The Football Fan Spot

On February 24th 2011, the Boston Celtics sat at 41-14, a half game up on the 42-16 Miami Heat and 2.5 up on the 39-17 Chicago Bulls. They had been in first place for most of the season and were proving to the Miami Heat that just because you can put 2 of the 5 best players in the league and a former all-star power forward on the same team, doesn’t mean you automatically win a title. There’s a thing called chemistry. It’s why the United States came up short at the 2004 Olympics in Basketball, even with 12 of the best players in the world.

The Celtics had the chemistry. They had their roles defined and everyone accepted them. Their starting lineup had been together for 4 years, had won a title before, and no one had beaten them in a best of 7 series when they were all healthy (lost in 7 to Orlando in 2009 without Kevin Garnett, lost to the Lakers in 2010 without Kendrick Perkins). They might not have had a huge lead on Miami in the standings, but they were the better team. They had beaten them in all 3 meetings. They had the chemistry and they were proving it mattered.

And then, in one day it was gone. Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge has never been one to sit on his hands at the trade deadline and in the offseason. When the Celtics sucked in 2007 or earlier, that was a good thing. That’s how they were able to add Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and win the 2008 NBA Championship. However, when you’re in first place, it’s a good idea to sit on your hands, unless it’s too add a much needed role player for cheap.

On February 24th 2011, Danny Ainge traded Nate Robinson and Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green, Nenad Kristic, and a future first round pick. He also traded Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to Cleveland for a 2nd round pick. 4 players from a 12 man first place roster, gone. That’s not good for chemistry. Especially with Kendrick Perkins gone, a starter, part of the starting 5 that had never lost a 7 game series when healthy, a key locker room guy that everyone loved, and Rajon Rondo’s best friend. But even if it wasn’t Kendrick Perkins, trading away 1/3 of a first place roster is NEVER a good idea. I didn’t think it was when it was made and I stand by that today.

Perkins was the starting center and a key locker room guy. Nate Robinson was a key role player, a guy who could catch fire in an instant and when he was on, he was on. He was also another key locker room guy. Luke Harangody and Semih Erden were key role players off the bench, with ‘Gody stepping up big time earlier with KG out.

Danny Ainge says the moves were made for the future. Yes, getting a 24 year old former #5 overall pick in Jeff Green, and two future picks does help for the future, but this team was built to win now. Paul Pierce is 33. Kevin Garnett is 34. Ray Allen is 35. The window was closing. You don’t hedge your bet and add for the future when you’re built to win now.

The talent the Celtics got in return wasn’t bad. Jeff Green was the #3 player on a contending team in Oklahoma City, but he didn’t fit in in Boston. He didn’t have a role defined for him and he didn’t fit the chemistry. Nenad Kristic can do some things well, but again, he didn’t fit the chemistry like the guys who were traded for him.

Following their deadline trades, the Celtics went 15-12 and finished 2 games behind Miami and 6 games behind Chicago. It wasn’t just that. They lost by 16 to Chicago and by a whopping 23 points to Miami, the team Miami team that they had beaten 3 times prior. In the playoffs, they lost in 5 to Miami, the same Miami team that they had beaten 3 times prior in the regular season. With Perkins. With Robinson. With Harangody.

Their chemistry was the advantage they had over Miami in those first 3 matchups. In their playoff series with them, that chemistry was gone. Some would say Miami even had the better chemistry in the playoff series, as they started to gel. They definitely had the most talent.

I don’t really like Miami’s changes going forward. For one thing, they celebrated after they beat Boston like they had just won the NBA Championship. LeBron cried like they had just won the NBA Championship. The Heat even admitted earlier this week that beating Boston wasn’t just like winning any other series, that it had more importance.

Teams that celebrate like they won just any championship in any sport when they didn’t normally struggle in the next round. Look at what happened to the Jets in the NFL Playoffs after they beat New England. They were flat against Pittsburgh. Hell, even look at what happened to the Heat after they celebrated like they just won the NBA Championship in their welcoming party this offseason. They came out 9-8 before they got their act together.

I still think Chicago has better chemistry and remember, Chicago swept the season series over Miami. Unless Miami plays with the same intensity they played with against Boston, they can definitely lose to Chicago, provided, of course, they can get passed Atlanta first. 

Bucks sell Richard Jefferson to the Spurs 

Ok, well the Bucks actually did get three players, Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, and Bruce Bowen. However, all three are under contract for only a year so the Bucks are essentially just trying to get rid of Jefferson's salary. Considering they gave up a promising young player for him last offseason, Yi Jianlian, and got nothing in return for him, this move doesn't make a whole lot of sense. They get 3 million for this offseason, which may or may not help them resign Charlie Villanueva, and they get 15 million for next offseason, but it won't matter because Milwaukee is going to have a tough time attracting free agents to their small market. The Bucks don't get players like Jefferson very often and they gave him away for some cap space. 

As for the Spurs, they will be killed by the luxury tax for the near future, but this year is really their last real shot to win in the Tim Duncan era. With Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, and now Jefferson who is a tough player who can rebound, play defense, and score, if they need him to, in a variety of wars, the Spurs are in a position to make another run at the title and before this trade, they were not. 

Celtics trade Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey 

Eh, what? Luckily, the Pistons flat out rejected this deal. It wasn't even offered by Danny Ainge, reportedly, although I wouldn't be surprised if it actually was. This has to be one of the most ridiculous trade offers ever, for both sides. The Celtics break up their big 3. They lose fan favorite Rajon Rondo. The Pistons get Ray Allen who is almost the exact same player as Richard Hamilton, who they already have, and in the process lose Prince, the one good front court player they have under contract for next year. 

Brandon Marshall to the Bears 

Once again, only rumors, but Jay Cutler has said that he would love if the Bears could acquire Brandon Marshall. Marshall is having a contract dispute with the Broncos, who don't want to pay him because he's a criminal. Marshall and Cutler had a great year together last year, and really for the last 2 years, when they were teammates in Denver and Cutler's current #1 receiver is Devin Hester. The asking price for Marshall is not yet known because the Broncos are not officially shopping their top receiver, though they may have to listen to offers soon if he continues to hold out. The Bears have to hope the asking price is not too high, as they don't have a 1st round pick next year.