Post Trade Expectations: have they changed from earlier expectations?

[European NBA fan]

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.   

* Agrees with all of the above.

One thing, I'm still missing is a lockdown defender on the 2nd unit. Quis wasn't that spectacular, but he was like glue on his man, and according to statistics (sorry, can't find the link) he is one of the most effective defenders in the league. I hope he gets a buyout and will be healthy to join us again. But otherwise, we need someone who can stick to LeBron etc. so our starters don't need to get in foul trouble.

My biggest concern in the West is the Spurs. They know how to step up, too. They haven't played defense at their usual intensity, and they are still winning all their games. Maybe they really have changed to an offense minded team, but I wouldn't count on that with Pop in charge.

[fairweatherfan]

The first game was never gonna tell us much, but I think we at least learned that Krstic is no stiff, although he was a bit foul-prone.  We may have lost something up front, but our depth isn't significantly worse. 

Green seemed a bit tentative and unfamiliar with the plays, which is understandable, but the size and athleticism were there.  I miss Perk but I'm glad we've gotten an injection of youth and talent at the wing. 

Oh, and I don't expect to miss Nate Robinson all season  .  Sorry buddy, you were a good guy but you were giving us nothing this year.

[PosImpos]

I expect the Celtics to finish with the second seed and face the Spurs in the Finals.  I'm not sure what happens in the Finals.

[SAMnMAX]

Expectations?

[Roy H.]

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.

They can play defense against small forwards.

[Drucci]

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.

They can play defense against small forwards.

Parker is cooked and would have been killed by LeBron or Deng.

[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.

They can play defense against small forwards.

I disagree. Butler defends SGs, smaller wings, well but he's poor versus SFs. Parker was a good defender for the last time a couple of seasons ago but he was always a liability versus bigger wings. Lack of the size advantage that makes them effective defenders at the 2.

[greg_kite]

  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.

I agree, but I think you might need to add Rondo to that.

I also think that even with Perk, I would only consider the Celtics a favorite to beat the Lakers if Shaq was/is healthy.  They could still beat them but it would be much easier with a healthy Shaq.  With Perk or Nenad (or J.O.) backing him up.

[hpantazo]

  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.

I agree, but I think you might need to add Rondo to that.

I also think that even with Perk, I would only consider the Celtics a favorite to beat the Lakers if Shaq was/is healthy.  They could still beat them but it would be much easier with a healthy Shaq.  With Perk or Nenad (or J.O.) backing him up.

Rondo is a huge part of the team success for sure, but now with Delonte, I wouldn't say that we can't win it without Rondo. KG is the only guy that would kill our chances if he goes down.

[BballTim]

  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.

I agree, but I think you might need to add Rondo to that.

I also think that even with Perk, I would only consider the Celtics a favorite to beat the Lakers if Shaq was/is healthy.  They could still beat them but it would be much easier with a healthy Shaq.  With Perk or Nenad (or J.O.) backing him up.

Rondo is a huge part of the team success for sure, but now with Delonte, I wouldn't say that we can't win it without Rondo. KG is the only guy that would kill our chances if he goes down.

  Two years ago Rondo and Baby weren't anywhere near the players they are now and we almost got past Orlando with a bench of House, Marbury, Scal and Mikki Moore. We can probably do as well with 40 minutes a game with Baby as we can with 40 minutes a game from Delonte.

[vinnie]

  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.

I agree, but I think you might need to add Rondo to that.

I also think that even with Perk, I would only consider the Celtics a favorite to beat the Lakers if Shaq was/is healthy.  They could still beat them but it would be much easier with a healthy Shaq.  With Perk or Nenad (or J.O.) backing him up.

Rondo is a huge part of the team success for sure, but now with Delonte, I wouldn't say that we can't win it without Rondo. KG is the only guy that would kill our chances if he goes down.

Without Rondo, the team might get out of the second round.

[BballTim]

  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.

I agree, but I think you might need to add Rondo to that.

I also think that even with Perk, I would only consider the Celtics a favorite to beat the Lakers if Shaq was/is healthy.  They could still beat them but it would be much easier with a healthy Shaq.  With Perk or Nenad (or J.O.) backing him up.

Rondo is a huge part of the team success for sure, but now with Delonte, I wouldn't say that we can't win it without Rondo. KG is the only guy that would kill our chances if he goes down.

Without Rondo, the team might get out of the second round.

  If Leon Powe hadn't blown out his knee the team probably would have without KG.

[CelticSooner]

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.

Exactly how I feel. Ainge gambled on the O'Neals staying healthy, hopefully it's a winner.

[LarryForThree]

Currently Celtics 42-15 #1 Seed

58   Monday, February 28   @ Utah Jazz  WIN
59   Wednesday, March 2   Phoenix Suns WIN
60   Friday, March 4           Golden State WIN
61   Sunday, March 6           @ Milwaukee WIN
62   Wednesday, March 9   Los Angeles WIN   
63   Friday, March 11   @ Philadelphia WIN
64   Sunday, March 13   Milwaukee WIN
65   Monday, March 14   @ New Jersey LOSS   
66   Wednesday, March 16   Indiana WIN   
67   Friday, March 18   @ Houston Rockets LOSS   
68   Saturday, March 19   @ New Orleans LOSS   
69   Monday, March 21   @ New York LOSS
70   Wednesday, March 23   Memphis WIN
71   Friday, March 25   Charlotte WIN
72   Sunday, March 27   @ Minnesota WIN
73   Monday, March 28   @ Indiana WIN   
74   Thursday, March 31   @ San Antonio LOSS
75   Friday, April 1           @Atlanta LOSS
76   Sunday, April 3           Detroit WIN   
77   Tuesday, April 5   Philadelphia WIN   
78   Thursday, April 7   @ Chicago LOSS
79   Friday, April 8           Washington WIN   
80   Sunday, April 10   @ Miami LOSS
81   Monday, April 11   @ Washington WIN
82   Wednesday, April 13   New York WIN

17-8 their final 25 games giving them a 59-23 record and the number #2 seed. They'll beat Phil the 7th seed in the 1st round and then unfortunately they lose to the Bulls in the second round.

The got further than they should have last year and now it'll be the reverse this year with injuries/bad luck/bad plays in the playoffs that keep them from getting as far as they should've this year.

[barefacedmonk]

17-8 their final 25 games giving them a 59-23 record and the number #2 seed. They beat Phil who are the 7th seed and then unfortunately they lose to the Bulls in the second round.

The got further than they should have last year and now it'll be the reverse this year with injuries/bad luck/bad plays in the playoffs that keep them from getting as far as they should've this year.

I don't understand...You're saying we'll win against Philly in the first round and will be eliminated in the 2nd round by Chicago?