Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson traded for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, 2012 first-round pick
The Boston Celtics have traded Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The Celtics also receive the Clippers’ (top-10 protected) 2012 first-round draft choice (whoop-dee fucking do) and traded Semih Erden/Luke Harangody to Cleveland for a second-round draft choice. Yay, in a really not-so-yay voice.
Which brings me to my reaction to the Perk trade: Why? The Celtics had the NBA’s best team. They were the league’s top title contenders, and Perkins was a big reason why. He was their only center I trusted to remain on the court (even after the ACL tear, and the recent MCL strain), and the O’Neal’s can’t stay healthy to save their lives. Jermaine O’Neal’s liable to aggravate his injury walking down stairs, and Shaq’s too big and fat to stay on the court for more than a week or two at a time.
The Celtics are great because they are big and tough, and they are big and tough in large part because of Kendrick Perkins. And now they trade him to Oklahoma City, for A) an undersized power forward who doesn’t play defense and doesn’t rebound, and B) a center whose toughest display was moronically throwing a chair at a Greek opponent? I just don’t get it. Talk me down from a ledge, please. Thinking about the prospect of Nenad Krstic defending Dwight Howard makes me want to throw myself under the nearest bus.
This trade only makes sense if A) the Celtics have complete faith that both O’Neal’s will return to perfect health this season — which makes no sense whatsoever, because they’re about as durable as a glass of water, B) Perkins’ strained MCL was worse than we expected — which makes no sense, because approximately two hours ago he said he might return during this Celtics’ road trip, C) Perk wasn’t going to sign in Boston after this season — which makes no sense, because he said he couldn’t see himself anyplace else, or D) Danny Ainge still has something up his sleeve, which would explain the Semih Erden/Harangody deal that opened up two roster spots.
If there’s no hidden aspect to this, Ainge just shipped Perkins (and Nate Robinson, who I’m actually quite happy is gone) for two players who may or may not completely destroy everything the Celtics stand for. The Celtics have spent all season talking about how they need better rebounding, then traded Perkins away while acquiring two Mark Blountian rebounders. The C’s future looks brighter, but this journey was always about now. Always. Don’t you remember last season, when Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum made the entire C’s frontcourt look like chumps? How do you think they’re going to make Nenad Krstic and Jeff Green look? Even Chris Bosh looks like the next coming of Charles Oakley when standing next to Krstic and Green.
Long story short, the C’s lost a large part of their identity through this trade. They’ll still remain a tough team. They’ll still have Kevin Garnett screaming his head off, and Paul Pierce battling off every injury that comes his way, and maybe even (on a healthy day) Shaq enforcing the paint. But Kendrick Perkins, as limited as he was offensively, and as much as he refused to keep the basketball high, was the Celtics’ toughness personified. He’ll be missed all the time, but especially in the playoffs, when the Celtics look across the court to see Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum looking back at them.
I don’t know where Ainge is going with this, but I assume he has a plan. I just can’t see it, right now. Not at all.
And so I scowl, in honor of Kendrick Perkins. A man who helped bring a title to Boston. A man who may never be as appreciated as he was here. A man who just got shipped away to Oklahoma City, and may take the Celtics’ 2011 NBA championship with him.
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Celtics Blog | Jay King | February 24, 2011
I keep looking at the rumors wire for a fourth shoe to fall, to somehow make sense of this, like trading to the Heat for Chris Bosh or some other thing that is not going to happen. All I keep thinking is that we have up a key guy, and a bunch of other guys, for a guy who could be a future key guy, IF he develops, and some draft choices that are not likely to amount to much. Basically, I just see too much coffee, too many long hours with no sleep, plugged in to the cell phone, a bunch of people going stir crazy in the front office, and PANIC.
I can understand Ainge thinking that this team had peaked this year, and that changes needed to happen, and I can understand him thinking that our offense is our main problem right now, but it looks to me like we probably did very little to help our offense, while wrecking our defense and rebounding and maybe the team chemistry.
And I have to wonder, is a guy like Kevin Garnett ready and willing to shoulder the gigantic defense and rebounding load that just got put onto his shoulders? And if he does try, what are the chances that he succumbs to another injury?
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noooooooooooooo NOT YOU TOO jay.. of all the Cs bloggers i would think you would be more level headed about this.. were not done making moves yet can we at least wait and see before declaring the “season over” like some “fans” are??
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this was a ridiculous trade no matter what he does to fix it. Perkins is my only objection, he should have stayed, unless they once again lied about a players condition and his knee problems were season ending.
