this make boston contenders in the east? i don't think so, but maybe. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/basketball/nba/03/04/payton.ap/index.html ------------- BOSTON (AP) -- Gary Payton returned to the Celtics on Friday, one week after Boston sent him to Atlanta in a trade for Antoine Walker. Payton re-signed with Boston after the Hawks waived him and was on the court at the Celtics' practice facility in Waltham on Friday morning, team spokesman Jeff Twiss said. Payton was traded to Atlanta with Tom Gugliotta, Michael Stewart and a first-round pick at the NBA trading deadline. The deal brought Walker back to Boston, where he played seven seasons before being shipped out 11/2 years ago. But it also left the Celtics without an experienced point guard. Coach Doc Rivers has said Payton isn't likely to play until Sunday's game with Minnesota. Payton's return to Boston was a markedly different scene from when he was initially dealt from the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason. Then, there were questions about whether he would report because Boston was so far from his West Coast home. But Payton has proven to be a good addition, averaging 12.1 points and 6.1 assists, bonding with teammates and providing valuable leadership for the team's young guards. ---------------
Not that I'm complaining really, but I'd say that was shady. Reports were a day or two before he was dealt that he was negotiating a new, two-year deal with Boston. This definitely was planned. I wonder if this will become more of a trend. I mean, it has to be as long as there are Hawks and Hornets out there ... terrible teams just looking for cap space. Obviously Elden Campbell and the Pistons tried to do the same thing, but the Nets' salary exemption allowed them to pick up Elden off waivers.
Clutch, I think the NBA knows that stuff like that is going on between teams and that it encourages it, coincidence that all these guys that get picked up go to playoff teams? Isn't it better for the NBA to have Payton play on the Celtics instead of sitting out the rest of the season because he's afraid of playing with a pissed off Tyrone Lue? Mourning I'm sure will add to the ratings when the Heat are in the playoffs, so why have him play for the Raptors unless he's going to fist fight Sam Mitchell? Why give away Rodney Rogers to the Sixers for Glenn Robinson if both the Big Dogg and Mashburn were expiring contracts? There are probably logical explanations for all of those things but it's still fishy to me.
This "catch and release" trade stuff isn't exactly new in the NBA. First time I remember seeing it was in the Quitten trade, where we received Augmon in the trade but as part of the handshake agreement, immediately released the guy to re-sign with the Blazers. As long as it didn't violate any rules, I don't see the harm.
Actually the Rockets liked Augmon, but Augmon didn't do anything in practice cuz he know he'd be back with the Blazers and we were force to cut him. I think the Rockets filed a grievance with the League about that.
I remember the accounts of that trade along the lines of SamCassell's explanation. Do you have any evidence to support yours? Just for clarification sake.
The Rockets supposedly like every player that's tossed into a trade to make the salaries work, esp during the Rudy T era. They were pimping Don McClean and freaking Ameechi.
No evidence, just what I remember from what's been posted on this board. But then again, it was a long time ago.
Just imagine what the green trio-- Gary Payton & Antoine Walker& Paul Pierce is capable of achieving... Celtics definitely becomes competitive to contend for a Eastern Conference Champion with Miami, Detroit after they trade for Walker, and re-signed Payton, imo.
Things are finally looking up in Boston. That being said, the Pistons and Heat are better teams than the C's at this point. However, they have more depth and young legs than either of those teams... and could beat them in seven-game series if their players get hot. I think it's exceedingly unlikely that they could beat both teams in the same playoff run, but you never know. Long-term, though, I like them better than any team in the Eastern conference. I think they have a realistic shot at banner #17 in the next three seasons.
actually i like Davis more then Payton and Walker. so i wouldn't call it a trio. i do not see them competing with Miami, or detroit. Walker just isn't good and Payton is getting to old.
