Starting to feel bad/compassion towards IT

[jbpats]

Let me first say that I was one of those who said from day 1, that while with us, IT should never be paid the max.
I was also one of the first people to say that he should not get a tribute video on Pauls night.

That being said, I'm really starting to feel bad for IT4. He is turning into the laughing stock of the NBA, he is the new team scapegoat and this trade to the cavs has probably cost him in my estimation 10-15mil per season at least. I feel like he lost his confidence and just doesn't seem like the same player anymore.
IT did a lot for the Celtics and it really sucks to see his career take such a complete 180 in the wrong direction.

I'm really hoping he turns it around and starts performing the way he can. I think maybe a trade today could be the best thing for him, that Cavs locker room is clearly cancerous right now.  If he does stay with the cavs I hope he can start dishing out 20-30 point games again, of course at the expense of Cleveland losing each night.

[nickagneta]

Unfortunately, I think IT is in an environment that isn't conducive for him returning to form or showing why he is worth big bucks. Someone is going to sign him in the offseason and if that team allows IT the freedoms that he had here in Boston, I think IT could return to his former self. And that team will be getting a massive bargain.

Always liked IT. Always thought that Danny should have given him a great contract. But given the injury, given who he was traded for, given the uncertainty of IT returning to form, I think Danny made a great trade.

[Surferdad]

I feel bad for him too.  He is quoted as saying:

I'm tired of being traded.

I feel for him, but I do not feel a speck of guilt over Ainge trading him.  IT was able to revive his career in Boston and CBS built the offense around him once he became a starter.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I have a random question.

If you're the New York Knicks, would you give up Jarrett Jack, Doug McDermott and a 2nd round pick for Isaiah?

[Phantom255x]

Cleveland treated him horribly. Sad.

Glad he's OUT of that toxic environment and can have a chance with the team he grew up cheering for (LAL) 

[Kuberski33]

That being said, I'm really starting to feel bad for IT4. He is turning into the laughing stock of the NBA, he is the new team scapegoat and this trade to the cavs has probably cost him in my estimation 10-15mil per season at least. I feel like he lost his confidence and just doesn't seem like the same player anymore.

I'm not sure how you would be considered a laughing stock if the reason you can't play to your potential is physical. The guy ran into some rotten luck and whether it was his own stubbornness or the Celtics apparently inept medical staff - the gujy's hip is preventing him from being the player he used to be.

He's better off being away from the ball hogging LeBron and with Ball who'll at least get him open looks. That all said, he doesn't have his explosiveness which was a key element for him.  Healthy he's a max player.  That's what he gets for playing for the team instead of playing for himself - sad to say. 

But it's the reality.

[fairweatherfan]

It really sucks for a guy who gave his all.  He's going to take a disappointing contract this offseason too, and may have a tough time even getting offered a consistent starting job.

I'm glad we're not the ones paying him - I hoped we wouldn't even before the hip injury - but he gave us incredible effort and a lot of wins, and he deserves better than what he's getting. So it goes.

[Vermont Green]

I have felt bad for him all along, when traded, when he struggled with CLE, and now that he is essentially being dumped by CLE.  He didn't do anything to deserve any of this but it is part of getting the big bucks in the NBA.

I hope he returns to form while with the Lakers.  I know that this helps the Lakers and hurts our pick in the short term but the SAC pick next season will be better anyway.  And I am not sure the Lakers are better after this.  Frye and the pick don't help them at all this year and depending on the hip, IT may not either.  This is a shed salary and tank move for the Lakers.

The only reason that I can see why the Lakers would do this trade is that they are clearing salary (in particular Clarkson's).  Seems like this is setting them up to sign Lebron.  This whole deal seems very strange to me.

[droopdog7]

The problem with IT, one I've always believed, is that he's a gadget player.  I mean, he can be really really good at scoring, but unfortunately cannot/should not be a full time player.  He kills you on defense in ways that cannot be changed. 

I was on board with the Kyrie trade from the beginning, even without the IT injury, but it's pretty much a slam dunk now.

[wdleehi]

I hope LA buys him out.   I want to root for IT.   

[Tr1boy]

The problem with IT, one I've always believed, is that he's a gadget player.  I mean, he can be really really good at scoring, but unfortunately cannot/should not be a full time player.  He kills you on defense in ways that cannot be changed. 

I was on board with the Kyrie trade from the beginning, even without the IT injury, but it's pretty much a slam dunk now.

I been saying this since he was acquired...yet alot of the folks here were barking at this notion

He is an offensive specialist/6th man

now who knows how the lakers will use him. 

But in theory Ball and IT4 backcourt can work

OR

IT4 will just come off the bench ... he will just have to accept the fact that he is a 6th man

[Tr1boy]

I hope LA buys him out.   I want to root for IT.   

Should the Celts sign him then? lol

[apc]

I fell bad for him. Bad I think he should do less talking.

[Tr1boy]

IT4 is not going to talk to Koby again

[knuckleballer]

I hope LA buys him out.   I want to root for IT.   

Buying him out would be awesome.  Imagine if he re-signed with the Celtics to be a sixth man off the bench instead of trading for Tyreke.  If that were to happen, I'll dance in the streets.