How can there be so much back and forth on this trade?
1. If we didn't make it we'd have no backup for Paul Pierce
That's only assuming that there were no other trades out there. Since we were rumored to be involved in multiple discussions, including one 3-way deal with Golden State that was agreed upon, I don't think anybody can say that we couldn't have gotten a backup.
Jeff Green was the best SF available. The Celtics went and got the BEST SF available to back-up Pierce...one that has clear 3-pt range and can play three positions!
2. We upgraded our third string PG from Nate to Carlos Arroyo...
I don't really see this as an upgrade, although it's largely moot with Nate being injured. Neither would have played much in the playoffs, assuming Delonte is healthy.
It's mildly debatable who is better, but like you said, neither will play much.
3. We have KG, Shaq, JO, Baby, Krstic, and Murphy...Kendrick does not make a big difference here...
Agree to disagree, I guess. Perk is the best defender and is the guy most familiar with our offense and defense. Also, Shaq has played 6 minutes since February.
KG is our best defender, not Perkins. Also, JO is a spectacular defender, shot-blocker, and charge-taker. The question with him was health but it's pretty evident that he's finally healthy and can contribute 20+ min a night no problem.
Glen Davis knows our defense very well. Krstic has done solid job considering defense is not his strength. Shaq showed himself to be a paint-patroller that really shut down other teams in the paint and made them hesitant.
4. Our problem is generally OFFENSE not DEFENSE...Perkins is a very poor offensive center.
Very poor? He scored as much per minute as "offensive center" Krstic did last year, and shot a much higher percentage. Perk knows our plays, knows where to be on the court, and knows how to set screens. For a fifth option, he was a very efficient scorer. Teams need those low usage types of players.
Lastly, and most importantly, Perkins is an offensive liability and there are no two ways about it. He's a black hole and turnover prone. It was a mystery to me why the Celtics fed Perkins the ball ever for isolation offense. The Thunder have it right: never let Perkins isolate.
Krstic has been getting to the line consistently when being fed the ball. Also, he spreads the floor which is an immeasurable bonus for this team.
Perkins was a key cog in our defense, but we have the pieces to make up for it. We needed an offensive upgrade and a back-up SF...We did that.
Also, Perkins was INJURED...Nenad Krstic was HEALTHY. On a team that has been completely haunted by injuries to big men, it's nice to have a healthy center available.
Not to mention a first round pick...meaningless for winning a championship which is the only goal right now, but still shows how smart Danny is.