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This is the only place i am seeing the 2012 pick involed
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This is insanity… we just lost two 7-footers while our other bigs aren’t even playing at the moment… talk me off the ledge
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Is the pick confirmed?
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Does anybody answer questions on this site
?
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The C’s are getting Troy Murphy. Which explains the trade… a bit.
Still a strange trade. Green can play SF and at least solves the problem behind Pierce. But at what cost?
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Yes..it’s done with the Cavs –
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2011/02/cavs_acquire_semih_erden_and_l.htm
And that’s just dumb unless DA has something else up his sleeve. As far as the main trade I like it. Jay, you need to look at the stats closer as Green’s career rebounding average is tenths off of KP’s. And he is much better offensively. KP was due for a big contract and he’s just not worth $10M per yr. Better to sign an FA. His knees are a major problem and he carries too much weight. Krstic can be a good replacement for SE but I wish DA had kept LH & SE as I think they will develop nicely. Really glad to see NR go. Go Cs…
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the team hasn’t confirmed anything nys…. and to all the butt hurt fans i guess we were terrible when perk was out of the line-up i guess perk and not the big ticket is the key to winning a ship.. just fucking wait and watch!! Cs fans are as knee jerk as they come sheesh
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Relax,
I want to talk myself off a ledge, but you have to look at it with some optimism, because obviously we sit in front of computer screens all day, and they do the playing and managing.
1. Without Perk, we had the best record in the East.
2. The east got younger and more athletic. Perk helps with the offensive boards, and was great with help defense, but he was slow before two knee injuries, and was only getting slower.
3. The east has a bunch of leapers, and wings now with lots of skill. We need to keep pace, and 4 slow centers aint gonna help.
3. We absolutely need a wing. No question. Paul and Ray can only go so far, and the rest of the team sans Rondo and Baby are Old, Old, Old.
4. Rondo is the best facilitator in the league, yet no one on the team lives above the rim (KG is questionable). Rondo now has someone who can sky for dunks, which hopefully will inject some life in to the offense.
5. There will be some buyouts, or D-league infusion, no doubt.
I think we all have to admit that we stunk in game 7 last year. It may have been emotional, loosing Perk, or being in L.A. but we can’t blame the whole loss on Perk not playing game 7. I think admitting this will help out in the long run with this trade. We were not going to be signing Perk and Baby to contracts at $10M a year. Baby finishes games anyway, and has just about enough toughness for offensive boards as Perk did. He has gotten a tiny bit better using the rim to make sure he doesn’t get his shot blocked.
Also KG is back, last year in the finals, not so much.
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im with you james my only issue was erden because i think he has a bright future apart from that we all know the Cs dont have the money perk would be demanding as a free agent especially if we win the ship
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Marquis is headed to sacramento for cash according to sb nation
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With all this room, something tells me Rasheed might be hanging around more often.
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UhOh… yep I think SE could have been good but Krstic is already there and playing with these guys may even spur him to be even better. It’s amazing what knowing a ring possibility does to a guy’s effort. I’m happy Perk got his ring but I was never sold on his overall play. Great defense but couldn’t average even 10 boards a game and zip offense really other than lay-ups. That’s not worth $10M per year. I love Green’s game and the fact that we just got younger and more athletic. Go Cs…
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Right now, I feel the same as when my brother was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer a few years ago. That was after doctors had mistakenly thought he was lactose intolerant years prior, when he could have been saved.
My brother died. And so have the Celtics. Ainge should be fired as GM.
Yes, Jay, who is going to guard Howard in the playoffs? Who is going to rebound, period? They are already weak there. Giving away Erdin and LH only makes this harder to bear. They were so promising. I don’t care what Ainge is planning.
Unless he pulls a miracle out of his ass, like Bosh coming here, it’s over, over, over, over, over. I’m going to go throw up now.
Like stage 4 cancer, it’s just a matter of waiting for the funeral (when they lose in the first or second round of the playoffs)
Celtics Fan in LA, where I will have to suffer through another Laker trophy.
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Absoluteley! Yes, the Celtics might still be a force in the regular season.
Yes, they might keep the top seed in the Eastern Conf. until the playoffs.
But when the playoffs arrive, who in the world will provide the power and strength in the post.
And we lost Perk for who? Krstic? Really?
I want to shoot myself now..
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Just remember Boys.
