This team was as good or better than any team we've had since the big three got here, all without Perkins. If Shaq comes back and gives us 15-20 minutes a night, the whole mojo of the team will change, almost instantaneously. You will see the return of swag in Boston and we'll have as good a shot as anyone to hang #18.
But for me, the reason why this trade was successsful and a good one, is what it does for us moving forward.
Rondo and Green are a very nice young duo. Green is not an all star and I'm not sure he ever will be. However, as your 3rd or 4th option and as a multi-talented utility guy, he's perfect.
You add in another max free agent at the right spot, the Clipper's pick, our picks, a mid level guy - not to mention other young complimentary pieces you might be able to add by trading the contracts of KG, Ray Allen and Big baby next year? You could be rebuilt within 1-2 years and Rondo is 26...
Look at the competition moving forward guys - OKC, Denver Miami, Chicago, NY - it's athleticism and speed. With this trade Ainge started building the high octane team he envisions around Rondo that will compete with the new kids on the block. And we think it was a bad move?
Another question - how well will Perkins fit into a run and gun team? He's already got 8 years on some bad wheels and he's not a run-jump athlete to boot. You think he's going to hold up another 10 years?
You can bring in a Dalembert or someone similar at center and spend your money on talent in the other positions.
It's a gamble, but if Shaq can give us 15-20 a night, Jermaine stays healthy - I think we're hanging #18 this year.
Do we really think the window for KG and Ray goes beyond next year anyway??? At some point you have to get on with it, as much as I love this current team, we have to get on with it - the rebuilding that is.
Ainge balanced it perfectly - we still have "just as good a shot to win it this year - and we got a key piece next to Rondo moving forward.
What the players need to do is grab their sack, show their teeth, be willing to get bloody...and go get #18. They need to stop with the pouting, or the apathetic BS, and go get dirty. This team can certainly win it.
Lastly - are giving any thought to the possiblity that now having played nearly 20 games together -some of the problems of assimilating may receed gradually and these guys could slowly become cohesive as they move through the playoffs?
Keep the faith. Now is the time to get dirty - and this group is a dirty bunch. They won't be that easy to knock out - they all have hearts of champions, even their apathetic BS of late won't prevent those hearts from shining when the chips are truly down when the ball goes up for the playoffs.
In hypothetical terms, let's say we just miss a title this year, and it could be proven that it's the trade that made the difference. Let's also say that Jeff Green and the Clippers pick both flourish in Boston, but never win a title here.
Under those circumstances, would you consider the trade a success?
I don't know if 'success' is the right term given with that situation, but I would consider it still the 'right' move. We have no business paying a player of Perks caliber 9 Million per. Not with the core 4 around him. 3-5 M, sure. 9 ? hells bells no. You don't pay players who give you 5 fouls, 5 pts, Rebounding, and good defense 9 M per. You unload those types of players and get something for him now, instead of waiting for him to walk on you next year. He's not worth the open market money. Not with the roster stacked as is.
Your anchor is KG on defense, and thats why your still allowing only 91 pts per game , best in the league, all without King Perk. You've proven you can add guys like Shaq and Jermaine O'neal to the core 4 and not miss a beat. Heck, you might be even better with any of those two playing with the core 4. Why pay Perkins when you don't have to ? Get something for him now, which you did and then some. Green's a starter and only 24, Krstic is a solid backup center, and the 1st round clipper pick is a great future piece.
Definitely the right move.
Those guys in OKC must be morons then for giving Perk the extension they signed him to.
All depends on the makeup of the team. You have a core 4 of Rondo, Ray, Pierce, and KG. Your defensive anchor is KG, not Perkins. The rest are solid defensively despite Rondo's lack of staying in front of his man at this point.
You can put a guy next to KG and make him a player all day. When you've built a stacked roster like Ainge has, you have room to move. Whether its free agents like Shaq, JO, or even someone out of the blue like say a Samuel Dalembert. These types of player will add what Perkins added, if not more. As evident with Shaqs play when healthy.
Even during a injury riddled year, and without Perkins, your still holding opponents to 91 pts per, best in the league. Thats darn solid.
So why pay Perk when you don't have to ? Get something for him now and move on. He's not worth what he'll get on the open market. Not to a C's team and a stacked roster. Other teams like the Thunder who have more scoring, less defense ,will pay him. You don't have to.
Its not about being moronic, its about getting something when you know you have others who anchor your team.
Topic: Dan Shaughnessy article on the "trade" (Read 20866 times)