Jeff Green, We Hardly Knew You

After the depressing "Losing for Losing, Too" entry of a couple weeks ago, I figure that an NBA draft post is to be called for. Let's see how long THIS one gets!

The C's, in their insidious #5 slot . . . traded it!!! Along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to Seattle for Ray Allen. And while Boston seems to be recoiling in shock and horror, I'm just plumb tickled here in Kentucky. Here's why:

What we got: An aging but legitimate superstar. Allen's been a seven-time all star and ALWAYS averages well over 20 points a game. And while he IS aging, he averaged his career high last season! He can shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. He can combine with Paul Pierce to form an absolutely devastating two-headed monster. We used to think that Pierce and Walker were tough to handle -- this should be even better.

What we gave: The #5 pick, technically Jeff Green although Corey Brewer probably would have been a better pick for the Celtics. Either one (or any number of others) stands a chance to develop into a monster player. Or Todd Fuller. Let's be honest here -- the only sure thing about the draft is that you never know what you're really getting. The certainty is youth and uncertainty! We have TONS of youth (Jefferson, Perkins, Green, Allen, Gomes, Rondo, Telfair) and some uncertainty as it is, as well as just a few more years of Pierce as one of the upper-tier players in the league. Nobody since MJ's been able to do it ALL by themselves though, so now he has a legitimate stud take the team to the next level. Delonte West -- hey, I liked the guy. He's pretty good. But let's be serious -- he's not exactly irreplaceable and will probably always be a nice complimentary piece. You need guys like Delonte -- but you can GET guys like Delonte! Wally Szczerbiak -- here's my biggest regret about the trade -- I've *just* learned to spell this guy's name (seriously -- take a look at that bad boy!). Otherwise, we lose a really good spot-up shooter who's injured a lot and is a minus on d. I'm sure he's a great guy, but I've never been a fan of his in Boston. Addition by subtraction, in my book. Or in other words -- Allen's a HUGE upgrade compared to Sczc.

Here's the biggest gripe that I hear -- "Oh no, we sold away our future!" Here's the deal though -- nobody can ever keep all their potentially great young talent together until that magical moment where they all mature at the same time and win 12 straight championships. It just doesn't work -- you need a mix of players, and the C's were VERY heavy on the young and the hopeful. As mentioned, we STILL have our best young player who's on the verge of being a stud for real (Jefferson) as well as several other developing guys (see above). What we have now is a chance to seriously compete in the East right now. Celtics basketball and the NBA in general has been quickly moving toward irrelevance, and just this quickly we're relevant again. Should be in the playoffs for SURE, probably the 2nd round, and just maybe the Eastern Conference Championship. As for the future? Time will tell, but it strikes me that trading someone who you hope will be really good for somebody who already is really good is a deal worth making.

Oh yeah, and now there's talk that Garnett could be coming, too. . . .