CelticsStrong
Celtics Basketball => Celtics Talk => Topic started by: EJPLAYA on December 31, 2012, 08:26:13 PM
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Let's be honest. When we got KG and Ray we all knew we likely had a 3-4 year window where we could win a couple championships. If not for injuries we would have gotten 2 of them. We have lost one of the three Hall of Famers to free agency, KG still has all the heart he ever did but has lost his ability to play at the level he once did for many minutes, Paul is a defensive liability and is now more often than not putting up under 40% from the field. We have a point guard who only shows up when he is on national TV or in the playoffs. His defense is WAY overrated. (see borderline backup Isaiah Thomas lighting him up the other night) We have no real center. Our role players are an old streak shooter in Terry who can't defend. Our backup PG has been rehabbing all year. Our defense is one of the worst in the NBA. We can't get a stop ever when we need it.
It is OK though! We just have to face reality and accept the fact that our future is no longer the big 3. We have a nice group of younger guys in Rondo, Avery, Sullinger, and Jeff Green. I am convinced if we pulled Paul and inserted Jeff we would not drop off at all. It might be just what he needs to show some consistency. It is time to put the past behind us and start building something for the future. It is time to put the captain on the trade block. I think we could pick up a couple young prospects for him. Who knows, maybe one of them will hit. We also should be able to pull a deal for Gortat. Send Bass and Melo and some cash and/or a pick if needed to Phoenix for him. I think this lineup is at least a .500 team:
Rondo/Lee
Bradley/Terry
Green/ Joseph
KG/Sullinger
Gortat/Collins
That's not even including a couple prospects for PP. It is time. We have no shot any longer so its time to move forward.
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
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TP for the post.
Where you been, Playa? Don't always agree with your posts, but they were/are thought provoking.
I think getting Gortat/Beasley or Cousins or Verajao with Bradley coming back keeps the window open. Just my 2 cents.
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It might be. I'm not ready to say it's closed yet. I still have some hope. But, yeah, that might be the case. The window might have closed.
I want to wait awhile before deciding whether I agree with blowing it up. Sometime closer to the trade deadline. Although, given their late run last season and previous postseason successes, I am not totally opposed to giving them one last chance regardless of how bad they look 5-6 weeks from now.
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Paul and Kevin, pull out the hammer and the chisel and get to work. You guys can pry that thing open again. I know you can. Use a little elbow grease, dang it!!
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
Tp, I couldn't find the words, but you did.
Also I feel trading Jeff Green would be better for the future than trading Pierce. Jeff Green has what's called a regret contract. It will only find value when he's an expiring. The best thing we can do is get rid of it before teams realize it's cap poison.
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
I understand that KG has a no trade clause in his contract, so he won't be going anywhere.
I also agree with you about Paul. He should be given every opportuity to retire as a Celtic given that he stuck with us through bad times. It would do his career good to come off the bench though.
I feel that Rondo and Avery are our future, but as for the rest of them they're all negotiable as trade bait. Sully has grown on me but if it came to the crunch I would rather see him dealt than Avery.
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
Quoted for truth. Do not trade the Captain or KG. My guess is KG will not play all three years of the contract and will likely retire at the end of next season.
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I came to this thread because I agree with the title but the solutions are not obvious.
I ma not sure Pierce has much trade value, to be honest. That's a lot of salary to match and tie up for a couple more years. I don't think he puts anyone over the top because he needs the ball in his hands a lot of the time. Any team that close is not going to play PP a lot.
Beyond that, the organization won't trade him, IMO. He means too much to the franchise and its marketing strategy.
The only realistic answer is to continue to watch this team embarrass itself and hope for a KG retirement after the season.
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gortat is an absolute joke.
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I ma not sure Pierce has much trade value, to be honest. That's a lot of salary to match and tie up for a couple more years. I don't think he puts anyone over the top because he needs the ball in his hands a lot of the time. Any team that close is not going to play PP a lot.
They got a great offer from New Jersey last year at the trade deadline. Danny will be hard pressed to get offered anything like that ever again.
