My input on the whole thing

[Monkhouse]

After looking at the situations from the Clippers blog, and our blog. I can say that in terms of leverage, it wasn't that strong for our side. In the long run, all we have in Doc is a coach who doesn't want to coach here anymore. Burnt too many bridges to even want to anyways. Can't look at Jeff Green, Courtney Lee, or even Rondo who he has such a strong bond with in the eye, and then say, "let's win a championship together." It'll be the ultimate, 'yeah right!'

We need to also remember in this point Danny isn't to blame. Wyc would've loved to let Doc out of his contract, because of a couple reasons.

1) Doc is a players coach, and mainly favors veterans. He isn't a rebuilding coach.

2) You don't pay 7 million for a rebuilding coach, especially if the only assets you have to work with are a budding Bradley, and Sullinger coming off a back injury. And a potential superstar Jeff Green, simply because all of them didn't receive that many minutes until they started to perform to their levels. Only the veterans despite their terrible playing still received a lot of minutes.

3) Doc is a good coach, because he's able to develop the closeness, and make players want to play for him. One of his greatest strengths, but his offense, and defense is mid tier at best. Rotation wise Doc is very predictable with the Paul Pierce iso, and at times seemed to not what to do, thus losing us games to teams we should've swept.

4)Kevin Garnett isn't getting any younger. I understand sentimental wise, we should keep the 3 and let them retire. But KG has stated specifically that he'll only play for Doc Rivers. So why don't we get someone who albeit is slightly overpaid, but can provide the size, altheticism, and rebounding we haven't had in a while. Plus, he can play to Rondo's strengths. How many times has Rondo lobbed KG, and at times you were worried once he comes back from the dunk, that he might injure his knee or his legs? Its happened, and I still bite my nails to every lob, praying the injury isn't going to occur again.

5) 2 Draft picks are still valuable, in this day and age due to the new CBA rules.

6) CP3 may have leverage within the organization, but I seriously doubt they would've budged with 2 draft picks, and Jordan plus our bad contracts. That is just too much to take at this point.

Also I'm not too sure can someone correct me on this.

Doesn't the team that's sending the player over have to pay the extra taxes, and not us? If that's true, then we're getting a 7 footer who can still rebound, and block. Become a rim protector, and hopefully anchor the defense. Jordan may not have a huge basketball IQ, but you can still teach defense.

I believe we're going into a process where we're retooling, but looking to grab rookies who can become good role players, or even game changers. Honestly, we really just need a young shooting guard who can just shoot. If we can get J-Smoove for a cheaper price, which I can believe would happen as this is now his chance to shine with KG/Pierce gone.

We'll see.

Danny Ainge is navigating over a tough situation where he doesn't have much leverage. He should've been firm from the start, and now the Clippers are taking advantage of that. What he should've done is told them I'm only taking this, take it or leave it, and watch your point guard leave. But that is wishful thinking on my part.

[LooseCannon]

Jordan may not have a huge basketball IQ, but you can still teach defense.

The question is whether you can teach Deandre Jordan.  Some people never learn.

[Boris Badenov]

I agree with a lot of what you say except the idea that Doc "favors veterans" and would not be good for a rebuilding team.

Our 2008 championship team had Rondo at 21 and Perkins at 22 as starters, and Powe and Davis, as key reserves.

All were young players Doc developed and gave key roles.

Doc also did well coaching Orlando earlier in his career.

I think the more important point - which you raise and I agree with - is that paying a coach $7 million when you're rebuilding doesn't make much sense.

[jamala22]

My input is one of being lost.  If Chris Paul really wants to play for Doc and with KG and possibly with Pierce....wouldn't forcing a trade to Boston be the easiest route?  Could swap Rondo and another contract for CP.  Then again I guess Boston isn't a warm weather city like LA.  Sucks.

Also never been a big Josh Smith fan, but if this trade goes down I would be a fan of working every angle to get Josh Smith.  A line-up of Rondo, Lee, Green, Smith and Jordan would be entertaining as heck to watch (assuming Bradley would be part of the deal to get Smith). 

Going to be an interesting next 10 days.

[MBunge]

I agree with a lot of what you say except the idea that Doc "favors veterans" and would not be good for a rebuilding team.

Our 2008 championship team had Rondo at 21 and Perkins at 22 as starters, and Powe and Davis, as key reserves.

