-Keefe
First of all, the draft is just hours away, so I apologize if I’m just too excited/ nervous for any of this to make sense. I want to take a look at papa shark’s incredible insight into the Celtics’ roster. What do they need to do to become a dominant presence in the league? His answer: Defense. And I don’t think you can argue that after watching (or hearing about, since no one watched) the Spurs dismantle the sorry Cleveland Cavs. What about the Suns? Well even though they allow over 102 points per night, they still have Shawn Marion and Raja Bell, two shut down defenders, plus their style of “8 seconds or less” sways their statistics both offensively and defensively.
The Celtics don’t have one lockdown defender. Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen are two guys who showed promise last season, but neither are quite there yet. As horrible as Gerald Green may have been at that end of the court, you would think a player of his athletic ability, should be able to learn D. Right? Well Doc Rivers is not known for developing young talent. Just ask Tracy McGrady when he was with Orlando. Besides Al Jefferson name one young player who improved under Rivers’ “tutelage.” Actually try naming a player who hasn’t regressed. Perk’s points and rebounds were both down from the previous season. Telfair had career lows in both points and assists. Some of the other youngsters stats may have improved, but the injuries of Pierce and Wally as well as the “let’s see what these guys can do, and if we lose that’s ok” minutes they received in their efforts to get Oden or Durant.
“To trade or not to trade?” I think the question is more simply, who to trade? One way or another this team needs to make a trade. Whether it’s the No. 5 pick, which Danny Ainge is claiming to keep at this point, or Jefferson, Green, even Pierce. If Boston keeps the 5th overall pick as well as Big Al, what does Pierce do? He probably demands a trade, and who could blame him. If you’re not going to go for the gusto, i.e. Garnett, Marion, or even Kirilenko, why make Pierce suffer through another season in which the Celtic fans will be on the Love, Beasley, Mayo bandwagon for next year’s draft. The only way I could see both Jefferson and Pierce on the same team next season is if a guy like AK-47, Marion (if he’ll play more than 1 season) or Ron Artest, all great defensive players, joins them. Just the 5th pick, whether its Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, or Yi Jianlian, is not going to propel them deep into the playoffs.
A perimeter defender like Artest, AK and Marion (at times, they can do a little of everything), even Brewer or Green (I like Green more than Brewer), are more important to the Celtics than a big man in the middle. Is it nice to have a dominant low post guy? Of course. But particularly in the East, it’s not essential by any means. The list of guys I just mentioned will have the task of guarding the likes of LeBron, Wade, Vince, Rip Hamilton, Arenas, Ben Gordon, Caron Butler, Richard Jefferson, Iguodala, Redd, Joe Johnson and others. Right now Jefferson and Perk (who certainly aren’t great defenders) have to put up with… let’s see… Zydrunas Ilgauskas won the East, Dwight Howard will be a force, but right now just dunks. Bosh is solid, but like Big Al, more of a 4 than a 5. Looking at the studs in the East, wouldn’t you rather have perimeter defenders than low post guys? If I have to watch someone like Mo Williams, Ty Lue, or Chucky Atkins have a career night in the TD Banknorth one more time I might lose it. So defense is a must. What else can they do?
Why not trade Pierce? I hate the thought, especially after watching this team lose a franchise record 18 straight games, with the Truth missing the majority of them. Boston had 11 players see court time last year who were born in 1982 or later. And if they keep this draft pick, there will be yet another. Pierce, 30 in October, doesn’t need to baby sit these guys. If they keep the 5th pick, and that’s a big IF right now, see what you can get for Pierce. Ben Gordon, Ty Thomas, the No. 9 pick? Maybe I’m overvaluing Pierce, but he’s one of the best players in the league, I’d argue that with anyone. Pierce is the difference for some playoff teams, like the Bulls, to become championship teams.
Clearly Ainge and the Celtics have a lot of decisions to make. If they stand pat and just make their two picks tonight (5 and 32), they will have failed, again. They need to do something. We’ve given them plenty of ideas. Garnett (if he will stay) for No. 5, Jefferson, Telfair, Ratliff. Marion (also if he will stay) for the No. 5 and Ratliff in the three teamer. AK-47 for Green, Allen, Wally, and a future pick. Ron Artest for a similar package. For the record I do not want Jermaine O’Neal, thanks. Or go the other way with it, and trade the captain. Do something. I can not wait for tonight. I’ll be back soon with all my reactions to the draft, with all the winners and losers. Let’s just hope the Celtics fall in that “winners” category. Goodluck tonight and I hope your team makes the right choices.
-Rich Keefe
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