Celtics were close to signing David West

[snively]

It won't be so bad.

you're right, it won't be so bad. it'll be roughly the same as last year. 

which is to say, spinning our wheels.

We're more athletic than last year.  Improved offensively with switch from Baby to Bass.  But yes, without West, our changes were pretty marginal.

Bummer.

[Drucci]

Disappointing news... sounded too good to be true and ultimately it was! Kudos to Danny for trying, though.

Now we just have to hope that JO remains healthy throughout the year. Ah.

[PosImpos]

we saw the ultimate results of spinning our wheels last season.  of course, some people will say it would have been completely different if rondo hadn't gotten injured, but i disagree.

I mean, Rondo snaps his elbow and is at about 30% effectiveness and the next 2 games are decided by a possession...I think it's tough to argue that it was a lost cause.

the celtics would have put up much more of a fight, no doubt.  but you'll have a really hard time convincing me it would have allowed them to get past the heat, bulls, and mavs.  i just don't see it.  the other teams last year were better, and this year they're even more so.

[GDAbraham]

Even if we lose out on David West, that might mean DA goes to get some help at center or other ideas he has under his magic hat. One of the cool side effects of not getting West is seeing JJJ play with KG as his mentor. I know he's a rookie, but there's potential. And we're still a little stronger and more athletic at power forward. Just not as insanely as we thought.

I like to watch this group play and there will be other things going on if a championship doesn't happen. One of the best chemistry-centric teams on a final lap, schooling young talent. And who knows with Rondo. DA will make the bold moves he needs to when the time comes. Just glad we're almost to actual basketball.

[cman88]

I wouldve loved to see him here and I think he wuoldve helped us, but I still think we;ve got a shot.

we need Green to be more aggressive, Brandon bass isnt exactly a scrup

Dannys no way close to done theres got to be more moves coming

[clawlin]

It won't be so bad.

you're right, it won't be so bad. it'll be roughly the same as last year. 

which is to say, spinning our wheels.

At least spinning our wheels got us a bit excited last year, with Shaq and Jermaine.  We could live in denial about it.  But this year... im not so sure.

correct.

we saw the ultimate results of spinning our wheels last season.  of course, some people will say it would have been completely different if rondo hadn't gotten injured, but i disagree.

we're headed for basically the same result this season with this group.

I disagree as well, there was just too much left vulnerable by age and a group that had not meshed well since the trade.

This year, however, I will be very appreciative of our veterans.  Every time Ray makes a 3, it will remind me of how well he has done for us when everyone thought he was too old to be as effective as he turned out to be.  Also, it will remind me how he broke the all time 3 point record while in Celtic green.

Every time KG verbally assaults a young player, I will remember how his intimidation anchored the defense that won us a title and got us pretty close to a second one.  I will appreciate Rondo alley-ooping to him (that final second alley-oop for the win against the 76ers this regular season, how can that not make you smile)

Every time I see Pierce make an impossible shot, I will remember how he put his body on the line for our team.  How important winning was to him, especially for the Celtics team.  I will appreciate what he has done as our Captain.

It was beautiful while it lasted.

[jbaerg]

gimme marc gasol, i haven't seen any offers for him yet

[PosImpos]

It was beautiful while it lasted.

that's the theme for the season, i guess.

[DKClassic]

Disappointing news... sounded too good to be true and ultimately it was! Kudos to Danny for trying, though.

Now we just have to hope that JO remains healthy throughout the year. Ah.

The tumbleweed sums it up.

[barefacedmonk]

gimme marc gasol, i haven't seen any offers for him yet

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=51196.msg1085288;topicseen#new

[heitingas]

Some of you acting like we missed out on karl malone or something...and cap space is not only for Howard, I think we could bid on amnestied players if we're under the cap plus there's still a chance Howard could make it to free agency.

Not to mention the Nets could get a tampering charge which will make us favourites for Howard and maybe extend and trade Deron to Boston for Rondo.

[clawlin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JnL03W_Re4

Watching it gets me choked up.  Before the world hated LeBron James, before the Kardashian nonsense.

It was my favorite NBA season, not only because of the Celtics championship, but because every team was working hard and players were not tying up their teams to trade them.  Baron Davis led the 50 win Warrior team that didnt make it to the playoffs.  The question mark Hawks brought the Celtics to 7 games.  Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony brought their teams to the playoffs without one another.

Both the small market and big market were admirably represented in the Playoffs, and a longtime rivalry was reignited.

I miss it.

[indeedproceed]

Some of you acting like we missed out on karl malone or something...

I'm in this boat. David West would've been nice and everything, but I mean he wasn't the defensive stalwart Perkins was, or the pure presence the promise of Shaq was. I would've have quite called it a 'lateral move', but its not like it would've set us apart for the coming season or anything.

[RajonRondOWNED]

Stupid West. Nothing but a ring chaser. LOL

[Anomandaris]

If you think about it, it's logic that the deal for west is dead.  If Paul's trade is blocked cause the NBA doesn't want to take on extra future salaries for the potential franchise buyers then the NBA should also not work with Boston for a s&t deal for West.  The only way West can get a reasonable paycheck is to sign somewhere as a FA.  That option does not include Boston...