July 30, 2007

Kevin Garnett Traded to Celtics : ... for Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Mark Wahlberg, Ted Kennedy, the ghost of Johnny Most and the guy who ran the snowplow at the Patriots/Dolphins playoff game in 1982.

read story | posted by rcade to Basketball at 4:19 PM CDT (63 comments total)

Bad. I guess it's good that the Wolves are getting out of the "we're just one piece away" mentality. But still, I don't think they're getting equal value, and I don't trust McHale to use these new pieces and the draft pick to build anything. Basketball in Minnesota's going to be a drag for a while.

posted by cobra! at 4:39 PM CDT on July 30

Weird, I don't really like it from the Celtics' perspective, though it depends on the final terms of the deal. Thankfully, neither Rajan Rondo nor Ryan Gomes seem to have been included. There was also some discussion of the Wolves getting the Celtics draft picks for the next hundred years. I'm really sad to see Jefferson go, Green certainly has potential, but this could be a fun run, right until someone needs to sign a check. Can't see the Celtics signing anyone for about 10 years.

I reserve judgment until the full trade has been explained and Garnett has signed an extension with the Celtics.

Of course, I do love KG as a player and a personality, but can someone tell me how many good years he has left?

posted by yerfatma at 4:43 PM CDT on July 30

It'll also be interesting to see if Minnesota tries to move Mark Blount since Al Jefferson apparently can't stand him. The Herald has Gomes and first round pick involved.

posted by yerfatma at 4:46 PM CDT on July 30

There was also some discussion of the Wolves getting the Celtics draft picks for the next hundred years.

No, the Curse of Herschel Walker is pretty clear about stating that draft picks are only allowed to hemorrhage out of Minnesota, not in.

posted by cobra! at 4:46 PM CDT on July 30

Oh, and it disappoints me to hear that this doesn't look good from the Celtics' perspective, either. I was sort of hoping to balance out the next few years of Wolves suckage by at least getting to watch KG kick some ass in the East.

posted by cobra! at 4:50 PM CDT on July 30

Maybe this is one of those rare trades in which both teams come out behind. I honestly think that Ainge threw away the future (further out than 3 years, at least) with the Ray Allen trade. Any one of the "bigs" that was available at 5 would be more valuable to the Celtics than Ray Allen will be in 3 years. Now Ainge has compounded the problem by acquiring a probably discontented Kevin Garnett. Ditto Al Jefferson's value in 3 years vis a vis Kevin Garnett. If anything more han the aforementioned foursome (Jefferson, Telfair, Green, Ratliff) is involved, Ainge ought to be indictged for aiding and abetting a theft.

As presently constituted, assuming Garnett reports, the Celtics are likely to get into the second round of the playoffs, but they won't make the Eastern Conference finals, let alone the NBA championship finals.

posted by Howard_T at 5:21 PM CDT on July 30

Oh, it's fairly respectable from the Celtics perspective. Ainge absolutely threw away the future. This is all about the next three years. But the Celtics are immediately solid favorites to make the EC finals at the very least, and probably see the Finals once.

If Garnett was discontent, he wouldn't be agreeing to the trade. And make no mistake; he is agreeing. If he disliked the trade, he wouldn't sign the extension, and the trade won't happen if he doesn't.

As long as Rondo isn't part of the trade, you have someone to start at point guard. The Celts will need a backup PG, but Brevin Knight's probably available for the midlevel. Center: Perkins and Davis. Sixth man: Tony Allen, whatever he can bring to the table at this point post-injury.

I'm not sure how you can say the Celtics won't make the EC finals, really. Who's going to stop them? Cleveland, with one incredible player and a bunch of eh? (Z's a year older, as are his ankles.) Miami?

I would have preferred to see Pierce traded pre-draft for picks and possible new stars, so that the team could build around Jefferson and young guys, but Ainge isn't very good at that. Once the trade for Allen was made, this was about the only thing that could justify it.

