Do nothing?

[droopdog7]

Does anyone think that our best play for the rest of this year is to do nothing.  I mean, however doubtful, there is always the chance that this team could turn it around this year.  For that reason, I am not sure I would want to blow it up completely right now.

At the same time, whatever problems this team is having at the moment appear to be team-wide.  That is, I don't believe a a role player, however good, will have a big impact if we cannot fix what is here.  So risking the future for a run now doesn't seem to be the right move either.

I am trying to think about this as realistically as possible.  I do see the Martin rumor on the front page and I have thought about the possibility but would it be the right move?  Is Martin a building block for the future?  Also, I highly doubt that the Celts can take on another large longterm contract along with Martin (e.g., Nocioni).  No, among all the things that DA has said recently, the one thing I believe is true is the fact that the Celts won't make a trade unless they get a player along with salary relief.  So my guess is that the Celts would want someone like Kenny Thomas (along with Martin) for that trade to go through. 

As far as rumors with Chi, I probably would not do that deal right now because I view Hienrich and Thomas (for example) as complentary pieces for a run now, not building blocks for the future. 

So at this point, keeping Ray and letting him walk might give us a chance this year and would seem to give us some measure of financial relief next year (and the coming years).  At that point, we'd be in full blow it mode.  If I could trade Ray for a young player and an expiring contract then I probably do it.  But is that realistic?  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. 

But at this point, I am inclined to do nothing unless the perfect deal comes along.

[Drucci]

I agree with you, although I would gladly welcome a player like Kirk Hinrich - and his terrible contract - for our "garbage" expirings (Scal, TA, etc).

It's obvious that our problem lies on the mentality of this team, its focus and its lack of toughness. Trading Ray won't solve that problem, and trying to integrate a newly acquired player into our complicated system a few months before the playoffs is not a really good idea.

Although the collapses in the third quarter are unacceptable and mind-boggling, I say give this team a last chance and if things are really still that bad just after the All-Star Break, then try a trade.

It's too bad the trade deadline occurs the day of our game against the Lakers though, I think a win in LA would make Danny reconsider his position and avoid a panic move from his part. But if he wants to make some changes, he will have to make them before this game obviously, and there are not any more "big" games to evaluate our worth before this one.

So, I'd rather see us stay put and trust this team to turn the things around mentally. The talent is clearly there and age is not a big factor. There is still a lot of time before the playoffs, don't mess up the roster now.

[Andy Jick]

Doing nothing = no championship.

If the idea is to win in this "limited" window that Danny has created (due to the age of this team), then doing nothing is certain failure.

In my estimation, we are not better than the Hawks, Cav's, or Magic...  Or, if we get in a 7-game series with any of them, our weaknesses will be exposed.

If Danny can get Kevin Martin, Andre Iguadola or Monta Ellis I'm all for it.  But I want nothing to do with Hinrich, because that means more of Tony Allen, and that's a sign of doom as well.  Don't let Tony fool you - he's a sure bet to go stupid when we need him most...

[FatjohnReturns]

Yea the ship has sailed. Yesterday was the first game everyone was avaible. If I was Wyc I would squash any trades and ride this thing out. With everyone healthy and playing with heart(yea that means you Rasheed) we have a good chance to win it all. Totally agree i would not make a move at this point.

[Drucci]

Doing nothing = no championship.

If the idea is to win in this "limited" window that Danny has created (due to the age of this team), then doing nothing is certain failure.

In my estimation, we are not better than the Hawks, Cav's, or Magic...  Or, if we get in a 7-game series with any of them, our weaknesses will be exposed.

If Danny can get Kevin Martin, Andre Iguadola or Monta Ellis I'm all for it.  But I want nothing to do with Hinrich, because that means more of Tony Allen, and that's a sign of doom as well.  Don't let Tony fool you - he's a sure bet to go stupid when we need him most...

Iguodala is an intriguing possible addition to our team and I would maybe trade Ray for him but it's not going to happen for various reasons (the principal ones are that Philly will get much better offers than ours and that they won't trade Iggy to a division rival).

Trading Ray for the injury prone Kevin Martin would be a critical mistake that would kill all our financial flexibility for the next 4 years.

Monta Ellis is a terrible fit, no way this trade should be done. This isn't fantasy basketball, it's not all about stats.

These three players are the only ones we could possibly acquire (and only in dream scenarios), and except for Iguodala, none of them is a good fit for us or a real improvement over Ray, regardless of their age and their talent.

That's why we should stay put. The only move we should make is to improve the bench by trading Scal and other expirings to get a better player.

By the way, getting Hinrich doesn't mean more Tony Allen since TA would have to be traded to get Hinrich... unless you are willing to trade Ray for Hinrich + Salmons, which would be a terrible trade for us and would make us worse.

[PosImpos]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

[FatjohnReturns]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Trading Ray will only be a panic move to save Dannys job. The Rasheed signing and letting Powe walk were mistakes. Trading Ray at this point will not improve the team. So I hope a veteran team with a veteran coach can turn this thing around.

[Drucci]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Based on what?

[PosImpos]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Based on what?

Well, if you count a second round playoff exit as accomplishing something, then perhaps I'm wrong....

