Andrew Sharp (Grantland) says C's deadline losers

[j804]

I don't like the trade for several reasons - a couple of which are mentioned in Sharp's comments, plus we added a head case to a group who seems to have good chemistry and who want to be part of the Celts return to an elite team. Also, didn't we already have our 3-guard rotation for the future set (Bradley, Smart, Young) ??

This also makes me nervous because it could indicate a return to Danny's very destructive habit of making compulsive trades and changing the overall rebuilding plan in mid-stream just because something strikes him as a good idea and because Danny has a need to prove how clever he is and because I firmly believe he gets nervous and jumpy if things are going well and there is too much peace and contentment around the organization. These tendencies have already cost us great opportunities at Banners 18 and maybe 19.

Treat our players like Celtic family, Danny, not Monopoly properties !!

Jesus, where do we start with that? Thomas is not a head case, he's a fierce competitor who lends no credence to his size. Some might poke fun at it and call it little man syndrome, but your gonna tell me you don't want someone that talented on your team with a giant chip on his shoulder? This kid is a really good player, probably the best player we have right now. He has a game that very much resembles Allen Iverson. Not quite as dominant, But he's just 26 and he's locked in for another 3 seasons at roughly 7 mil a year!!! Did you watch the last two games, or really more than one or two of his games the past two years? If that's the dude were getting, that's one hell of a steal.

Consider this, Ainge got IT for the two pieces he traded the Paul Pierce trade exception for. Probably the smallest benefit we got from the Nets deal DA managed to trade for Zeller, Thornton and a protected first round pick. He then traded Thornton and that same first round pick we got for taking his contract on into Isaiah Thomas, who is WAY better than either Thornton or whatever player the Cs could have drafted in the 25-30 slot with that pick. Assuming Smart, Young, Olynyk and AB can continue developing as they are, the Cs are a legit two players away from being a playoff threat. And they have two legit avenues to get there. Not only do we have a massive amount of draft picks, many of high value including our own and the unprotected(!!!) three BRK picks. We also have the cap flexibility and asset accumulation necessary to make a run at any high profile free agent in the next 4-5 years, or make a trade for any top 20 player that wants out of his current situation.

How anyone doesn't appreciate what Ainge has done here just amazes me.

yup, well said very excited about the future

[ScoobyDoo]

I'd like to add Okafor, Towns or Johnson to this team. Last year I would like to have added Wiggins or Parker. However, in both years, we played our mid level vets, most of whom won't be here long term "just enough" to secure the 6th spot last year and what looks like the 6th to 12 spot this year.

I think that's Sharp's argument. Would you rather move forward with Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker and Okafor or Towns or with Smart and Kelly Oubre?

There's merit to that argument. Playing mid level vets who will not be with your team long term is nuts when you're in Boston's position. That' the only issue I have with the current rebuild.

If our young guys get us into the playoffs, awesome. But if our mid level vets who have no future here do, it's a waste of short term opportunity to acquire top level, blue chip talent.

As far as using acquiring young talent to trade for established, top level vets, the same applies again. Your chances of landing Love last year would have increased greatly by having a Wiggins or Parker /Sullinger package - that's what Saunders was looking for. Instead we have Marcus Smart, who I like a lot, but who is also neither Wiggins or Love...

I get playing to win at all times and ascribe to it, with the exception of playing mid level vets who won't be here long term.

This doesn't really apply to IT as much as it does/did to Bass, Thornton and prince, he're more than that as a talent - but still I get Sharp's point.

         

[Hemingway]

This article is silly. The term tank gets thrown around so much people, and I guest columnists now too think there are many teams tanking all year long. He also forgets the subtractions of Prince and Thornton.

It's one thing to be middle of the pack year after year, but it's like people think you can never be there while going up or down. Tank, tank, tank, tank, tank, championship, championship, championship, championship, tank, tank exc.
It's just not realistic. It is ok to take a slow and steady path back. Until we can really cash in.