Clippers head coach Doc Rivers left the Celtics several years ago as Boston entered a rebuilding period, so he’s as impressed as anyone with how quickly the C’s have managed to retool their roster and become a legit contender. As Stephen Hewitt of The Boston Herald details, Rivers still has a fondness for Boston, along with many members of the organization, and admires the work the front office has done in recent years.
“[I] love Danny (Ainge), love (owner Steve Pagliuca), that whole group, and I just want them to do well. I really do,” Rivers said. “I love what they’ve done. I think the turnaround in four years starting with hiring Brad (Stevens). … (Ainge) and (assistant general manager) Mike Zarren have done the best job I’ve seen in sports in a long, long time of rebuilding. Maybe ever.”
Rivers also had praise this week specifically for the acquisition of Kyrie Irving. Attending a fundraising event in Boston, Rivers joked that he’d rather have seen Irving land in Los Angeles, but expects the young point guard to thrive with the Celtics.
“This is a perfect situation for him,” Rivers said. “The Celtics gave up a lot to get him, but he’s 25 years old and that’s the other thing people forget about: He’s so young. He’s going to be a star here for a long time.”
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge answered questions this week about completing the Irving trade, why Boston was willing to give up so much to get him, and how Irving and Gordon Hayward will mesh on the court (video link).
- Although Al Horford spent a good chunk of last season playing power forward, the Celtics sound as if they’re leaning toward having him start the 2017/18 campaign at center, per ESPN’s Zach Lowe (link via Jay King of MassLive.com). That would allow Boston to start Horford alongside a power forward like Marcus Morris rather than a center like Aron Baynes.
- A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com provides an update on the upcoming trial for Morris and his brother Markieff Morris, who face aggravated assault charges.
- Marcus Smart, who is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, said this week that he’s lost 20 pounds since the end of last season and feels more “explosive” than he used to (Twitter link via Taylor C. Snow of Celtics.com). Smart also spoke about the trade that sent Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland, suggesting that losing Thomas “still feels unreal” (video link via CSNNE.com).
- Michael Lee of The Vertical spoke to some of Irving’s old coaches, who believe the star point guard is ready to show that he can be a franchise player.
They didnt trade so much to get him. The nets pick is the only thing they truly lose in the deal. Nets will be bad but probably not the worst team so a pick in the 3-9 range or kyrie? Thats easy take the superstar
Crowder is a lot better player then people are giving him credit for do don’t forget that he was a big loss for them Cavs fans will see soon enough
Crowder was definitely the heart and soul of the Celts and a respected veteran leader with an amazing contract but his defense was slipping and his 3 point shooting was inconsistent, so between Hayward’s underrated perimeter defense, Morris’ proven match-up defense again LeBron, rookies Yabusele and Ojeleye who is carbon copy of Crowder but an inch taller, I think the Celts will be okay.
Do you think Crowder will start for the Cavs? I’m interested in seeing what they do with that situation because I can’t see him spending a lot of time at shooting guard and both the forward spots are currently occupied. Maybe move Love down to the 5 and put crowder on 4s?
I’m glad Marcus smart lost some weight, he looked kinda heavy last season. Not sure if that’s the weight you wanted to play as a player.