LOY's PLACE a celtics green blog: Fiddlin' and Diddlin' on 6/22

Much of the talk around the web today is about KG's refusal to come to Boston. I don't mind telling you that I am not disappointed. Giving up Jefferson and the #5 pick was too much to give up for an aging superstar with apparent attitude problems. Steve Bulpett reports that even with Garnett's statement that he doesn't want to come to Boston Danny is still thinking about making the trade. Has he suddenly gone brain dead? I mean, in the first place, he was mortgaging our future for a 2 year rental. And now he is still considering bringing in a player who doesn't want to be here for a one year rental? This is crazy. That is, if you believe what Bulpett is saying. Chad Ford has a completely different take on it in his newestInsider blog.

I spoke with the Celtics' Danny Ainge on Thursday in the wake of agent Andy Miller's statement that Kevin Garnett doesn't want to play in Boston. Ainge said that a trade was never close anyway and that at this point it looks likely that the team will keep the No. 5 pick.

Do, depending on who you believe, a trade was on the table and ready to be signed or one was never even close. Other links on the KG saga include one from the Herald that says a trade is unlikely and one with Eastern Conference officials saying that KG would make the Celtics contenders. It is easy for them to say that, they weren't getting their team gutted for an aging superstar.

One of the best articles out there today comes from the Herald. In it, Gerry Callahan reports that Danny is in a dangerous hurry to make the franchise relevant again. He likens Danny's rush to get KG to ML Carr's bringing in Dominique back in 1994 to try to make the team relevant again. This is so good I have to include the end of the article.

I walked away believing a rejuvenated Dominique could help the Celtics contend in the wide-open Eastern Conference. And if nothing else, I said, they would be - and here’s where I would like you to shoot me in the head - relevant again!

How relevant? They went from 32 wins to 35, from 25 out to 22, from fifth place to third. They went from not making the playoffs to getting bounced out of the first round by Orlando. Dominique averaged 17.8 points a game to lead the team. He left for Greece at the end of the season. They went back to 33 wins.

It was a pointless, shortsighted acquisition designed to arouse casual fans who were killing time between “Die Hard” movies. It did not help the young players, and it sure didn’t move the franchise closer to its 17th title. And let’s not forget: Dominique was an unrestricted free agent. He cost the Celtics nothing.

By contrast, Kevin Garnett will cost them everything.

Naturally, one of the reasons so many people are excited about this potential trade is - you guessed it - it will make the Celtics relevant again. They won 24 games last year. This move could get them into the 30s, maybe all the way to 40. Maybe KG could even get them into the playoffs, where they would get eliminated quicker than Pacman Jones on “Jeopardy!”

And after two or three years of early playoff exits, the Celtics will have an over-the-hill Garnett, an aging Paul Pierce [stats], and no hope for the future. So did everyone have fun? Great. Now back to 24 wins. How relevant will they be then?

No one is saying that Garnett is as far past his prime as Wilkins was, but he is clearly on the back nine. He’s 31, and it’s a hard 31, almost like an NFL running back. Wilkins had played 12 years when he signed with the Celtics. Garnett, who joined the NBA at 19, has played 12 years.

He’s going to grow old and ineffective on somebody’s dime, or should I say somebody’s $46 million. That’s the obscene amount Garnett has coming to him for the next two years. And what did the Timberwolves get for their money last season? They got 32 wins and no playoffs. In his career, Garnett has gone to the playoffs eight times. He’s won two series.

Ainge has made many moves in his four years at the Celtics’ helm, some good, some bad, some well-thought out and some involving Sebastian Telfair [stats]. On balance, his drafts have been excellent, his trades not so much. But one thing he has never done is look over his roster and wonder: How can we get sexier, trendier, more hip, more happenin’? That is why the Mets signed Pedro, “The View” signed Rosie, and M.L. signed an empty shell of Dominique. It’s a mistake every time.

If Ainge trades 10 years of Al Jefferson [stats] and Corey Brewer or Al Horford for three years of Kevin Garnett, he’ll be making a huge mistake. I’ll say that even if I get cold cuts.

The Globe's article is almost an insult it is so short and uninformative. Has the Globe decided that they don't care to cover the Celtics any more? Sure seems like it. Marc Stein has the article on ESPN that first announced KG and Marion's unwillingness to come to Boston. Yay Sports conjectures that KG is afraid of leprechauns.

The Patriot Ledger has a good article presenting facts that a KG to Boston trade just doesn't make sense. I have felt that way all along. The article points out something that I hadn't thought of before but is very true.

The problem from Minnesota’s perspective is that it already has three former Celtics on the roster - Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Justin Reed - and how will it play in Minnesota to add another four ex-Celtics? Unless McHale has plans for Blount, he’s looking for potential trouble. Jefferson is not a member of the Blount fan club - nor is most anybody else. It could make for a troubled locker room. Minnesota fans also likely would not take kindly to losing Garnett.
The Celtics, though, will be putting themselves back into an Antoine Walker 2004-05 situation. Do they want to secure a veteran for one season just to ensure one playoff berth, with little chance of being able to go all the way?
It just doesn’t compute, nor does all the talk that a trade is ‘‘in the works.’’ The only thing that’s in the works is more rumors, wild speculation and assumptions, but never common sense. Hopefully, Ainge has more of that than the talking heads in the media.

Getting past all the Garnett trade hoopla, Celtics Blog discusses what the Celtics next move might be. The NY Post has Rashard Lewis coming to NY to be wined and dined by Isaiah. Early reports were that Lewis wanted to come to Boston and so maybe something can be done there. He would be a good addition to the Celtics.

With the draft less than a week away, there are naturally draft rumors and talk out there also. Chad Ford has a good article on Yi that asks if he will be able to play in the NBA. Also in his Insider article he reports that the Grizzlies are deciding between Conley and Noah and are leaning toward Noah at this point. Draft Express reports on the word on the street with some draft rumors and info on Shawn Williams and Rudy Fernandez. HoopsAddict unveils the Great Blogger Mock Draft with Jeff picking Yi on behalf of the Celtics. Can Danny gives us a look at the Candidates for the 5th pick. SI has a draft primer that answers some key questions as well as a look at the needs of all 30 teamns.

FanHouse reports on a rather humorous encounter between Paul Pierce and Verne Troyer. Pierce refers to him as Mini Me which leads to a fun exchange.

We are 6 days away from the draft and things are getting mighty interesting. With Marion and Garnett making it known that they don't want to come to Boston and with both having an opt out clause after this season, our options for a trade are vastly narrowed. There are still a few big names out there in Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Jermaine O'Neal, and AK47 and maybe some that we don't even know about. Danny says he will probably keep the pick as of now, but who knows what forked tongue Danny is really thinking. I am all for keeping the core of this team together. Reports have come out that Gomes, Green, Tony, Perk, Al, West, Powe, and others are working hard at improving their games. We will get a very good player in the draft who can help us right away. Use the MLE or make a trade with Ratliff's contract and bring in a good veteran. It doesn't have to be a superstar, just someone good. We will be a lot better than most people think.

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