The Celtic-Clipper trade talk (merged) - Clippers back out.

[RJ87]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

One major flaw in your logic, CT32. If the Clippers really didn't see the difference Rivers would make, then why no just hire Hollins/Shaw/Whoever, keep their "assets" and be done with the whole mess? Obviously, they understand the value of Doc and that's why they keep doing the negotiating dance.

In all honesty, I'm starting to hope Danny walks away. He can just amnesty Pierce and get his salary completely off the cap. Without Paul,  KG likely retires and we can negotiate a buyout to clear him off the cap. Let Doc stew in a broadcasting booth for 3 years.  not having to overpay Deandre is just the icing.

[bruinsandceltics]

Danny....my only advise for you is...PULL OUT.

That is always good advise.

Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. the Clips. I'd rather save salary cap space by letting Doc "retire" and KG retire. Than take back DeAndre Jordan and some low 1st round picks.

[CT32]

[Edited.]  There will be no "dissing" of anybody.  If you insult Celtics fans again, you will be banned, period. -RH

[hpantazo]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

it's nonsense if you think Doc Rivers is the difference maker in cp3 staying or leaving. He was planning on staying when the clippers were about to hire shaw or hollins. Don't try to lie to yourselves here guys. Just cause you want to make it seem like boston has the leverage, you're saying that without doc cp3 leaves. That's utter BS.

why are they doing it then?  if the clippers can just go sign another coach and forget about kg,  why don't they?  they could keep this prodigy jordon and not give up picks and all the cash rivers would demand.

cause they have an opportunity to get kg and doc for dj and a pick (2 assets that they need to put time and effort into developing). we're okay either way. now, if the celtics are really the ones calling the shots here, why was it that they couldn't even get bledsoe into the trade? why is it that they're offering their precious kg and doc for an overpaid center and a crappy 1st round pick? Cause Ainge is effin desperate. He's backed himself into a corner. not that hard to admit.

and to answer your question, the clippers ARE doing that. They're doing 2nd interviews with very REAL and good coaching candidates. It's the front offices job to attempt ALL options, including this celtics option.

You should broaden your sources and not believe everything that comes from the Clippers organization. Any long term Clippers fan would know that.

[CT32]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

One major flaw in your logic, CT32. If the Clippers really didn't see the difference Rivers would make, then why no just hire Hollins/Shaw/Whoever, keep their "assets" and be done with the whole mess? Obviously, they understand the value of Doc and that's why they keep doing the negotiating dance.

In all honesty, I'm starting to hope Danny walks away. He can just amnesty Pierce and get his salary completely off the cap. Without Paul,  KG likely retires and we can negotiate a buyout to clear him off the cap. Let Doc stew in a broadcasting booth for 3 years.  not having to overpay Deandre is just the icing.

The difference between Doc and hollins/shaw/scott is that doc has a ring. he's arguably a better coach than them. He isn't, however, the difference maker is CHRIS PAUL's decision. doc's the better coach, but paul likes doc/hollins/shaw/scott all the same. Understand that Doc isn't going to be a difference maker in chris paul staying or not.

[abbmack9]

@ramonashelburne: Clippers still feel Boston asking for too much and won't "get taken advantage of," source says.

Delusional.

That's a joke

They talk like DeAndre Jordan is an asset, rather than a mediocre player on a big contract.

Couldn't agree more. I feel like Bledsoe would be more of an asset.

[nostar]

Nope, clippers were a first round exit last season because of no system. That's where the new head coach comes in. He also helps DJ develop, because he was the weakest link in that chain last season.

Maybe this is true. It's also possible that they were a first round exit because they have very few good players. I'm not sure which is right but I'm willing to bet that getting better players AND a better coach would help regardless.

Just about EVERY SINGLE source from the clippers has hinted that cp3 IS staying. Paul's hinted it. He basically said that if he could, he'd haev signed that new deal a while ago.

The most recent thing I heard was that he and D12 were looking for a situation where they could play together. While that could be LAC it could also be other places. And "he basically said" doesn't cut it. Why don't you link a source to some of these proclamations. Or are they divination? Smells like a cow to me.

The clippers have odom's 8 mil off the books this year, and carons next. They have a nice trading piece in bledsoe. Blake is signed to a 5 year extension, and cp3 soon to follow. With a new coach and better developed dj and blake, they're in pretty darn good shape.

The Clippers have $43.8M in committed salaries before signing CP3. They sign him and go over the cap which really ties their hands in the FA market. That is all I was saying. I think they are in the same shape they were in last year with virtually the same personnel, maybe a better coach. They might be in "great" shape but that shape is still a first round exit until we see otherwise.

okay and let me rephrase something that I said earlier "why are you angry at the clippers for playing their cards right?" They have nothing to lose here, as they get to keep their assets and hire a good coach if this thing doesn't happen. You guys should be mad at ainge for quickly saying bledsoe isn't required in the trade. Just by him saying that, it appears the celtics ARE the more desperate team.

