On a side note, I really don't like the whole 'best player in the deal' argument.
Agreed. Also, if people are going to go down that road, I think that since Perk's "value" was Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, a potential lottery pick, and clearing one year of Nate's contract, it can be argued that he was seen as by far the best player in the trade. Otherwise, Sam Presti is the biggest fool in the NBA.
You guys are probably right. Knowing Danny's track record, the best player in the deal is probably the 1st round Clipper pick.
Right now though, its easily Jeff Green. Its not even close.
You're entitled to your opinion, I guess. Again, though, it just strikes me as odd that Sam Presti is fairly well regarded in NBA circles, despite clearly having just fallen off the turnip truck.
I like Presti. I like Ainge more. Whose the best player in the deal to you ? Perk ? The best player IMO overall was Jeff Green. There really isn't an argument and I love Perk. Perk was a fine role player. Green is more than a role player.
If we want another role player in the future, can't the same GM who drafted Perkins late find one with where the Clipper pick resides ? I have to think he'll find that and then some. Obviously he'll have to wait, but eventually down the road thats another solid addition.
Green is an average starting small forward, in my eyes.
Perk is an above-average starting center.
You can argue over who is more important, but to me saying that Green is "by far" better doesn't ring true, especially when a pretty savvy GM decided that the gap between Perk and Green was worth a starting center (Krstic), a potential lottery pick, and Nate Robinson's salary next year.
Green being average is where I disagree. I just don't see it. He's just getting his feet wet in the league. Especially where he's coming from.
He's got a shot, great speed for his size, length, and his versatility is off the charts. Still only 24 years of age. Now he gets to the learn from one of the best Celtics of all time. Defensively, now, yeah, he might be average. Thats the only average part of his game for me. I think that gets better, and better, and better in time. Couple that with his offensive game and you have a star whose ready to bust out.
What makes him better than, say, Corey Maggette (other than the fact that he doesn't get to the line)?
Green is maybe an above-average scorer (and really, he's about average in that regard this year). He's a below average rebounder, passer, and defender, though. To me, that equates to a pretty average starting small forward.
He may make a leap in his play, but then again, he may not.
I think you are overstating your case a bit. Green is a below average rebounder as a PF, and I think he is unproven as a SF (I think he has the skills to be better than he has shown in the limited minutes he has played at SF). More importantly though, I absolutely do not think he is a below average defender or passer. I think he is a slightly above average SF defender, with the potential to get better with more experience at the position, and I think he is a well above average passer.
I think offensively he is very comparable to Deng. He has a similarly passive game, but, like Deng, can hit the open shot, can post up smaller men, can pass the ball (but is not a strong enough ball handler to be a true point forward), and has an uncanny ability to find the open spot on the floor.
Unfortunately, he is not in Deng's class defensively.
If I were to compare him to a current player overall, I would say Marvin Williams. A lot of talent, very solid jack of all trades, but never showing the aggression, or excelling enough at any one part of the game to become a star.
I do think your right though that he should be a middle of the road starting SF. I don't think he will ever be a star, but he also will never be someone who you really feel shouldn't be a starter on a good team.