I'm not saying Danny should definitely trade Ray, because a worthwhile trade might not become available.  But I have serious doubts that this team will get farther than the second round as currently constructed.  Struggling mid-season is one thing, but this team has shown (for the majority of the season so far now) that whatever "it" is, they don't have it.

[Drucci]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Based on what?

Well, if you count a second round playoff exit as accomplishing something, then perhaps I'm wrong....

I'm not saying Danny should definitely trade Ray, because a worthwhile trade might not become available.  But I have serious doubts that this team will get farther than the second round as currently constructed.  Struggling mid-season is one thing, but this team has shown (for the majority of the season so far now) that whatever "it" is, they don't have it.

I meant "based on what?" about your conviction that this team will get bounced out early in the playoffs.

I agree that the team doesn't seem to have it. But like I said, I'm not giving up. You can't take only the good when there is bad and vice versa : sure, we are 1-8 against the Fakers, Orlando and Atlanta, but we did play very well and had a big lead for a half or more in every of these games, and most of them have been played in January, so it's not like we don't have any chance at all.

The Magic had an habit of blowing big leads last season and collapsing in the third quarter. They ended up in the Finals - they figured out their problems and, although they still had some collapses here and there, they went through adversity and overcame it. Our veteran team clearly can do that.

You don't suddenly lose talent or chemistry like that. I don't believe that. I don't know what's wrong with the team's mental "health" right now, and nobody seems to have the answers, but I still have hope they will figure it out and I trust them.

Trading Ray won't help our situation this season and in the next years considering what our options are in Ray trades scenarios.

I'd rather give this team a "last shot" this season with the current roster (plus a potential bench upgrade) than trading Ray now for the future, and a with a lot of uncertainty about this future.

Let's go to war with this roster, let's trust them and hope they figure it out, and see what happens. I know I won't have any regrets that way, while I would have a lot of regrets if we did trade Ray now.

Nothing shows that our current problems can be fixed in time but once again, mental struggles are easier to fix than lack of talent.

[wdleehi]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Trading Ray will only be a panic move to save Dannys job. The Rasheed signing and letting Powe walk were mistakes. Trading Ray at this point will not improve the team. So I hope a veteran team with a veteran coach can turn this thing around.

Has Powe played yet this year?  How would he have changed the Celtics up to this point?




No, do something.  Even if it is only exploring all trading options and deciding that the team in place is the best option. 

[Casperian]

It's too bad the trade deadline occurs the day of our game against the Lakers though, I think a win in LA would make Danny reconsider his position and avoid a panic move from his part. But if he wants to make some changes, he will have to make them before this game obviously, and there are not any more "big" games to evaluate our worth before this one.

Quite frankly, if Danny´s decisions depend on one game in February, wether it´s against the Lakers or the Clippers, he would be the wrong man as GM, in my humble opinion. If he makes a trade, then only with the bigger picture in mind.

[FatjohnReturns]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Trading Ray will only be a panic move to save Dannys job. The Rasheed signing and letting Powe walk were mistakes. Trading Ray at this point will not improve the team. So I hope a veteran team with a veteran coach can turn this thing around.

Has Powe played yet this year?  How would he have changed the Celtics up to this point?




No, do something.  Even if it is only exploring all trading options and deciding that the team in place is the best option. 

Well its only my humble opinion based on no facts. How the Celtics treated Leon this offseason has really drained the spirit of this team. Leon epidomized heart and desire and thats what we are really lacking right now. To me goes beyond just numbers its the fire inside to rise above challenges. Its a team pysche issue.  

[wdleehi]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Trading Ray will only be a panic move to save Dannys job. The Rasheed signing and letting Powe walk were mistakes. Trading Ray at this point will not improve the team. So I hope a veteran team with a veteran coach can turn this thing around.

Has Powe played yet this year?  How would he have changed the Celtics up to this point?




No, do something.  Even if it is only exploring all trading options and deciding that the team in place is the best option. 

Well its only my humble opinion based on no facts. How the Celtics treated Leon this offseason has really drained the spirit of this team. Leon epidomized heart and desire and thats what we are really lacking right now. To me goes beyond just numbers its the fire inside to rise above challenges. Its a team pysche issue.  

How weak minded is the rest of the team then? 


Powe was a nice bench player.  He was not a leader.  He was not a spiritual leader.  He was not a mascot. 

This team isn't demoralized.  It has been full of itself. 

[Fafnir]

If we do nothing, I think we'll most likely accomplish exactly that - nothing.

Trading Ray will only be a panic move to save Dannys job. The Rasheed signing and letting Powe walk were mistakes. Trading Ray at this point will not improve the team. So I hope a veteran team with a veteran coach can turn this thing around.

Has Powe played yet this year?  How would he have changed the Celtics up to this point?




No, do something.  Even if it is only exploring all trading options and deciding that the team in place is the best option. 

Well its only my humble opinion based on no facts. How the Celtics treated Leon this offseason has really drained the spirit of this team. Leon epidomized heart and desire and thats what we are really lacking right now. To me goes beyond just numbers its the fire inside to rise above challenges. Its a team pysche issue.  

How weak minded is the rest of the team then? 


Powe was a nice bench player.  He was not a leader.  He was not a spiritual leader.  He was not a mascot. 

This team isn't demoralized.  It has been full of itself. 

The problem isn't them being full of themselves.

The problem is KG is no longer a top 5 player in the league.