In 48 hrs Danny Ainge might be the dumbest man in Amerikka

[Phoenix Dark]

Is this man dumber than George Bush and John Edwards? Find out in 48hrs

The on-again, off-again deal with the Boston Celtics acquiring Kevin Garnett apparently is back on.

According to sources, the current deal on the table has the 6-foot-11 Garnett heading to Boston and the Celtics dealing away Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff's hefty expiring contract and Rajon Rondo. There may also be other players and draft picks involved.

It's not quite done, but three industry sources — including one close to the Celtics — told FOXSports.com that it's extremely close and could become official within the next 48 hours.

"It's basically done," one source said. "If it does happen, this will make the Celtics relevant again."

Celtics boss Danny Ainge attempted to trade for the Minnesota Timberwolves star forward prior to the NBA Draft, but the 31-year-old perennial All-Star had no interest in heading to Boston.

However, things may have changed now that Ainge and the Celtics pulled off the draft day deal with Seattle for Ray Allen.

...

The deal would give Ainge a team that could compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference with the trio of Paul Pierce, Garnett and Allen. The Celtics would also have nearly $60 million in salaries between the three players for next season alone.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7073708

I'm calling bullshit, but IF this is real Ainge officially takes Zeke's spot as the dumbest man in the east. Garnett can opt out of his contract after 1 YEAR. He'll be 32 by then, and the Celtics would be put in a tough spot with regard to paying an old player top money just to keep him away from other teams. If that happens they would have traded away two of the best young players (you know, THE FUTURE) for one good year, and lost $20 mil. The article does mention that the Allen trade could have caused Garnett to change his mind, but this is REAL shady to me. I don't see those three working together that well.

[Mandark]

Mortgaging the future, sure, but it was time they decided to compete, or commit themselves to rebuilding.  After the Allen trade, it was clear which way they were going, and KG's easily a better player than Jefferson in the immediate future.

If he sticks around, the Celtics have bought two years of being very interesting.

[Phoenix Dark]

Mortgaging the future, sure, but it was time they decided to compete, or commit themselves to rebuilding.  After the Allen trade, it was clear which way they were going, and KG's easily a better player than Jefferson in the immediate future.

If he sticks around, the Celtics have bought two years of being very interesting.

That's a $20 million "if" though. You're right that it's an interesting short term solution. But I have a bad idea about these three ganging up. I don't doubt Garnett's drive at all, but I could definitely see huge ego issues here.

[Mandark]

Unless you're Real Madrid, then refraining from getting star players because they might have ego clashes is a dumb idea.

There are enough shots to go around for the three of them, and they're sufficiently different in how they play that they wouldn't be stepping on each other's toes.  This isn't Marbury-Francis.

[Phoenix Dark]

Do you think they'll be a top 4 team in the east?

With respect to the ego/trade issue, I'm not saying the trade shouldn't happen due to the egos. I'm saying that the egos will complicate the team dynamic and really screw things up. I don't this working, even in the weak ass east.

[Mandark]

If they're healthy, why not?  More importantly, they absolutely have a shot at making the finals.  No team in the East would be a lock to beat them in a seven game series, and if a deeply flawed team like the Cavs can make it, they definitely have a chance.

[Smooth Groove]

32 is not that old for a big man although KG has been a Pro since High School.  KG has good enough handles and outside shooting to continue dominating even if he might lose some athleticism in the next few years.  Skinny players like KG also tend to age less slowly than the big muscular guys.  I think it's not a bad trade for Boston.  As much potential as Jefferson has, he's not reached the level of KG yet. 

[Phoenix Dark]

Far too dangerous. Let me tell you how this will go down:

Celtics will start the season slowly but pick of steam real fast. Eventually chemistry problems, bickering, and the utter lack of a competent PG or defense will tear the team apart. They'll reach the playoffs and be manhandled by the more experienced Pistons or Bulls. Even KG knows the eastern conference is shit, and will realize that if he stays in Boston his next 5 seasons will consist of either getting beaten by the Pistons/Bulls or getting embarrassed by western teams in the finals. HE WILL opt out of his contract and join a western team, or in fantasy land he might sign with Miami and dominate with Wade.

