Forget The 2004 Pistons...

[GetLucky]

I want the Celtics to have a team modeled after the 2002 Sacramento Kings. That is a team that anyone can root for. They were always one of my favorite teams of all time. I'm watching them on NBA TV right now, and although I always remembered liking them, watching them is a true experience. If we want a team with parity, I think we could go after this exciting model that is not unlike the Spurs of this year.

http://youtu.be/vglV2qpoD70

I know that the Celtics have very few similarities to the 2002 Kings at the moment. Reality be darned, though, I would love another team in this mold. Solid fundamentals, pushing the ball, ball movement, pick and roll, off-ball cuts, all very simple things that are beautiful when put together.

EDIT: On another note, I think Adelman is one of the most underrated coaches of all time and definitely a HOFer.

[D.o.s.]

Loved the Adelman Kings right around the millenium, would love to see the Celtics emulate them.

Definitely don't think we have a comparable amount of talent on our roster right now.

[Csfan1984]

Man watching 90's teams being so stacked with guys is depressing. Probably never going to see the same level of league play again. We may get 2 or 3 good teams a year but those days were every playoff team is a must watch in person is long gone.

[bdm860]

Hey we're already 1/12 of the way there with Gerald Wallace putting up pretty much the same number's he did in '02 for the Kings 


I think the hardest part of building a team like that is finding 2 great passing big men who can play side by side like Webber and Divac.  Can't think of a PF/C combo in today's NBA that could work like that.  I'd probably start with a Gasol brother though, or maybe Spencer Hawes, but don't know who I'd put next to them.

[Celtics18]

Hey we're already 1/12 of the way there with Gerald Wallace putting up pretty much the same number's he did in '02 for the Kings 


I think the hardest part of building a team like that is finding 2 great passing big men who can play side by side like Webber and Divac.  Can't think of a PF/C combo in today's NBA that could work like that.  I'd probably start with a Gasol brother though, or maybe Spencer Hawes, but don't know who I'd put next to them.

Where oh where can we ever find a versatile offensive big man who can shoot, pass from either the high or the low post, and make moves off the dribble?

[D.o.s.]

Hey we're already 1/12 of the way there with Gerald Wallace putting up pretty much the same number's he did in '02 for the Kings 


I think the hardest part of building a team like that is finding 2 great passing big men who can play side by side like Webber and Divac.  Can't think of a PF/C combo in today's NBA that could work like that.  I'd probably start with a Gasol brother though, or maybe Spencer Hawes, but don't know who I'd put next to them.

I don't think there's a single 'real' 4 in the NBA that has the handles Chris Webber did, but as far as passing acumen (although perhaps not the creativity) Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol are probably the closest.

[D.o.s.]

Hey we're already 1/12 of the way there with Gerald Wallace putting up pretty much the same number's he did in '02 for the Kings 


I think the hardest part of building a team like that is finding 2 great passing big men who can play side by side like Webber and Divac.  Can't think of a PF/C combo in today's NBA that could work like that.  I'd probably start with a Gasol brother though, or maybe Spencer Hawes, but don't know who I'd put next to them.

Where oh where can we ever find a versatile offensive big man who can shoot, pass from either the high or the low post, and make moves off the dribble?

I was making 'I hope Kelly turns into Divac' posts last year. I stand by that.

[perks-a-beast]

The core of the Kings in the early 00's, in my opinion, were the best group to never win a title.

Right now the Celtics don't have nowhere near the talent, and don't have any prospects that could be as good as Chris Webber, remember he averaged 25, 10 and 5 in 2002.

[gpap]

That's why I'd like to see the Celts acquire someone like Josh Smith and Larry Sanders.

Don't know too much about the Kings of '02 but I do believe they were known for their athleticism (pls correct me if I am wrong.)

If you added guys like Smith and Sanders to a team with Rondo, Smart, Bradley and Turner, I believe a team like that could give a team like Cleveland a very hard time.

[JBcat]

That's why I'd like to see the Celts acquire someone like Josh Smith and Larry Sanders.

Don't know too much about the Kings of '02 but I do believe they were known for their athleticism (pls correct me if I am wrong.)

If you added guys like Smith and Sanders to a team with Rondo, Smart, Bradley and Turner, I believe a team like that could give a team like Cleveland a very hard time.

They weren't THAT athletic with Divac, Peja, and Bibby playing big roles.

[D.o.s.]

That's why I'd like to see the Celts acquire someone like Josh Smith and Larry Sanders.

Don't know too much about the Kings of '02 but I do believe they were known for their athleticism (pls correct me if I am wrong.)

If you added guys like Smith and Sanders to a team with Rondo, Smart, Bradley and Turner, I believe a team like that could give a team like Cleveland a very hard time.

What really illustrates the Kings way of playing was their mentality, which came out in their passing, IMO, and the fact that they had such a relaxed, freelance offense that was facilitated by their incredible acumen for knowing when to pass and when to score. If you imagine the Timberwolves of the last couple of years, but without the overriding scent of 'wow they really suck', you'd be looking at a Junior Varsity version of those Kings -- Adelman's principles with the talent that they had in Sacto created, for my money, one of the the most entertaining teams I've ever seen
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLx0dKwwj7o

[Moranis]

Man watching 90's teams being so stacked with guys is depressing. Probably never going to see the same level of league play again. We may get 2 or 3 good teams a year but those days were every playoff team is a must watch in person is long gone.

I think you are misremembering the past a bit here.  Just like the older generations misremember the 80's or the 70's or the 60's. 

[Celtics18]

Why not shoot for being the '02 Kings offensively and the '04 Pistons defensively.

I'd settle for that. 

[D.o.s.]

Because the Pistons were boring to watch, man. 

[the_Bird]

That's why I'd like to see the Celts acquire someone like Josh Smith and Larry Sanders.

Don't know too much about the Kings of '02 but I do believe they were known for their athleticism (pls correct me if I am wrong.)

If you added guys like Smith and Sanders to a team with Rondo, Smart, Bradley and Turner, I believe a team like that could give a team like Cleveland a very hard time.

They weren't THAT athletic with Divac, Peja, and Bibby playing big roles.

They could shoot the ball, though.  Pretty much everyone on the floor was a good passer and a good shooter.  Rondo's a better player than Bibby, no doubt, but if you're looking for an open, freewheeling kind of offense you'd probably rather have a Bibby-type running it.  The c's offense gets stagnant too often when Rondo's pounding the ball, and his shot still isn't one that defenses respect.  And we don't really have anyone that's a Peja-type deadeye shooter.

If you do want to have a Kings-type offense, though...  KO's more a part of that than Sully.  KO, if he reaches his full potential, could be a Brad Miller-type.