I just believe that many of us will always miss and love Kendrick. I am one of those.
I am sure that there will always be some that don't agree with the trade. That's ok, too.
I think that a "Good" trade is one that works out for both organizations, and IMO this is one of them. A trade between two successful organizations, one with a time-honored tradition, and one that is up-and-coming.
OKC needed one of the top defensive centers in the league to beef up their frontline against the likes of LA, and we needed that Clip 1st round pick, a TRUE Small Forward that could start one day soon AND FINALLY backup Paul Pierce (and KG in some instances). Boston also needed a decent replacement for Perk - and we got that in Nenad. He may not be known as a defensive stopper, but he has already shown good offensive skill, can rebound at a decent clip, and can certainly spread the floor.
Lord knows, I have waited for a Small Forward like this since Posey left, and with JG we now have that....and he's only 24 and WAS a starter on OKC. I can't count the numerous threads here in the Forums and on the Blog main page that kept asking Danny to acquire "A LASF" "Long, Athletic, SF"...I have seen so many options come up -
"Can we get Dorell Wright?" "Michael Pietrus?" "Grant Hill?", etc, etc...
Well, Jeff Green has all of those players beat, in one way or another.
And we got him.
I watched an interview with Kendrick on NBATV a few days after the Trade, and what he said sent a chill up my spine:
"Well, TO BE HONEST", he said, "I was thinking about OKC since last Summer."
There you go.
I think that fact that Danny had the courage to actually pull the trigger on such a trade in the middle of a playoff run and it affected TWO teams is what had KG and company and Perk in shock, at least temporarily.
Brilliant move by Danny.
Danny didn't send Perk to just ANY team.
He sent Perk to OKC - a Team and Organization with a very Bright future.
Some liar, right there.
I see a GM that is trying desperately to keep Boston viable, and at the same time maybe extend Paul, KG and Ray's window?
I think he is doing that. I would not be surprised to see Boston with a very similar record next year at this point - and it will be because of Delonte, JG, Nenad, Troy, Sasha, Glen (hopefully) and:
Danny.
Thanks, DA.
I know that the reality is that we may not be able to keep everyone after we win Banner 18 this June. But I'm sure we'll bring back most of those I listed.
But at least, for now? Danny has resurrected a bench that is very close to, if not succeeding, the bench we had in 2007-08.
Again - Thanks Danny. I bet that Doc is thanking him, too.