Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
"You just hope [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] and Doc know what they're doing," said Pierce. "We put our trust in them, so it is what it is. We can't use any excuses and cry over spilled milk. So, hopefully the guys we have coming in understand what we're trying to do around here. It's still a championship goal."
"To me, [chemistry is] everything," said Pierce. "It doesn't matter what type of talent you bring in or what type of talent you have on your ball club; people underrate what chemistry brings.
"This is one of the tightest units, one of the most together teams that you could probably think of, especially because we've been together for so many years, it's just a number of things. How we roll on the plane, in the hotel, the camaraderie that we've been able to gather over the years. And, when you lose that, it's tough. So, hopefully we can integrate the guys that we've got coming in and they can pick up things pretty quickly and make the adjustment [in] lifestyle to just how we are off the court."
ESPN Boston – Emotional Celtics cope with loss
As we debate the Xs and Os of this deal, let's not forget the intangibles. These guys are not robots. Perk was in tears yesterday. Kevin Garnett said it was tough to focus on basketball. Rajon Rondo – a close friend of Perk – spoke volumes with his silence.
While I don't expect the core guys to revolt against Doc and management, this trade ultimately could become an excuse. During tough stretches there will be that "If we only had Perk.." mentality in the back of their minds. Will they truly welcome Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic with open arms? If the new guys struggle to gel, will the Cs vets extend themselves to make it work… or turn to management with the "I told you so" look in their eye?
This is where Doc Rivers earns his money. Working the veterans, making sure they continue to buy in, despite adversity.
Related link: CSNNE – Perkins: There was a lot of crying | Pierce: Trade was cold | KG: Like we lost a family member
On Page 2, the great Bob Ryan sums up the deal.
I can hear the weeping and wailing among the faithful.
“Perk? Perk! How could they give up Perk?’’
Well, here’s how: You trade Perk if in return you get someone who is a much more accomplished basketball player and one who fills a critical need.
There is no argument here. Jeff Green is the best player of the four players involved in yesterday’s deal.
Green is 6 feet 9 inches, 235 pounds, and a born team player. Just about my only concern is that there may be a bit too much KG in him; i.e. he is so selfless that he occasionally over-passes himself out of a good shot. I can see KG and Green passing themselves into a shot-clock violation. Overall, I’d say he’s the young Antonio McDyess; something like that.
…
Perhaps the Celtics thought he had reached his ceiling. I don’t know. Perhaps his next contract negotiations were going to be an issue. I don’t know. Perhaps there was no yeah-but whatsoever, only the desire to add a major 24-year-old asset such as Jeff Green to the roster. Again, I don’t know.
Globe – Ainge always unafraid to take his shot
Most NBA bloggers and analysts see Green as a pseudo-bust. I didn't read a lot of positives about his game yesterday. But Ryan says he's "a 24-year-old stud who will be of immediate aid to a team desperate for a forward while representing the long-term future once Garnett fades into black, never to be seen near an NBA arena again."
Bottom line: If Bob Ryan isn't ripping Danny Ainge apart for this deal, then at the very least, I can hold judgement until the rest of the season plays out.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Ainge agonized over trade | Cs lose to Nuggets | Herald – Whole lotta soul gone | Cs come up a bit short | Globe – Contract issue at center of deal | Celtics let Nuggets escape | Cs trade Perkins, Robinson for Krstic, Green | CSNNE – Ainge: This is to help us win now | Leon Powe open to a return | Rivers: Finally replaced Posey | Celtics had Heat in mind | WEEI – Cs end day in disappointing way | Bold move aimed at Celtics future and present |
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