Courtney,

You started out really slow, I think everyone was missing Avery Bradley and Ray Allen and were hoping for you to be the “light” version of some combination of those two, but it took a while.  The Celtic defense took a little while for you to grasp, which is okay, I know there are a lot of rotations– and getting used to Garnett barking orders from the back line can be a big learning curve.  Eventually you got most of it, playing some decent ball on both sides of the court, contributing where you could and otherwise taking a back seat.

There was even a fun little backcourt when Rondo went down for injury where you and Avery Bradley ran around harassing the opposing guards– often picking them up around three-quarters court.  It prevented the opposing teams from going right into their offense, giving them less time to run some of their half-court sets.  While this was a small thing– it made a big difference in the functioning of Boston’s defense.

You struggled to find your stroke for a while this season and were not quite able to stretch the floor like Boston had hoped.  Coming into the season there was a great deal of hype surrounding your ability to drain the corner three, shooting at a high efficiency.   This did not actualize itself into something that really benefited Boston’s offense this season, and could have been a more deadly weapon if you hit that shot at a higher rate and if the Celtic’s were able to dribble penetrate more often to force rotations to get you those open corner looks.

Then the trade for Jordan Crawford happened and in unrelated notes, the Celtics offense fell completely flat.  They became predictable and easy to game plan for, without a dynamic player (Rondo) to really stir the offense and keep things fresh.  This became especially evident against the Knicks when they were able to see the Boston offense for six straight games– the predictable became the expected and the Celtics searched their bench for answers.  Doc found Jordan Crawford and on paper this makes some sense.  Crawford is a complete wildcard on both ends of the floor and down double digits in many of the games and Doc needed someone to shake things up and create their own offense.  In practice Crawford shot just over 30% from the field, 25% behind the arc, had three turnovers and no assists.  This ended up being the wrong choice– and you Mr. Lee, I believe you were the right choice, or at least the more correct one.

While I am still unsure as to why you fell so far out of Mr. River’s favor, you seemed to be solid all year long.  This brings up some very serious question marks for you moving forward.  You are making around five million a year through the 2015-2016 season, and while that is slightly overpaid, I think you could still be a valuable asset to this Celtics franchise.  There have been a number of rumors including you and Jason Terry being traded to another team, but I am not entirely sure the value of you and JET are going to be worth what the Celtics would get back in return.  I would prefer you wait it out and become a solid bench player with Rondo, Bradley, and JET– the Celtic backcourt could be much worse.

For a slight improvement I would look to further solidify your jumper and continue to learn the Celtic defense.  Boston needs you to be scrappy, so any energy and spark you could provide (most likely) coming off the bench would be huge for the Celtics moving forward.  Thanks for the effort and cheering on the rest of the team in their battle with New York in the opening round.

Follow Jesse on Twitter: J_duderanch

Chris,

Danny Ainge may be giving the players some time away from basketball, but we are calling every player on the roster into our Celtics Town offices for their exit interviews for the rest of this week. Here’s the ninth in the series: Avery Bradley.

Avery,

Your mid-season return from surgery left all of Celtics Nation hoping you were the answer.  The unknown toyed with us all, remembering you as a glorified player who absolutely shut down the opposing guard and made enough backdoor cuts to provide 16 points a game on lay-ups.  This was our fault; we let our imaginations get the best of us.

Since your emergence during your second year you have been consistently one of my favorite players to watch.  Watching you wreak havoc on defense is truly a joy; seeing you beat the offensive player to the spot before they can even think about driving makes me giddy.  Also I love the times you got open looks off of screens, just to make the open mid-range jumper just like in your Dunkin Donuts commercial.

You did provide a lot of what we needed, another defensive stopper and someone to stretch the floor, but maybe you were not the answer.  You are still young and need time to develop.  Sorry for rushing that process a little bit.  After starting for the Celtics in the playoffs last year and having such a positive effect with Ray Allen coming off the bench, you appeared ready.  The insurance policy and perhaps the extra motivation of the greatest three-point shooter behind you on the bench has to mean something– maybe something changed a little bit.

