I've read thread after thread the last few days freaking out about our moves and non-moves so far in this years offseason. I can't help but wonder if people are paying attention to what is going on. If you haven't caught on yet the rebuild has begun and the fireworks mentioned in a 4 minute radio interview are more likely to be our all-star point guard moving out than any veteran pieces moving in. I know its disheartening, KLove gave us a tease and we quickly envisioned a fast turn around. We pegged him into our 4 spot, traded effortlessly for Asik to offset Love's defensive weaknesses, and hell, most of pulled back in Paul Pierce to take the 3 spot away from the evil Jeff "yo-yo" Green. But the truth is thats not how it works.
The KG trade of yesteryear was a perfect storm of circumstance. A storm so perfect we think its repeatable and Minnesota can't forget (especially Flip Saunders). The idea of KLove came and went and while I was as excited as any (there's even a small part of me that wants to believe it will still happen) the fact is that he was never coming. Once this was realized I can only assume it made the Rondo options clear for DA. We trade him now, at the mid-season deadline, or just let him walk and free up cap space for 2015. Smart fell into our lapse as the most talented player at our pick and it solidified our transition into a rebuild. Only it's a different rebuild than we are used to.
In 2007 we acquired our version of a dream team but I think what many of us Celtics fans miss out on is that there was another side of the trade that worked out very well and it came in a slow rebuild. On that Thursday night we traded a the number #5 pick (yo-yo himself) with Delonte West and Wally Szcerbiak for Ray Allen. The Sonics also had drafted Kevin Durant with the number two pick and the began building with picks and youth. in 2007-2008 they won 20 games with that young talent and went back into the lottery. With two first round picks they selected Russel Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. They moved the team to OKC won 23 games and drafted James Harden. Fast forward and OKC is now one of the power houses in the west. Not only have they been contenders for the last 3 years but they are built to last. We are in a position to follow a similar route.
Thankfully, we've laid some the ground works already. Marcus Smart could be a very solid player at the point and has just turned 20. We resigned AB who has improved every year in the league and somehow is just 23. We have a back-up two who slipped in the draft and James Young is just 19. Throw in two young power forwards into the mix and we have pieces (not to mention the treasure trove of draft picks)...Unfortunately though you have to wait to see how these pieces turn out.
I feel pretty confident that we are not keeping Rondo who is been one of my favorite Celtics for years. There won't be any reason to trade for JSmoove (thank god) and I'm pretty sure Lance Stephenson won't be welcomed into a locker full of 20 year olds and a second year coach. WE are going to get younger, we are going to lose, and you are going to hear the word assets and patients over and over again.
Having my first Celtics memories being the 86 team and Birds body giving out on him the following years, the majority of my time routing for the C's was spent with stars like Dino Radja, Dee Brown, Sherman Douglas, Rick Fox, Old Kenny Anderson, and Old Dominique Wilkens. This isn't the same. I'm excited to watch this team develop...I'm hopeful that we have some of the pieces that could be the start of something sustainable in coming years. Micheal Felger on CSNNE screams that you either suck or contend for championships...he lives in a revisionist world that doesn't include the efforts of 30 teams to win each and every year. I hope the passion for the C's continues form all different points of view..I just hope we aren't screaming hate because we aren't paying attention to what is going on, we just happen to be on the other side of 2007.
Topic: The Rebuild: 2007 (Read 497 times)