are you really worried about ORL and CLE?

[Junkyard Dawg]

The first thing I did this morning was check to see if the C's made a big trade, breathed a sigh of relief to see they didn't, giggled in delight to see the garbage for trash that was passed around by other teams, and then checked CelticsBlog.

OK, shaq and VC are not garbage or trash, but this is 2009, not 1999.  I have a tough time seeing ORL and CLE improved that much by either of these trades, regardless of what either guy averaged last year.  what do others think?

[wdleehi]

I think they improved the talent levels.


But they have not really corrected their flaws. 


Clev still needs to find someone who can guard KG or Lewis.


Orl is still a jump shooting team.

[Jon]

The first thing I did this morning was check to see if the C's made a big trade, breathed a sigh of relief to see they didn't, giggled in delight to see the garbage for trash that was passed around by other teams, and then checked CelticsBlog.

OK, shaq and VC are not garbage or trash, but this is 2009, not 1999.  I have a tough time seeing ORL and CLE improved that much by either of these trades, regardless of what either guy averaged last year.  what do others think?

I agree.  

As I already said, if Shaq's stats were really any sign that he was anywhere close to the player he was in his prime, a fairly good Phoenix team actually would have made the playoffs.

As for Vince Carter, as I already said, he's basically turned into a three-point bomber along the lines of Antoine Walker...however Walker actually had more playoff success.  Plus, the Magic now have 4 guys who think they should be scoring 20 ppg if they re-sign Hedo.  Is that really going to work, particularly when Nelson is hardly a pass first PG?  

[Who]

Orlando are a vastly improved side if they hang onto Hedo Turkoglu.

Yes, I'm worried about the Magic.

The Cavs? Same same, until they show me otherwise.

[SSFan V]

I worry about everyone.

To say otherwise would jinx everything.

[celticinorlando]

more concerned about boston getting a bench

[ctrey]

As of right now, both teams are ahead of us. Plus I see no way we get by them unless we move Ray Allen for better and younger depth and talent.

[celticinorlando]

a healthy KG and an actual bench that can contribute EVERY night and boston is right there

[Truck Lewis]

not yet.....

vince over hedo doesnt scare me that much b/c hedo was a worse defensice matchup for us


and i think shaq is gonna slow down their offense and their D.....plus the odds of his health stayin thru the playoffs is unlikely......last time he played meaningful games (miami) he was a walking zombie by the end

[orrzor]

Keep our starters, they are the best starting lineup in the game, best chemistry, work well off each other. Build the bench and I am not worried about any other team.

[cornbreadsmart]

vince carter is a much better player than hedo. it's true that vince likes it from the ouyside too much but he'sn a VERY god shooter. VERY good. he's had some questionable shot selection. that should change. vince CAN slash. they now have somoeonwho can take it to the rim. great move from them.
  cleveland got much better. you think cavs got open 3's last year?  don't forget cleveland has the mid level too. cleveland IS more attractive than boston to most in my opinion. lebron is the best player in the game(or u may feel 2nd best whatever).he gets guys shots wherever they want. the c's are aging. there IS that to think about from a guy wanting to hitch on for a ring. everyone loves shaq in the  league. i just think guys would choose there over us, unfortunately. we'll find out soon about that.
  can't cleveland trade big z? is he expiring soon? cleveland was a powerhouse during the regular season. they ran into there one horrible matchup. they  now have an inside presence. i think people are being very optimistic to not expect at least a little dip from the big 3. that's not always something fixed by a better bench too. there could be a little less lift on pierce's jumper or kg's,allen's. i just think it's fair to assume this. i would'nt expect the kg from the title year. HE'S superman if he can do that. but these are all maybes.we did win 19 in a row just last year.
  how can you not be concerned about this coming cleveland team? that one really baffles me.

[twinbree]

If there's anything I've learned from the new big 3 era is that championship teams are not built on paper. I'm waiting till the season starts to make any judgments about these trades.

I didn't think adding Mo would have that great an impact but the team did end up with the best record although watching them crash and burn out of the playoffs really makes me appreciate our guys more for capping off their 66 win season with a championship.

[dlpin]

These things don't worry me quite as much because I think that the boost we get from a healthy KG and a good MLE pick up is bigger than the boost that they get from either trade.

So for the key is still KGs health and a good MLE pick up. We wouldnt be able to compete without either before these trades...

[Junkyard Dawg]

how can you not be concerned about this coming cleveland team? that one really baffles me.

because they showed in the ECF what I, and i assume others, had been wondering about all year: WHO is in their frontcourt??  Granted, Big Z has been pretty good over the years for them.. but ben wallace??  varejao??  joe smith??  really??  come on..

not that I'm not concerned, they are a dangerous team that almost beat us even without Mo Williams a while back, but shaq is OLD, man!!!!!  we still have the best starting lineup in the game, yeah we need a better bench and we need to shore up our defense, but I fail to see how either of these moves "vastly improved" ORL or CLE.

[csfansince60s]

If Ainge isn't worried enough to be aggressive in free agency at least, if not in trades this summer, we may not make it to the ECF because BOTH Cleveland and Orlando improve so much.

Cleveland loses nothing and gains an 18/10 force that will make better Lebron (that's a scary thought), Mo Wms, Delonte and Ilgauskas (more rest and possible twin tower inside/outside action on O and lane cloggers on D). The addition of Danny Green will also make their D better.

Orlando, even if they lose Hedo, gain two players that not only improve them in Carter and Anderson, but who seem to have their best games against the Cs. The big ? for them is whether Nelson comes back at full strength and can run the team to make up for losing Hedo at point forward, but the O firepower of Carter, Lewis, Nelson and Howard is a scary proposition.

If Sheed goes to either of these teams, we will be in even bigger trouble.