KG traded to Celtics?

[Blumpster]

T-wolves and Celtics have agreed to the trade. Just needs to be finalized. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce? Worst team in the NBA becomes one of the elite? Maybe!

Err, maybe this doesn't need its own thread. Just saw this posted in the NBA offseason thread. Delete at leisure.

[cdyhybrid]

Elite in the East maybe

[Zeste]

I'd watch that season.

[Akileese]

ESPN Page 2 - The Sports Guy: The KG trade

After reading Simmons' column on the (potential) trade since it's not complete yet, I'm about a 40 on a scale of 10 in excitement level. We're easily the #1 team in the East and odds are we'll be able to add one or two key vets that we desperately need.

[Burkex]

I am from Boston so I am a big Celtics fan and I think this trade is great for the C's and I think they will be a top 3 team in the east up there with the Pistons and the Cavs. But the East is basically the Junior Varsity of the NBA. The West is far superior to the East still: Dallas, San Antonio, and the suns are the best 3 teams in the league.

That being said I would love to see Boston back in the NBA finals.

[Ham n Cheese]

It's good for 2008, it's a bad deal for the Celtics imo for anything long term, but this is a win now series so I understand it. Trade makes a lot more sense for them since Ray Allen is now on the team. And honestly if they aren't a top 4 seed in the East with Allen/Garnett/Pierce then what a fucking joke. Shit I can't think of a better 1-2-3 punch in the league. There's better 1-2, but to have 3 very good all stars is just incredible... for 2008

Look at what they're giving up. Green is only 21, Gomes is only 24 and Jefferson is only 22 and these guys are all already NBA veterans now. I can at least understand why Boston would do it, even if its giving up a future all star for the next 12 years.

What I don't understand is Minnesota doing this because these players are ALL expiring contracts. So the wolves could wake up on June of next year and have nothing to show for Garnett. I sure as fuck wouldn't sign with them if I was Green (who will be buried on the depth chart in Minnesota) or Jefferson (will make serious $ in FA).

[Ironhawk]

God dammit

[Jadaki]

Originally Posted by Akileese

ESPN Page 2 - The Sports Guy: The KG trade

After reading Simmons' column on the (potential) trade since it's not complete yet, I'm about a 40 on a scale of 10 in excitement level. We're easily the #1 team in the East and odds are we'll be able to add one or two key vets that we desperately need.

Simmons is a Celtics fanboy, you have to expect him to hype the deal like crazy.

This puts them top 5 in the East for sure, but they have no PG, and little depth in the front court. They traded all their good role players to get KG, so they are still a move or two away from really having a shot at taking down the big teams in the West.

Lets not forget the Bulls are just going to get better, as are the Raptors (people keep sleeping on them), and the Pistons added some much needed depth to the roster. Cleveland plays good enough defense and has just enough talent around LeBron to beat anyone in the East in a 7 game series.

This new roster for the Celtics needs to gel and learn to play together, don't go anointing them eastern conference champs just yet.

[Blumpster]

Yeah, the Bulls are damn good.

[Ham n Cheese]

Don't call him a fanboy as a way to dismiss his points though. Before the draft he was against the trade in the same light. He's one of the better writers on ESPN to me because the guy actually expresses real opinion a lot of the time too instead of the typical espn columnists bullshit.

Not sure how much the bulls are better with Joakim and Wallace a year older. Deng is a stud for sure, but I haven't really seen improvement out of Heinrich or Gordon.

I don't see the Celtics winning a championship with 3 scorers. KG brings defense to the table too sure, but it's essentially 3 scorers. I don't know maybe in the East it's possible to get there. Melo and A.I are both scorers and they had a supporting cast around them with a real PG and a real Center, but no low post scoring probably hard to compare them (plus they're in the West). Do they even have a bench now either? I mean seriously... do they even have enough players to fill in every position off the bench anymore.

edit: from the sportsnation poll.. can't believe how many people believe this
9) Which team has the best trio in the NBA?

