Hey you! Yes, you! The sports n00b in the Celtics' jersey. Back away from the cliff. You don't have to jump! The C's will be okay.
It's days like yesterday that remind me why I don't like to watch sports with other people. People say the craziest things and I swear it feels like they are trolling me. Everyone added their 2 cents on Facebook, Twitter, and every other social outlet about how the Celtics' trades were crazy. I heard things like:
"There goes Banner 18!"
"Danny Ainge has lost his mind!"
"We traded away 5 players and only got back 2!"
Seriously? This is what Boston sports fans are thinking? Clearly an overreaction. People like to think they are die-hard sports fans but most people aren't OBSESSED with Boston sports like I am. I follow the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox year-round. My sports level is over 9000!
The main criticism was trading away Perkins. He was a solid defender, a good rebounder, and added toughness to the C's defense. However, let's look past that he was a nice guy and good teammate and was one of "ours" and face reality. The C's did not trade away Bill Russell in his prime. They traded Perkins who averages 6.4 PPG and 6.1 RPG for his career. You could argue that Perkins' is invaluable on the defensive side of the ball and whatever offense you get from him is gravy. However, he is not the same player he was pre-injury. He just came back from a torn ACL and recently sprained his MCL in the other knee. He'll also be gone after this year when he becomes a free agent. It was great to get a really good player in F Jeff Green who averages 15.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG in return.
Other people complained that the C's traded away 5 players and only got 2 in return. That's completely wrong. Though the C's got 2 players in return now, they acquired a future 1st-round pick and 2 future 2nd-round picks. Let's remember that Big Baby was a 2nd-rounder.
Let's also consider who were traded. The remaining 4 players were BENCH players. They were not superstars. They are back-of-the roster guys. Robinson (7.1 PPG) has been inconsistent all year. Daniels (5.5 PPG) has a serious spine condition and he's likely done for the year. Erden (4.1 PPG) was injured and did not always play hard. And Harangody (2.3 PPG)...who?!
You have to look past the obvious of trading 5 guys for 2 and try to understand the underlying reasons for the trades. Ainge needed to free up roster slots to be able to sign any number of potential players who soon will be released or bought out from their respective teams. Notable players include: Troy Murphy and Rip Hamilton.
I know the C's are dangerously thin at the center position but we have to consider that Ainge may know something we don't. Shaq might be close to returning. Krstic will be a serviceable backup.
How quickly we forget. For everyone who thinks Ainge has lost his mind, people said the exact same thing when he traded away Al Jefferson and seemingly everyone-not-named-Pierce for future hall-of-famers Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Then Banner 17.
So I plead with you once again. Back away from the cliff. Take a deep breath. Things will be okay. I promise.