Remember: the team that walks away from a trade with the best player wins. Garnett is an all-time great. Jefferson has potential, but it would be very surprising if he turned out to be as good as Garnett. Jefferson will certainly be better five years from now, when Garnett's well past his prime, but this trade is all about the next three years.

posted by Bryant at 5:35 PM CDT on July 30

instant contenders in the mediocre Atlantic Division

Probably means they will make the playoffs. Unfortunately, then they have to play the good teams.

posted by graymatters at 5:37 PM CDT on July 30

What good teams in the East? The Pistons, Cavs and Bulls. Depending on whether the Celtics can squeeze a Brevin Knight or someone in under the MLE at this point and are allowed to play with more than one ball on the court, they should at least compete with those teams.

posted by yerfatma at 5:41 PM CDT on July 30

Just when I thought I couldn't dislike Ainge anymore. As with yerfatma, I absolutely adore KG; it's difficult to think of a more likeable guy who plays with more heart, but I hate to see Jefferson, as well as some of the C's other young talent, go. Telfair, I don't feel so bad about, but I was starting to get attached to Jefferson and Green.

Fucking Danny Ainge. Tree Rollins should have busted his ass when he had the chance.

On the other hand, damn I'd be geeked to see Ray and KG get a ring in green! Hey, I can hope.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 5:50 PM CDT on July 30

I'm not sure how you can say the Celtics won't make the EC finals, really. Who's going to stop them?

They lost 58 games last season -- two games shy of the worst record in the NBA. Maybe it's a little early to start looking for rafter space to hang the championship banner.

posted by rcade at 6:09 PM CDT on July 30

Well Danny rose up to the occasion. Faced with another dynasty or becoming the Devil Rays of basketball, Ainge stepped up and hit the homer. Ratliff (now) and Tefair are not the big names, it is Green and Jefferson that the T'wolves have in the cards now. Miami, Detroit, and Cleveland are all one pice short of a Finals run. But will Boston beat Phoenix in 2008? Will anybody beat Phoenix in 2008? As for the present, will this lock Kobe in LA, or #23's court. Yi is not staying in MIL, and CHI would give Noah at any moment to get Yi, and pul the trigger on that trade. Does Garnett moving East make this other blockbuster trade inevitable. That would be lopsided though. Although this is the msot lopsided NBA trade after Shaq to MIA, and that trade is only more lopsided in sports after Babe Ruth (ya the Bambino) gettin sold to the Evil Empire.

posted by Joe188 at 6:17 PM CDT on July 30

I'm not sure how you can say the Celtics won't make the EC finals, really. Who's going to stop them? Cleveland, with one incredible player and a bunch of eh?

Toronto.

posted by tommytrump at 6:32 PM CDT on July 30

with kg going to boston it will make them instant contenders in the playoffs.but if they can make it to the ECF's,they will be playin my pistons!which everyone knows should have stomped lebron and the cavs,then would have at least made a series of the finals if not winning it all.i would love to see (sheed v.s kg, prince v.s allen, hamilton v.s pierce) thats basketball at its finest ,but theres one catch ,my pistons have mr.BIG SHOT! case closed.boston was better off building through the draft and let young talented guys form chemistry while my pistons get older.noway bostons gonna make to the finals in the next three years.

posted by cruzctrl79 at 7:07 PM CDT on July 30

I'm not sure how you can say the Celtics won't make the EC finals, really. Who's going to stop them?

Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers.

I love Garnett's game, but I don't get the thinking here. Did the Celtics not just endure several seasons of losses with the promise of developing young homegrown talent? Is this change in philosophy an admission of failure by management?