That was like a perfect storm. A lottery team giving up a high pick in a desperate attempt to keep hold of it's star and build a winner as quickly as possible.
I think now they'll be looking at the type of offers Phoenix was getting for Steve Nash. Hardly anything. Some cap flexibility and a low level to mediocre prospect or late first rounder.
Unless Danny was willing to trade Pierce for a similarly old player on the outs elsewhere like Pau Gasol. I think this type of trade is Danny's best chance at getting value for Pierce at this point.
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I would like to see KG and Paul retire in Celtics green. I also think they wouldn't bring back much, due to their big contracts.
As crazy as this may sound, I think there is still a chance for another title, but as Roy said, the chances are small. I think the means of making this happen are quite narrow, and look something like this (everything I'm saying here has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it's all accurate, and constitutes my best guess for a "formula for success"):
1) Acquire a legit center. This doesn't have to be an All-Star, but someone who is at least defensively competent and can block a few shots. My preference is Gortat, but even someone such as Mozgov could be enough.
2) Keep Avery Bradley at all costs. Defense wins titles, especially for this franchise, and AB is the best there is on the perimeter. Him, combined with a legit defensive C, will go a long way, I think.
3) Define roles once and for all. Make Jet part of the bench, and its primary offensive weapon, giving him freedom to freelance. Make Bass and Sully a permanent part of the bench. Give Green consistent minutes, and don't play him at the 4.
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
It doesn't work that way with me and I think this is defeatist thinking. Either climb or get off the ladder. Either the Celtics are going to be competitive, or blow the thing up and let me know so I don't waste my time.
Telling me that "if we are going to lose, at least were are going to lose with our best" doesn't fly with me nor should it fly for anyone else.
If Pierce or KG isn't getting it done, then get someone here that will. It doesn't help that Danny Ainge hasn't really done much to help this team at all since he was GM. He got lucky with the KG trade and we should be thanking Kevin McHale more than Danny Ainge.
As fans, we should demand the best, not let our cheap front office swindle us and let them sell us "a bag of goods."
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gortat is an absolute joke.
I disagree, and I'm curious why you think so. He has career averages of 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 55.2% shooting in 21.5 minutes. He improved after arriving in PHX, averaging 13 pts, 9.3 reb, 1.3 blk, and 56.3% shooting in 29.7 minutes in 2010-11, and 15.4 pts, 10 reb, 1.5 blk, and 55.5% shooting in 32 minutes in 11-12. So far this season, he's averaging 11.3 pts, 8.4 reb, 1.9 blk, and 53.4% shooting in 31.2 minutes. Given 30-35 minutes a game with Boston, I think he could give us 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 50%-plus shooting. That would be a huge boost for us.
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I would like to see KG and Paul retire in Celtics green. I also think they wouldn't bring back much, due to their big contracts.
As crazy as this may sound, I think there is still a chance for another title, but as Roy said, the chances are small. I think the means of making this happen are quite narrow, and look something like this (everything I'm saying here has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it's all accurate, and constitutes my best guess for a "formula for success"):
1) Acquire a legit center. This doesn't have to be an All-Star, but someone who is at least defensively competent and can block a few shots. My preference is Gortat, but even someone such as Mozgov could be enough.
2) Keep Avery Bradley at all costs. Defense wins titles, especially for this franchise, and AB is the best there is on the perimeter. Him, combined with a legit defensive C, will go a long way, I think.
3) Define roles once and for all. Make Jet part of the bench, and its primary offensive weapon, giving him freedom to freelance. Make Bass and Sully a permanent part of the bench. Give Green consistent minutes, and don't play him at the 4.
I agree that if this team makes some adjustments, they still have a run left in them. But can I ask a question? What is the fascination with wanting to see Pierce or KG "retire as a Celtic."
I like both guys but they can retire with the North Dakota Bingo Players for all I care. I want to see championships hoisted in Beantown. Let's worry about the retirement ceremonies, later.
I want to retire in Honolulu, Hawaii with a bikini clad chick on each arm, doesn't mean it's going to happen nor is it something I should emotionally invest myself in.