If you read through this thread you'd see that both perspectives you mentioned are well accounted for. Ainge is taking fire here and the Clippers are certainly trying to give up the least they can. Being Celtics fans we're not exactly predisposed to empathize with the opposing team. That is why we have 17 banners in our rafters.

Desperate is a silly way to put it. We're rebuilding one way or the other. I'm not sure that makes us desperate or not but both sides have something to lose here. Your team might be losing a shot at their championship window, our team might be losing our on a par center and a late 1st rounder.

[CT32]

[Edited.]  There will be no "dissing" of anybody.  If you insult Celtics fans again, you will be banned, period. -RH

heyyy i wonder if that other guy got a warning as well...

[Roy H.]

Enough with the bickering.

For Clippers fans:  be respectful at all times, and remember you're a guest here.  Anything even close to trolling will be dealt with harshly.

For Celtics fans:  be respectful to fans of other fan bases.  Name-calling, insults, etc. are not allowed under any circumstances. 

[blink]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

it's nonsense if you think Doc Rivers is the difference maker in cp3 staying or leaving. He was planning on staying when the clippers were about to hire shaw or hollins. Don't try to lie to yourselves here guys. Just cause you want to make it seem like boston has the leverage, you're saying that without doc cp3 leaves. That's utter BS.

why are they doing it then?  if the clippers can just go sign another coach and forget about kg,  why don't they?  they could keep this prodigy jordon and not give up picks and all the cash rivers would demand.

Exactly.  Why are the clippers even in this conversation if they don't want Doc and KG??  This is idiotic to think that the clippers don't really want Doc and that it isn't meaningful to them.  If not they wouldn't even be talking. 

[CT32]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

it's nonsense if you think Doc Rivers is the difference maker in cp3 staying or leaving. He was planning on staying when the clippers were about to hire shaw or hollins. Don't try to lie to yourselves here guys. Just cause you want to make it seem like boston has the leverage, you're saying that without doc cp3 leaves. That's utter BS.

why are they doing it then?  if the clippers can just go sign another coach and forget about kg,  why don't they?  they could keep this prodigy jordon and not give up picks and all the cash rivers would demand.

cause they have an opportunity to get kg and doc for dj and a pick (2 assets that they need to put time and effort into developing). we're okay either way. now, if the celtics are really the ones calling the shots here, why was it that they couldn't even get bledsoe into the trade? why is it that they're offering their precious kg and doc for an overpaid center and a crappy 1st round pick? Cause Ainge is effin desperate. He's backed himself into a corner. not that hard to admit.

and to answer your question, the clippers ARE doing that. They're doing 2nd interviews with very REAL and good coaching candidates. It's the front offices job to attempt ALL options, including this celtics option.

You should broaden your sources and not believe everything that comes from the Clippers organization. Any long term Clippers fan would know that.

I am a long time Clippers fan, and Clipper Sources haven't been the problem with us, it's been ownership lol. Maybe you guys also need to broaden your sources to figure out that it's not "Doc or bust" for the clippers

[BballTim]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

it's nonsense if you think Doc Rivers is the difference maker in cp3 staying or leaving. He was planning on staying when the clippers were about to hire shaw or hollins. Don't try to lie to yourselves here guys. Just cause you want to make it seem like boston has the leverage, you're saying that without doc cp3 leaves. That's utter BS.

why are they doing it then?  if the clippers can just go sign another coach and forget about kg,  why don't they?  they could keep this prodigy jordon and not give up picks and all the cash rivers would demand.

cause they have an opportunity to get kg and doc for dj and a pick (2 assets that they need to put time and effort into developing). we're okay either way. now, if the celtics are really the ones calling the shots here, why was it that they couldn't even get bledsoe into the trade? why is it that they're offering their precious kg and doc for an overpaid center and a crappy 1st round pick? Cause Ainge is effin desperate. He's backed himself into a corner. not that hard to admit.

and to answer your question, the clippers ARE doing that. They're doing 2nd interviews with very REAL and good coaching candidates. It's the front offices job to attempt ALL options, including this celtics option.

You should broaden your sources and not believe everything that comes from the Clippers organization. Any long term Clippers fan would know that.

  You say "Any long term Clippers fan" like there's more than a dozen or so of them.

[blink]

I don't understand what you guys are angry about. The Clippers have all of the leverage here, why shouldn't they use it to full extent? if they DIDN'T use their leverage, then they'd be bad management. cp3 staying really has nothing to do with the clipps getting Doc or not, idk why you guys are assuming this. He'd be just as happy with shaw, scott, or hollins. And the clippers don't want to take on Lee's contract because they want to trade bledsoe to orlando for Afflalo (who has a BIGGER contract than lee, so enough of that "they're being cheap" BS). Yes, the clippers are "threatening" to walk away. If they do happen to walk away, they aren't gonna get screwed over, and Ainge isn't gonna "stick it to them" by pulling out of this deal. They're still going to be in great shape. I think the celtics, however, are at a point of no return. They need to make this trade or else doc goes into broadcasting, and without him coaching pierce and KG retire this off season.

you're just wrong.  ainge doesn't have to do anything.  who cares if rivers leaves.  get another coach. kg either plays or retires a celtic.  jordon and a crappy first rounder are pointless.  the clips have no leverage.  they are the ones that want something to win next year.

lol how am I wrong, everything I said is true. Who cares if rivers leaves? apparently Ainge and the celtics FO cares. the clippers have ALL of the leverage because they don't need this deal done as much as boston does.