At times you seemed to rush the shot, seemingly fresh out of a timeout where Doc encouraged you to “take the open looks!” and taking that directly to heart, shooting the next four shots regardless of the presence of potential defenders.  Other times, perhaps without Doc’s pep talk you disappeared on offense, sitting in the corner ready for the three point attempt, but mostly deferring to Rondo, Pierce, or Garnett.  The reality of the situation is that Ray Allen spread the floor in ways you could not.  The more condensed paint was difficult to penetrate for Boston’s offensively challenged sets.  This was not your fault, I promise, but it was difficult not to reminisce about what was.

This was a trend for you, as a great deal of undue pressure was put on your shoulders this season.  Having to fill a role you were not meant to– an outside shooter and a ball handler due to injuries and departures during the off season.  Rondo’s injury forced you into becoming one of the primary ball handlers.  Simply put, it just wasn’t meant to be.

These playoffs were particularly tough.  You seemed to disappear for long stretches of game play, getting in early foul trouble and never being able to rediscover your rhythm.  It looked like the Knicks could have had some permanent damage on your career, with Iman Shumpert out ‘Avery Bradley-ing’ you for much of the series.  Then the fourth quarter of game six happened– you got back to the Avery Bradley we know and love, harassing mediocre ball handlers and hounding the opposition as they attempt to set up their offense.  The Knicks were a lot less effective with isolation plays when they could only work for 10 seconds as opposed to 15 seconds.  Doing the small things began to come naturally for you once again.  Your impact highly contributed to the Celtics cutting a 24-point deficit down to four during the almost heroic game six comeback.  You gave Celtic Nation the entire offseason to re-expand all of our expectations for the line-up of the future with you playing alongside Rondo, Green, and Sullinger.  Hope was restored, and for that I thank you.

The next step for you should be identifying good shots from bad.  You tend to make the open looks, but sometimes force it, already determining what you are going to do as opposed to reading the defense and reacting to how they are playing you.  Next year you should be able to return to your more natural shooting guard position with the return of Rondo so you can begin to regain your confidence at both ends of the floor.  Also, while I am at it — whether it is your fault or the referees not knowing how to handle the ‘Avery Bradley experience’ there needs to some adjustments as to not getting so many foul calls.  The Celtics need you on the court, so picking and choosing times to be aggressive on both ends on the court will truly take your game to the next level.

You are  and continue to be  a huge piece for the Boston Celtics franchise, and will always be one of my favorite players to watch.  Thanks for all your hard work this season, hopefully next year you will be able to feel more comfortable and be able to expand on your contributions to close the season.

Follow Jesse on Twitter: @J_duderanch

Jordan Crawford's biggest moment of the season might have been trash talking Melo, allegedly discussing Anthony's wife

Danny Ainge may be giving the players some time away from basketball, but we are calling every player on the roster into our Celtics Town offices for their exit interviews for the rest of this week. Here’s the sixth in the series: Jordan Crawford.

Jordan,

When you were traded for an aging Jason Collins and an injured Leandro Barbosa it seemed like a no-brainer.  Boston was getting talent for someone who was relegated to the bench for the rest of the season and Jason Collins who at that point was just used for his six fouls.  Barbosa was a spark of the bench, a similar spark you were asked to provide.  You kind of, sort of, did this.

We knew exactly what Danny Ainge was bringing in when Boston brought you here and you proved to be exactly as advertised– best summarized by “Jordan Crawford-y”.  Your offensive craziness was what precisely what the Celtics needed for stretches of time or precisely what the opposing team needed for other stretches.  Your defense was slightly better than advertised which can simply be described as the ‘leaving the Wizards effect’ (which may be a thing of the past with the improved play of John Wall and their post all-star play, but I digress.)  You put any scuffle with KG behind you which was a wise move considering the alternative of being alienated by the entire Celtic team upon your arrival.