Phoenix would be the ideal fit. They could move Marion next year anyway. Hell, he could go to the Lakers

[etiolate]

Do the Celtics have a decent point guard? The offense will go through KG, but the wolves always hit the skids whenever one of their various injury prone PGs went down.

[Phoenix Dark]

They don't have a point guard

And their coach is Doc Rivers. There is no hope

[Mandark]

What's up with this too many egos theory, anyway?

It sounds really dumb.

[Phoenix Dark]

What's up with this too many egos theory, anyway?

It sounds really dumb.

You'll see it in NY and Boston this year, trust me. We've seen it before in LA (3 years ago actually). That actually worked until the finals. Won't be the case with Boston, in part because they have an incompetent coach who won't be able to keep the locker in check

Pistons will be better
Chicago will be better

Toronto will be better
NJ will be better

I'd put Boston at the 5 seed.

[Smooth Groove]

You don't really need a point guard in today's league.  Most of them are just selfish, short shooting guards anyway.  Even Tony Park, who is so widely praised, averages about 5 assists/ game.  If your PG is going to average less than 8 assists/game, you might as well have a 6'6 guy bringing up the ball. 

[Flannel Boy]

Allen and Pierce are not that young either. They're both at the tail end of their primes as well. Boston might as well try to win now. Maybe they can get lucky, make the Finals, and see Nowitzki at the other end of the court. Garnett will have a better shot at making the Finals with a good team in the East than with a great team in the West.

KG has never had great teammates. If he has not played well without a PG it is because most of the decent teammates he has had have been PGs. Without the PG he had little to work with. I mean, for many seasons the second best player on the team was a white American! COME ON!

The ego stuff is nonsense. None of these three stars have been known to be very egotistical players. They don't jack up thirty shots a game, and if anything, Garnett likes to differ to his teammates.

And, Phoenix, everything in the NBA is contingent. If, if, if, if.

[Phoenix Dark]

You don't really need a point guard in today's league.  Most of them are just selfish, short shooting guards anyway.  Even Tony Park, who is so widely praised, averages about 5 assists/ game.  If your PG is going to average less than 8 assists/game, you might as well have a 6'6 guy bringing up the ball. 

Since when is 5 assists/game bad, or the only think a PG does? Parker is great at setting up the offense, which essentially runs through him in SA.

Having no one (talented) to distribute the ball to these three guys, or set up the offense, isn't a great idea to me. The Celtics just traded away their entire future.

According to a Celtics official, Kevin Garnett has been traded to Boston.

Among the players thought to be headed to Minnesota are forward Al Jefferson, guard Sebastian Telfair, swingman Gerald Green and center Theo Ratliff, said the official. He also said the Timberwolves would get at least one draft choice. It had been reported throughout the day that Ryan Gomes and two No. 1 draft choices would be included in the deal, but as of now, it sounds like Gomes is staying with the Celtics. Details of the trade are still being worked out and it is not official, but the source said that none of those issues should keep the Celtics from acquiring Garnett, who is currently on a cruise vacation. However, there could be a change in the players going to Minnesota. There was a chance that a conference call announcing the trade would be held Monday, the official said.

Jefferson and Green were up and coming players. Now Boston is left with Kedrick Perkins, Tony Allen (coming off an injury), Rondo (lol), plus Glen Davis who I think is going to be a top rookie this year. Eh...yeah

[Smooth Groove]

Sup, Malek?  Have you finally gotten over the last NBA season now that you can blame it on the corrupted Refs?  That's what I did.  The Spurs are tainted champions.  I am certain that the Spurs wouldn't have won without some help from the association.  

[Phoenix Dark]

Allen and Pierce are not that young either. They're both at the tail end of their primes as well. Boston might as well try to win now. Maybe they can get lucky, make the Finals, and see Nowitzki at the other end of the court.

KG has never had great teammates. If he has not played well without a PG it is because most of the decent teammates he has had have been PGs. Without the PG he had little to work with. I mean, for many seasons the second best player on the team was a white American! COME ON!

Malek didn't you know the best player in the NBA is a white American?

