Quote Originally Posted by makaveli23:
This is by far the most unbelievable trade of D-Day. Puzzling & shocking.
Celtics Receive: Jeff Green & Nenad Kristic
Thunder Receive: Kendrick Perkins & Nate Robinson
Mak's Analysis: What
in the blue hell is Boston thinking? I just do not understand it. I
can try to explain it to myself in many different ways, but ending a
dynasty is what Boston did. This was all Danny Ainge, I really doubt
Doc Rivers was 100% sold on the deadline moves by the beast of the
east. It makes Doc Rivers look like a bit of an idiot in my opinion.
All summer, all year Doc reiterated with media and his team that the
Boston Celtics had never lost when it counted, that when they were a
cohesive unit, they were unstoppable...I believed him. Rajon, Allen,
Paul, Kevin & Kendrick had never lost a playoff series
together....so why break them up? I just do not understand. Doc is the
best motivator currently coaching, 2nd best of all time in my opinion
behind Pat Riley. What is he going to say to the big 4 to motivate them
in the playoffs? That has yet to be seen. If I was to grasp at straws
to try to fathom this deal, it would come down to three things. One
would be the future of the Boston Celtics post big three. Two would be
that Danny and Doc know something we do not. An addition of Troy Murphy
seems imminent, but maybe the return of Rasheed? Something has to give
here. Three would be that the Celtics realize that the Los Angeles
Lakers and Orlando Magic do not pose as big a threat as they once did to
Boston. The reason Boston stocked up on bigs was to offset the power
of Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. With the
Lakers struggling immensely and Orlando’s lack of front-court depth, it
seems now their biggest competition in my opinion would be Miami and
Dallas. In order to beat Miami and Dallas they realize they must obtain
more offensive firepower. Troy and Jeff will do that for them. This
also helps them start building for the post big three era with Rondo,
Davis and Green. Another aspect again is the CBA. Perk was an
unrestricted free agent, they get Green and Nenad who are both
restricted free agents. Thus, allowing them to resign for much cheaper
that Perk would receive in an open market. This also allows them to
have a lot of cap flexibility to maybe add one more big piece and make
one last stand next season. Nevertheless, I do not like this trade for
the near future. Jermaine and Shaq have not proven to be legitimate
front court threats, but as long as they are healthy come playoff time,
the Celts could still make a run to the finals if they can get past the
Heat.
The Oklahoma City Thunder made a few moves that were spectacular in my
opinion, this being one of them. The Thunder have really regressed
their defensive stature from last year. They are now a run and gun team
that rarely cared about post presence. With the addition of Perk this
all changes in my opinion, I always thought the biggest weakness on the
Thunder squad was Nenad as a starting 5. I always wanted Ibaka to
start. But Ibaka is a legitimate power forward in this league and a
damn good one at that. Adding Perk (also Nazzy which we will get to)
along with Serge & Nick Collison solidifies what is now an
outstanding front-court. So the new starting 5 will be Westbrook,
Thabo, Kevin, Ibaka and Perk.....WOW. That in my opinion is an
upgrade. Green struggled all season and just could not contain power
forwards who used to explode against OKC. Their bench is now even
deeper with Maynor and Robinson as playmakers, Harden who is slowly but
surely finding himself, Nick Collison who is a leader in charges taken
and a leader and +/- stats as well as Nazr who we will get to shortly. I
really think this move makes the Thunder much more capable of
contending with Dallas, San Antonio and Los Angeles. The Thunder may
even manage to finish 3rd in the West. This team is set to make their
deepest playoff run in team history, excellent move by Oklahoma City.
Back them continuously until the end of the season gents, these guys are
the real deal holyfield.
Mak’s Report Card: Boston = C+, Oklahoma City = A
Financial MotivationsKevin McHale said Danny told him they weren’t confident they could re-sign Perkins in free agency.
So, let’s put this in perspective.
Kendrick is crying leaving. The Celtic players were very emotional and
Paul Pierce called it a ‘cold’ management decision. Never forget the
business aspect of this sport. True enough.
But Kendrick did not
want to sign an extension and wanted to test free agency. No doubt, he
would have many takers. Miami was said to have him targeted. Though a
lock out looms, Brendan Haywood money ($8-10 mil. yr) would be possible.
If Perkins left for a deal that the Celtics couldn’t feel justified in
matching, that would have been different?
In the end, both sides
have to look out for themselves. Instead of possibly losing Perkins for
nothing, Danny got a young, improving, starter level, versatile 3-4
type player and a center who can knock down a jump shot for Perkins and
Nate Robinson, who did his very best, but wasn’t fitting in as well as
some hoped. I loved Perk when he was here. But I love the trade.