43.9% Celtics: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce
30.1% Suns: Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, and Amare Stoudemire (how I voted)
20.2% Spurs: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli
2.3% Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Marcus Camby
1.6% Pistons: Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups
1.2% Nets: Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Richard Jefferson
0.7% Wizards: Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler

[Blumpster]

They're the new kids on the block. When three superstars come together like that there's always going to be noise, and almost all the time they'll be hyped up and seen as the 'best' for a while, until they get their shit packed in. As far as all-around best trio I don't see how you can not vote for San Antonio. The Suns have the best offensive trio, hands down, as long as Marion stops being a bitch and actually plays some fucking basketball.

[Jadaki]

Originally Posted by Blumpster

They're the new kids on the block. When three superstars come together like that there's always going to be noise, and almost all the time they'll be hyped up and seen as the 'best' for a while, until they get their shit packed in. As far as all-around best trio I don't see how you can not vote for San Antonio. The Suns have the best offensive trio, hands down, as long as Marion stops being a bitch and actually plays some fucking basketball.

You can not vote for SA for a few reasons, Parker is a horrible defender and Manu can't even keep a starting spot. TD makes them both seem way better than they actually are individually.

LOL at the the Wizards being on that list, Caron Butler is weak.

[Yutnopash]

9) Which team has the best trio in the NBA?

43.9% Celtics: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce
30.1% Suns: Shawn Marion, Steve Nash, and Amare Stoudemire (how I voted)
20.2% Spurs: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobli
2.3% Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Marcus Camby
1.6% Pistons: Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups
1.2% Nets: Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Richard Jefferson
0.7% Wizards: Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Caron Butler

Rofl... Yeah dunno what the heck those people are thinking. The trade will push the Celtics to the top 5 maybe, but they're gonna be paying a hefty price for it as they delve into the Luxury taxes.

As for the trio? How Can San Antonio NOT be the top vote getters. Shawn Marion was non-existent in the playoffs and Steve Nash can't play defense. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce look good on PAPER but until it's shown that they can produce together on a somewhat consistent basis I'd but the Pistons and even the nuggets ahead of them.

You can not vote for SA for a few reasons, Parker is a horrible defender and Manu can't even keep a starting spot. TD makes them both seem way better than they actually are individually.

That statement is so horrendously wrong. Parker is an OK to good defender. He doesn't get the job on defending other PGs when they're bigger than him or are a better fit for Bruce Bowen. And as for Manu, he was put on the bench to strengthen it, and to help Michael Finley ease into his role. If you look at his minutes he played starter minutes so, again, wrong on that point.

And as for TD making them seem way better than individually that's wrong as well. He makes everything easier for the entire team while on the floor. But EACH of the 3 can take over a game and be the main point scorer when the others are on the bench etc...

[Ham n Cheese]

You from SA or something? Your complaint on Nash (2 time MVP btw) is his defense, but then it's okay for Parker's defense to struggle. And your argument for Marion is he didn't show up in the playoffs (sup 10ish games to base an argument on).

Clearly you can't add Duncan to the list... because he's not good at free throws... sometimes

[Akileese]

Actually, we're under the luxury tax. Which is the ONLY reason they made that trade. Not only that, but we still have a bit of cash to spend on 1 or 2 key guys. I like that all 3 of them are still hungry and as Simmons' says, all three of them counteract the weaknesses of the other. But tell me, who in the East is going to guard Garnett in crunch time? Which team has two 1st or 2nd team perimeter defenders to guard Pierce AND Allen.

I don't think they'll win a championship with their CURRENT roster. The only way it happens is if Rajon Rondo is significantly better then we all think he is. Now, if they can somehow get 1 or 2 key veterans (we only have 9 guys on the roster without our 2nd rounders signed (so you figure if we can pick up 1 or 2 key veteran players, one of which BETTER be a point guard, we'll be fine).

My big issue with the Bulls is they seem to keep laying eggs in the playoff. They were atrocious this year in the playoffs. Pierce has never shown issues of playing poorly in the playoffs nor has Allen or Garnett. All three were (and had) able to carry their respective teams in the playoffs so if 1 or even 2 guys have a bad night, someone will easily pick up the slack.

I'm excited.