Last year, we were not even picked by the experts to beat the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
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Yoyoma? What time is it on the East Coast right now? 6 pm? Are you already drunk on a Thursday night? Who cares about the experts last year? Last year we had Perk. Howard is going to destroy the C’s in the playoffs, if they make it to the second round
Question for everyone: Hasn’t the trade deadline passed by now? So if Ainge is planning some more moves, isn’t he limited to picking up guys off waivers or D-League clowns? Gee, I’m so excited to find out who is going to replace SE, LH and M Daniels (he’s gone I’m hearing).
Ainge is a pathetic piece of dog manure. He decided to rebuild for 2012 in the middle of a championship run season. If that’s the case, he should have done so back in August, before dick-teasing us like this (and he could’ve gotten much better players to rebuild with)
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I’m sorry about that guys brother but geez get some perspective. I couldn’t have traded perkins but that’s why I’m not a GM. Baby can push out howard and bynum and give the C’s some offense. he’s active like dave cowans. I scream at him every game for not being tall. Pierce needs rest. I’m rooting for green. bring up sims from the red claws, get murphy to play center. The celtic core is still strong. ( by the way some here haven’t noticed bosh is soft ) it’s scary, it’s exciting and Ange has got some nerve.
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Oh my..This is a time I when I wish I had Jay King’s cell number to cry on his shoulder..Perk..why why why…It’s okay though..We will win another championship in a decade or so….”Talk me down from a ledge, please?” No how about you put me on the ledge and push me hard please..I can’t take this anymore..Oh lord..Why Why WhY
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Read this trade should have happened big baby and rond for deron wiliams that would have been great.
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what about shane getting delt for so litte shabeet and a first round pick
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It’s amazing to see all the folks talking themselves into thinking this is a great move by Ainge. Basically, we traded a starting center most of the league would love to have, a key guy for our team, a defense-rebounding-toughness- chemistry guy, for maybe a backup 3/tweener.
This was K R A Z Y.
I can understand the thinking that maybe we needed some kind of surprisingly big move, but then it’s important to at least receive as good as you get.
Jeff Green had better turn out to be hot stuff, or Danny Ainge will go down as the man who put together a great team, and then destroyed them in the middle of a championship run.
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Agreed! I understand that trading Nate for Green wouldn’t work, so Ainge had to bring another piece. But instead of trading Perkins for a soft ass Krstic, why couldn’t he throw in a sub.
I’d still rather lose Davis and Nate for Green..
But, I have one question: I remember that Zydrunas Ilgauskas was traded to Washington last year, and somehow they bought out his contract and he singed an extention with the Cavs again..Could this happen to Perkins, or was the only the scenario with Ilgauskas because the Wizards wanted to clean up cap space? Could we somehow get Perkins back?
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People need to chill. The Celtics are not dead and I think are going to be better when all the injured guys are back. Yep it was a shock but KP’s knees are an issue and another play away from disaster. And he’s not worth $10M/yr to the Cs like he is to OKC so I am happy for him. If he ever averaged 10 rebs a game and had better offense this would hurt me more, but he didn’t and doesn’t. Now I have to believe DA knows about Shaq and JO’s health issues a lot more than what we know. Shaq will be back to start and JO may have a new lease on life plus Krstic is much better right now than SE. Green gives a weak offensive and rebounding bench a huge uplift as he can score, rebound and is young and athletic. PP can rest more and Green can fill those extra minutes just fine. We in-essence traded the one guy that wasn’t around 90% of the season and we have the best record in the East. Get healthy, get the new guys acclimated and I think by the end of March you’ll see a much more focused team, rebounding better, not playing down to inferior teams, and ready to get title #18. P.S. Sorry about your brother, Chris, but a little perspective is absolutely necessary here. I didn’t like our bench and now it is much better. Go Cs…
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update celtics brought up some 7ft d leaguer this sucks!!!
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@chris comparing this to when your brother was diagnosised with cancer is odd and over the top. I ccant even compare how much more i care about my brothers safety and well being to how much i care about the c’s winning. It degrades what truly matters in life.
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It’s a 10-day contract for a guy they know –
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2011%2F02%2F24%2Ffanhousebostoncelticssignchr.DTL
Go Cs…
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sorry nate, wasn’t trying to offend anyone. Was simply looking for a strong metaphor for the C’s prognosis: they are dead.
how about this instead: Is Danny Ainge on crack? You don’t rebuild a team for 2012 in the middle of a championship run.
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Hey Chris? You just compared an NBA trade to you’re brother having stomach cancer… wow
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