Your minutes were inconsistent the entire season, sometimes playing upwards of 25 minutes (such as game 2 against New York) and occasionally receiving the dreaded DNP-Coaches Decision (game 5 against New York.)  That must have been a little frustrating, perhaps that led you to potentially your most remembered action of the year when you most likely yelled some disparaging things about Ms. Lala Vasquez-Anthony after the Celtics game 5 victory.  Perhaps this wasn’t the best idea?  The Knicks were cruising at that point, you know, why wake a sleeping giant?  Seemed unnecessary at the time and you did not exactly have the minutes and play to back up your fighting words.  I appreciate the intention, maybe come back next year with a slightly different approach and much better execution?

Speaking of the future, your team option was picked up and you will be on the Celtic payroll for next year for a hair over two million dollars.  If you could simply expand your repertoire on both ends in the slightest and be open to coaching from the great Celtic coaching staff it would be hugely appreciated.  Put in some work this upcoming summer, a good year in your contract year could yield big financial returns in the future.  Also make sure you take care of your back– dribbling with such a hunch can be dangerous.

Follow Jesse on Twitter: @J_duderanch

Danny Ainge may be giving the players some time away from basketball, but we are calling every player on the roster into our Celtics Town offices for their exit interviews for the rest of this week. Here’s the third in the series: Kevin Garnett

Kevin Maurice Garnett,

I hope this is not our last exit interview, as speaking with you is truly a joy.  Your way with words is truly unmatched and I would be heartbroken if this was the final time we conversed.

Mr. Garnett, Mr. Plus-minus, I do not need to tell you how that statistic can so beautifully but insufficiently sum you up.  Your impact on the court was known by both friend and enemy, and your defensive leadership was the most important thing you brought to this Boston team.  The way you quarterbacked the back row of the defense enabled the rest of the Celtics to see pick and rolls long before they occurred, constantly yelling out defensive rotations to sure up Boston’s defense.  It’s a shame your body had to begin to give out such that manning much smaller guys on switches became such a task.  You deserve another big man to slowly take away some of your minutes and allow you to be fresh during stretches during the playoffs.

Speaking of which, Boston thought we had that in rookie Jared Sullinger.  He has the same grit you have, and the relationship you guys began to form warmed even the coldest of hearts.  Of course he went down for the season with back problems, but your mentor-ship of the young Celtic big man did not go unnoticed.  It would be great if you could stick around for a couple more years– just see your contract out, you know, for the young guys.  Although Sullinger showed great progress and has a phenomenal basketball IQ, teaching him the defensive rotations and lamenting his offensive post game would do wonders for the Boston frontcourt.  If Jared Sullinger could continue to learn even the smallest amounts from you, it would go great lengths into making sure the Celtics are a playoff team down the no-so-distant road.

Your high post offensive skill set is still one of the best in the league.  You were able to bail out the Boston offense when other offensive options were not highly functioning.  Doc and the Celtic coaching staff always had the option to dump it down to you and run the offensive through the high post.  Your passing skills with your back to the basket were very valuable especially when combined with Avery Bradley’s manic cuts to the front rim.  That high release of yours is so sweet, it would be a shame not to run some pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop with Rondo when he returns next year.

You have a really nice thing going here.  You have a coach in Doc Rivers who understands you and respects you as a player and person, but always pushes you to higher levels.  Speaking of which, that playoff stretch showed just how valuable you still are.  It seems like every year people write you off as tired, old, or banged up from the long season.  The first couple of games against New York your patented soft touch was not quite working near the rim and you appeared a step slow, only to put on

Mr. Garnett, you still have the skill and talent to be a starting big man for the Celtics.  Have a sit-down with Doc, and discuss what your minutes next year could look like.  Doc and the coaching staff have been very careful with your minutes all year, starting with a strict 5-5-5 plan, and then unleashing your minutes in the playoffs.  If this worked for you would could repeat this concept so you can stay fresh for the minutes you are on the court.  This could happen, if you so pleased.