Trading for Garnett signals that you want to win now while raiding the cupboard. Don't get me wrong, the C's will win games, qualify for the playoffs and probably make the EC Finals. But once this groups run is over, where do you go from there? You're right back where you were after the '02 season, with a roster with a lot of middle of the road vets, a couple unproven rooks, and a few aging all-stars. This squad is probably gonna look pretty good in February and March but what happens come June if they aren't hoisting the O'Brien?

posted by lilnemo at 7:20 PM CDT on July 30

Being a true Kansas Jayhawk I am thrilled to see Paul get some much needed help!With Ray and now Kevin there, I think the Boston druoght might finally be coming to an end. I think they need to work on their bench players a bit though, but their heading in the right direction.

posted by robi8259 at 7:33 PM CDT on July 30

So now the Celtics have an aging Big 3. One of them even has bad ankles with bone spurs surgery (but will be fine - really he will, right?). Seems like the Celtics tried this play before and learned that they should trade the OLD talent for the chance to get younger. I felt better about the original trio because they had actually shown they knew how to win the big ones.

Seems like Ainge is doing an awful lot to try to satisfy Paul Pierce. And is it even enough? Do they have a big man in the center or any left on the bench who can help? Is this just frustration out of losing the #1 or #2 pick they thought they "earned" with last year's misery? I'll be withholding final judgment until I see what the Celtics left themselves in the cupboard after the trade.

posted by wmorrison27 at 8:06 PM CDT on July 30

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 8:39 PM CDT on July 30

They did lose 58 games last season, but then again, they just upgraded a bit. Injuries is the big question.

But really. If the three stay healthy for a season, we're talking Kevin Garnett with more help than he's ever had in his life before. I'm not saying it guarantees anything; that'd be silly. It's also kind of silly to say that they won't make the EC finals.

posted by Bryant at 8:45 PM CDT on July 30

I can't see Boston making the Eastern Conference finals. Playoffs perhaps, but not that far. Yes I don't know much about the Celtics but it would seem to be quite improbable to have a team go from 58 losses to the Eastern Conference finals in one season.

The '01 Pistons were 32-50 and finished 50-32 (losing in the EC semis eerily enough to the Celts) in '02. The difference? The hiring of Rick Carlisle and the emergence of Ben Wallace.

Is it likely? Usually no.
Is it possible? What isn't?
I'd argue that the top talent of this Celtics squad is better than those Pistons, though their coaching staff is nowhere near as good. I don't think the 2nd round of the playoffs is that much of a stretch. But I think the EC Finals is the absolute limit for this squad. Just my opinion.

posted by lilnemo at 9:36 PM CDT on July 30

Wow. I'm a little surprised. I would have thought more people wouldn't like the deal. It has the real potential to be a total lose/lose.

I think it's a complete crapshoot. You're riding a 3-headed monster where two parts have been around for 12 years or so and the other one is hurt with alarming regularity. Is it better than New Jersey's 3-headed monster? I dunno. Probably. But that team isn't great. And this core isn't young.

Celtics just gave themselves 3 years to win a title. That's the only way this works out in their favor. I think it's really that simple. With the injury factor, age and deeper teams out there it just seems like everything is going to have to go right for it to work, and there are too many wildcards out there and if even one of them gets dealt the whole thing goes tube-riding right into frustrating mediocrity.

But it's bold. You have to like that. I wonder how much of this is motivated by Ainge's personal professional desparation, pressure from Paul Pierce and sheer moronity from McHale. I mean talk about getting a kitchen sink. I like Jefferson - but KG is worth him plus Rondo, for sure. I know he wasn't supposed to pick up any contracts, but Sebastian Telfair? Why bother?

Ah, the better deal was KG to the Suns, Amare to Atlanta, and their two top tens this year to Minny. That was going to be more fun.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:10 PM CDT on July 30

Ainge only has a couple years left if the Celts don't go deep into the playoffs soon. I am not a Celtic fan, yet I have to think that KG, Pierce and Ray Allen can get them pretty deep into the playoffs for the next three years, especially in the weak East. After that they may be screwed on draft picks and young talent. If they do make it deep for a couple years free agents may flock there as they had in the 80's when they were making the finals. Don't underestimate the deal yet. Then again don't overestimate it. I think it is definitely worth the shot.

posted by urall cloolis at 11:20 PM CDT on July 30

posted by chmurray at 12:01 AM CDT on July 31

Heck, in the "Least"-ern Conference, all the Celtics need to do is win 40 games in the regular season, and they're contenders. They easily do that with Garnett in their stable. Win it all? Any possibility of that depends on how well he, Allen and Pierce hold up.