This deal for the Clippers is about only one thing, keeping Chris Paul. They desperately need the deal because there are no other options out there for them to get to appease Paul.

For the celtics, they don't need to do anything, they have ALL the leverage. They are rebuilding anyway, so who cares if they lose Doc and KG. If no team wants to give up some value for them, then no big loss. If the Clippers fail to get KG and Doc and CP3 walks, they are screwed.

Again, your assumptions are completely wrong. Chris Paul is just as happy with hollins, shaw, or scott at the head coaching position. Every inside clipper source says cp3 was planning on signing this 5 year extension from the moment he got there.

Just as happy as with Rivers? That's pretty much nonsense. Why all this if that is the case?

Sterling really p---ed CP3 off when Sterling recently publicly threw Paul under the bus blaming him for Del Negro's firing.

They now want to make him happy. Doc will make him a lot happier and more likely to stay than Hollins or Shaw. To think anything else is ignoring the obvious.

it's nonsense if you think Doc Rivers is the difference maker in cp3 staying or leaving. He was planning on staying when the clippers were about to hire shaw or hollins. Don't try to lie to yourselves here guys. Just cause you want to make it seem like boston has the leverage, you're saying that without doc cp3 leaves. That's utter BS.

youre a Clippers fan? right

do you even have to ask? you're welcome for the information, btw. just know that rivers isn't the difference maker between paul leaving and staying, and that the clippers talking to shaw and hollins is REAL, no a bluff.

Who cares if it isn't a bluff.  The clippers should hire who ever your gm / owner thinks is the best fit.  But just because you SAY that the clippers pursuit of Doc isn't tied to CP3 staying with the LA clippers doesn't make is so.

[SHAQATTACK]

Hope Mitch trades DH to Houston or resigns him so CP3 and CLippers don't
 land him

[CT32]

Nope, clippers were a first round exit last season because of no system. That's where the new head coach comes in. He also helps DJ develop, because he was the weakest link in that chain last season.

Maybe this is true. It's also possible that they were a first round exit because they have very few good players. I'm not sure which is right but I'm willing to bet that getting better players AND a better coach would help regardless.

Just about EVERY SINGLE source from the clippers has hinted that cp3 IS staying. Paul's hinted it. He basically said that if he could, he'd haev signed that new deal a while ago.

The most recent thing I heard was that he and D12 were looking for a situation where they could play together. While that could be LAC it could also be other places. And "he basically said" doesn't cut it. Why don't you link a source to some of these proclamations. Or are they divination? Smells like a cow to me.

The clippers have odom's 8 mil off the books this year, and carons next. They have a nice trading piece in bledsoe. Blake is signed to a 5 year extension, and cp3 soon to follow. With a new coach and better developed dj and blake, they're in pretty darn good shape.

The Clippers have $43.8M in committed salaries before signing CP3. They sign him and go over the cap which really ties their hands in the FA market. That is all I was saying. I think they are in the same shape they were in last year with virtually the same personnel, maybe a better coach. They might be in "great" shape but that shape is still a first round exit until we see otherwise.

okay and let me rephrase something that I said earlier "why are you angry at the clippers for playing their cards right?" They have nothing to lose here, as they get to keep their assets and hire a good coach if this thing doesn't happen. You guys should be mad at ainge for quickly saying bledsoe isn't required in the trade. Just by him saying that, it appears the celtics ARE the more desperate team.

If you read through this thread you'd see that both perspectives you mentioned are well accounted for. Ainge is taking fire here and the Clippers are certainly trying to give up the least they can. Being Celtics fans we're not exactly predisposed to empathize with the opposing team. That is why we have 17 banners in our rafters.

Desperate is a silly way to put it. We're rebuilding one way or the other. I'm not sure that makes us desperate or not but both sides have something to lose here. Your team might be losing a shot at their championship window, our team might be losing our on a par center and a late 1st rounder.

honestly dude, I'm not gonna try to find the twitter posts and all that about the sources. I found one here that's a good indication that he's staying.http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/chris-paul-enjoying-playing-eric-bledsoe-now-because-204831453--nba.html

there's also another article where the reporter asks him if he's going to sign the 5 year deal or not and why he hasn't yet, he smiled and said something along the lines of "what do you want me to say, if i could have i would have signed" or so. trust me, just like you guys have inside info on your team, we have it on our team.