Pierce's thoughts on the deal

[Roy H.]

"You just hope [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] and Doc know what they're doing," said Pierce. "We put our trust in them, so it is what it is. We can't use any excuses and cry over spilled milk. So, hopefully the guys we have coming in understand what we're trying to do around here. It's still a championship goal."

"To me, [chemistry is] everything," said Pierce. "It doesn't matter what type of talent you bring in or what type of talent you have on your ball club; people underrate what chemistry brings.

"This is one of the tightest units, one of the most together teams that you could probably think of, especially because we've been together for so many years, it's just a number of things. How we roll on the plane, in the hotel, the camaraderie that we've been able to gather over the years. And, when you lose that, it's tough. So, hopefully we can integrate the guys that we've got coming in and they can pick up things pretty quickly and make the adjustment [in] lifestyle to just how we are off the court."

Who knew that I was channeling Paul Pierce when I wrote my article for the front page?

Link.

[BudweiserCeltic]

By his estimation a team shouldn't try to improve a team through trade because chemistry will always be messed up. Chemistry is a risk, but you don't hold off on trying to improve a team because of it. That's how teams get stuck.

[Redz]

A whole lot of measured undertones there.  But he's right...what are you gonna do about it, except work with what you've got.  As he said, hopefully the new guys "get it".

[Chris]

That is about what I expected.  These guys are hurt and in shock.  Once they have a chance to meet the new guys, and had the wound heal a bit, then I am sure they will feel differently.

[Roy H.]

KG:

"We lost Semih, we lost Luke -- 'Quis, obviously," said Garnett before taking a long pause. "It's a tough day. A tough day.

"You made these connections with these guys; you get to know one another. We're not just one of these teams that just talk about hanging out. Man, our whole team hangs out. If you see one of us, it's like 11, if not 12, 13 or 14 around the corner. Hell, [Celtics media relations czar Jeff] Twiss might even be right there with us.

"That's how we are. We were taught that from the minute we got together. That's the formula that works. That's why we've been able to be successful with that formula. The chemistry on the court, it's something like the chemistry off the court. Today was a really difficult day."

Rondo declined to talk with reporters, but his play last night showed how he was feeling.

[Bankshot]

I disagree with Pierce on this point:

"It doesn't matter what type of talent you bring in or what type of talent you have on your ball club; people underrate what chemistry brings."

Talent absolutely does matter.

[pearljammer10]

This is exactly the same thinking as me. This trade goes beyond the basketball court. Perk and the starting five can probably beat most teams with their eyes closed (slight exaggeration) they know where each other are, they know what to do, they can yell at each other and take it in a positive way to help the team out...

But their bond off the court really tightens up that brotherhood feeling on the court. So Perk having Rondo in his wedding party, being best friends with all these guys in the Boston area and fitting in with these veterans off the court really has a huge impact on that trust and committment factor. It might not be that easy to replace your brother with a 23 year old trying to make a name for himself. He could easily be quickly outcast by a team like this if things dont work out right from the start. If he becomes and outcast and cant fit in with this teams off the court swagger, that is going to greatly disrupt chemistry on the court which I am worried about.

[Edgar]

Wait that Jeff Green start helping them
and then they will love him.

In other news is not bad they get a run for the position and time
or it is?

[Greenbean]

Chemistry is key.

The good news is that by all accounts, Jeff Green is a great guy and a fierce competitor.

And Krstic throws chairs at opponents. Maybe that will replace some of Perk's enforcer nastiness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9O9FjX5ewM&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

[Roy H.]

The one thing that every opposing player (Wade, Howard, Lebron, etc.) talked about in regard to the Celtics was our cohesion/chemistry.  I think there's something to that, which is why the reaction around the league is that we made a mistake here.

[BudweiserCeltic]

This is always what happens until the new guys get in here to start filling the shoes, or out growing them.

[footey]

KG:

"We lost Semih, we lost Luke -- 'Quis, obviously," said Garnett before taking a long pause. "It's a tough day. A tough day.

"You made these connections with these guys; you get to know one another. We're not just one of these teams that just talk about hanging out. Man, our whole team hangs out. If you see one of us, it's like 11, if not 12, 13 or 14 around the corner. Hell, [Celtics media relations czar Jeff] Twiss might even be right there with us.

"That's how we are. We were taught that from the minute we got together. That's the formula that works. That's why we've been able to be successful with that formula. The chemistry on the court, it's something like the chemistry off the court. Today was a really difficult day."

Rondo declined to talk with reporters, but his play last night showed how he was feeling.

Yeah, Rondo looked sad last night, and played that way.Like his mind was elsewhere. Perk was one of his best friends, in his wedding party even (or was it the other way around, I forget).

[incoherent]

All of Paul's quotes are directly related to the locker room... The chemistry on the court is still there.

Want proof of our chemistry without Perkins? Look at the standings.

[rav123]

KG:

"We lost Semih, we lost Luke -- 'Quis, obviously," said Garnett before taking a long pause. "It's a tough day. A tough day.

"You made these connections with these guys; you get to know one another. We're not just one of these teams that just talk about hanging out. Man, our whole team hangs out. If you see one of us, it's like 11, if not 12, 13 or 14 around the corner. Hell, [Celtics media relations czar Jeff] Twiss might even be right there with us.

"That's how we are. We were taught that from the minute we got together. That's the formula that works. That's why we've been able to be successful with that formula. The chemistry on the court, it's something like the chemistry off the court. Today was a really difficult day."

Rondo declined to talk with reporters, but his play last night showed how he was feeling.

I'll give the guys a couple of games to feel sad that they lost a dear friend and a good teammate. I'll expect them to get over it soon though.

If your best friend at work gets transferred, you're not going to get a pass for doing shoddy work, are you? These guys are professionals, and I hope they deal with this situation as such.

[garz]

It's not like the whole team was blown up. This team is the same team with the same identity and they will incorporate the new players in to it. The new players can not disrupt anything because the identity of this team is too strong.

As long as KG is there with Pierce and Allen, and Doc who all see eye to eye.. Perk was one of the youngsters who looked up to the veterans.