Throwing some dimes: More Ray Allen trade talk

Once in a while, someone else’s article catches my eye. Sometimes, it’s because the article is so spot-on I wish I’d written it myself. Other times, it’s because the article enlightens me with something I never knew. Still other times, it’s because I disagree with whatever’s written. No matter what the reason, I dish it off to another writer to make his/her point. You know, throwing some dimes.

"Where'd my hands go?? Where????"

1. Christopher L. Gasper of the Boston Globe wonders whether yesterday’s game against the Orlando Magic was the Big Three’s final home game as a unit.

The true believers among the TD Garden crowd who watched the Celtics for the second consecutive Sunday hand over a game in the second half like a church-goer passes the collection plate waited until Rashard Lewis’s floater in the lane with 8.9 seconds remaining to vacate the building.
The parishioners of the parquet should have taken a good long look as they filed out because it could have been the last time they saw the Celtics’ Holy Trinity together on their home court.

2. WEEI’s Paul Flannery discusses two potential trades involving Ray Allen, and their pros and cons.

What Ainge has seen over the course of 49 games is a team that hasn’t been able to establish homecourt, hasn’t won against elite squads and hasn’t established any kind of consistency, or even an identity.
The problem is the time for evaluation is just about over. The trading deadline is looming on Feb. 18 and the Celtics will play just two more games before that date.
It’s a gamble either way. If Ainge decides that Allen and the Celtics can rediscover their old formula he doesn’t have a lot of proof to support that claim beyond past history.
If he decides to make a move, there will be the short-term ramifications in terms of playing style and long-term ramifications in terms of the team’s financial picture.
Your move, Danny. Or not.

3. Tom Ziller of NBA Fanhouse wonders whether Danny Ainge will make another Ray Allen trade, and says it would be brilliant if he does.

It’s a brilliant idea. The Celtics’ problems come on offense. Before, Allen’s excellence helped Boston “get by” on that end. Now, he’s part of the drain. Boston needs a two-guard to take up about one of every four or five shots while on the floor, and to hit the majority of them. Allen’s shooting struggles have hurt that scheme, and Garnett’s not in much of a position to help. But if Boston can get a shooting guard who can handle the shot-making duties, the defense (tops in the league through Sunday) can allow the Celtics to compete with anyone. But pulling a deal is, obviously, much harder than it sounds.

4. Red’s Army discusses a new nickname the NBA blog Hardwood Paroxysm has made for Rajon Rondo: The Clinic.

I made the comment on Twitter that Rondo was by far the best player on the floor, and that he was putting on a clinic. Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPBasketball on Twitter) turned right around and suggested “The Clinic” as a nickname for Rondo.
In that moment, the nickname was born. It’s gotten a fair amount of support so far… and we love it. so we’re going with it.
Rajon Rondo is “The Clinic”… because he could put one on at a moment’s notice.
I’m sure some of you won’t like it. I’ve already heard the “he needs to shoot jumpers and free throws better” or “he needs to be more consistent before you can call him that.”
Meh. I don’t care. He can dominate games for long stretches without that… and he’s only going to get better. He’s a walking basketball clinic… so that’s what we’re calling him from now on.

Wanna throw your own dime, and get someone’s article recognized? Email me at jayking@celticstown.com or follow me on Twitter.