And.....we're free...and....I was wrong

[Ryan W <ubiquitous_am_i@xxxxxxxxx>]

Don't put me in the pro-trade camp just yet, but last
night was exciting....

Random thoughts:

Pierce for MVP:  

This is the year the rest of the country finds out how
great Paul Pierce is...and it's about freakin' time. 
Last night was a superb game, and he didn't even shoot
well.  

I guess the "stranglehold" comment by Ainge was apt:  

Was it me or did everyone on the team look like they
were let out of jail.  E was on fire, he looked in
pre-ACL form.  Vinnie, what can I say about Vinnie
other than, wow, this is what a power forward looks
like.  And my man Kedrick...put him in the running for
most improved.  And Marcus....Antoine leaving puts the
ball more directly in his hands...and that's a very
good thing...did you see the body control in the 3rd
quarter I believe where he drove the basket, took the
bump, gathered himself (all in mid air mind you) and
then put it up.  Unbelievable body control.  And the
quickness....Kedrick and Marcus are their own little
fast breaking unit....O'Brien needs to play those two
together, they have great chemistry.

The new guys:

I've always liked Raef.  Like Tommy or Mike said last
night, he's a very effective player.  He has all the
basketball skills, shooting, passing, rebounding,
blocking shots....and honestly, didn't he look like he
really belonged in a Celtic's uniform?  Some people's
bodies are made to be in C's jerseys...and he's one of
them.

Jiri....um......Jiri's looked slow.  Don't know if it
was the unfamiliarity of everything, but he looked
really slow.  At this point, I doubt he'll ever play
point since its suspect if he'll be able to guard the
other teams point.  But I'll give him the benefit of
the doubt...it was the first game....and he does have
a cool Steve Nash hairstyle going, so you gotta love
that....

Overall:

Well, I suppose I'm the biggest Antoine fan on this
list and this is about the time that supposed to keep
up the good fight and say how Antoine will be
missed....well....honestly...by Monday afternoon I had
become to view the trade as a good thing, but was
still skeptical on how the whole thing would fit
together....but now, after seeing one game (very small
sample size, but who cares)...I'm one hundred percent
behind the trade....you can argue about this or that
point on this list (and I enjoy doing so) but nothing
is really settled until you see it on the floor...and
last night, I saw it on the floor.  We have a team. 
People talk of taking a step back....f-ck
that....we're better RIGHT NOW.  I said before Antoine
was traded and I'll say it again...this team is going
to win the Atlantic....and have a chance of getting
into the finals.  One last thing:  No more trades
Danny.  You may have done well with the last one, but
I like our team right now.  Battie and Blount at
center, Raef and Vinnie and power forward, Kedrick and
Jumaine (and E and Walter) at 3, Pierce, Marcus, and
Mike at guards...that is a very complete team with
each player complementing another....Kedrick the great
athlete...E the wily veteran....Walter the jack of all
trades...Raef...the do-it-all big man with 3 point
range...Battie and Blount...men in the middle,
providing shot-blocking and great D...Vinnie, the
fallen superstar on his way back to the top....Paul,
finally freed from Antoine, on his way to an MVP
season (barring injury)....Marcus, slick-as-hell
rookie point, with an attitude of fearlessness....Mike
James, a young veteran trying to get his due....
This team is full of great stories....and it's going
to be a great season.

Ryan

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