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I would like to see KG and Paul retire in Celtics green. I also think they wouldn't bring back much, due to their big contracts.
As crazy as this may sound, I think there is still a chance for another title, but as Roy said, the chances are small. I think the means of making this happen are quite narrow, and look something like this (everything I'm saying here has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it's all accurate, and constitutes my best guess for a "formula for success"):
1) Acquire a legit center. This doesn't have to be an All-Star, but someone who is at least defensively competent and can block a few shots. My preference is Gortat, but even someone such as Mozgov could be enough.
2) Keep Avery Bradley at all costs. Defense wins titles, especially for this franchise, and AB is the best there is on the perimeter. Him, combined with a legit defensive C, will go a long way, I think.
3) Define roles once and for all. Make Jet part of the bench, and its primary offensive weapon, giving him freedom to freelance. Make Bass and Sully a permanent part of the bench. Give Green consistent minutes, and don't play him at the 4.
I agree that if this team makes some adjustments, they still have a run left in them. But can I ask a question? What is the fascination with wanting to see Pierce or KG "retire as a Celtic."
I like both guys but they can retire with the North Dakota Bingo Players for all I care. I want to see championships hoisted in Beantown. Let's worry about the retirement ceremonies, later.
I want to retire in Honolulu, Hawaii with a bikini clad chick on each arm, doesn't mean it's going to happen nor is it something I should emotionally invest myself in.
I want to retire with my family who has raised me for decades. The family that has been with me through my ups and downs, but was loyal to me to the very end.
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I would like to see KG and Paul retire in Celtics green. I also think they wouldn't bring back much, due to their big contracts.
As crazy as this may sound, I think there is still a chance for another title, but as Roy said, the chances are small. I think the means of making this happen are quite narrow, and look something like this (everything I'm saying here has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it's all accurate, and constitutes my best guess for a "formula for success"):
1) Acquire a legit center. This doesn't have to be an All-Star, but someone who is at least defensively competent and can block a few shots. My preference is Gortat, but even someone such as Mozgov could be enough.
2) Keep Avery Bradley at all costs. Defense wins titles, especially for this franchise, and AB is the best there is on the perimeter. Him, combined with a legit defensive C, will go a long way, I think.
3) Define roles once and for all. Make Jet part of the bench, and its primary offensive weapon, giving him freedom to freelance. Make Bass and Sully a permanent part of the bench. Give Green consistent minutes, and don't play him at the 4.
I agree that if this team makes some adjustments, they still have a run left in them. But can I ask a question? What is the fascination with wanting to see Pierce or KG "retire as a Celtic."
I like both guys but they can retire with the North Dakota Bingo Players for all I care. I want to see championships hoisted in Beantown. Let's worry about the retirement ceremonies, later.
I want to retire in Honolulu, Hawaii with a bikini clad chick on each arm, doesn't mean it's going to happen nor is it something I should emotionally invest myself in.
Ha! Nice last sentence.
As for your question, I agree with you that banners are what matter most. Still, I think some loyalty is nice, though I wouldn't want any loyalty to be crippling to the team. At any rate, I'm not sure it's really an issue in this case, because I'm not convinced Boston could get anything of real value for either Pierce or KG, because both contracts are pretty big.
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As fans, we should demand the best, not let our cheap front office swindle us and let them sell us "a bag of goods."
The Celtics have had one of the highest payrolls in the NBA in recent years. If you think they're cheap, I'm not sure that you understand the limitations of the salary cap / luxury tax / CBA. The team has realistically spent everything it could spend.
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this is the only window closed
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2wnvbj5.jpg)
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I can't say for sure that the window is closed. I can't say that it's open.
But I can say that I've read about closed windows more than once over the last 4 years.
