Stay together for the kids?

[Chris22]

Danny trades Rondo to the Mavs, Green to the Grizzlies, and Wright to the Suns.

All Western Conference teams that compete with the Clippers.

Then he trades the poison pill Austin Rivers to LA.

Brilliant.

[guava_wrench]

Do whatever makes the most sense long term. If a good deal comes along, make it. The reality is that Ainge buys more goodwill if he moves players to a contenders. I don't see a need to move Prince for a #50 pick, but if Prince really would prefer to go to that team, fine.

The young guys will continue to develop regardless. I expect continued improvement from Smart throughout the year.

In case anyone missed it, giving away our 2 best players didn't hurt the team. I'm not worrying. Especially when we have a .392 winning percentage.

[Chris22]

Do whatever makes the most sense long term. If a good deal comes along, make it. The reality is that Ainge buys more goodwill if he moves players to a contenders. I don't see a need to move Prince for a #50 pick, but if Prince really would prefer to go to that team, fine.

The young guys will continue to develop regardless. I expect continued improvement from Smart throughout the year.

In case anyone missed it, giving away our 2 best players didn't hurt the team. I'm not worrying. Especially when we have a .392 winning percentage.

They weren't our two best players.
That's the point.

[GratefulCs]

*fights back a tear*

Oh, you kids...you're so sweet.  It's just that...mommy and Danny have done a lot of thinking and...well, maybe you won't understand yet my sweets.  Sometimes though, mommies and Dannys have to make decisions that will leave you a little confused and hurt, but in the long term will be best for everyone. 

You saw Uncle Roy's post this morning that maybe there has been some arguing a lot lately and some of the family around here have been grumpy grumps with each other.  Well, mommy and Danny have to make a move that will work for everybody long term, not just this school year.

Dearest Brandon, don't blame yourself, I want you to know that it's not your fault.  And Evan, sweet Evan, you're going to love your new home.  How could I forget you, Marcus Thorton, just because we have another Marcus here, it doesn't meant that we love you any less.  Well, maybe a little less than new Marcus.  But it's not your fault....

don't lie to brandon like that!

[Kane3387]

That's a nice feel good article

Good read.

[freshinthehouse]

You do realize 3 games is a lot different when you are talking about teams that have won 18 out of 52 games than if you are talking about bulls and cavs. The teams 3 wins behind us like Orlando have a .30 winning percentage. With 36 games left, they are only projected to win about 10 the rest of the season. That means our our plucky Celtics would have to win only 7 the rest of the season.

We're not catching Orlando.  IMO the top 5 worst teams are pretty much a lock.  But 6th worst is certainly still in play.  I could definitely see Utah, Denver, Detroit, and Indiana finishing better than us.  I wouldn't have thought Sacto would be obtainable, but now that Karl has been hired I'd be shocked if they didn't pick it up in the final 30 games of the year.

[Tr1boy]

“I believe we can make it," guard Marcus Thornton said. "I believe we can make noise, too. So it’s on us to make that happen."

Really like Thornton's attitude.  He has been  huge off the bench this year. We have never really had a guy like him in a while.  Prob last guy was Barbosa and before that Eddie House

I would not mind extending Thornton to a 2 or 3 year at 5 million a season.  He prob knows he won't be getting anything better from anywhere else

[freshinthehouse]

At this point I'd say retaining most of our players and making a playoff push is fait accompli.

You can't undermine the team massively by giving away key veterans for nothing just as its starting to do well and expect the coach and the young players to keep their desire to compete and do the best they can. The long term damage we do to these guys may well cancel out any advantage we get from obtaining the #6 pick.

Might as well live with what we have and hope it turns out for the best.

Players are resilient.  People were up in arms when DA traded Eric Williams and Tony Batie just as the team started winning. 

[Tr1boy]

Also looking fwd to KO coming back. 

[mctyson]

Do whatever makes the most sense long term. If a good deal comes along, make it. The reality is that Ainge buys more goodwill if he moves players to a contenders. I don't see a need to move Prince for a #50 pick, but if Prince really would prefer to go to that team, fine.

The young guys will continue to develop regardless. I expect continued improvement from Smart throughout the year.

In case anyone missed it, giving away our 2 best players didn't hurt the team. I'm not worrying. Especially when we have a .392 winning percentage.

Pretty much this.  Danny and Co. are really working it this year.  I think Rondo has proven that he isn't as good as as he was pre-injury, and Jeff has proven that he really is a valuable guy on a contender (just can't be The Guy on any team).

We get the best of both worlds really: (1) a young, well-coached team that plays hard and competes in the playoffs against the best the East has to offer, with (2) some veterans on expiring deals that want to prove they are worth another big contract, all the draft picks and cap space and trade exceptions

We could be in a better position.  But we sure as heck could be in a way worse position.

[Quetzalcoatl]

“I believe we can make it," guard Marcus Thornton said. "I believe we can make noise, too. So it’s on us to make that happen."

Really like Thornton's attitude.  He has been  huge off the bench this year. We have never really had a guy like him in a while.  Prob last guy was Barbosa and before that Eddie House

I would not mind extending Thornton to a 2 or 3 year at 5 million a season.  He prob knows he won't be getting anything better from anywhere else

I really don't want to like him since he has no future here, but I can't help it.  He's the anti-Bogans. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Earlier in the year I was hoping for a tankalicious season, but I think the Cs will win (or even have already won) too many to have any decent shot at a high pick. I also think it's great that the players seemingly really like their situation and want to keep the gang together and keep fighting for some gritty wins.

Of course, if Danny can get a bar of gold for a few nickels, all bets are off. =)

[GreenFaith1819]

This entire season (and last) shows the quality coach we have in Brad Stevens.

Back during the lean years, we'd have some good blowouts handed to us during those years. Over the last couple of seasons, we've been extremely competitive.

I'd like to see this group see it through, unless we get the opportunity to acquire a game-changer (See Boogie).

[BASS_THUMPER]

I feel excited for the players and team to at least feel they are bonding and wanting to step up to the challenge .

You have to admire their grit and attitude .   Especially after all the personnel changes in such a short time,

I say let em try

wow....

why the change of heart?

you use to be tank all the way


like pitt and fury..

[positivitize]

I like Bass-- Let him stay and teach the kids about hard work and pride in your craft. Don't let go of him for less than a first, and resign him at a decent rate to a short term contract.

I love Prince-- Truly a class act and the kind of person we want our young team growing up around. He's got a steadying presence and since he's showed up we've put together a few wins in a row. Don't let go of him for less than a first, and resign him at a decent rate to a short term contract.

I care less about Thornton-- He's a ball hog who only tries to play defense every now and then. He can go for a second rounder.


In fact, the only reason I can see Ainge letting go of Prince is if Ainge *wink wink* promised Prince that He'd buy Prince out after the deadline if Prince worked his ass off to up his trade value. Prince has been a model citizen this last month, but if that buyout/trade to a contender never happens, I could imagine him getting sour real quick.

Either way, the tank is off. #team8seed