Better than Ainge: A Celtic Story

[Celt Fan]

I've been lurking in these forums for a few weeks since I got the game on my PC, playing franchises for a game or two before getting bored of them. I've finally settled, however, and plan to start an 82-game Celtics franchise. I will use Andrew's Opening Day rosters, because I want to play this as the 2003-2004 season. I'll also use Andrew's Sliders with auto-sub off.

Today I replace Danny Ainge as the General Manager of the Boston Celtics. As a major fan of the team, I have no hesitation bumping the man from office. I, too, am a fairly active GM. My first focus will be to unload the team's three hugely overpaid players: Vin Baker, Raef Lafrentz, and Chris Mills (at least Ainge managed to deal two of these guys)

Opening Rosters and Outlook on the season will be posted in a bit.

[Celt Fan]

Today Boston was very active on the trading market, sacrificing some of their talent for youth and cap room. Their first move was to exchange Raef Lafrentz (65) for Seattle's Nick Collison (59), straight up. Collison is a younger version of Lafrentz, but without a fat contract or injury problems plaguing his career. He will surely mature into a player here.

The second deal of the day moved Eric Williams (58) and Chris Mills (58) to Golden State for Calbert Cheaney (51) and Mike Dunleavy Jr. (61). While the Celtics were hesitant to part with Williams' leadership, his $5.5 million contract wasnt something the team wanted to deal with. This move saved the team roughly 8 million dollars and freed up some room to investigate the free agent market. In Dunleavy we got our new starting small forward, a threat from downtown and a growing player that the fans will love. Cheaney will play the role of Pierce's backup, as we had no other 2-guard on the roster prior to the trade.

We are still looking to move Vin Baker, probably for some talent in the backcourt. Roster Evaluation is coming soon.

[Celt Fan]

Center:
Tony Battie 57
Mark Blount 51
We have big Tony Battie starting for us. He has been a journeyman center for all of his career, but he can hold his own in the Eastern Conference. He is a liability defensively and weak inside, but he can make up for some of that with his mid-range shooting (only up to 15'). Blount is a banger and will out-hustle anybody, much more of an inside presence than Battie. But heart and desire will only get you so far unless you have some major talent to back it up. This is one of our weakest positions going into the year.

Power Forward:
Nick Collison 59
Walter McCarty 60
Vin Baker 62
Kendrick Perkins 49
Nick will be starting in his rookie season, as he is far better an inside player than Walter. I have been a McCarty fan for years, but in real life, just like the game, all he can do well is run to the baseline and hit the 3. A great situational player, but not what I want from a power forward. Baker is only around until I find a way to move him, and as such I do not plan to waste my minutes on him when Collison needs them so much more. Perkins will remain on injured reserve, though he may be given an opportunity later in the year. It is worth noting that he has 99 strength.

Small Forward:
Mike Dunleavy Jr 61
Jumaine Jones 61
Kedrick Brown 53
Jiri Welsch 52
Dunleavy will start with Jones coming off the bench, a very solid 1-2 punch at the position. Ok. it's pretty weak, but it's also young and cheap. Dunleavy is a jack-of-all-trades kind of player, and while he is by no means the next Larry Bird, they certainly look alot alike. Boston fans will love it. Jones is more of an outside player, but a better shooter from downtown as well. I will be trying to package Kedrick in the Vin trade in order to get a bit more in return. Jiri is on IR for the time being; one of my favorite players in real life, there just isn't room for him behind this depth at the position.

Shooting Guard:
Paul Pierce 88
Calbert Cheaney 51
Guess which guy starts? Pierce needs to lead this team and lead it well. I'm looking for 30 points every day, and he can deliver. Pierce does it all: shoot, dunk, defense. Cheaney has been around, but provides some veteran leadership: something this very young team needs. He can't hit the 3, but is solid from mid-range.

Point Guard:
Mike James 59
Marcus Banks 55
Mike will start for the time being, but don't be surprised if Marcus steps it up during his rookie year and earns the starting job. We're very excited about this guy coming out of UNLV, he is a smart player and typical point guard. James is a journeyman player who has been around but can get the job done. I am satisfied at this position.

In conclusion, we have depth at every position except for SG, where Pierce will receive most of the minutes anyway (I play 9 minute quarters which I forgot to mention). We don't have any major inside forces, which could be a problem, but we will see how it plays out. Kendrick Perkins could eventually solve that problem, as could free agency. We released Brandon Hunter and have a roster space available, with Shawn Kemp just sitting there on the free agent market. For the time being, it's game time baby!

[Celt Fan]

Miami (0-1) vs. Boston (0-0)
Brian Grant Tony Battie
Udonis Haslem Nick Collison
Lamar Odom Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Eddie Jones Paul Pierce
Dwayne Wade Mike James

We hope to run a fast-paced game and score early. Offensively we hope to rely on Collison's mid-range jumper over a much slower Udonis Haslem and Pierce's ability to take Jones off the dribble. On defense, we will double up Lamar and hope that Mike can handle the tough assignment in his first game as a Celtic.

[Donatello]

You're a very intelligent poster, I can tell--You've got the beginnings of a very respectable dynasty here. Most people are probably going to tell you they need graphics to stay interested, but I'm more than satisfied with your intelligence and creativity in your writing. Keep it up!

And, as always, any comments on my own dynasty (link in my signature at the bottom of this message) would be much appreciated!!

Also, what are your game settings? Quarter length, sliders, etc. Just curious.

[cocobee]

Very well written --I like the depth chart. Good start

[Celt Fan]

Celtics Win in Overtime Thriller!!!

