The Celtics number 1 strength is basically being bigger, badder, and tougher than their opponents. This team was built on defense, size, and power.
In the beginning of the year, they were just wearing opponents out. Shaq looked like a beast. Jermaine looked bad, but was still viable. He was blocking shots and you were just waiting for his jumper to start falling and really it didnt seem like it wouldnt eventually click. Semih was contributing. Baby was banging people around. If one member was having a rough night, it didnt matter, you would just throw them out there and have them bang away and wear out the opponents front line. It didnt matter if Shaq had 4 fouls in the first half. You still had Jermaine, Semih and Baby in there to do the dirty work. It was almost a positive because it meant he had done that much damage.
The Celts front line was just a relentless juggernaut, continuously banging away at the opponents front line. Sure Shaq or Jermaine on their own werent better than say Dwight or Al Horford, but the sheer numbers of viable of tough strong big men would just overwhelm you. Dwight would take a pounding from 4 guys and after a while it wears you down. I dont think its a coincidence that the Magic have been less successful without Gortat. Even if he wasnt a talented, front line, blue chip guy, he was a tough SOB and could spell Dwight and knock people around. I think this fact is being underrated.
This bring us now to Perk. Admittedly, hes an absolutely brutal offensive player, and this year honestly has looked even worse than previously. Perk embodies these exact qualities. Doesnt give up easy buckets. Makes everybody work for their points. He brings that swagger to the whole team. Basketball is not a fantasy league. There is a time and place for chemistry, toughness, leadership and cohesion. This is what Perkins brought. Is there honestly any doubt why Semih was actually a contributor at some point? He was infused with that Celtic attitude.
Now, this problem would be mitigated if Shaq and Jermaine were healthy. Thats why I hate this trade so much. Shaq played great in the beginning of the year, but after that he definitely faded. In December and January, his points were down about 5 and his rebounds were cut in half. True he was injured, but thats also part of this equation. How are you going to count that heavily on Shaq? When we first signed him, I believe most of us were under the impression hed be a 20 mpg guy at most. This was working. Why should we suddenly believe he can give us more? Hes been hurt this year, hes looked tired at times. Its unfair to expect much more than he was giving us. The man will be 39 once the playoffs start and has been injury prone, why should we believe hes going to be healthy throughout what we hopefully should be four playoff series? Healthy Shaq, yes that would be great. Current old/fragile Shaq, I'm not so sure.
Now Jermaine. Hes been banged up all year. Why should we believe that coming off knee surgery and returning in April he will be able to contribute at all? He has looked terrible so far. I would like to attribute that to the injury and lack of reps and pure rustyness. Sooo, him coming off surgery 3 months later will cure this? He will be out of shape, even rustier, that much more behind on rotations and defensive and offensive sets. He never really had time to gel with this team, so why do we believe we can just throw him out there in the middle of the playoffs and have him contribute?
I dont understand why we dumped Semih either. He was an active 7 foot guy. If you look, they dont have any of those anymore...Sure he wasnt the next coming of David Robinson, but he played hard, was at least a big guy who could bang for 6 fouls.
Should we bring in Rasheed? At this point you probably have to. But whats to make us think he will be any better than last year. I disagree with many people on his contributions last year. I thought he was honestly terrible. He sucked during the reg season, but I didnt really think his playoffs were all that impressive either. He had a game or two which he was great but overall was fairly mediocre. 6 ppg 3 reb and 41% shooting is nothing to go nuts about. Also it appeared he got tired at the end of games he was asked to contribute more in. He clearly seemed out of shape. Which is embarrassing as a professional athlete, but thats beside the point. And that is with his playing the whole year, and actually being on this team and practicing. Whats to make you think he will be in shape after not being on a team?
Which of the buyout candidates will help us? Troy Murphy? A career terrible defender who couldnt crack the rotation in New Jersey? Over Kris Humphries of all people? Now hes an old guy whose never played defense? At least he rebounds right?
Honestly I guess I'd be happy with Dalembert or Pryzbilla? But who do you take? Perkins or those two? Its kind of a no brainer to me...
This trade wouldnt have been nearly as bad if Shaq and Jermaine were healthy and contributing, but where is there any evidence this is even possible? They are both old and injury prone and injured THIS season. Not last year, or the year before. They are hurt NOW. This is our last opportunity. This team as constituted was good enough to win the championship this year. We know this. They had the best record in the East. Perkins may have been expendable if we had other options, but you know what? We dont. We cant depend on Shaq and Jermaine. Maybe Danny knew Perk's knee wouldnt hold up. Dont you think OKC's doctors will check it out? They dont make the move if Perk is damaged goods. They are trying to win a championship this year as well.
I really hope there are some other moves in the works, because I dont see how this makes us a better team at all. You trade your only viable center for a backup neither 3 or 4? Basically a Marvin Williams? I dont see it Danny.
Topic: The problem with this trade is it neutralized our main strength (Read 3351 times)