Poll: Has your opinion of the trade changed since it occurred?

[mgent]

I've always thought that Danny won the trade "on paper", but thought -- and still think -- that he underestimated the importance of chemistry and the difficulty of working new players into our rotation (especially on the defensive end).  I'm still in that boat.

Has your thoughts on chemistry changed at all seeing the C's pass the ball around like mad men with Krystic and Green in the lineup, finding the open man. Rondo ally-oop to Green on fast breaks.  Chemistry seems like it's already there, too me. 

Doesn't it at least look like the chemistry is starting to build already and that is translating to really good play on the court.

No, I'm not convinced yet, at least in terms of cohesion.  The defense has looked downright bad at times, which is to be expected when integrating new guys and when others are hurt.  When the team is playing defense at a championship level again, I'll be convinced.

I'm not trying to be a spoil sport, but at the same time I think it will be a long time until we can evaluate this trade.  I like Jeff Green as a 6th man; I'm not all that enamored with Krstic at the moment (at least not as much as many fans), but I'll like him better in a bench role, I think. 

Frankly, I don't think the team is good enough to win a championship with Nenad Krstic as our starting center.  As has always been the case, I think that if Shaq can step up and fill Perk's role -- like he did for a lot of the season, especially early -- we'll be fine, and if he can't, we won't.

It doesn't matter if you've got Murphy, Krstic, JO, Shaq, Big Baby, or Jeff Green with the starters we're never gonna have the same defense with any of those guys as we did with Perk.

That goes for his own man as well as help D (although Baby has significantly improved on the latter).  This doesn't mean Shaq can't help us as much with his offense but a lot of people are underrating the defense we lost in Perk.

[Roy H.]

I've always thought that Danny won the trade "on paper", but thought -- and still think -- that he underestimated the importance of chemistry and the difficulty of working new players into our rotation (especially on the defensive end).  I'm still in that boat.

Has your thoughts on chemistry changed at all seeing the C's pass the ball around like mad men with Krystic and Green in the lineup, finding the open man. Rondo ally-oop to Green on fast breaks.  Chemistry seems like it's already there, too me. 

Doesn't it at least look like the chemistry is starting to build already and that is translating to really good play on the court.

No, I'm not convinced yet, at least in terms of cohesion.  The defense has looked downright bad at times, which is to be expected when integrating new guys and when others are hurt.  When the team is playing defense at a championship level again, I'll be convinced.

I'm not trying to be a spoil sport, but at the same time I think it will be a long time until we can evaluate this trade.  I like Jeff Green as a 6th man; I'm not all that enamored with Krstic at the moment (at least not as much as many fans), but I'll like him better in a bench role, I think. 

Frankly, I don't think the team is good enough to win a championship with Nenad Krstic as our starting center.  As has always been the case, I think that if Shaq can step up and fill Perk's role -- like he did for a lot of the season, especially early -- we'll be fine, and if he can't, we won't.

It doesn't matter if you've got Murphy, Krstic, JO, Shaq, Big Baby, or Jeff Green with the starters we're never gonna have the same defense with any of those guys as we did with Perk.

That goes for his own man as well as help D (although Baby has significantly improved on the latter).  This doesn't mean Shaq can't help us as much with his offense but a lot of people are underrating the defense we lost in Perk.

The defense doesn't necessarily have to be as good.  Rather, it needs to be good enough to shut down opponents and to impose its will on teams.  I think that if we're hoping to win games in the playoffs 107 - 103, we're screwed. 

However, if the team can find its defensive identity again (beyond just that of the starters), the trade has a good chance of working out.  Defense + rebounding win championships, and we're going to need both to win this year.

[birdwatcher]

I Liked it then and still do. I was admittedly shocked when it happened. I loved Perk, especially as a role player, but not a mainstay. I've always felt he'd be exposed a bit playing without KG (when he leaves) who is still a legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Also, I looked at the body of work this season and realized that we won 33 games without Perk (now 40?), sometimes without Shaq and JO. We were winning with just Semih & BBD, so what's the difference? Even though we gave up defense, we still have length and now we have a guy who other centers will have to step out and guard.

