Post Trade Expectations: have they changed from earlier expectations?

[vinnie]

I thought it might be fun to have a thread where we can all post what might happen now that the trade has been made and whether our outlook has been changed.  Since I enjoy getting beaten about the head because I am a doomer and gloomer  .

I expect the Celtics to finish with the third seed and to lose to the Lakers in the finals.  The only change for me is that I initially thought they would finish with the second seed, but I think both Miami and Chicago will finish ahead of them as the Celtics integrate the new guys.

[amenhotep04]

All things being equal, that is, one of the O'Neal's being able to play effectively and the other teams to be healthy, I expect the Cs to be the number one seed, which I had them three before the trade.

I see Paul and Ray being a lot more rested for the playoffs. I don't think they run out of gas. The depth of the team is far more balanced now, and should only get better when we sign whomever in the next week or so.

As long as one of the O'Neal's can play effectively, we win it all this year. The biggest challenge is going to be Chicago, not Miami, nor the Lakers or Spurs.

[nba is the worst]

I think the C's still have an excellent chance at the #1 seed, for 2 reasons. First, because the heatles are embarking on an 11-gm stretch of all .500+ teams:
Knicks
Magic
@Spurs
Bulls
Blazers
Lakers
Memphis
Spurs
Thunder
@Hawks
Denver

Since they are 14-14 vs 500+ (which would change to 12-14 if the 76ers lose to the Cavs today), they shouldn't do better than 7-4 in these. Then they still have games vs 76ers, Celtics, and @Hawks and @Wizards left.

Then, you look at the Bulls road record (14-13), and their remaining schedule has 14 of their remaining 25 games on the road...

[gar]

Well getting Delonte back is huge. Beyond that is wrenching for both teams. Green and Perk were both a huge part of their respective teams. Personally, I think it is huge for the C's.

Given the Quis is done for the season (if not longer) which second unit to you prefer:

Nate Delonte Wafer BBD
or
Delonte Wafer Green BBD

Adding green we get far more than we loose. Kristic will hold his own. #1 pick is icing on the cake.

[Donoghus]

Nothing has changed.

Health is my only concern.  If they're healthy, they're winning the title. If they're not, they'll be hardpressed to get out of the east.

[vinnie]

Good post, NBA is worst. Nice little bit of research. Hope you are right!

[Roy H.]

I went from expecting that the Celts will win the championship, to thinking that they may win the championship. 

They still have a good chance, but I also think there's an increased chance now that they don't.  I guess I see the trade as high risk for a reward of minorly increased chances at a title.  A lower risk move would have been to trade for Anthony Parker, or pick up a guy like Rasual Butler.

[zerophase]

I'm not really worried about Miami as much as Chicago. Chicago is downright scary. Thibs has done an amazing job there. I also don't think the Spurs can beat the Lakers no matter how terrible they were against them during the regular season. The Lakers can just turn it on like we did last year. I think that after the trade we're going to finish 2nd in the conference.

[Celtics4ever]

I still expect us signing some buyouts assuming they happen.   If we get a big in that process I think we will be fine.  The Health issues scares me but if Shaq is good and Jermaine is good we sure as heck won't miss Perk.   Green adds a lot of scoring punch to the second unit and will provide us with a degree of flexibility.  Krstic is more mobile than Perk.  I think anyone would be helped by playing with KG.  He demands excellence and is a good help defender.  I think this will help Krstic.

Krstic is a better matchup against MIA.  The reason I think this is that he is better moving without the ball and a better scorer than Perk.  They don't have a punishing physical center so I am more worried about ORL and LA.  CHI definitely is dangerous but Krstic can match up with Noah.

It's only one game.  Our new guys looked ok without knowing the offense.  Perk clogged the lanes on defense but he also clogged them offensively.  I think eventually our offense will be more spread and it will be easier to score.

Perk was going to be lost for the next 2-3 weeks anyways.   

[incoherent]

We have KG, we are going to the Finals.

[j804]

If we face L.A. in the Finals we might be in trouble 

[droponov]

A lower risk move would have been to trade for Anthony Parker, or pick up a guy like Rasual Butler.

Parker and Butler don't add a lot (or anything at all) to what Delonte West and Von Wafer do. That would still be a crippled backcourt.

On the other hand, if the O'Neals (especially Jermaine) can play, Boston shouldn't lose much. Jermaine is an elite post defender, even Krstic is pretty good. The team's defense was still the best in the league without Perkins. There's always the risk of injuries, but I assume that's a very well calculated one.

[Drucci]

My only worry is if we meet L.A in the Finals because I'm not sure Green would be a huge asset then. However I don't expect the Lakers to go back to the Finals so... we will see.

Otherwise I think we now have a better chance of securing the #1 seed because we have real depth now along with more healthy bodies. And the outlook in the playoffs hasn't changed, I expected us to get back to the Finals (at least) and I still do.

[2short]

I don't see the lakers making the finals.  If they do we now have a MUCH better matchup for odom in green.  If we go into the playlets with two oneals and krstic healthy we will have some impressive bigs.  Notice how doc worked a kg at center lineup w green doing the posey pf bit?  I think we are a BIG matchup problem for other teams.  Our needs for buyouts should be big and sg or swingman.  If danny adds Murphy he can give us minutes and spread floor.  We need at least one long big.  Love our bench now so it can only get better.  As subs we will have krstic,dwest,green,jermaine and even Davis who have all been starters on previous teams this year or last, Davis gave us starter minutes.

[Dipper]

  With the additions of Green and Nenad (and more help to come I'm sure) we can lose anyone to injuries except KG and still win a title.