The ego stuff is nonsense. None of these three stars have been known to be very egotistical players. They don't jack up thirty shots a game, and if anything, Garnett likes to differ to his teammates.

Pierce...?

[Flannel Boy]

Those damn refs. I knew it was them. I bet they injected Nowitzki with estrogen.

Malek didn't you know the best player in the NBA is a white American?


Pierce...?

Are you talking about Nash? Don't you mean white Canadian/South African?

Pierce has had little help. And he's still more like a 20 shots a game player.

[Phoenix Dark]

Those damn refs. I knew it was them. I bet they injected Nowitzki with estrogen.

Malek didn't you know the best player in the NBA is a white American?


Pierce...?

Are you talking about Nash? Don't you mean white Canadian/South African?

Pierce has had little help. And he's still more like a 20 shots a game shooter.

Yup he's around 20 shots a game. So is Allen and Garnett though. But maybe it won't matter since they essentially have no bench.

How do you see the eastern standings right now, now that this trade is official? First 8 seeds

1. Bulls
2. Pistons
3. Toronto
4. NJ
5. Boston
6. Orlando
7. LeBron
8. Miami

[Flannel Boy]

1. Pistons
2. Bulls
3. Boston
4. Toronto
5. Miami
6. LeBron
7. NJ
8. Orlando/New York 

[Phoenix Dark]

1. Pistons
2. Bulls
3. Boston
4. Toronto
5. Miami
6. LeBron
7. NJ
8. Orlando/New York 

Miami at 5 eh? I don't see Shaq staying healthy enough for that. Riley's gamble has run its course imo, and now they need to get some other pieces around Heir Wade.

Cavs didn't get better at all this off season. Booby will be exposed this season - hell, he couldn't get off shots in the summer league.

[Flannel Boy]

I forgot about Washington.

8. Orlando/New York/Washington

If Wade is healthy and Shaq plays even a little, they'll do okay.

[Mandark]

Malek didn't you know the best player in the NBA is a white American?

...Wally Szczerbiak?  Chris Kaman?  Kirk Heinrich?

And your ego theory still sounds DUMB.  "Never have more than one really good player on a team."  Yeah, that's a great way to build to a championship!

Don't sleep on the Wiz, malek.

[Flannel Boy]

Malek didn't you know the best player in the NBA is a white American?

...Wally Szczerbiak?  Chris Kaman?  Kirk Heinrich?

And your ego theory still sounds DUMB.  "Never have more than one really good player on a team."  Yeah, that's a great way to build to a championship!

Don't sleep on the Wiz, malek.

Yeah, I don't see how having three of the best 20 players in the NBA on one team could be bad.

I was working off of PD's list. Plus, I wanted to anger Evilbore's jews.

[Phoenix Dark]

Malek didn't you know the best player in the NBA is a white American?

...Wally Szczerbiak?  Chris Kaman?  Kirk Heinrich?

And your ego theory still sounds DUMB.  "Never have more than one really good player on a team."  Yeah, that's a great way to build to a championship!

Don't sleep on the Wiz, malek.

I didn't say that lol. This isn't the first team to feature multiple all stars acquired through trades/free agency...yeah, doesn't work too well. This isn't "my" theory. Just watch Boston and NY this year

[Mandark]

So, getting a player via trade or free agency magically makes him worse than if you got the same player via the draft?

[Phoenix Dark]

So, getting a player via trade or free agency magically makes him worse than if you got the same player via the draft?

I'm not saying that. I'm saying that this is a bad trade because

1. At 32 Garnett will be able to opt out of his contract, putting Boston in a bad position of trying to give an older player a big ass contract in order to keep him

2. They are trading away their two biggest pieces, future wise

3. I doubt Garnett, Pierce, and Allen will coincide peacefully with a bad coach, no PG, no bench, and no defense

This is a short term goal that will get Boston into the playoffs, excite the city, bring money in, etc...but not fix anything in the end. In one year Phoenix and LA will be more than able to make a run at Garnett.

[Mandark]

How will they not co-exist?  The team might not WIN because the bench and defense suck, but I don't think Telfair sucking will somehow make KG and Allen incompatible.

Your criticisms mostly boil down to "The Celtics aren't a very good team to begin with."  Well, yeah.