As an aside, I hope this thread doesn't start another anti/pro Perk battle-it's getting tired.

[barefacedmonk]

Hated it...but unsure now. Depends on how well the guys fit in our system.

[birdwatcher]

I've always thought that Danny won the trade "on paper", but thought -- and still think -- that he underestimated the importance of chemistry and the difficulty of working new players into our rotation (especially on the defensive end).  I'm still in that boat.

Has your thoughts on chemistry changed at all seeing the C's pass the ball around like mad men with Krystic and Green in the lineup, finding the open man. Rondo ally-oop to Green on fast breaks.  Chemistry seems like it's already there, too me. 

Doesn't it at least look like the chemistry is starting to build already and that is translating to really good play on the court.

No, I'm not convinced yet, at least in terms of cohesion.  The defense has looked downright bad at times, which is to be expected when integrating new guys and when others are hurt.  When the team is playing defense at a championship level again, I'll be convinced.

I'm not trying to be a spoil sport, but at the same time I think it will be a long time until we can evaluate this trade.  I like Jeff Green as a 6th man; I'm not all that enamored with Krstic at the moment (at least not as much as many fans), but I'll like him better in a bench role, I think. 

Frankly, I don't think the team is good enough to win a championship with Nenad Krstic as our starting center.  As has always been the case, I think that if Shaq can step up and fill Perk's role -- like he did for a lot of the season, especially early -- we'll be fine, and if he can't, we won't.

It doesn't matter if you've got Murphy, Krstic, JO, Shaq, Big Baby, or Jeff Green with the starters we're never gonna have the same defense with any of those guys as we did with Perk.

That goes for his own man as well as help D (although Baby has significantly improved on the latter).  This doesn't mean Shaq can't help us as much with his offense but a lot of people are underrating the defense we lost in Perk.

The defense doesn't necessarily have to be as good.  Rather, it needs to be good enough to shut down opponents and to impose its will on teams.  I think that if we're hoping to win games in the playoffs 107 - 103, we're screwed. 

However, if the team can find its defensive identity again (beyond just that of the starters), the trade has a good chance of working out.  Defense + rebounding win championships, and we're going to need both to win this year.

Don't you think the second unit's defense will improve when we get a couple of the core second unit guys back, like Delonte & Baby? I also think the chemistry is a bit off because of all the different lineups Doc is trying out. What did you think of the Starting 4 + Green? Do you see the potential in going small?

[GreenFaith1819]

I Liked it then and still do. I was admittedly shocked when it happened. I loved Perk, especially as a role player, but not a mainstay. I've always felt he'd be exposed a bit playing without KG (when he leaves) who is still a legit Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Also, I looked at the body of work this season and realized that we won 33 games without Perk (now 40?), sometimes without Shaq and JO. We were winning with just Semih & BBD, so what's the difference? Even though we gave up defense, we still have length and now we have a guy who other centers will have to step out and guard.

As an aside, I hope this thread doesn't start another anti/pro Perk battle-it's getting tired.

And see...this is exactly what I fear with Perk - what you said in your 4th sentence:

"I've always felt that he'd be exposed a bit, playing without KG....."

I really love Ibaka's upside, but he is in no shape or form the Defensive Talker like KG is. He may have athleticism that's out of this world, but that alone may not help OKC VS The wiley vet Duncan, or Gasol or Odom - especially Gasol.

We'll see, but as as much as I loved what Perk did for us, The Garnett Effect will be missed.

[incoherent]

I have to keep thinking that Perk wouldn't be able to give us what we needed this year, based on his injuries.  

I have to believe Danny's word, that Perk wasn't the old Perk.

