Thursday, February 24 brought some stunning news to Celtics fans across New England in the sizable loss of five players in last minute trades. With the NBA's trade deadline fast approaching on Thursday, it wasn't hard to predict that Celtics GM Danny Ainge might just make some bold moves. I had a feeling that Nate Robinson's(notes) days with the green and white might be numbered. Nevertheless, I didn't expect Ainge to trade away virtually all the team's existing reserves, and I definitely didn't expect the loss of Kendrick Perkins(notes). The Cs' vets apparently didn't expect the loss either, and Adrian Wojnarowski reports that they're "livid" about the deal.
Other Cs fans don't need much context to rationalize most of Ainge's trades. Marquis Daniels(notes), traded to the Sacramento Kings for a future second-round draft pick, had suffered a nasty spinal injury back on February 6. I know I'm not the only fan who remembers watching Daniels with baited breath during that game against the Magic when it seemed his life might have been in serious jeopardy. His road to recovery has turned out to be a long one, and with spinal surgery looking increasingly likely, his return to the court this season is doubtful. Trading Daniels was a shrewd but understandable move given his highly questionable future.
Nate Robinson wasn't necessarily a favorite among the other Cs fans I know here in Massachusetts, and I'm hard-pressed to find many who are sorry to see him go. Joining the Celtics last year on the heels of an impressive third victory at the NBA's slam dunk contest, I expected big things from the diminutive Nate. Unfortunately, he hasn't really made the kind of impact fans were hoping for, averaging 7.1 points and 17.9 minutes per game this season. Passable, but arguably less than we wanted to see from him in those crucial minutes from the bench. Besides, Nate couldn't defend.
Rookies Semih Erden(notes) and Luke Harangody(notes) are also among the trades, sent to the Cavs for one second-round pick. Semih had his share of fans, and Ainge's move will forces New Englanders who were warming up to the Turk to shift loyalties fast. Though it's tough to put up much an argument for Harangody, Semih had a few promising performances. When Semih played starter due to injuries in December, he had 34 points in four games, not bad considering the short amount of minutes he had.
Which brings us to Perk, whose loss is unanimously seen by fellow Celtics fans in my area as the real tragedy of the day. Count me among those who had thought that Perk could very well end up retiring in a Celtics jersey. The reaction is more than mere sentimentality. Joining the team as a fresh-faced draft pick in 2003, all but the most recent bandwagon fans will remember Perk's toughness and consistency through the difficult 2006-07 season. Perk played solid minutes on defense in the face of what would be a tough year for the team..
Perk was an absolutely essential part of the team's rise from the ashes in the following year, easily regarded as a hero who helped bring the Championship Trophy home to Boston. His impact on the court, which included being ranked among the NBA's top ten in blocks in season after season, as well as his ability to deliver with accuracy from the field when needed, made him an asset. I can't be the only one who was disappointed to see him taken off the starter squad, but that seems to have been a sign that Ainge wasn't impressed. That Perk was just recently put back into the line-up only makes Ainge's move that much more surprising.
Perk was traded for OKC's Jeff Green(notes), and Robinson for Nenad Krstic(notes). In addition, the Celtics have picked up Chris Johnson(notes) from D-League. I'm open to seeing what Green can do in Perk's place, though it remains to be seen whether or not Ainge's decision will come back to haunt fans.
Other Cs fans don't need much context to rationalize most of Ainge's trades. Marquis Daniels(notes), traded to the Sacramento Kings for a future second-round draft pick, had suffered a nasty spinal injury back on February 6. I know I'm not the only fan who remembers watching Daniels with baited breath during that game against the Magic when it seemed his life might have been in serious jeopardy. His road to recovery has turned out to be a long one, and with spinal surgery looking increasingly likely, his return to the court this season is doubtful. Trading Daniels was a shrewd but understandable move given his highly questionable future.
Nate Robinson wasn't necessarily a favorite among the other Cs fans I know here in Massachusetts, and I'm hard-pressed to find many who are sorry to see him go. Joining the Celtics last year on the heels of an impressive third victory at the NBA's slam dunk contest, I expected big things from the diminutive Nate. Unfortunately, he hasn't really made the kind of impact fans were hoping for, averaging 7.1 points and 17.9 minutes per game this season. Passable, but arguably less than we wanted to see from him in those crucial minutes from the bench. Besides, Nate couldn't defend.
Rookies Semih Erden(notes) and Luke Harangody(notes) are also among the trades, sent to the Cavs for one second-round pick. Semih had his share of fans, and Ainge's move will forces New Englanders who were warming up to the Turk to shift loyalties fast. Though it's tough to put up much an argument for Harangody, Semih had a few promising performances. When Semih played starter due to injuries in December, he had 34 points in four games, not bad considering the short amount of minutes he had.
Which brings us to Perk, whose loss is unanimously seen by fellow Celtics fans in my area as the real tragedy of the day. Count me among those who had thought that Perk could very well end up retiring in a Celtics jersey. The reaction is more than mere sentimentality. Joining the team as a fresh-faced draft pick in 2003, all but the most recent bandwagon fans will remember Perk's toughness and consistency through the difficult 2006-07 season. Perk played solid minutes on defense in the face of what would be a tough year for the team..
Perk was an absolutely essential part of the team's rise from the ashes in the following year, easily regarded as a hero who helped bring the Championship Trophy home to Boston. His impact on the court, which included being ranked among the NBA's top ten in blocks in season after season, as well as his ability to deliver with accuracy from the field when needed, made him an asset. I can't be the only one who was disappointed to see him taken off the starter squad, but that seems to have been a sign that Ainge wasn't impressed. That Perk was just recently put back into the line-up only makes Ainge's move that much more surprising.
Perk was traded for OKC's Jeff Green(notes), and Robinson for Nenad Krstic(notes). In addition, the Celtics have picked up Chris Johnson(notes) from D-League. I'm open to seeing what Green can do in Perk's place, though it remains to be seen whether or not Ainge's decision will come back to haunt fans.