posted by NerfballPro at 1:19 AM CDT on July 31

After digesting this for a day, I'm done with Danny Ainge. This off-season has made it clear the Celtics' interest is in competing for entertainment dollars, not championships. Counting the draft picks, they've traded 7 guys under the age of 25 for 2 guys over 30. It's 8 if you count Sebastian Telfair, which I won't. The Telfair for Brandon Roy deal and now Danny gets fleeced by possibly the worst (now 2nd worst?) GM in the league. I hope KG has an amazing brain scan.

Well Danny rose up to the occasion. Faced with another dynasty or becoming the Devil Rays of basketball, Ainge stepped up and hit the homer.

This almost makes up for things. Glad to have you back.

But once this groups run is over, where do you go from there? You're right back where you were after the '02 season, with a roster with a lot of middle of the road vets, a couple unproven rooks, and a few aging all-stars.

As someone on CelticsBlog said, "If you don't like this deal, just think of the excitement a few years from now watching the ping pong balls." Who's even left on the bench? Anyone who hits three shots in that Foxwoods' $7,777 contest has legitimate shot at the 12th roster spot right now.

posted by yerfatma at 5:42 AM CDT on July 31

This is what we get with a slap-hitting infielder as GM. Fuck it, I'm just gonna do the best I can to enjoy the next few seasons before the team goes in the tank again. Not much else I can do at this point.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 6:06 AM CDT on July 31

I thought that the Celtics released Sebastian Telfair or do they still own his contract?

posted by BornIcon at 6:34 AM CDT on July 31

Nah, they still own his contract.

posted by Bryant at 7:27 AM CDT on July 31

The release stuff was all posturing by ownership.

posted by yerfatma at 8:31 AM CDT on July 31

If I'm the Celtics I make this trade every time and don't think twice, so I can't fault it from their side. Minnesota... If you're going to give up KG for that do it 3 years ago and get more. Maybe I haven't seen Jefferson enough but I don't see myself pulling the trigger on this one if I'm Minnesota.

I think the Celtics can win 46-48 games easy.

This trade will be perfect for KG. He's always had to be the #1 scorer, except for maybe when the T-Wolves had Cassell. But the problem is KG has never had the game to be a #1 option. He's put up numbers because he's all Minnesota had. Now, as the third option, he's going to be more dominant than ever. He's a player that doesn't need to score to be effective. I remember watching him two seasons ago when a game was on the line and Minnesota went to him for the final shot and he chucked it off the backboard. It wasn't even close. This big 3 is much better than what New Jersey has. Carter and Jefferson are both soft and afraid to take a hit. Boston should win 50+ games this season, barring injury, which can affect any team.

As someone on CelticsBlog said, "If you don't like this deal, just think of the excitement a few years from now watching the ping pong balls."

It won't be that exciting when those ping pong balls are for Minnesota as a result of this trade.

posted by chamo at 10:15 AM CDT on July 31

This sounds like a WWE storyline. I think McHale and Ainge are trying to bring back the Celtic glory days by collusion. Minnesota plays Boston in the Finals. McHale hits Jefferson over the head with a chair while Ainge is distracting the referee from the opposite bench and helps the Celtics win the title. Telfair and Ratliff come to Jeffersons aid but as they do so, the entire Pacer team, lead by Bird join the fray and the Timberwolves are beaten within an inch of their lives.

posted by Ricardo at 10:21 AM CDT on July 31

Actually, now that I've had a day to digest, I like the trade a little more. It'll suck not having KG as a Wolf, but I really find myself looking forward to seeing what he can do with legitimate help in the East-- Pierce and Allen are head and shoulders above Sam Cassell and the ghost of Latrell Sprewell, and that combo was enough to get Garnett to the WCF.

