Boston Celtics: Now or 2015
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by C.Bothe
Everyone has heard that KG has joined the Celtics to give them a Big 3, that is supposed to lead them to the NBA finals. Could that happen in the pee-wee conference known as the East, yes its possible; but what have the Celtics given up to try and be the NBA Runner-Ups? 7 players and 3 first round draft picks were traded to give up 32yo Ray Allen, and 31yo Kevin Garnett. Both players for the most part have been injury-free throughout their careers; however with all the minutes they've played so far, the wear and tear on their bodies is eventually going to start bringing their ability to play down.
KG is a warrior but the question has been is he a winner? He always stuffs the stats sheet full, and yet never seems to be able to get his team past the first round (did it once with a point guard who took the Clippers to the 2nd round) or even into the playoffs. This is KG's chance to prove that he is a great player rather than basketball's version of ARod; great player always has good stats, but never wins. Allen is right at the age where most great shooters start to break down; their legs slowly deteriorate and with it their ability to do what they are paid for, shoot the basketball.
So what does Boston have left, well the cupboard is empty and the future is bleek. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins will most likely be the other 2 starters for Boston. Now do those 2 scare anyone on offense, its like playing with 2 Ben Wallaces, have you ever played a 3 on 5 basketball game? Thats what the Celtics are going to try and do against some of the best teams in the East. Hey LeBron beat the Pistons 1 on 5, so the Celtics should fair better than them right. The Celtics traded away 24 yo West, 5th pick Jeff Green, 21yo Gerald Green, 24yo Ryan Gomes, 22yo Al Jefferson, 22yo Bassy Telfair and 2 more 1st round Picks. The Celtics have erased any hopes of a future, they went from promising young, deep, club with a good draft pick in a loaded draft. To an aging thin team that has about a 3 year window to get into the finals or they are done.
This move makes Boston really the only team that can contened in the northeast outside of New Jersey and it saves Danny Ainge's job for a little while, but if the Celtics don't win soon, they can't have a wait till next year attitude, instead it would be wait till 2015.
