaps and protections. #GameDay pic.twitter.com/sNacnXTKSW

— Ryan Bernardoni (@dangercart) May 17, 2016

I’m no mathematician but those numbers are pretty good. Not a lock, but pretty good.

Just in case, I’m going to draw on my personal lucky charm… Maria Menounous.

Related links: Herald – Celtics draft history has been dismal | CSNNE – Celtics have seen how lottery can change fortune

On Page 2, the Rockets are going after Al Horford.

A person familiar with the organization told Sporting News that landing Hawks star Al Horford is the Rockets’ top-line goal in free agency, and Ryan Anderson also would be a possibility. Also, expect Morey to be creative when pursuing sign-and-trade deals involving star players like Blake Griffin, Jimmy Butler or Carmelo Anthony, should they become available.

Sporting News

Daryl Morey is going to have to fine tune his sales pitch after Houston’s disastrous season.

Even though they lack the James Harden caliber player, I’d like to think the Celtics (Brad Stevens, Eastern conference) have more to offer than Houston (no coach, stacked Western conference).

And finally, the Thunder beat Golden State?

We should first wrap our collective conscious around the idea that the Oklahoma City Thunder can absolutely win this series. They have two (healthy) superstars in their prime combined with a rugged frontline and a coach who apparently saved all of his genius adjustments for the postseason.

They have now won four straight games against the Spurs and the Warriors with two of those wins coming on the road. And they have done so in a manner that speaks to a renewed defensive commitment matched with a crunch-time poise they had not always exhibited previously.

We all knew that coming into the conference finals and while it wasn’t exactly shocking that OKC could walk out of Oracle with a 108-102 win in Game 1, it was still rather jarring to see them rally from a 13-point halftime deficit and make enough plays down the stretch to steal a game that was eminently winnable. Maybe we shouldn’t be so surprised anymore. They certainly weren’t, which was why their postgame celebration was muted.

SB Nation

I went to bed at halftime confident the Warriors were going to at least double their 13-point lead. Wrong.

In my opinion, the only outcome that will impact Kevin Durant’s decision in free agency is winning the championship. He’d never walk away from a chance to repeat.

swissflix

Ohmygodiamsonervousrightnow
- Jim
  
  And so you should be, our luck we get pick 5 or 6.
Wootay

I don’t think the Celtics were ever gonna get Durant just for the simple fact he could sign a one year deal with OKC to make more money next year. Its critical Celtics get top 2 to get a legit player in return. If not maybe Bender is the way to go and just keep the rebuild process going through the young talent on this roster.
RedsLoveChild

Bad news :
There`s a 53% chance Boston falls OUTSIDE the Top 3.

Not so bad news :
Simmons & Ingram have “bust” written all over them. This draft is not even worth winning.
- zippittyay
  
  Every draft has players that far exceed their expectations. If nothing else, we have 8 chances to get one of those guys.
- Curt Hays
  
  If you want to win, you have to practice. Danny has been amassing all these picks for lottery practice. We are getting the 1st pick. Trade it or use it, but we are getting it.
  
  There was also a .01% chance that Reggie Lewis and Len Bias both die. Shit can happen. RLC, we are getting the first pick.
  - RedsLoveChild
    
    Top pick would be the latest in a long line of Celtic draft disasters!
    
    Ainge would feel pressured to draft Simmons or Ingram. Both of these chumps are way too flawed and soft. These are not “ballers”, and they will greatly disappoint whoever gets them.
    
    Celtics are far better off getting the 3 or 4 pick.
    
    With those two “losers” gone, Buddy Hield becomes a very “safe” pick. Nobody {not even me, at least for the moment} will call for Ainge`s firing by selecting BH at 3/4.
    
