We are what we are. Lets go Celts!

[LarBrd33]

I was disappointed that we didn't make a move and I find myself somehow bored with the fact that tonight the Celtics are playing the Lakers.  I had to snap myself out of it.

Ray Allen was never "the problem".  Ray's a solid player with some game left in the tank.   I was pushing for trading Ray a bit earlier than the majority, but it was never about Ray.  It was just about the potential of moving his expiring contract for a young stud who was worth more than Ray (like Kevin Martin).  It was always a long shot.  Turns out, you need a bit more than an expiring contract to land a Kevin Martin (you need a Carl Landry level player as well) and a lot more to land a Caron Butler than an expiring contract (you need a Josh Howard).   No worries.  Danny gave it a shot. 

So we are what we are.  This team started off the season strong.  The reason we are failing had little to do with Ray.  It really mostly has to do with KG's health.  With him playing at a star level, we win a title.  With him on the team last year playing at a near star level, we were contenders.  Without him, we struggled to even beat the mediocre Bulls in the playoffs.  When we rattled off our 11 game win streak this year, KG was putting up 17 and 8 and shooting something like 70%.   Unfortunately, KG right now isn't KG.  KG right now is some 12 and 7 creeky old man who is hobbling up and down the court.  We look about the same as we did WITHOUT him last year (which is to say... a struggling team).   I will say it over and over again... Celtics without KG are the Spurs without Duncan.  If Duncan started hobbling around on one leg and putting up 11 points and 6 rebounds nightly... the spurs would stink too.

So lets just hope KG's "creeky old man" syndrome is just temporary.   No more "trade rumors" are hovering over this team.  Now they can just bond, regain their chemistry, do their end-of-season push ... and this team might actually be as much a contender as they were at the start of the season (assuming KG regains his mojo).

Lets go Celts!   

[Drucci]

Word. TP for this great post.

I really think the fact that the deadline and the trade rumors are now gone will help this team refocus and get back on track... starting tonight against the Fakers. Ray must be really relieved and I expect his production to go up.

[Gainesville Celtic]

I can back this... let's go get #18!!!!!

nice avatar Drucci... feel like i've seen it somewhere recently

[radiohead]

TP. Excellent post. This is a breath of fresh air with all the negativity and projections of doom in the other threads. This is the team that we will be going to war with, and win or lose, i'd still be behind them 100 percent. Celtic Pride.

[dark_lord]

hell yea!!!!  BEAT LA, BEAT LA

[Jon]

TP

I'm shocked at how many people are willing to throw in the towel.  There's no factual reason to think that KG can't improve.  Doesn't mean he will, but people act like he tore his ACL or something and is out for the season. 

I still like this team's chance.  They may not be what they were, but they still have them. 

[j804]

I was disappointed that we didn't make a move and I find myself somehow bored with the fact that tonight the Celtics are playing the Lakers.  I had to snap myself out of it.

Ray Allen was never "the problem".  Ray's a solid player with some game left in the tank.   I was pushing for trading Ray a bit earlier than the majority, but it was never about Ray.  It was just about the potential of moving his expiring contract for a young stud who was worth more than Ray (like Kevin Martin).  It was always a long shot.  Turns out, you need a bit more than an expiring contract to land a Kevin Martin (you need a Carl Landry level player as well) and a lot more to land a Caron Butler than an expiring contract (you need a Josh Howard).   No worries.  Danny gave it a shot. 

So we are what we are.  This team started off the season strong.  The reason we are failing had little to do with Ray.  It really mostly has to do with KG's health.  With him playing at a star level, we win a title.  With him on the team last year playing at a near star level, we were contenders.  Without him, we struggled to even beat the mediocre Bulls in the playoffs.  When we rattled off our 11 game win streak this year, KG was putting up 17 and 8 and shooting something like 70%.   Unfortunately, KG right now isn't KG.  KG right now is some 12 and 7 creeky old man who is hobbling up and down the court.  We look about the same as we did WITHOUT him last year (which is to say... a struggling team).   I will say it over and over again... Celtics without KG are the Spurs without Duncan.  If Duncan started hobbling around on one leg and putting up 11 points and 6 rebounds nightly... the spurs would stink too.

So lets just hope KG's "creeky old man" syndrome is just temporary.   No more "trade rumors" are hovering over this team.  Now they can just bond, regain their chemistry, do their end-of-season push ... and this team might actually be as much a contender as they were at the start of the season (assuming KG regains his mojo).

Lets go Celts!   

TP awesome post, breath of fresh air w all the negative threads

I have a feeling now the trade deadlines passed Rays going to explode tonight could be it GO C's