And on the Wolves side, maybe it's not a disaster. It's a gamble, a huge one, but the truth is that they were going nowhere. It's still hardly a sure thing that they'll go anywhere (and no matter what, I think I'm looking at at least one season where 30 is about as many wins as you can expect from the Wolves), but at least they've taken the big step.

One local sportswriter summed it up: maybe it's better to watch a 20-win team with some hope for the future than it is to watch a 30-win team that's doomed for the long term.

posted by cobra! at 11:00 AM CDT on July 31

When I posted my first comment, I had not heard about the draft picks included. I held out a little hope that there might be some long-term improvement in addition to some playoff appearances. That hope is now dashed. By the time Boston has a chance at a first-round pick, the so-called premier threesome will be well into their 30s. Assuming that it will take at least 2 full seasons for a first-round pick to develop into a decent starter, Allen, Pierce, and Garnett will be ready to hang up the uniforms. That leaves the Celtics with the memories of playoff appearances without a legitimate sniff of the NBA finals, and as has been pointed out, exactly where they were in 2002.

For those who are counting the wins in the coming season, just remember that you are one injury away from disaster. At least with the younger players, there was some backup on the bench, and the recuperation time from injury is usually a bit shorter. Given the current squad, who plays power forward when KG goes down for 5 or 6 games? It's likely that Tony Allen can fill in adequately for Pierce or Ray Allen for a few games, but who gives him a few minutes on the bench to catch his breath? Without some further moves by Ainge, I wouldn't count too heavily on this team going too far, even in the East. With the amount of money that will be committed to the "3 Musketeers" (or Stooges, take your pick), there is not enough left to get a decent backup at the point (Rondo isn't nearly ready to be the full-time starter), let alone build an adequate bench.

It seems to me that Kevin McHale followed the old axiom always to trade your stars a year or so too early, rather than a year or so too late.

posted by Howard_T at 12:17 PM CDT on July 31

But the problem is KG has never had the game to be a #1 option.

This is news to most of the 4s in the Western Conference.

I had not heard about the draft picks included

It's not as bad as it sounds. One of the picks was Minnesota's to begin with, so it's not like we're out anything. The other is lottery-protected.

posted by yerfatma at 12:27 PM CDT on July 31

Ricardo,

Thanks for that. Priceless.

posted by brainofdtrain at 12:39 PM CDT on July 31

But the problem is KG has never had the game to be a #1 option.

This is news to most of the 4s in the Western Conference.

4's in the West are probably relieved that they won't have to be defended by Garnett as much with him in the East now. But throughout his career he's never looked comfortable as Minnesota's go-to scorer. With Boston, though, he'll be happy to defer to Pierce and Allen.

just remember that you are one injury away from disaster

Just like basically any other team in the league. They are older, though, and they all have had histories of injuries, so I guess they would be at a higher injury-risk.

posted by chamo at 12:52 PM CDT on July 31

Yeah, I don't really buy the injury thing. It's so random as to not be worth worrying about. Until last year, Pierce's injury history was almost completely limited to: Got Stabbed.

posted by yerfatma at 2:05 PM CDT on July 31

For those who are counting the wins in the coming season, just remember that you are one injury away from disaster.

We had that problem last year, as evidenced by the disaster that occurred when Pierce went down.

posted by Bryant at 3:04 PM CDT on July 31

For those who are counting the wins in the coming season, just remember that you are one injury away from disaster.

True, but it is the offseason, and "hope springs eternal." No one could be excited about their team if they focused on potential injuries. Wouldn't be much fun i think.

I say let the Celtic fans (i'm not one, except for the Pierce KU connection) have their day in the sun. They haven't had a lot to be excited about lately. "The harsh reality" will hit home in about 3 years i suspect.

For now, let them be giddy. I'm excited to see what this trio they have can produce.

posted by brainofdtrain at 6:33 PM CDT on July 31

Funny post, Ricardo, thanks for giving this detached NBA/Pacer fan a good laugh.

Great scenario - I can even see the emotional Ainge grabbing a ball and launching it off the ref's face at like Mach 10, thus presenting his forehead with the same backward Spaulding tattoo that Mario Elie must certainly still be sporting to this day...

