A few points... 1) The Celtics are in a position to trade for a star (Marion, SAR, etc.) that they haven't been in recent memory. Just because Ainge trades for expiring contracts doesn't mean he intends to keep them. 2) The Blount signing (I'm assuming he's the other untouchable player you're talking about) wasn't too bad (compared to the other signings), and without it there would be major holes in the C's rotation. Unlike Dampier, who wasted his talent for years but then started playing with intensity right before payday, Blount is a late bloomer who has always gave the C's a solid effort. The contract would have been better if it were, say, four years instead of six, but I'll take it. 3) Jefferson was the steal of the draft, and in the summer leagues he looked more developed than Howard. Allen slipped in the draft because he's a head case, but that doesn't mean he isn't a stud (very solid defensive specialist). West is a natural PG (he played out of position in college) who will get solid minutes in the rotation. Jiri had a very good year for the C's... and he was playing through injury, which means this year his play should improve. Banks and Perkins are question marks, but they have a decent chance of panning out. That, on any team, is a solid youth movement. Certainly an improvement over Kedrick Brown and J.R. Bremer, the sole young players on the C's 2002-03 roster. 4) Last year the Celtics sucked because of injury, the Baker kerfuffle, the midseason trade, the coaching change... all of which destroyed chemistry. And they still slipped into the playoffs. This year, Doc Rivers is coach, Raef will be back to fill McCarty's minutes, Jiri will be healthy, and Payton is certainly an upgrade over Chucky Atkins. The rookies and second-year players are question marks, but if they add any strength the rotation, this team could conceivably win 50 games. And this is before Ainge makes unloads his expiring contracts.
I will bet you any, ANY, amount of money that Boston will not win 50 games this year - even playing in the East.
Marion and SAR aren't the type of players who can carry a team. Being in position to trade for a McGrady is different than being able to trade for a guy who otherwise may be coming off the bench in Portland, or a guy who is being traded because he makes an undeserved max contract. And neither are powerful inside players. Much of the Celtics success imo will depend on if either Kendrick Perkins or Al Jefferson develop into bona fide beasts in the paint. Generally, it is best to wait a year before declaring someone the steal of the draft. See Langhi, Dan.
Of course SAR and Marion aren't on the same level as McGrady. But the Rockets yielded two of their three best players for them, not to mention their backup center. A great trade, but this left massive gaps in the Rockets rotation. The C's have an opportunity to get a star player while leaving the team's core intact. Not a bad deal, IMO. As for Jefferson being a steal, do you really think the Sonics look better with Swift? The Blazers with Telfair? If he gets minutes, he could conceivably (operative word, ahem) play on the same level as Stoudamire two years ago. Give Ainge some credit. Most Celtics fans are 100% behind him, and they haven't been this excited in ages, even though the Boston sports media hates him.
By all accounts Jefferson is tearing up the summer leagues and is way farther along than swift. But you're right that whether he can play up to amare's rookie level is still to be determined
On the trades: 1. GP doesn't know how to be the 3rd or 4th option. He doesn't fit in here. 2. we keep Boki for at least 1 more year to develope. As far as Ainge goes, he's one of the biggest a$$holes in the NBA in whatever capacity he serves.
The worst part of the Glove? Karla. Get the no-longer Glove, feel postal love??? It's not worth the chance!!! BTW - GP is my kind of guy -- for Boston. Or Clips.