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lol
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
I understand what you are saying Roy, however I disagree for this reason. That is what we did last time with Bird, Kevin, and Chief. We were no longer competitive and instead of using their contracts to improve the team we "watched" these Hall of Famers deteriorate rapidly before our eyes. We got bad basketball, lost all of our options to move them to bring in young talent, and caused a 20 year slump in the cellar. I am no longer willing to have a 20 year slump in order to watch Paul and KG play a level of basketball that is not good enough to get past the first round of the playoffs. We are not a destination for tier 1 free agents, so our only way to become contenders again is to do it through the draft or free agency. We will be good enough so that we won't get anyone in the draft to build around, and soon we won't have any chips to trade worth anything. I was willing to watch Bird fade away, however I am sorry but Pierce and KG don't have that level of loyalty for me. It isn't worth 20 more years of the cellar.
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The window is closed, and there's only a small chance that it can be reopened.
There are worse things than watching Hall of Fame players play out their twilight years, though. I have no interest in trading Paul or KG. We're likely to be mediocre at best for the next five years. That being the case, I'd rather be mediocre with Celtics legends.
Tp, I couldn't find the words, but you did.
Also I feel trading Jeff Green would be better for the future than trading Pierce. Jeff Green has what's called a regret contract. It will only find value when he's an expiring. The best thing we can do is get rid of it before teams realize it's cap poison.
Sorry, but I think that Paul's contract, and KG's for that matter, at this point are more of regret contracts than Jeff's. Jeff is basically producing the same thing on the floor that Paul is. They are both shooting about the same percentage from the floor (although Paul is slightly higher). Paul is playing twice the minutes and has about twice the numbers. Statistics point to the fact that if the roles were reversed that Green would be doing about the same. The difference is that Paul is clearly on the way out, and that Green can be our future. I think with more consistent minutes Green's numbers would improve.
It's time to turn this over to the future and trade Paul if we can. If we can't, then he needs to be coming off the bench.
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Paul Pierce could have left this team, but he played through a bunch of bad years and remained loyal. KG came here and brought this team a championship and basically signed his last contract to finish his career as a Celtic. As a season ticket holder, I 100 percent support letting these guys finish their careers here in Boston.
As for Jeff Green, he will be a guy who has great potential until he retires.
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No matter what happens the day that P double isnt in a celtics uniform a tear is gonna come from my eye.
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I'm not willing to say the window is closed. I am willing to say we're struggling. I heard this same stuff last year when we were struggling. I think we just need to get some things in order.
I also don't think we're trading any of the big-3 this year but if we do it won't be Paul or KG. That is just my take. Quote me.
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Whilst on the topic of Paul Pierce, at the moment he's ranked 23rd on the all time NBA scorer's list with 23,189 total points.
Judas Shuttlesworth is presently ranked 22nd with 23,261 total points.
There's only 72 points between them, so it looks like Paul should be moving on up the all time scorer's list some time soon.
Just saying ... ;D
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the window isnt closed. our core can still ball. its the people around our core that arent performing at all.
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(http://img.fotocommunity.com/images/Canary-Islands-Die-Kanaren/Gran-Canaria/Closed-window-frames-a23595831.jpg)
... but I disagree :]
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What is the fascination with wanting to see Pierce or KG "retire as a Celtic."
KG has a no trade-clause so he is retiring as a Celtic. I can't see where he would approve a trade to.
PP is a Celtic legend, not to say other Celtic legends haven't left to other teams but he doesn't want to go anywhere else.
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for me personally, i want pierce to retire a celtic. i would take as much satisfaction in his retiring a celtic as a championship. he has been my fav player since he entered the nba (and i liked him a lot at kansas as well). in this day and age, being drafted and playing your entire career with one team is very rare. that, along with the success he has had and being a celtic great, i want him to retire here, regardless if its a "smart" bball decision or not. seeing 34 in the rafters, after playing his entire career here would look just as good as another banner, for me
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NO! IT HASN'T!
Almost, but not yet....
This team will either be in the finals or lose again to the Heat in the ECF.
The reason we suck right now is we are in regular season coast mode. But coast mode is harder this year than last, because a bunch of formerly awful teams with their young future stars are maturing and slowly entering the land of the respectable. Therefore, just barely making the playoffs is going to require a bit more work than last year, but that is definitely the plan, unless Avery can have a bigger impact than we are imaging and we make the playoffs by a comfortable 3 to 5 games or so....
