What mediocre guards? If you're looking for mediocre players on the C's, look to the frontcourt... Ainge isn't an idiot. He's looking to move Welsch because there is a logjam on the Celtics roster - four quality swingmen play the same position. Allen (according to self-proclaimed Celtics insider Bill Simmons) was the reportedly steal of the draft and tore up the Chicago workouts, earning the nickname "baby Artest." I have doubts, though, because he was good, but not spectacular in Summer League play. Anyway, with Pierce getting the minutes he's used to, unless Davis or Welsch are moved, he isn't getting any playing time. For a variety of reasons Davis isn't likely to be traded, so Welsh might. And Welsh or Payton for guys like Lue, Ward and Weatherspoon - guys no team wants to trade for - is just dumb, unless the Celtics unload their only remaining capkiller, Raef LaFrentz. BTW, Jiri played with an injured thumb last year, so look for his numbers to improve. He could be the next Brent Barry, someone who, while not a star, could help a team immensely. The Celtics have been rebuilding since 1993. Since then they've acquired Eric Williams twice. Had they had a reasonably competent general manager starting in the 2001 offseason, they would be a championship-caliber team right now. Had they won the lottery in 1997 there would be at least another banner hanging from the Fleet... Bank of America Center rafters. Ainge has done an incredible job of cleaning up the mess that Chris Wallace left behind. It amazes me the people hate Ainge so much for blowing up an aging 44-win team that wasn't going anywhere. Look for the Celtics to improve over the next three seasons. If their young talent pans out, they will join the league's elite.
I find it laughable that GM's give up on players so early in their careers. Most of these are very young, and if they got some good coaching they could be something. Heck, I guess the league could REALLY use a minor league system. DO NOT LET GALLO PITCH TO A RIGHT HANDED BATTER !! DD
Some players you know are going to be unequivocal busts after their first seasons - or even their first summer league. Joe Forte (whom Red Aurbach recommended drafting) is a classic Celtics example. I wouldn't mind the C's "giving up" on Welsh because of the logjam, but I would kind of want fair value in return (i.e. a draft pick.) Even if Welsh pans out it would be a good move. But for the Rockets to give up on someone like Nachbar, who has yet to make it to his team's eight-man rotation and isn't hampering anyone else's playing time, wouldn't be smart.
Thats exactly what I was trying to say. First they aquired Eric Williams...A year after that Celtics got lucky and drafted Antoine Walker( if you call that lucky). Now Paul Pierce. The Celtics had so many chances of making the team great. Two years ago they were in the Eastern Conference finals. Then you hear of the word REBUILD in the offseason...makes you wanna jump of a bridge. Being from the EAST coast, Ive watch more Celtics games than Rockets. Yuri is a TENACIOUS defender. He might we worth Boki's value.
Well... the 2002 offseason was kind of depressing. The team traded its only marginally successful draft pick to make a run, and then let Rodney Rogers go. Anderson, whose defense and leadership were a key factor in the team's success, was traded for Vin Baker at the owner's behest. The owner (Gaston) screwed the team and its fans because he didn't have to pay Vin's salary, and sold the team for an extra $20 million. The Celtics have been the Clippers of the east, but the new ownership coupled with the bold moves of Danny Ainge are changing this. Don't be so hard on the guy; he isn't a moron. Celtics fans have a lot to hope for, and the roster at this point can win the Atlantic division (being at least as good as NY, Toronto and Philly) for the third seed in the playoffs. And they're a lot younger than their division rivals, so in the long-term they'll have the edge if things go as planned.
well, much of the animosity towards Ainge comes from the fact that he was an ass when he played. And usually when you blow up a team you don't acquire even worse salaries than you traded away(Raef LaFrentz). I mean, what is the overall philosophy for that team? Are they building around Pierce? or are they biding time until they can move him and try someone else?
Perhaps the GMs (and coaches) are afraid that by the time the guy matures he (the GM) will have been moved out.
Sorry for posting so much! Ainge traded for Raef because he had a spat with Walker - who wanted a MAX extension to his contract. What's the point of cap space when the main expiring contract is your team's second-best player? So Ainge shops him and, ten days before the season, swaps him for the best package available. The timing was questionable, but I now believe that Celtics got the better of this trade by far. Here's a run-down of the trade and its aftermath: LaFrentz- the closest player in the deal talent-wise to Walker... who unfortunately undergoes arthroscopic surgery. Right now, he's healthy, but don't expect superstardom out of him. Welsch- intriguing prospect First-rounder- Delonte West Mills- expiring contract who is later swapped along with pickup Mike James for... Tony Allen Chucky Atkins- veteran point guard who is swapped along with Chris Mihm (who Ainge wasn't planning to re-sign) and Jumaine Jones (capkiller who was out of the rotation) for... Payton Fox (retired?) Conditional first-round pick Considering what Dallas got for Walker, that is thievery! Raef's contract is an onus, but since it appears he'll play this season I'll take it. Bill Simmons claims that the Celtics had their best draft in 50 years. I'll take that with a grain of salt, but there is no doubt that the Celtics have a talented young nucleus and the Walker trade made it possible. Walker was my favorite Celtic, but I'm now glad he was traded. I wish him the best in Atlanta - he could lead the league in scoring there! BTW, why was Ainge so hated? From what I've heard, he's liked by players. Googs liked him, and signed with the team. Malone is interested in playing for him. Was it because of that biting incident with Tree Rollins?
After reading the article, what exactly do the Celtics want. They say they have enough pgs, swing men and big guys. So are they looking to move Welsch for a draft pick? I'd be tempted to try and get him for a #1 and the TE. But the way the roster is made up now, I'd be hardpressed to see him get PT. IMO the Rox are done dealing for the offseason. Unless of course some team is just dying to add Mo T or Spoon. Not very likely.
Robert Horry loves him. The only thing I hate about Horry is that he didn't have a roll of quarters in that towel he threw in Ainge's face.
How about Lue for Welsch? Don't really need munchkin head since we have Sura, Ward, Gaines, T-Mac. Can keep Welsch around to play 2/3.
All I know is that if Mario Elie hadn't been restrained when Ainge threw the ball in his face, Ainge still would be in the hospital with doctors flying in from all over the country, trying to remove JYD's sneaker from his a--.
I cannot understand Danny A'ginne as a GM. Just get rid of Rick Davis. Jiri Welsch is a consistent shooter also can be a playmaker. But I don't really think Hoston need him.
