Celtics fans hate me because I keep saying this, but they have to trade Paul. Have to. Bill Simmons was just wondering aloud, but I think he's spot on in his guess that Paul's sour puss could hold this team hostage next year. I wish that weren't the case, and I truly admire Ainge for wanting to stay in the playoff picture to keep the fans happy and the kids involved in real basketball, but he's going to have to make a decision soon. He's also looking at a series of players on rookie deals that will expire in a few years, do you know if Wysbrouck will want to go into luxury tax territory foodworld?
I think more than 4, honestly. Heat, Pistons, Spurs, Suns for sure. Anyone of those teams win and you won't say you were shocked. Indiana and Houston probably join that list as well. Indiana played really well last year with virtually no talent for a large part of the season. The Rockets have McGrady and Ming...which means anytime they don't at least make conference finals from now on with their supporting cast, you could honestly say they are underachieving. And then you can make an argument for Dallas or Sacramento (who have loaded right back up on talent). That's the truth. If the Celtics win the championship next year, I think the entire world will be shocked. How good will they be? Nobody knows. Heck GM's can't figure out which no-doubt talent to draft in the top spots of drafts (cough, cough...Darko, Olawakandi, Kwame, etc.), much less tell how good a group of young players, none of whom could crack 15 mpg last season, will be? If Ricky Davis is a star-caliber player, then so is 30% of the NBA. Don't get me wrong...he is an explosive scorer and amazing athlete, but he is not an all-star. Potential being the key-word. I don't know if that is still true this year given some of these offseason acquisitions. Moreover, you are counting on that 2nd unit to become a great first unit, which is by no means a given. Maybe. On paper, the Rockets should be winning the championship next year though. Wow. Again, maybe. But even still...a 55 win team in the East is still, imo, the equivalent of a 45-50 win team in the West. Point being, they are a 45-55 win team that is above average, especially in the East, but aren't going to win it all anytime soon. Paul Pierce doesn't really bother me. I like Delonte West. I'll certainly track Gerald Green's development. Al Jefferson seems like he can develop into a strong player, etc., etc. I really can't stand Danny Ainge. When it's all said and done, I like the Celtics. But wishing for them to be something they're not (a future perennial championship contender), with or without Dan the Man Dickau, is just dreaming.
You do realize that New Jersey is Jason Kidd's surgically repaired knee away from the lottery? And that the reason they drafted Antoine Wright is because they KNOW it's only a matter of time before Wince Carter either goes down with injury or p*****s out? And that they have the worst defensive front-court in the league? And that they only have depth at two positions? One word describes that team: OVERRATED. Boston and Philly (and to a lesser extent New York) have equally good shots at the division title.
Probably, but LaFrentz's deal will expire by then and that bum Blount will be easily moved as his contract comes close to expiring. Plus the remnants of Baker's deal won't count towards the tax. With Ainge now signing limited role players (Veal, Dickau) to compliment the young guns instead of high-priced veterans (Blount), and the fact that the only young player on the C's that will only be worth the max is Jefferson, I don't think the Celtics will go over the threshold. Pierce could be moved, but not immediately. Basketball-wise there isn't a single deal out there that makes the Celtics better. However, two years from now at the trade deadline of the '06-07 season, if the team is struggling, it might be best to move on without him. But not now. The team must stay competetive and in the playoffs. And don't tell me that he'll demand a trade or pull a Wince Carter - he won't. I know this sounds like amateur psychiatry, but that's not his MO. He's a gloomy character for sure... but I think that whole Game 6 kurfuffle really masked how good a season (at least in the second half) he had. He's worth more than what teams are willing to give up for him (Keith Van Horn and Marquis Daniels? GIVE ME A BREAK!) Sorry for being such a homer a sshole... I'm just doing my job.
