Was It Worth It?

[blake]

Not to add more gloom to the week, but if the worst case scenario happens of KG not being able to come back to a point where he is effective, was the 1 banner worth it? 

Roy I would be interested in your thoughts, as I remember you were not a big fan of all the trades to just get the small window of opportunity.

My thoughts: totally worth it.  Last year was so much fun, and we can still get something for Paul and rAy.

[wdleehi]

Yes.

[celticmaestro]

Yes.

[crownsy]

yes, absolutly.  we won, and looking at how big al has panned out (the center piece of our rebuilding) I'd say he's got some issues in the injury department (which sucks, get well soon al!), as well as his defense.

In fact, the only 2 prospects that's really panned out from the "we're super deep with young talent!!1" days is rondo and west, and we kept one of em.

Note on the above: by the time he was traded, i didn't really consider al a prospect, he's established as a solid starter at worst in this league, so i didn't count him as a prospect in rating guys who left.

[droopdog7]

Silly question.  Of course it was!  Or would you rather be Minn right now?  I think in general, too many fans get caught up in what might be rather than what is.  And the fact that the Celts are relevant again mean more than anything.

[Redz]

Yes, yes, yes...

When KG came back for those 4 games and limited minutes we had a brief glimpse of what this team could grow into. 

Barring more injuries I think next will be something special.

[Casperian]

Yes.

[vinnie]

Yes it was worth it, and where is all of this doom and gloom coming from regarding KG not being able to come back?

[Roy Hobbs]

Roy I would be interested in your thoughts, as I remember you were not a big fan of all the trades to just get the small window of opportunity.

To clarify: I wasn't initially in favor of a KG for Big Al trade, because I didn't think we'd be able to add a player of Ray's caliber.  Similarly, I wasn't in love with the Ray trade (although I thought we got good value), because I didn't think we'd be able to add a piece as good as KG.

Once we added Ray, though, I was very much a fan of acquiring KG to go with him.  I still marvel at the fact that Danny was able to pull it off.

So, all that being said:  it was totally worth it.  Very few teams win championships.  The chances of us winning a title with a nucleus of Big Al, Rondo, Perk, and Gomes would have been slim, as much as I like each of those players.  Danny sacrificed the future, but it paid off big time with #17.

However, that being said, I don't think Danny did a very good job last off-season in maximizing the team's window of opportunity.  When you have a reduced window, I think you have to do everything in your power to "win now".  That means adding to the roster, even if it causes you to go over budget.  Last year's team had too many projects, and was too concerned about the future.  This off-season, I'm hoping we add players to win us #18, even if it's likely that those players won't be around in a couple of seasons (i.e., Antonio McDyess, Grant Hill, etc.)

To answer your question, though: yes, it was totally worth it.  Now, give Doc and the players the pieces to add another championship to the mix.

[housecall]

You make it sound like its over...banner #18 is a season away.

[Donoghus]

If the worst case scenario were to unfold right now, I'd still say its worth it.

We won a title and rejuvenated Celtic Pride in Boston.  As much as us diehards have been with the C's through thick and through, it was great to see the city/region once again caught up in the Celtics and drawing new fans and drawing back the casual ones.

It's been amazing and I don't think its over yet.

[LB3533]

Hindsight is 20/20.

Looking at how far we got with Ray and Pierce, a depleted frontline and depleted bench, I have to say with full confidence that a duo of KG and Pierce is enough to win a title.

I think Danny might have waited too long to trade for KG and we might have possibly had KG an year earlier. We might be working on our 3rd title next year. (Who really knows?)

But winning the one title so far is totally worth it. Even if we have to rebuild this summer, which thankfully we are not.

We can still contend for the next couple of years because we saw significant growth from Rondo and Perkins.

We just need everyone to be healthy.

[acieEarl]

Yes, Only because we won it last year.

Just think where this team would be if we drafted Yi? I think we'd still be stuck anywhere from that 20-30 win season. Besides a couple of players this draft is weak.

[LarBrd33]

Yeah it's worth it.  Obviously short-term, but it also benefited us long-term.  It was like getting two jedi masters to teach young Luke the way of the Jedi.  Take a look at Rondo and Perk.  Those two are the core of our future.  Perk is a (still improving) solid big man who is one of the best defenders at his position in the league.    Rondo (if he plays as he has been playing) is a borderline allstar.   We have the two most important positions locked up for the next decade.  I don't see those guys getting to this level without KG and Ray and being brought up in a championship environment.  It's the same reason the old 60s/70s Celtics stayed great for so long.  Guys like Hondo were brought up in a championship environment and took over when it was time.  We cultivated a winning culture and it will benefit us long-term. 

They both stepped up big in the playoffs:

Perk:  36.6 minutes, 11.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks 57% shooting

Rondo:  41.2 minutes, 16.9 points, 9.8 assists, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals 42% shooting.

Those two were basically our most consistently solid players in these playoffs.

[Drucci]

Yes, absolutely. It was and it is worth it. This team will be a contender for the next two years (in my opinion, considering we stay injury-free) and it's a real pleasure to watch these Celtics play and perform at this level.