I agree with Weedy that it was a bold stroke. But to me, this trade is like the egotistical guy down the street who goes out on credit and buys the Monster Truck that he can't afford, only to cruise town while trying to get laid as much as possible before the bank comes and repossesses the goods. It'll be a fun ride, but for how long?

If I were a Celtics fan I'd certainly have mixed feelings right now. And the fact that Ainge and McHale are trading with each other is really smelly to me, ref scandal or no. Wierd. Wasn't it a full moon last night?

posted by somedude at 12:38 AM CDT on August 1

posted by rcade at 9:37 AM CDT on August 1

If I were a Celtics fan, I'd be glad the team made a bold move to escape mediocrity. Garnett, Allen and Pierce put them back on the map in an East that's susceptible to title runs driven by superstars, as Wade and Shaq did in Miami two years ago and LeBron did last year. I think they've got a legit shot at a top four finish in the East, though I wonder how much defense they can muster in the postseason.

Me too. Garnett's a capable defender, so I feel comfortable there. Pierce played good defense earlier in his career but has regressed a fair bit. Sometimes I want to blame that on Doc Rivers.

We'll see. It's a definite potential weakness.

posted by Bryant at 12:20 PM CDT on August 1

Pierce played good defense earlier in his career but has regressed a fair bit. Sometimes I want to blame that on Doc Rivers.

You can't blame Doc for Pierce's lack of defense since Doc has only been with the Celtics for a few years. You would have to put the blame towards Pierce himself since a player should pride themselves on their defensive tenacity.

posted by BornIcon at 12:27 PM CDT on August 1

Who do they have to pass the ball? They seem to have lots of shooters and a poor defense. I admit to not being much of an expert, but I thought that the guys they have want the ball fed to them.

posted by THX-1138 at 2:02 PM CDT on August 1

You would have to put the blame towards Pierce himself since a player should pride themselves on their defensive tenacity.

Please stop. He was all-defensive at one point when the team was good. He's been playing on a shitty team for a long time and carrying 95% of the offensive load over multiple 82 game seasons. All that crap about pride amazes me; there are a lot of people out there who never have an off-day at work.

posted by yerfatma at 2:29 PM CDT on August 1

Who do they have to pass the ball? They seem to have lots of shooters and a poor defense. I admit to not being much of an expert, but I thought that the guys they have want the ball fed to them.

The trio was #49, #50, and #51 in the entire NBA in assists per game last season. (Allen, then Pierce, then Garnett.) This is not superb, but then again it's not a sign of a trio of players who're unwilling and unable to pass.

Rajon Rondo is the current choice to start at PG. He's untried. He looked pretty good in the last 30 or so games last year; his big weakness is that he can't shoot the jumper. He is pretty effective inside, though. 5.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 steals in 25 starts. 20-30 games does not a career make, however.

Celtics fans will be significantly more comfortable if and when Danny signs a competent veteran PG as backup. Brevin Knight is one obvious choice.

posted by Bryant at 3:02 PM CDT on August 1

The trio was #49, #50, and #51 in the entire NBA in assists per game last season.

In a league that features over 400 players a season, ranking in or around the top 50 isn't bad, especially if you're not a PG.

Rajon Rondo is the current choice to start at PG. He's untried. He looked pretty good in the last 30 or so games last year; his big weakness is that he can't shoot the jumper.

This would be my current worry on the team. If the offense is going to run through Garnett, all the spokes on the wheel need to be able to hit the perimeter jumper, including the point (this plagues a lot of teams, my Clips endured this for a large portion of last season). Yet another reason for Celtic fans to miss Delonte.

posted by lilnemo at 4:04 PM CDT on August 1

Brevin Knight is one obvious choice.

