Sorts of Sports

Green Heads

Trading fan favorites is never easy.  Even though I suspected it was for the best, at the time, it was still tough seeing hard-working athletes leave teams I rooted for.  Seeing Johnny Damon and Pedro Martinez go to New York teams sucked.  Even though Al Jefferson’s departure meant acquiring Kevin Garnett (and No. 18), I knew I would miss watching Big Al work the post.  I still wish the Pats would’ve kept Willie McGinest from ending his distinguished career with the lowly Brownies.

Seeing Perkins go will be tougher than all of them.  Boston fans watched him develop from a chubby, soft-spoken, unskilled 18-year old from East Texas, into a chiseled, animated, low-post enforcer who could (occasionally) finish at the rim, and curb the scoring ability of the league’s best big men.
            But/Having Said All That/Still…  today’s trades best serve the organization moving forward
            Let’s take a look at how the trade effects this season’s championship run.  The battle for the 2011 Larry O’Brien trophy figures to be the most fierce in quite some time.  There are four legitimate teams contending with Boston to emerge from the Eastern Conference, with the two-time defending champs or a battle-tested Spurs team waiting out West.  While the Celtics have handled the Heat this season, and have handled the Magic and Bulls over the past couple seasons, I wouldn’t exactly be confident in a playoff series with any of those teams as of 24-hours ago.  Miami (especially Bosh) is improving every week, and as we just were reminded, LeBron is still the league’s best player.  Orlando hasn’t been playing well, but still creates tough matchups.  Chicago has young energy, and a tough, athletic combination up front that scares every team in contention.    
            As it is, the starters have been asked to do far too much this year.  The bench has been weak all year, and Ainge needed some way to mix that up.  Jeff Green will immediately improve that second unit.  He can play and guard multiple positions, shoot a serviceable percentage from anywhere on the court, and to quote The Rock, ‘knows his role.’  Most importantly, he’ll be able to spell Paul Pierce, and apply his young legs to the task of defending LeBron James, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, et al.  This trade was clearly a signal that Ainge felt the team needed a new look to get past Chicago and Miami (one with which I agree) 
            While, Nenad Kristic isn’t exactly a world-beater at center, but he is a huge upgrade over Semih Erden, and his high shooting percentage (50%/80%) will provide efficient minutes behind Garnett and Shaquille O’Neal. 
            From what we’ve seen so far, Kendrick Perkins isn’t the same player the Celtics have relied on during the playoff runs of the past couple of years.  The team has been 8-4 since Perk returned, and the center has  (predictably) struggled with his game.  With the uncertainty of his health still an issue this team could’ve been really struggling for able bodies come playoff time.  Further, the team played better with Shaq as the starting center as opposed to Perkins.  I think it is worth the risk to assume Shaq will come back healthy, especially when given the chance to add a talent like Green.
            Nate Robinson, as fun-loving and energetic as he is, was simply not a good player for the Celtics.  In fact, he carried a below-average PER, made laughable decisions at times, and ultimately could not ‘set the table’ for the second unit.  Delonte West, now that he’s back, is a much better candidate to play multiple roles off the bench.  
            I also think it’s worth taking into consideration the prospect of adding a few veterans, following the post-deadline buyout spree.  Adding Troy Murphy can’t be viewed with a “for what reason?” approach.  Murphy has maintained an above-average PER for his career, while rebounding at a high rate.   Whether its for Murphy or any of the others on the rumor mill, today’s moves must be consumed within the context of adding 2-3 more players.  Ainge must have a few options available, because at this point in the season he’s not going to just give away roster spots for 2nd round picks and cash. 
            Finally, let’s be honest about the team heading into the offseason.  Perkins was probably not going to re-sign with Boston.  Professional athletes are foolish to take ‘hometown discounts’, and Perkins was rightfully going to seek the best deal on the free agent market.  Rather than hope Perkins stays healthy, Ainge swapped his center for a young, versatile forward, who will add tremendous value to a floundering bench.