Many have said that your fate, whether it be retirement, staying with Boston, or moving to a different team is tied to that of the longtime Celtic Paul Pierce.  I do not blame you for this, you’ve been in the league for 17 years now and playing for a sub par team like you did back in Minnesota is less than appealing at this point in your career.  If you and Paul decided to leave, I would understand.  You have given the Celtics more than I could imagine, you deserve whatever path you choose and have my unconditional blessing.

But let me ask you this– come back as an assistant coach when your playing days are over?  If Doc is still around continue the great relationship you two have and pass down some of your basketball knowledge to the young big men on the C’s.  Who knows, maybe Sully will still be around, check up on his progression and see if you can give him some of your high post shiftiness.

I have made it no secret over the last year how big of a basketball crush I have on you.  Your defensive intensity and trash talking prompted discussions of why you cannot have your own pay-per-listen radio station filled only with only your in-game expletive-riddled conversations.  The passion you have given this Celtics team truly gave them a pulse when others would have called you guys dead, and for that– I thank you.  I would understand if the well has run dry and your playing days are over, but please consider staying around Boston in some sort of capacity, the city and this team love you.

Follow Jesse on Twitter: J_duderanch

• The Knicks continue to switch on even the most delicate of screens on the perimeter.  The Celtics looked to take advantage of this most often with the Knicks point guard switching onto Paul Pierce.  This is a nice play to start offensive sets with, but also results in isolation plays from the top of the key.  A double-edged sword indeed…
• Doc, as he hinted before the game, expanded his rotation and included Wilcox and Randolph both who got some run in the first half.
• There was much talk about Jason Terry’s oh-fer (0-5) in game one.  I did not know if he still had the star power to give him the ‘he’s too good not to bounce back’ treatment but thankfully, he was able to prove me wrong.  JET came up with a trio of three-pointers in the first half to put some of my worries to rest.
• Brandon Bass was a necessary beast on the boards tonight, collecting eight in the first half.
• Boston shot over 50% in the first half, and held the halftime lead 48-42.

Second Half

• Carmelo Anthony outscored the Celtics 13-11 in the third quarter.  Yikes.  Not a successful recipe for winning basketball.
• The first half run was all for Shavlik Randolph and Chris Wilcox were the only meaningful minutes they got.  I wish Doc was more willing to try different approaches when things are not going well (see: entire second half).
• Courtney Lee gets his first minutes of the night down 16 in the fourth quarter in what was essentially garbage time.  WHAT?! Jordan Crawford and Jason Terry combined for 59 minutes (or 29.5 minutes a piece).  Why is Lee so far down in the depth charts?! AHHH!
• The Celtics cut it to single digits with a little Jordan Crawford mix-up-magic (which is what I will be calling the out of control beauty that is JC27 from here on out) and a Pierce three-pointer.  Then New York realized that Carmelo Anthony was still on the Knicks and he was more than capable of making shots, and the lead was inflated as quickly as Boston’s chances of winning were deflated.
• Kevin Garnett continues to struggle in this series and has yet to come back to full form since returning from injury.  Just speculating now– KG is just not healthy.  The Big Ticket finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, but was not reliable enough to depend on when the C’s tried to string together consecutive buckets.
• The final tally was 23 points in the second half scored by the Celtics.  I present this without comment.

This Celtics team is easy to give up on after a second half performance like the one presented tonight.  I cannot think that high character high pride players like Pierce and Garnett will go out with a whisper.  Both teams will be headed back to Boston for their game Friday and expect heavy hearts and determined play from the Celtic green because tonight, frankly, they got embarrassed.

Follow Jesse on Twitter: J_duderanch