Anyhow, once in the playoffs, the competition will be no better than they were a year ago.
And our bench will be better then than now due to a full season of big minutes, adding Avery back in the starting lineup, and adding a decent big....(hoping it's Fab but more likely it's come from a trade or signing of a waived player).....
What a relief it'll be to enter the playoffs and not have to deal with the DeMarcus Cousinses, Larry Sanderses and Nikola Vucevices of the world....
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for me personally, i want pierce to retire a celtic. i would take as much satisfaction in his retiring a celtic as a championship. he has been my fav player since he entered the nba (and i liked him a lot at kansas as well). in this day and age, being drafted and playing your entire career with one team is very rare. that, along with the success he has had and being a celtic great, i want him to retire here, regardless if its a "smart" bball decision or not. seeing 34 in the rafters, after playing his entire career here would look just as good as another banner, for me
TP. I'm always tempted to trade Paul and always feeling guilty about it! Better to just keep him 'til the end........
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NO! IT HASN'T!
Almost, but not yet....
This team will either be in the finals or lose again to the Heat in the ECF.
The reason we suck right now is we are in regular season coast mode. But coast mode is harder this year than last, because a bunch of formerly awful teams with their young future stars are maturing and slowly entering the land of the respectable. Therefore, just barely making the playoffs is going to require a bit more work than last year, but that is definitely the plan, unless Avery can have a bigger impact than we are imaging and we make the playoffs by a comfortable 3 to 5 games or so....
Anyhow, once in the playoffs, the competition will be no better than they were a year ago.
And our bench will be better then than now due to a full season of big minutes, adding Avery back in the starting lineup, and adding a decent big....(hoping it's Fab but more likely it's come from a trade or signing of a waived player).....
What a relief it'll be to enter the playoffs and not have to deal with the DeMarcus Cousinses, Larry Sanderses and Nikola Vucevices of the world....
If they barely make the playoffs, they will lose to the Heat in round 1.
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I would like to see KG and Paul retire in Celtics green. I also think they wouldn't bring back much, due to their big contracts.
As crazy as this may sound, I think there is still a chance for another title, but as Roy said, the chances are small. I think the means of making this happen are quite narrow, and look something like this (everything I'm saying here has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it's all accurate, and constitutes my best guess for a "formula for success"):
1) Acquire a legit center. This doesn't have to be an All-Star, but someone who is at least defensively competent and can block a few shots. My preference is Gortat, but even someone such as Mozgov could be enough.
2) Keep Avery Bradley at all costs. Defense wins titles, especially for this franchise, and AB is the best there is on the perimeter. Him, combined with a legit defensive C, will go a long way, I think.
3) Define roles once and for all. Make Jet part of the bench, and its primary offensive weapon, giving him freedom to freelance. Make Bass and Sully a permanent part of the bench. Give Green consistent minutes, and don't play him at the 4.
I agree that if this team makes some adjustments, they still have a run left in them. But can I ask a question? What is the fascination with wanting to see Pierce or KG "retire as a Celtic."
I like both guys but they can retire with the North Dakota Bingo Players for all I care. I want to see championships hoisted in Beantown. Let's worry about the retirement ceremonies, later.
I want to retire in Honolulu, Hawaii with a bikini clad chick on each arm, doesn't mean it's going to happen nor is it something I should emotionally invest myself in.
I want to retire with my family who has raised me for decades. The family that has been with me through my ups and downs, but was loyal to me to the very end.
What? What does that have to do with Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett or for that matter, what I was talking about?
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As fans, we should demand the best, not let our cheap front office swindle us and let them sell us "a bag of goods."
The Celtics have had one of the highest payrolls in the NBA in recent years. If you think they're cheap, I'm not sure that you understand the limitations of the salary cap / luxury tax / CBA. The team has realistically spent everything it could spend.
Well, this may or may not be accurate. Let's not forget, wasn't the whole reason behind trading Perkins because the Celtics "didn't think they'd be able to extend his contract and meet his demands."
