Reality Check

[sabino]

Bob Ryan checked in with the following reality check:

>>>What's left on the Celtics' roster is by far the worst collection of proven talent in the NBA. Not one of the remaining 29 teams in Stern's world would even consider trading its fourth through 12th players for Boston's. There is no way Danny, Doc, Wyc, Steve, or Red's Ghost could look anyone in the eye and say otherwise. -- Ryan <<< 

As presently constituted, I cannot but agree with what Ryan wrote.  Objectively, there's not a team in the league that would trade their 4-12 guys (collectively) for ours.

Let's face it, while they are all 3 still unquestionably great players, they are, nevertheless 3 guys in their 30s by season's start, and imo, we have at most a 3 year window  (I just don't buy the still going strong into their late 30s mantra), to reach the promised land.  Trade all the youth away save Perk and Rondo, and stack the roster with vets.  We need vets all up and down the roster, especially come playoff time.

I had a buddy call me for my reaction to the trade.  He knows I've been a C's fan for nearly 30 years.  I told him it was exciting, but oddly, I feel somewhat neutral about it.

I feel like we just traded for something akin to the 87 team (best case) or 88 team (worst case), only without the glow and love for a team that had already been atop the league for 7 or 8 years (and won 3 championships), and with whom we had already attached ourselves to so much. 

These 3 stars we have now are in their 30s.  Each will decline to some varying degree every year from here on out.  It's just a question of how much and how fast.  It behooves them to win it all now, and that means surrounding them with the right supporting cast.  Ryan rightly points out that what's left right now is not that.

Danny said he's not done, but considering we WILL be in luxury tax land, not done probably means Mutombo or PJ Brown.  We'll see.  I frankly think there should be no room at the inn for guys like Pruitt, Wallace, and Jackie Manuel.  Would prefer to trade the lot of them for veterans.

I guess, having watched the real Big 3 decline, that's why my enthusiasm for this new version is not over the top, at least right now. I share Ryan's concerns about the anemic roster 3 thru 12.

I'll root like hell for them, and I'll hope that Danny can land another quality big for the rotation (desperately needed), but bottom line is that I feel like we've bought a team akin to our 88 team, meaning, what you see from Garnett, Pierce, and Allen this year will be the best you'll see of them in Boston uniforms, but without the strong emotional attachment to the present that I had for that team, owing to their heroic feats and epic battles we'd already been fortunate enough to live through with them.

I sure hope Danny, Wyc, et al still have enough bullets left to snag a decent vet wing and a decent vet big.  I'm uncomfortable with the prospect of Jackie Manuel or Brandon Wallace seeing many minutes backing up the wing spots (I simply cannot count on Tony Allen coming back strong this year, though he might), as I am uncomfortable with the prospect of seeing much of Davis or Powe seeing much backup time.  Complete the job Danny, and get rid of these young guys for vets.

The window's open in the Eastern conference, and we're at least in the conversation.  It's all about how Danny rounds out the roster now.

Good luck, Danny.