    BH comes ready-made with an extremely valued skill {shooting}.
    {Remember, the rims are the exact same size in college and pros.}
    
    Plus, BH showed enormous dedication, desire, drive, and maturity the way he has worked hard to elevate his game over the past year or so. He has what it takes internally to succeed.
    - zippittyay
      
      Looking back at all the Celtic draft picks from 2004 to 2014 (I’m leaving out last year because IMO it’s just too early to tell from stats) Danny Ainge has made 26 total picks. Those picks averaged ranking 5.11 slots above where they were drafted in win-shares over their career. That is outstanding. The only negative years were 2012 where Fab being such a bust took away from Sully’s ranking 7 spots above where he was picked and 2014 as James Young not panning out so far has outweighed Smart’s bump from 6th pick to 5th ranking.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        Ainge is “outstanding” on draft day???
        
        Meanwhile, despite all those terrific draft choices by Ainge, the Celts remain firmly amongst the NBA`s “have-nots”. That`s a little tough to reconcile.
        As the Cavs displayed, ATL is a “nothing” team, yet they just crushed the Celtics.
        
        Get real…there isn`t enough cyber-ink to detail every draft Ainge has badly blown!
      - zippittyay
        
        Sorry if you don’t like facts and stats. Perhaps you can do some of your own research that would indicate something different instead of only offering your opinion. The Celtics are currently a top 10 team. The are also one of the youngest teams. They also currently have the best draft picks of ANY team. They have one of the best young coaches in the league. Any reasonable person would have to conclude the Celtics are solidly among the HAVES in this league.
        Great job, Danny.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        If Boston is a top 10 team—which in and of itself means next to nothing—what does that make ATL?
        Perhaps a top 3 team? You did see round 1 of the playoffs, right?
        
        Yeah, I know…for 13 years Ainge has been outsmarting all other GM`s on draft day and in making trades.
        
        So, why haven`t we been dominating? Where are all the banners he`s guided the Celts to? Why so many years out of the playoffs? Why so many early playoff exits? How many more decades until banner #18 arrives?
        
        All the Celts do is “sell hope” to their tin-foil hat wearing fans, and you are amongst those who have fallen for it.
    - BamaCeltic
      
      I agree , let those two potential draft busts go to LA and 76ers . If we get the pick , trade it for a proven NBA talent. Also Buddy at 3 or 4 is a great pick , he can shoot/score and lord knows we need that …
    - Sean
      
      We’ve taken ‘shooters’ in the last 2 drafts no thank you sir.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        Last 2 years, Ainge did what Ainge does best…he drafted shit {Young, Hunter, Smart, Rozier}.
      - BamaCeltic
        
        The jury is still out for Rozier and Hunter for me , but I think Smart has turned out to be a good pick , esp for that draft class. Young so far has been a bust but at the time it was a good pick for a young kid with potential…..DA has def struck out over the years but you cant hit a HR every at bat.
      - RedsLoveChild
        
        Ainge was hired strictly because he was a very good Celtic player, when they had excellent teams in the `80`s.
        Not a chance any other team would hire him as a GM in `03 or `16, if he found himself unemployed tomorrow.
        
        I`ve seen enough of Young and Hunter. No chance they`ll ever make it in the NBA.
        
        Willing to give Rozier a longer look, at least he`s quick and athletic. Some hope might exist there.
        
        Smart belongs in the NFL, as a short-yardage FB.
        Still a mystery what MS is doing in the NBA.
NE_Celt

I was having a craptastic start to the day…but then you graced us with a little daily Menounous…thank you Reds Army for bringing a little light to my morning!

I always feel like the C’s are going to get screwed at stuff like this…but I am sure hoping IT brings a little luck and the ping pong balls fall in our favor tonight!!! After tonight, things are going to get interesting…
- Mike C
  
  Agreed, pics of Maria in a green bikini is definitely the way to start any day!
  Got a good feeling today,… “The Celtics will get the number 1 pick.” Thomas is going to make it happen.
  - Curt Hays
    
    “a good feeling”
    
    Is that what kids are calling it these days?
    - Mike C
      
      Kids,…probably not. Old timers,…”Heck Yeah!” How about that one for you? When was the last time you heard the term “Heck?” Number one pick here we come!
  - NE_Celt
    
