The trade has killed this team

[vinnie]

While the starters are a big problem, much of the time they are on the court, both green and krstic almost look afraid to be out there. I have not seen many big guys as passive as green.

[bbd24]

While the starters are a big problem, much of the time they are on the court, both green and krstic almost look afraid to be out there. I have not seen many big guys as passive as green.

I think that is common.  Their brand new.  New team, new place, new system.  This isn't a overnight process. It will take time.  People want to murder these players like they stink, yet won't give them an opportunity to get their feet wet.  With no practice time, their thrown into the fire.  They can't be comfortable.  I think we need to give it time for these players.

Right now, the core 4 has to play better from what I've seen.  Especially Rajon.   I have no doubt he'll play better, but right now he flat out stinks out there.  Holding the ball, dribbling too long, waiting for things to develop....instead of being the playmaker we know he can be.

[winsomme]

 I don't know. I'm sure that they hoped he'd help, but I'd say they made the trade to get him on the roster long term and they'd still have likely made the trade if they weren't sure that he'd play any meaningful minutes in the playoffs this year.

honestly, that's absurd. They are a major player in the WC and they traded two starters to get him.

are you even watching OKC play? This trade made them an instant contender.

  Are you watching them play? They've won 7 of 8 with Perk, but they'd won 6 of 7 before he started playing. And "absurd" doesn't mean "doesn't fit my argument". Did Presti say that they were more interested in having Perk this year than in the future? Did he say that he wouldn't have made the trade if he wasn't sure that Perk would be a big contributor this year?

you're talking in circles, Bball. It's clearly both, not either/or...

The idea that a top WC team would trade two starters mid-season and not expect the player they get in return to play in that season is absurd.

I never said Presti didn't want Perk for the future, but he also was trading for him to play in this season....and in that respect he looked at Perk's health and believed he would be fine.

[GrandTheftRondo]

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[vinnie]

10-8 since the trade.

[Roy H.]

10-8 since the trade.

Yeah, but going up against powerhouses like the Clippers, Bobcats, and Pacers, what can you expect?

[Chris]

10-8 since the trade.

And last year they went 16-14 after the deadline...

[vinnie]

10-8 since the trade.

And last year they went 16-14 after the deadline...

As I have written elsewhere tonight, since they are going to repeat what they did last year, then they might as well lose very game the rest of the year so they can lock up the 4th seed. I will add again, that Doc has said several times that this year is far different than last year. Last year they were not trying to integrate new players and injured players who missed most of the year into the lineup with the core four. In my opinion, that in the end is what will likely derail this team from going all the way.

[dlpin]

As I have written elsewhere tonight, since they are going to repeat what they did last year, then they might as well lose very game the rest of the year so they can lock up the 4th seed. I will add again, that Doc has said several times that this year is far different than last year. Last year they were not trying to integrate new players and injured players who missed most of the year into the lineup with the core four. In my opinion, that in the end is what will likely derail this team from going all the way.

I am sorry, but do you really think Doc would come out and say "yes, just like last year we don't care about the regular season?" That he would come out and really essentially torpedo the team's marketing efforts by confirming that they aren't putting in the effort?

[vinnie]

As I have written elsewhere tonight, since they are going to repeat what they did last year, then they might as well lose very game the rest of the year so they can lock up the 4th seed. I will add again, that Doc has said several times that this year is far different than last year. Last year they were not trying to integrate new players and injured players who missed most of the year into the lineup with the core four. In my opinion, that in the end is what will likely derail this team from going all the way.

I am sorry, but do you really think Doc would come out and say "yes, just like last year we don't care about the regular season?" That he would come out and really essentially torpedo the team's marketing efforts by confirming that they aren't putting in the effort?

Doc never called the team soft or selfish last year. But what does it matter, anyway? They should simply lose every game and finish fourth so they can repeat what happened last year.

[dlpin]

Doc never called the team soft or selfish last year. But what does it matter, anyway? They should simply lose every game and finish fourth so they can repeat what happened last year.

I guess you missed all the articles by McMullan and others where they quoted players as being absolutely puzzled and frustrated with each other, how chemistry was all messed up, how everyone hated rondo...

[PosImpos]

All of the same issues that sunk this team last year (when Perk was around) are cropping up again.

It's really difficult for me to blame our struggles on the loss of Perk.

If the team were losing because their defense had become considerably worse, I would have more reason to agree.  As it is, our defensive rating is about the same as it has been most of the year.  Our offense is just stagnant, uncreative, and overly dependent on jumpshots.  We have no inside scoring presence.  The team runs out of gas in the 2nd and 4th quarters.  These are not problems with which Perk (or Nate) would help us.

[kozlodoev]

10-8 since the trade.

Yeah, but going up against powerhouses like the Clippers, Bobcats, and Pacers, what can you expect?

Clearly, to dominate behemoths like these we need Perk's titanic inside scoring prowess. The trade killed this team!

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, I miss Perk, but I think that as soon as next year - when we play OKC again - Perk will become our enemy.

I'm sure there will be pre-game hugs and such - but once that ball goes up in the air he will be our enemy.

This scenario could very well play out this June, too - if LA isn't careful.

While I will always look favorably on Perk wherever he plays at, he will be trying to knock The Celtics' collective blocks off when we meet again.

[BballTim]

 I don't know. I'm sure that they hoped he'd help, but I'd say they made the trade to get him on the roster long term and they'd still have likely made the trade if they weren't sure that he'd play any meaningful minutes in the playoffs this year.

honestly, that's absurd. They are a major player in the WC and they traded two starters to get him.

are you even watching OKC play? This trade made them an instant contender.

  Are you watching them play? They've won 7 of 8 with Perk, but they'd won 6 of 7 before he started playing. And "absurd" doesn't mean "doesn't fit my argument". Did Presti say that they were more interested in having Perk this year than in the future? Did he say that he wouldn't have made the trade if he wasn't sure that Perk would be a big contributor this year?

you're talking in circles, Bball. It's clearly both, not either/or...

The idea that a top WC team would trade two starters mid-season and not expect the player they get in return to play in that season is absurd.

I never said Presti didn't want Perk for the future, but he also was trading for him to play in this season....and in that respect he looked at Perk's health and believed he would be fine.

  It's not that I'm talking in circles, it's the conversation that's going in circles. OKC's a good team but they weren't on anyone's list of true title contenders before the trade. It's not like they were giving up a shot at the title when they went for the title. Is it absurd that they would have traded for a player they expect to be an important part of their future for years to come if they had health concerns about him this year but not long term? Of course not.