Saw or heard something about him being a "cancer" in the past day or so. Never heard anything like that before (the link is the only immediate thing I can find in Google), so I'm not sure what that's based on. Most results for "brevin knight cancer" come back with a charity tournament he started, so it makes it harder to believe. He has moved around a lot.

posted by yerfatma at 4:22 PM CDT on August 1

Celtics added Eddie House and Jackie Manuel. I mention this minor move only so I can quote from House's Wikipedia page:

"He is married to former Sacramento Kings teammate Mike Bibby's brother Charlie."

posted by yerfatma at 4:38 PM CDT on August 1

In a league that features over 400 players a season, ranking in or around the top 50 isn't bad, especially if you're not a PG.

Even better if you're on a team without any other serious scoring threats. So, yeah, not too bad.

posted by Bryant at 4:49 PM CDT on August 1

In a league that features over 400 players a season

Replace "features" with "has" and I think the statement is more accurate.

posted by THX-1138 at 5:53 PM CDT on August 1

Being a fan of all things boston I was a huge celtic fan during the byrd years, and even slightly after with lewis. Not living in new england it's been easy to ignore them for a very long time now. Though maybe this isn't the best way to do it, and perhaps they'll pay for it eventually, at least they'll be interesting to me again. Can't wait.

posted by justgary at 12:19 AM CDT on August 2

Oh my god, you spelled Larry Bird's name wrong. You're not a fan! Lies!

Insert uplifting mischievous emoticon of your choosing here.

posted by jerseygirl at 6:51 AM CDT on August 2

See, it's been that long!

My mothers maiden name is bird but spelled byrd. It is my only excuse.

posted by justgary at 8:12 AM CDT on August 2

Your mom is Larry Bird? Goddamn, I'm confused.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 9:32 AM CDT on August 2

Com'on now, he said his mom's name is Larry Byrd.

posted by BornIcon at 9:44 AM CDT on August 2

"The Trick from French Lick"

posted by yerfatma at 9:53 AM CDT on August 2

Or, with the mental image I'm getting, perhaps "French Ick" would be more suitable.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 10:18 AM CDT on August 2

Not all that important, but it just occurred to me the Celtics will be amazing if EA puts out another NBA Street.

posted by yerfatma at 11:18 AM CDT on August 2

Not all that important, but it just occurred to me the Celtics will be amazing if EA puts out another NBA Street.

Well, after adding Kevin Garnett & Ray Allen to the Celtics on NBA 2K7 for XBox 360, I played a game against the Detroit Pistons and had to come back from a 7 point deficit with 2 minutes to go in the 4th. Ray Allen was an abysmal 5-23 but suddenly got hot from the three-point line and KG was his usual man-child self pulling in 22 boards to go along with 17 points. The surprise was Paul Pierce since he was 9-11 from the field at that time and along with "Jesus" (He Got Game) started to catch fire from downtown. Suffice to say, I whupped the Pistons by 6.

Is that what's yet to come for the Celtics?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder......

posted by BornIcon at 12:40 PM CDT on August 2

Try it with a setting where starters get tired and need to be replaced. It'll be hard when you're playing 2 on 5 with just Scalabrine and Leon Powe.

posted by yerfatma at 1:06 PM CDT on August 2

Try it with a setting where starters get tired and need to be replaced. It'll be hard when you're playing 2 on 5 with just Scalabrine and Leon Powe

Setting were set with the fatigue on so that's a non-issue and substitutions also took place. Amazingly, Scalabrine came off the bench that provided the proverbial 'spark' with 9 points and 7 boards so having him in wasn't a set-back.

I just wanted to see what kind of team they were made of seeing that ESPN analyst and former Denver Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe claimed that this Celtics team is now headed to the NBA Finals.

He has a point, they weren't that bad.

/I know it's just a game but com'on, it doesn't hurt to try.

posted by BornIcon at 1:54 PM CDT on August 2

Try it with a setting where starters get tired and need to be replaced. It'll be hard when you're playing 2 on 5 with just Scalabrine and Leon Powe.

Bob Ryan says just about the same thing in the August 2 Boston Globe. This is the article.

posted by Howard_T at 6:06 PM CDT on August 2

« older Bill Walsh Traded To Angels… Robin Roberts Diagnosed With B… newer »

This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments.