Welcome to the second edition of the Celtics Roundtble. After the success of first one its time to look at more new exciting Celtic news. As always (the one time before this) I'm joined by crax and... :roll: Yeah, right...

Welcome to the Mid-Season recap. This was supposed to be the All Star Weekend mid season recap, but because most teams already (early January) have around 30 games played the decision to wait for the ASW could easily mean that Mid-Season recap is also the End Season recap, and I don't want to steal Bryan's thunder. He's in charge of end season recapping and playoff predictions (going all the way back to online league days and his articles on the Online League page). Did I mention that this is the anniversary 15th season of this organization? Awesome.



Before I jump right in, I promise I'll reveal the identity of the mystery insider from Season Preview before the end of this recap.



And to build up anticipation, I'll do it right away. #Genius
It's, prepare to be shocked...



Amazing.

Another interesting "fact". Remember the poll from Preview? No? Here it is.

Answer: 2 firings, 1 quit, 2 no-shows, 1 cut before season.

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The first part of the recap, checking the in-game power rankings from January 3rd, and comparing the current records to projected preseason records (by Bryan).


Insider thoughts
Pleasant surprises:
"Dallas and Minnesota. Both coaches weren't predicted to make the playoffs and barring a huge late season meltdown both coaches appear on track to make it with ease. Dirk was recently named Western conference player of the month and Minnesota is nearly at the 30 win plateau. Mulac seems to have a bad attitude lately and that could hold him back but if he gets his mind right he's a threat in the West."

Biggest disappointments:
"I have two that jump off the page. First, the Washington Wizards. I was under the impression in the preseason that Leroy would be coaching them for most of the season, which is why I predicted them to do well. But with reports that he'll be out until the start of season 2 it leaves the Wizards near the bottom of the standings and ISBA lacking swag. My second disappoint is the Utah Jazz. They had a promising new coach, he was active on the forum, he played team up with us, etc. It really looked like a good fit but then he got disgruntled and quit. It was a big loss to our community."

Next step, analyzing trades, signings, and waived players. Insider Bryan will provide his expertise on each front office move individually. Also he will grade each move.

Trades:

Brooklyn gets another 1st rounder and Boston gets more help this year chasing their title.
Grade: B

Paul made his annual trade recently. He also did his annual "try to dump Steve Blake's salary" move but that was shot down like Ante in a nightclub. This trade is so boring I don't wish to discuss it any longer.
Grade: D+

I was on the fence about this deal because of my love for Bynum but LMA has been a MVP candidate since joining Philly so the deal is paying dividends. Plus the Blazers got Bynum to sign his extension so everyone won with this trade. If I was a new coach the Blazers would be the team I'd choose.
Grade: A+

The Nets take a gamble acquiring Millsap in a possible 1 year rental but it gives them a legit chance to contend this season. The Jazz could have done better but Humphries isn't chopped liver and Taylor is a good PG prospect.
Grade: C+

This deal took about 8 days to get approved for reasons I'm not sure about. Cleveland's first rounder will help the Rockets continue to build their roster but I think the move hampers them this year.
Grade: B-

Never seen so much worthless trade drama as we did for Nick Young. Filled with "will he, won't he" drama for about 5 straight days. One brainless 3pt douche for an old, white 3 pt douche. I'm just glad the saga is over.
Grade: C

Good trade for both teams. Atlanta gets another solid piece to assist their rebuilding and Toronto gets rid of someone they hardly use. Grade: A-

Free Agent Signings:


Phenominal value pick ups in all three guys. Plus the Buike signing pissed off Crax because he hates the Brooklyn coach.
Grade: A-


One of the shocking moves of the season in my eyes. Almost 6 million dollars to sign a guy who will be Bogut's towel boy and to a team who plays run and gun. It made no sense then and it still doesn't make much sense. Oden has played OK for GSW but not for what they're paying him.
Grade: D+


Signing Jefferson was kind of a try hard move in my eyes but I understand the move. Stackhouse is a worthless signing.
Grade: C-


Green and Daniels haven't made many headlines but Rudy has been a good signing. Many ISBA experts felt Philly overpaid for Rudy but it's worked out for both parties.
Grade: B


I have no opinion on Jeff Adrien but McGrady was a good signing. He fits in well with Justin's style and gives the Knicks more depth. NYK will be a tough out in the playoffs. Grade: B


As a fellow white guy who isn't that good at basketball but plays hard, this signing made me smile. #BirdmanForever Grade: B+


TWill is traditional a God on 2k sports so I approve this move. The #Bodybag coach needs to step up if he's going to be a legit title contender.
Grade: B


Josh had some good moments with NYK last year IRL. Reasonable signing.
Grade: B

Waived Players::


Necessary moves for a team trying to win a ring. No more free loaders with Allen and Lewis on the roster.
Grade: B+


Yeah....
Grade: D


Giving Biedrins the amnesty cut was a necessary move. You can't pay a 61 ovr player 9 mil per season. The decision to waive Jefferson was questionable and one I didn't agree with it. But Crax felt like he couldn't risk RJ picking up his expensive player option for year 2 so he had to make a tough decision.
Grade: B


Who?
Grade: C


The cost of doing business. Sometimes you have to take out the trash to make room for real players.
Grade: C+

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That's pretty much it for this recap. Before the end, the insider gave a few thoughts about the league in general.

"Overall, the activity has been good for this OA. We've had to get rid of some dead weight but we keep moving forward. Lately some people are embracing the victim role and that's a distraction for the organization. This is a glorified locker room setting so you can't take things so personal. We all get called out one way or another at some point and you just have to accept it and move on. If today is bad, tomorrow will be better. Stop the victim crap, treat each other a little better, and let's enjoy ourselves."

Go Green!

Love it, Go Green!

excellent write up. Enjoyed reading it

Bryan really wrote lengthy answers/opinions so I didn't feel like adding anything of my own. :sue1:
Thank you broskis.

Ante's heart sank when he opened the thread and saw the green font in the opening paragraph IMO


Leroy, get 2k13. We miss you.

Go Celtics

It didn't I knew it was a joke :lbj4:

Bounce wrote:

"Overall, the activity has been good for this OA. We've had to get rid of some dead weight but we keep moving forward. Lately some people are embracing the victim role and that's a distraction for the organization. This is a glorified locker room setting so you can't take things so personal. We all get called out one way or another at some point and you just have to accept it and move on. If today is bad, tomorrow will be better. Stop the victim crap, treat each other a little better, and let's enjoy ourselves."

Basically what Bryan is trying to say is



&great job, great effort again Bounce. I love the presentation.

I love TimothyDeLaGhetto

I traded Martin, Douglas and Johnson, waived Brockman. The Rockets traded Martin and, among others, waived Johnson and Brockman today. #3for4 #imitationoflife

I've been trying to fucking sign Damian James for the past 4000 hours and this fucker is just staring at me with no response #wtfbrah

It took me forever to sign Buike. I kept changing the contract length and eventually he signed. It's a painful process to be sure. :blake:

even Andy effing Rautins... that scrub should have jumped at my offer

#2klogic

Bryan wrote:

It took me forever to sign Buike. I kept changing the contract length and eventually he signed. It's a painful process to be sure. :blake:

Buike is worth it tho, you fgt

You could have easily signed him but you got greedy and went after the 5 million dollar man with no knees instead. You should be happy I took Buike off the street and gave him a place to play. Him playing for GSW is ideal but playing for me is the next best thing IMO

#SupportBuike

I offered that fag 5 contracts, all of them more than oden can ever dream of.

I take it you offered him much more than 3 mil per year then?

Maybe he wanted a fresh start. He's spent so many great years in Oakland but it was time for a change. Honestly, I felt sorry for him that he was still on the FA list so long. I like his release on 2k13 too. It's a little long but easy to repeat. Plus he's a big time defender. He held CPU Monta Ellis to like 11-27 shooting.

Buike and I love you very much if it's any consolation.

#salty

^any time you wanna hug it out, I'm here brah

#CraxForever

No hug 4 you, we're workin out a deal next season, I'll make you an offer you can't refuse.

Thad Young 4 Bogut w JRich 4 Buike - Buike to GSW.

I'm more than open to a trade next season. That's like 30 percent of the reason I picked him up. At least now his destiny is controlled by me and not random 2k logic.

JRich smh lol

Something can be worked out I'm sure.

#Klayfly

Lol, 4getdaboudit