All were young players Doc developed and gave key roles.

Doc also did well coaching Orlando earlier in his career.

I think the more important point - which you raise and I agree with - is that paying a coach $7 million when you're rebuilding doesn't make much sense.

All coaches favor veterans.  With Doc, it's more that he has "his guys".  For example, Avery Bradley was one of "his guys" in a way that Tony Allen or E'Twaun Moore never was.  KG and Pierce are "his guys" in a way that I don't think Rondo ever was.  One of the reasons Ray left is because he felt he was no longer one of "his guys".

Mike

[Monkhouse]

My input is one of being lost.  If Chris Paul really wants to play for Doc and with KG and possibly with Pierce....wouldn't forcing a trade to Boston be the easiest route?  Could swap Rondo and another contract for CP.  Then again I guess Boston isn't a warm weather city like LA.  Sucks.

Also never been a big Josh Smith fan, but if this trade goes down I would be a fan of working every angle to get Josh Smith.  A line-up of Rondo, Lee, Green, Smith and Jordan would be entertaining as heck to watch (assuming Bradley would be part of the deal to get Smith). 

Going to be an interesting next 10 days.

Doesn't work...? CP3 has stated that playing for Boston is the last thing he wants... I really DON'T like CP3. He's the Dwight Howard of point guards next to D-Will... Who else gets their coaches fired? Stirs up drama in the organization? Jordan is also getting shipped despite the close buddy buddy relationship between him and Blake, who is arguably their franchise player once CP3 is gone, due to the constraints between him and CP3.

I really don't like CP3, and don't wish him to come here. He's also the same age as Rondo, but is arrogant, and you'd think for someone like him could be more humble. Not to mention if I see one more Allstate commercial....

But I definitely agree. Rondo, (shooter) Green, Smith, and Jordan will be one of the most athletic, shot blocking, fast breakin', slam dunkin', and worst free throw shooting team in the division.

I agree with a lot of what you say except the idea that Doc "favors veterans" and would not be good for a rebuilding team.

Our 2008 championship team had Rondo at 21 and Perkins at 22 as starters, and Powe and Davis, as key reserves.

All were young players Doc developed and gave key roles.

Doc also did well coaching Orlando earlier in his career.

I think the more important point - which you raise and I agree with - is that paying a coach $7 million when you're rebuilding doesn't make much sense.

Perkins wasn't even that good. I'm going to put it this way. Perkins only got the starting role, due to the fact he was the only one who was formidable at Center. Not taking away the fact he had a nice 20/10 season at one point, but without KG or RR, his numbers wouldn't have ever been as effective.

I agree that Doc does put emphasis, and allows rookies to grow and develop. But Doc can't just play one big role in this alone. KG/Paul Pierce and Allen also have to come into play, as KG and Pierce alone can influence players due to their experience, and leadership. A trio of KG/Paul/Doc is impeccable with the leadership and experience they can provide a young squad.

Jordan may not have a huge basketball IQ, but you can still teach defense.

The question is whether you can teach Deandre Jordan.  Some people never learn.

It depends on who we get. I hope Jordan takes this as his initiate to really come out, and slam every open opportunity, box out and grab the rebound. And make it his objective to prove the doubters wrong, and make the Clippers regret trading him. In the long run, Rondo should do what he did to Perkins. Get him at least 14 points per game, and that should be enough.

I agree with a lot of what you say except the idea that Doc "favors veterans" and would not be good for a rebuilding team.

Our 2008 championship team had Rondo at 21 and Perkins at 22 as starters, and Powe and Davis, as key reserves.

All were young players Doc developed and gave key roles.

Doc also did well coaching Orlando earlier in his career.

I think the more important point - which you raise and I agree with - is that paying a coach $7 million when you're rebuilding doesn't make much sense.

All coaches favor veterans.  With Doc, it's more that he has "his guys".  For example, Avery Bradley was one of "his guys" in a way that Tony Allen or E'Twaun Moore never was.  KG and Pierce are "his guys" in a way that I don't think Rondo ever was.  One of the reasons Ray left is because he felt he was no longer one of "his guys".

Mike

Agree. I think at some point Ray felt left out. Without substantial proof, I'm going to assume once Rondo, Bradley, Pierce, and KG started coming more and more closer. Allen felt like he was being pushed out. You can only see the wheels grinding the moment it started happening.