The Big Story – Celtics’ Blockbuster:Say one thing about Brad Stevens the GM, he doesn’t sit on his hands and wait for things to happen. Instead, for the third time in his two-year tenure he pulled off a major deal, with last week’s being the biggest of all. A shocker as well, in sending team leader Marcus Smart to Memphis in a three-way deal that brought back 7’3” one-time Knick Kristaps Porzingis, who NYC media positively (incorrectly) slobbered over as the second coming when Phil Jackson drafted him.
Sports 101:Name the last players taken first overall from historic basketball programs UCLA and UNC.
News Item – What’s Not to Like About Porzingis: He comes with durability concerns. But he played 65 games last year and was a healthy scratch in their last five while the Wizards tanked for draft position. But it’s not like Smart plays 82 a year; he’s averaged just 64 per over his nine-year career and Jayson Tatum was the only First Team All-NBA who even hit 70. That he forced his way out of New York because he didn’t like the direction New York was headed and not getting along with Luka in Dallas makes me wonder about the attitude a bit.
News Item – Things to Like About the Deal: (a) it fills their biggest need — finding the eventual replacement for Al Horford; (b) It adds size up front for the three-man defensive rotation, where Grant Williams is too small for that role; (c) it gives them a legit post up inside scoring option to go to when the threes aren’t falling; (d) he contributed eight rebounds and nearly two blocks last year; (e) the restricted (to fourth overall) 2024 first pick belonging to Golden State they got as well.
News Item – A Can’t-Miss Pick: Hard to not drool at French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama’s gifts — 7’4”, mobile, quick, with the handle of a guard. But is it a guarantee of the greatness being predicted for the NBA’s first overall pick by everyone without a second thought? Sorry, I’ve seen other absolute locks, like Ralph Sampson, not live up to the hype. Ditto for others due to injuries (Zion Williamson and Greg Oden), lack of drive (Derrick Coleman), what-was-I thinking-of talent evaluation (Kent Benson, Kwame Brown), or simple lack of heart and toughness (Ben Simmons). Tools are nice, but real greatness comes from hating to lose. So while I’m curious and he’s saying all the right things, Wembanyama’s got to show me what he’s made of before I start drooling.
The Numbers:
14 – million in cap space the Patriots have to spend on a wideout or left tackle if the right one becomes available.
17 – times Mookie Betts has played errorless second base this year for the Dodgers.
55 – lead-off now hit by Toronto’s George Springer to move him into second place behind Rickey Henderson’s all-time best 81.
Random Thoughts:
I know this isn’t a news flash, but Skip Bayless saying trading Marcus Smart will be catastrophic for Boston tells me it’ll be up there with Rick Robey for DJ. For once Charles Barkley is 100 percent right.
If DeAndre Hopkins is holding on hoping another team bids on him, I’m OK with that. But if he’s slowing his choice to get out of pre-season camp, the Pats should let him go elsewhere. Not interested in another Albert Haynesworth.
Not a fan of the Bradley Beal to the Suns deal. Too many chiefs who need/want the ball and not enough scrubs who do the important little things.
Thumbs Up – Brad Stevens: Turns out the guy who lacked imagination beyond chucking up rushed threes as a coach has a great imagination as a GM with a knack for making solid trades.
Thumbs Down – ESPN: F- for its NBA draft coverage and that’s before we get to the “hey everyone look at me” pink zoot suit worn by Steven A. Blowhard. Too many panels with no one of consequence on them saying over and over in 21st-century draft speak, “That guy is really good,” and an endless parade of parents that no one gives a flip about droning on about junior.
Sports 101 Answer: Believe it or not Bill Walton in 1974 was the last first overall NBA pick from tradition-rich UCLA and for UNC their last top pick was Brad Daugherty 10 years later, who went one pick ahead of the Celtics when they took Len Bias in 1984.
Final Thoughts: I hate giving up Marcus Smart. But the team had a redundancy at guard and needed a shake-up, and you have to give up something to get something. So thanks for memories of all the fight you play with, Marcus, and good luck in Memphis. All that’s left now is to hope Draymond Green doesn’t re-sign with Golden State and they crater to make their 2024 first-round pick the C’s own more valuable.
Email Dave Long at [email protected].