If that's the case, then that was definitely an example of where the FO was being frugal.
Beyond that, maybe it isn't the volume of spending I should be questioning as much as the quality of players the Celtics have signed. In hindsight, the Celtics had a terrible offseason last summer.
Beyond that, in the summer of 2010, I think bringing Pierce back on a 3 year, 45 million contract was a big mistake.
They should've taken that money and signed someone else. Besides, I thought the Celtics had "bird rights" on KG and Paul Pierce, so it doesn't even count against their cap, does it?
I don't know...I am admittedly not an expert on the NBA salary cap, but this is what I know, good rosters win championships and bad rosters don't
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As fans, we should demand the best, not let our cheap front office swindle us and let them sell us "a bag of goods."
The Celtics have had one of the highest payrolls in the NBA in recent years. If you think they're cheap, I'm not sure that you understand the limitations of the salary cap / luxury tax / CBA. The team has realistically spent everything it could spend.
Well, this may or may not be accurate. Let's not forget, wasn't the whole reason behind trading Perkins because the Celtics "didn't think they'd be able to extend his contract and meet his demands."
If that's the case, then that was definitely an example of where the FO was being frugal.
The reasoning was that they didn't want to tie up a big chunk of their cap space in Perk, a guy the team thought was overpaid. People can disagree about that perspective, but it was about flexibility under the CBA, rather than purely a financial situation.
Beyond that, maybe it isn't the volume of spending I should be questioning as much as the quality of players the Celtics have signed. In hindsight, the Celtics had a terrible offseason last summer.
Again, though, under the rules there is only so much salary we can take on. To have had any cap room at all to spend on outside free agents, we would have had to say goodbye to KG, Ray (which we did) and Green, among others.
Beyond that, in the summer of 2010, I think bringing Pierce back on a 3 year, 45 million contract was a big mistake.
They should've taken that money and signed someone else. Besides, I thought the Celtics had "bird rights" on KG and Paul Pierce, so it doesn't even count against their cap, does it?
Bird rights count against the cap and the luxury tax.
As far as letting Pierce go, you were going to kick him out the door after we came one game away from a title?
I don't know...I am admittedly not an expert on the NBA salary cap, but this is what I know, good rosters win championships and bad rosters don't
That's true. Since trading for KG and Ray, though, we've made the Finals twice, and the ECF another time. Our core has proven itself, and it's hard to fault Danny for bringing that core back for another run.
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We'll see..hindsight is always 20/20.
After the 2010 finals run, yes I would've let Pierce walk because they were a TON of good free agents that summer.
BUT....I am not the GM. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
It would be unfortunate if the conlusion we come to is that Danny hung onto "the big 3" too long, even after Danny himself said "he would've broken up the big 3 back in the 80s" if he were Red Auerbach.
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I agree, window's closed. I thought it was shut after game 7 last year. I was ready to trade Pierce, let KG walk and start the process. Instead, we have this mess.
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Seen a few people suggesting we trade for some help but thus far, no one is willing to part wih Avery. I don't see how this would work. Our two biggest trade chips are Avery, rondo, and sully. Sully can't get back all that much.
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On one hand, this thread has popped up in one shape or another the past 3 years or so. So in all 3 years this thread was dead wrong. So it quite possibly could be now too.
On the other hand, another year has gone by and KG and PP are even older. At some point the window will close.
It's tough. I think there's still hope because the Big Three has more help than they've ever had before. But in the negative side, we're certainly without a dominant offensive superstar, as Rondo and KG aren't dominant scorers and PP is slipping.
I'd at least like to see what Avery Bradley can do and what Green, Terry, and Lee can do with more time.
And it's not like we were getting big offers for PP last year, so I'm not sure what we can really expect this year.
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NO! IT HASN'T!
Almost, but not yet....
This team will either be in the finals or lose again to the Heat in the ECF.
