Celtics Free Agent Signings
So we have entered the NBA free agency period and so far, just about every big name has resigned with their team. I just have to point out one of those players first. Kevin Love. Lebron James has changed him for the worse. Love came out with a nicely written letter about how he will return to Cleveland because of “unfinished business”. There was a nice head shot of Love as well. It reminded me too much of Lebron’s stupid letter about coming home to get a chip for Cleveland. Lebron is as soft as double ply toilet paper and Kevin Love, who could be the number one guy on the Celtics, is starting to look the same. I hope they lose in grand fashion again next year.
Okay I got a little off track there but it was worth it. The Celtics finally made some moves this offseason by signing PF Amir Johnson from the Raptors who averaged 9.3 points and 6.1 rebounds last season. Not stellar numbers but at least we will have a big man who can pound in the paint and get second chance points off one of our many guards’ missed shots. I think that he will be valuable to us and his numbers should go up if Stevens can fit him into the system. We also resigned Jared Jerebko and Jae Crowder. Jerebko wasn’t a star but added some points off the bench as a shooter and rebounder. But I do love the Jae Crowder extension because he was a defensive weapon and one of the only reasons Lebron didn’t go full Lebron on us in the playoffs. He brings energy off the bench and I am totally fine with his 5 year 35 million dollar contract.
Our biggest signing so far has been David Lee. You might think Lee isn’t the All-Star that he was a couple years ago, but don’t let his reduced playing time last year fool you. He had his spot taken by Draymond Green, who was absolutely exceptional when Lee went down with an injury. I still think David is capable being the double-double machine that he was before. Couple that with his leadership skills and he should be a great asset for this young team.
Now Danny Ainge must finish strong in free agency. I’m sure our team will look a lot different opening night and hopefully it is for the best. I want Stevens to have a solid crew to work with the entire year unlike last year when he had to coach one hundred different players over the season.
The Johnson and Lee signings make it seem like there might be some plan to shop Sullinger or Olynyk, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.