Hollinger on the C's Trade

[Bankshot]

Can someone who has insider be kind enough to post what Hollinger says about the Celtics trade for Robinson?  I would appreciate it. 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=TradeGrades-100218&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dhollinger_john%26page%3dTradeGrades-100218

[BudweiserCeltic]

B+ from him, give me a sec to hunt down what he said specifically.

Knicks: Well, they made lemonade. Robinson was gone after the season and the Knicks' playoff hopes are toast (a nice, round 0.0 percent, according to today's Playoff Odds), so the best thing left to do was parlay him into some kind of asset, however meager. New York gets a free look at House, Giddens and Walker before deciding whether to resign any of the three next season; Walker, with a player option for $854,389, is particularly enticing because the Knicks will have to fill out their roster with minimum-level contracts if their dream scenario of signing two max free agents comes to fruition. New York also might try to keep House if he plays well, as his shooting ability should translate well into coach Mike D'Antoni's system. Grade: C+

Celtics: This was something of an emergency deal, given that the Celtics were desperate for more scoring and House wasn't delivering at his 2008-09 level, but Boston traded three players for which it didn't have plans so as to acquire a potential playoff difference-maker in Robinson. Say what you want about him, he can fill it up: He averages 21.7 points per 40 minutes, which is more than any current Celtic, and he does it with solid percentages. Obviously, there are drawbacks to employing Robinson. He hasn't been big on things like defense and discipline, which have been the Celtics' calling cards in recent years, and his tendency to dominate the ball could ruffle some feathers. However, this is a risk worth taking for Boston. The Celtics desperately need the infusion of energy, athleticism and scoring that Robinson provides, even if it comes with some negatives. They weren't getting out of the second round if they stood pat; now they might have a fighting chance against the likes of Orlando and Atlanta. Grade: B+

[Kwhit10]

Here is just the Celtics part.

Celtics: This was something of an emergency deal, given that the Celtics were desperate for more scoring and House wasn't delivering at his 2008-09 level, but Boston traded three players for which it didn't have plans so as to acquire a potential playoff difference-maker in Robinson. Say what you want about him, he can fill it up: He averages 21.7 points per 40 minutes, which is more than any current Celtic, and he does it with solid percentages. Obviously, there are drawbacks to employing Robinson. He hasn't been big on things like defense and discipline, which have been the Celtics' calling cards in recent years, and his tendency to dominate the ball could ruffle some feathers. However, this is a risk worth taking for Boston. The Celtics desperately need the infusion of energy, athleticism and scoring that Robinson provides, even if it comes with some negatives. They weren't getting out of the second round if they stood pat; now they might have a fighting chance against the likes of Orlando and Atlanta. Grade: B+

[Cman]

I tend to agree with his analysis.
Low risk for the Cs.  Potential high payoff.

By the way, anyone notice a pattern here?
(Marbury last year, Nate this year... maybe we can finally address the backup PG spot this next offseason).

[BudweiserCeltic]

I tend to agree with his analysis.
Low risk for the Cs.  Potential high payoff.

By the way, anyone notice a pattern here?
(Marbury last year, Nate this year... maybe we can finally address the backup PG spot this next offseason).

I think having Eddie House around, really limited us in our pursue for a real back-up PG. I don't think this will be an issue any longer.

[Edgar]

I tend to agree with his analysis.
Low risk for the Cs.  Potential high payoff.

By the way, anyone notice a pattern here?
(Marbury last year, Nate this year... maybe we can finally address the backup PG spot this next offseason).

I think having Eddie House around, really limited us in our pursue for a real back-up PG. I don't think this will be an issue any longer.

Yes Nate is totally tradable for a backup point
I am thining Andre Miller.... Yummy......

[moiso]

Finally our backup point guard isn't washed up and over the hill like Cassell and Marbury.  I'm hoping Nate steals some of Wallace's shots.  He was pathetic last night and it seemed like Doug Collins was in love with him.

[sk7326]

I tend to agree with his analysis.
Low risk for the Cs.  Potential high payoff.

By the way, anyone notice a pattern here?
(Marbury last year, Nate this year... maybe we can finally address the backup PG spot this next offseason).

I think having Eddie House around, really limited us in our pursue for a real back-up PG. I don't think this will be an issue any longer.

But also - backup to Rondo is a 12 minute a night position.  Which is why the Celtics have been slow in finding a full time guy.  If a roster spot can be used for a rotation quality big or a backup PG the former is still a better idea. 

[Bankshot]

Thanks for posting. tp.

[cordialb]

Finally our backup point guard isn't washed up and over the hill like Cassell and Marbury.  I'm hoping Nate steals some of Wallace's shots.  He was pathetic last night and it seemed like Doug Collins was in love with him.

Honestly, while i love eddie, the biggest advantage of this trade is it replaces a shooter with an athletic driver and creator that fits much better with sheed staying outside and shooting so much.

[Donoghus]

I think the need for a backup PG is pretty overrated here.  

Rondo is already on the court for a majority of the time and his minutes are only going to go up come playoff time.  There is a very limited stretch of minutes where someone else will be running the point.  'Quis is pretty competent enough to do it for small minutes.  Heck, for a couple of minutes you can have anyone from Ray to Tony to Pierce bringing up the ball.

The need is an overblown problem right now.  In the future?  Sure, if they want a low cost backup, go ahead.  I just don't see it as a necessity with the current personel.

[moiso]

Finally our backup point guard isn't washed up and over the hill like Cassell and Marbury.  I'm hoping Nate steals some of Wallace's shots.  He was pathetic last night and it seemed like Doug Collins was in love with him.

Honestly, while i love eddie, the biggest advantage of this trade is it replaces a shooter with an athletic driver and creator that fits much better with sheed staying outside and shooting so much.

Athletic driver and creator.  Exactly.  I'm excited to have another player who can put pressure on the defense instead of standing and shooting.  Basically Rondo has been the only guy on the team who collapses defenses to this point.

[2short]

Think of it this way:
Doc: Rajon now that we have Nate I want you to play as hard as you can and DOMINATE defensively, we can give you a breather now
Nate:thats right I can play more than 8 minutes like sam or marbury
Rondo: wow that would be great our defense can start with an inbounds pass and the shot clock will be down before other team can get into their offense, this will make a difference!

[dasandruler]

these teams were playing hardball this deadline, ask phoenix and washington.  looking to fleece you for talent.  even if it doesnt work, I like the deal for nate on principle: youth,athleticism,pg ability and can get hot like good ray.  I think dannyboy had his guns out with no target to hit.  seems like teams had agendas other than trading with da green. 

[Brendan]

I like the Rondo / Nate PG rotation. Generally its easier to get a higher level of talent into the rotation with two or three bench guys that can play multiple roles, but for whatever reason it's not Doc's style.

With Daniels not covering PG - hopefully his minutes at the wings (or Tony Allen's when he is injured) will give Pierce and R. Allen more rest.

The team still depends on Garnett getting back to 2008 form if they are going to get anywhere in the playoffs. BBD and Sheed are really disappointing.

I really wish Powe hadn't got hurt last year.