The reason we suck right now is we are in regular season coast mode. But coast mode is harder this year than last, because a bunch of formerly awful teams with their young future stars are maturing and slowly entering the land of the respectable. Therefore, just barely making the playoffs is going to require a bit more work than last year, but that is definitely the plan, unless Avery can have a bigger impact than we are imaging and we make the playoffs by a comfortable 3 to 5 games or so....
Anyhow, once in the playoffs, the competition will be no better than they were a year ago.
And our bench will be better then than now due to a full season of big minutes, adding Avery back in the starting lineup, and adding a decent big....(hoping it's Fab but more likely it's come from a trade or signing of a waived player).....
What a relief it'll be to enter the playoffs and not have to deal with the DeMarcus Cousinses, Larry Sanderses and Nikola Vucevices of the world....
If they barely make the playoffs, they will lose to the Heat in round 1.
Good point, though they could upset them if the refs allow it. You're right though, better to get the 7th seed!
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a window is closed, but there'll be another one.
I get the fascination for this window metaphore, but this is just a storyline that comes and goes every year since the KG injury in 2009. And it's true, that year the window closed against our noses, it hurted a lot. But the year after they were a couple injuries and an MVP performance by Joey Crawford from winning it all. Then, the injured O'Neals window, and last year the old team injury plague (and very bad luck with young players like Wilcox, Green and Bradley having season-ending injuries) window.
Every year we have a new window, even when we can't see it. Our players grow older, some of them mature, and some of them surprise us. Last year it was Bradley, to a point where even Rondo is putting his hopes on Avery's return this season. This year it will be Jeff Green, by february he'll be playing a total different game. And in the playoffs, you know Jet will perform. If Rondo was at 100% on every game, the Celtics wouldn't be a .500 team, but this latest injury and his lack of interest before are hurting the team.
What we are missing right now is someone in the Perk role, a good/great defender who can push the team and unload some pressure from KG. I had high hopes on Darko, but it didn't work. We need Dalembert, or Mozgov, or Robin Lopez. Gortat/Varejao are out of reach, and you don't commit that kind of money to a transition big, you want to keep it for KG and his future heir. If you think Gortat/Varejao or even DMC can fill the KG role, you go all out, but that's not the case. Save the money for that dominant defensive big that compliments Rondo's game, and use Green as the team's primary scorer. Dude can score at will, but he seems to refuse the spotlight, yikes.
I know Green is 26, he's the same player he's been all his career, and that all the bashing he gets is somehow justified, but I believe he'll be this year's surprise, and our key to open a new window.
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I came to this thread because I agree with the title but the solutions are not obvious.
I ma not sure Pierce has much trade value, to be honest. That's a lot of salary to match and tie up for a couple more years. I don't think he puts anyone over the top because he needs the ball in his hands a lot of the time. Any team that close is not going to play PP a lot.
Beyond that, the organization won't trade him, IMO. He means too much to the franchise and its marketing strategy.
The only realistic answer is to continue to watch this team embarrass itself and hope for a KG retirement after the season.
Yeah, but it won't be too bad because we have some Celtic's ready to get hung still limping around to entertain us. Oh joy!!
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for me personally, i want pierce to retire a celtic. i would take as much satisfaction in his retiring a celtic as a championship. he has been my fav player since he entered the nba (and i liked him a lot at kansas as well). in this day and age, being drafted and playing your entire career with one team is very rare. that, along with the success he has had and being a celtic great, i want him to retire here, regardless if its a "smart" bball decision or not. seeing 34 in the rafters, after playing his entire career here would look just as good as another banner, for me
I agree DL that it would be nice to see PP finish his career here. He has done a lot for this franchise. However, this only is worth it if two things can happen:
1- We don't end up with a 20 year stretch of cellar dwelling
2- He is willing to reduce his role and realize he isn't the player he was
Sadly, If we just allow the team to struggle in mediocrity due to be just good enough to be in the middle of the pack number one is coming. It is clear since PP continues to lead the team in shots taken, coupled with a pretty poor shooting %, he hasn't come to the conclusion that he no longer has the ability he once did. I wish there was a way to do both, but I just don't think that there is.