The Boston Celtics came from behind to win in dramatic fashion, a 119-114 overtime victory over the Miami Heat. After trailing 76-65 after 3 quarters, the Celts mounted a major comeback and Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer to tie it with 11 seconds left. Lamar Odom missed at the buzzer, and the game headed to overtime, where the Celtics took over. Nick Collison stepped it up and dominated the paint after failing to do so all of the game. The true story of the night, however, was Mike Dunleavy Jr. who dropped 34 points, 10 assists, and 2 rebounds on Lamar Odom in 33 minutes. Pierce added 36 of his own, while Tony Battie and Collison each had double-doubles with 10 points and 10 boards. For the Heat, Odom and Eddie Jones each put in 28 and Udonis Haslem laid a double-double on Collison with 12 points and 10 rebounds, plus added 6 assists. The Celtics look ahead to a game in Memphis, which will probably be played later today.

[Celt Fan]

Thanks for the support cocobee and donatello. If anyone has any suggestions for what to do with Baker and possibly Kedrick, post them. I'd love to hear them. donatello- I play 9 minute quarters with Andrew's sliders, 82 game season, 7-7-7-7 playoffs.

[Donatello]

Wow sounds like you had a thriller, I really work up a sweat in close OT-situation type games like that. Mike Jr. with 34 points! wow....

[Riot]

im lovin' it, keep it up

[Celt Fan]

Boston (1-0) at Memphis (0-0)
Tony Battie | Lorenzen Wright
Nick Collison | Pau Gasol
Mike Dunleavy Jr | Jeff Posey
Paul Pierce | Mike Miller
Mike James | Jason Williams

The Grizz play a very fast-paced game, with quick guard Jason Williams leading the charge. Williams and Mike Miller will drain threes like there's no tomorrow if I don't keep high pressure on them with my guards. Collison will have his hands full on defense, and so I'll have to double up Pau Gasol. As for offense, I hope that Nick can continue his domination from overtime last game. My grandmother could post up Gasol, but Wright has a backbone and won't be as easy. Pierce figures to be a bit much for Miller to handle as well. If we play our game and pick our shots, victory should be ours.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

Who is Jeff Posey??? It's James Posey

[Celt Fan]

BREAKING NEWS: LEPRECHAUN IS MAULED TO DEATH BY LARGE BEAR

In a related story, the Boston Celtics were brutally slaughtered by the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in Memphis. After falling behind 37-18 after the first quarter, the Celtics mounted a feeble comeback in changing to the 3-1-1 Full Court Press, but never pulled closer than 4 points. It was a fast break game which the Grizzlies dominated, allowing them to win by a wopping score of 135-125. Jason Williams led the way with 27 points and 20 assists, while Pau Gasol provided some much needed inside presence with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocks. All 5 Grizzlies starters scored in double digits, with Mike Miller finishing with 26, James Posey with 21, and Lorenzen Wright with 12. Defense really did not play much of a role tonight. Paul Pierce led the Celtics fast break with an amazing 50 points and 5 assists. Mike Dunleavy fell to 19 points, while Tony Battie put up his second consecutive double-double, this one for 12-10. When questioned, Celtics coach Jim Carroll replied "Since when can Pau Gasol play defense? We just got beat, plain and simple. Our team can expect to run about twice as hard in practice tomorrow. I sure wish management would hurry up and make a move to get us some help for Vin Baker. Calbert Cheaney just doesn't cut it." Boston's next game is against 1-1 New Orleans.

[Celt Fan]

Jeff Posey is a linebacker for the Bills, which somehow translates into him playing small forward for the Grizzlies. You figure it out

[Alcoholic]

Ya but there's a James Posey on their team right now.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

Ya but there's a James Posey on their team right now.

yea i dont get it...james posey is one of the grizzlies players...



http://www.nba.com/playerfile/james_pos ... l?nav=page

see JAMES posey

[Donatello]

He knows that already He had a brain fart in the original post and was already corrected. the post that says this:

Jeff Posey is a linebacker for the Bills, which somehow translates into him playing small forward for the Grizzlies. You figure it out

was a joke--making fun of himself for his error. And now I get to make fun of you guys for not understanding that and continuing to post who james posey is ! MWahahahahah so there. -evil grin-

[Mark.]

Nice Dynasty here. I like the Depth charts, keep it up.

Try slowing the game down a bit, the scores are pretty high. Do you use set plays etc??

I wouldnt be too quick to pass Battie up as a solid defensive player, i find him quite useful in my Cavs Dynasty.

[Sauru]

right now in my franchise i got tyson chandler but in previous ones i have used battie. i love both of these players. both can really protect the basket and thats all i really want from my 5(i use my 4 for the scoring and 5 for the defending)

[Celt Fan]

I think my scores will go down a bit, the first one was 100-100 after regulation and this one was a fast break game from start to end. But no, i haven't really figured out how to use set plays effectively or even how they work that well- if you'd like to explain I'd appreciate it.

I do like Battie defensively, but I like Blount alot more. I don't know if that's my own bias because he's a hustle player in real life though

As for an update, I'm going to New York for the next 4 days to visit my brother and check out Columbia so I won't be playing again until Monday at the soonest. Thanks for the support and tips

[Celt Fan]

Boston (1-1) at New Orleans (1-1)
Tony Battie | Jamal Magloire
Nick Collison | PJ Brown
Mike Dunleavy Jr | George Lynch
Paul Pierce | David Wesley
Mike James | Baron Davis

The Hornets play a slower and more physical game than the run-n-gun Grizzlies, and the Celtics are very glad for the opportunity to slow things down. It is no secret that the offense runs through Baron Davis, and I plan to put Pierce on him in high-pressure defense for the whole game. I may have to double PJ Brown if Collison can't handle him inside. Offensively, I'm looking for Paul and Jr. to step up for me bigtime and lead the Celtics to victory.