Should we be hoping for the Celtics to lose?
With just under a month left to go in the regular season, the Celtics have the one of the worst records in the NBA. Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge made it clear that he wanted to avoid the perils of mediocrity when he traded guards Jordan Crawford and Marshon Brooks in a three-team deal that brought Joel Anthony’s expiring contract and two future draft picks to Boston.
The Celtics are not looking to win this season. Tank-mode is in full effect and the Celtics currently have over a 10 percent chance of winning the draft lottery and securing the first overall pick in a talent-heavy draft.
Winning right now will not do the Celtics any good. There is no chance of making the playoffs, and a better record just means a better chance of getting a lower draft pick.
While this is hard to admit, I want the Celtics to keep losing in order to salvage any chance of a brighter future. Don’t be surprised if the the Celtics use their plethora of draft picks to lure other teams into completing a mega-deal that would bring star players to Boston, similar to what happened in 2007 when they acquired Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Because the trade deadline has passed in most leagues, I will leave you with players whom I think you should pick up or drop from your team as the fantasy playoffs begin.
Pick Up:
Matt Barnes (SF, LAC)-In his last 30 games, Matt Barnes averaged more points than Wesley Matthews, more three-pointers than Kevin Durant, and a better field goal percentage than Blake Griffin. So why is Barnes only owned in 70 percent of ESPN standard leagues? Look for him to continue to produce down the stretch as the Clippers make a run for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Amar’e Stoudemire (PF, NY)-The Knicks are only a few games behind the Hawks for the last spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. New York is not paying Stoudemire over $21 million to ride the pine, especially this late in the season. Through his first seven games in March, he has been averaging 17 points, 1.1 blocks, and nearly seven rebounds per game. Moreover, he has been averaging nearly 26 minutes per game, which is up six minutes from his season average of 20.
Drop:
Carlos Boozer (PF, CHI)-The 32 year old simply does not have what it takes to be an elite big man in the NBA anymore. In his last 15 games, he averaged 11 points, seven rebounds, and shot just over 40 percent from the field. When compared to a player like Kris Humphries, who is available in 91 percent of ESPN standard leagues and has been averaging more points, blocks, rebounds, and had a better field goal and free throw percentage over the last 15 games, Boozer should not be owned.
Evan Turner (SG, IND)-Since being traded to the Pacers from the 76ers, the former second overall pick saw his minutes and his production dip, largely due to a decrease in minutes from a reserve role. In 10 games with his new team, Turner averaged 8.4 points, .5 three-pointers, three rebounds, and 2.3 assists. The numbers speak for themselves. Drop Turner immediately.
Seth Coven can be contacted at [email protected].