If I don't believe that then I don't believe in this trade.

That said; 21 points off the bench gives me some hope, regardless.

[cman88]

yes, it has changed my mind. the 2nd unit had a problem with scoring as well as injuries...while we still dont have a fully healthy 2nd unit(with delonte, baby out) I can see the optential once they are healthy....delonte, Green, baby are going to be the core of that...and kristic isnt too shabby either to split minutes with Shaq/JO in the playoffs. actually, i thought hes been phenominal...while I dont expect green to give us 21points everynight, it seems hes starting to find his comfort level and he should be able to hopefully give us 10ppg.

danny faced going into the most important last 3rd of the season and possibly in the playoffs with a 6man rotation, overplaying our starters.. now we have a solid healthy bench for our starters to rest upon

[guava_wrench]

I've always thought that Danny won the trade "on paper", but thought -- and still think -- that he underestimated the importance of chemistry and the difficulty of working new players into our rotation (especially on the defensive end).  I'm still in that boat.

Has your thoughts on chemistry changed at all seeing the C's pass the ball around like mad men with Krystic and Green in the lineup, finding the open man. Rondo ally-oop to Green on fast breaks.  Chemistry seems like it's already there, too me. 

Doesn't it at least look like the chemistry is starting to build already and that is translating to really good play on the court.

No, I'm not convinced yet, at least in terms of cohesion.  The defense has looked downright bad at times, which is to be expected when integrating new guys and when others are hurt.  When the team is playing defense at a championship level again, I'll be convinced.

I'm not trying to be a spoil sport, but at the same time I think it will be a long time until we can evaluate this trade.  I like Jeff Green as a 6th man; I'm not all that enamored with Krstic at the moment (at least not as much as many fans), but I'll like him better in a bench role, I think. 

Frankly, I don't think the team is good enough to win a championship with Nenad Krstic as our starting center.  As has always been the case, I think that if Shaq can step up and fill Perk's role -- like he did for a lot of the season, especially early -- we'll be fine, and if he can't, we won't.

It doesn't matter if you've got Murphy, Krstic, JO, Shaq, Big Baby, or Jeff Green with the starters we're never gonna have the same defense with any of those guys as we did with Perk.

That goes for his own man as well as help D (although Baby has significantly improved on the latter).  This doesn't mean Shaq can't help us as much with his offense but a lot of people are underrating the defense we lost in Perk.

People also need to remember that we don't have to be the same defense. There have been plenty of great defenses that did not have Perkins. (Nevermind the question of whether Perk would be healthy for the playoffs)

[wdleehi]

Same opinion.



I do not like the trade. 



Size is what wins titles.   That's why the Celtics went out in the off season and added all that size. 



Murphy and Kristic may be big guys, but they are not what I would call big guys on defense. 



Until we see Shaq and JO healthy in the playoffs, I am not happy with the trade. 

[JSD]

I've been and still am in support of this move. I believe chemistry is a product of the culture which starts at the top and trickles down, so that aspect was never a concern for me. I also believe that KG's D talents added to Perks allure. Danny sold high in my opinion.

[CelticSooner]

Neutral and am still neutral. The C's probably can get through the East without Shaq and JO being 100%. Finals against Dallas, or San Antonio probably the same. If it's LA though, we've got problems.

[GreenEnvy]

I was more in shock than disappointed when it happened.

Now I still miss Perk but I love this team going forward, considering we got two more capable centers (three if JO is healthy) and filled the void that 'Quis's injury left.

We have a better 5-15 now than we did a month ago.

[vinnie]

Shaq and JO will not be healthy enough to play a big role in the playoffs. There will be no interior defense. Perk would have provided that.

[Megatron]

Shaq and JO will not be healthy enough to play a big role in the playoffs. There will be no interior defense. Perk would have provided that.

Shaq and JO wont be playing much in the first round of the playoffs.

I think they can stay realatively healthy for 16 or so games.