    IT had a big year, working towards showing what a little man can do…lets hope the C’s have a big night which helps them show what they can do!!!
Mike C

We’ll see how much flack I get for this comment? Two points: 1) Durant is an amazing talent & would be an asset to any franchise. 2) In my opinion, during big moments, in crucial situations, the guy freezes up. He was 1 for 7 in the last few minutes of last nights game before he finally made a shot. I think the only reason he made that was because Westbrook had gone to the line twice & put OKC up by four. Same thing I saw when they got blown out by the Heat in the finals in 2012. There’s a reason OKC hasn’t won a title even though they have two of the best players in the league. Westbrook on the other hand is a “force of nature”. If they get past Golden State, it will be because he ‘Willed it”.
Adam Stark

So really we want:
1st pick Boston
2nd pick Phoenix
3rd pick LA
4th pick Philadelphia
5th pick Minnesota

I’m torn if I want Phili to have the 4th and 5th or the Lakers to get any picks.
- swissflix
  
  No picks for LA. No mercy ever.
zippittyay

Looking back at all the Celtic draft picks from 2004 to 2014 (I’m leaving out last year because IMO it’s just too early to tell from stats) Danny Ainge has made 26 total picks. Those picks averaged ranking 5.11 slots above where they were drafted in win-shares over their career. That is outstanding. The only negative years were 2012 where Fab being such a bust took away from Sully’s ranking 7 spots above where he was picked and 2014 as James Young not panning out so far has outweighed Smart’s bump from 6th pick to 5th ranking.
- Dave
  
  2008 and 2011 were probably his worst besides Fab. Giddens and JJJ were out of league in just 1-2 years. Danny seems to be more focused in drafting since the Big 3 era ended and makes sense, all his picks I’ve liked so far. KO doesn’t have the upside that Giannis or Gobert has but still a serviceable player. I wished we picked up Portis instead of Rozier though. I can’t fault Danny for picking up Young since he was super young at the time and has a lot of upside, looks like Young just doesn’t have that desire to get better.
BamaCeltic

If we get 1st or 2nd pick ..I say trade it for a known NBA talent. Also we have the most cap room/money than we have had in along time for free agents. We need a proven scorer and shooters around him , I think DeMar DeRozan could be our scorer and then pickup Ryan Anderson and Mirza Teletovic to bomb away …plus at pick 16 , Furkan Korkmaz if he is available , kids a scorer and shooter also at 23 would love to get Skal Labissiere if he slides that far..which I doubt …so we grab Thon Maker then or hope he is available at pick 31…so many possibilities this year !!! Its awesome already to be a Celtic Fan , but esp this off season !! Gonna be crazy transactions!!
swissflix

I do feel a bit uneasy about the possibility of us drafting a Dukie…but that’s just me.
- BamaCeltic
  
  I hope we don’t draft a damn Duke player ! Name the last one besides Grant Hill that was a franchise player ? and he was hurt most of his career
  - MJ
    
    Kyrie Irving? Elton Brand? Those were the best ones I could think of.
    - BamaCeltic
      
      yeah I guess you can officially call Kyrie a Duke player with his huge career of 11 total games there 🙂 … and Elton was a long time NBA player but was far from a franchise player…but I think you see my point.
Sean

Billy D = 2nd best coach in the league
- RedsLoveChild
  
  Two NCAA championships, just 7 wins from an NBA ring as a rookie coach. Not bad.
zippittyay

Third ain’t bad, but it aint good either. I’m starting to believe the conspiracy theories.

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Your Morning Dump… Where Wyc is packing the ring (and Isaiah) for the lottery

On Page 2, the Rockets are going after Al Horford.

And finally, the Thunder beat Golden State?

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Your Morning Dump… Where Wyc is packing the ring (and Isaiah) for the lottery

On Page 2, the Rockets are going after Al Horford.

And finally, the Thunder beat Golden State?

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