Matty G: Don’t Love it… Don’t Hate It

Just when you thought it was safe to go to sit back and relax in Celtics Nation…
When Kevin Garnett does in fact come to Boston, it’s not going be the worst thing in the world. It takes two and a half stars to win in the NBA, so mixing Garnett with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen is just crazy enough to work. But there is still the bitter taste from sending away Al Jefferson that leaves me feeling disappointed and worried. The depression that I will have over losing Ryan Gomes would be far too deep to talk about. I don’t hate the deal, but at the same time, I don’t love it. So I guess I will feel somewhat happy when the season starts in November. Which is a huge improvement from the way a lot felt last season.

Don’t Hate It

(the rest after the jump)

 

Let’s face it, it’s KG. He’s been aching to get a star to play with, and now he has one on each side. Garnett’s dominance is so well known, it would be a waste to talk about. The best part of this deal is that somehow, someway, Danny Ainge managed to get Garnett and Allen for the same price plus Wally Szczerbiak, Gomes and some future picks. How’s that for some trickeration? It will be great seeing two (possibly three) future Hall of Famers in green next season. It’s hard to disagree going from one of the youngest teams in the NBA to three solid veterans in the starting lineup. Losing out on some picks isn’t as bad as it sounds (one of the picks could be from the Wally-Ricky Davis trade) as long as the Celtics plan on winning and making it a high 20 pick.

Don’t Love It

First and foremost, no more Al Jefferson. He was the young guy that would lead the team back into prominence. We would watch him grow and blossom into a star. After some growing pains, it looked like he was finally on his way. Gomes was always a solid player, and has a veteran presence for such a young guy. But now Danny is banging a u-ey and trading off all the young guys for an older more mature team. Touché, but now it is a win now or never situation. Garnett, Pierce, and Allen will look great together, but their contracts won’t. By 2009, Pierce will be making nearly $20 million with Allen making nearly $19 million. Add that to whatever lucrative contract KG will demand, and that is not a whole lot of wiggle room under the cap. Their payroll could creep up in the same territory as the Knicks. Hopefully they are a little better on the court though. The biggest worry is that even though the Celtics would add another star, none of there new Big Three have won a ring in their career.

So after months of stories and rumors, it looks like it’s farewell Al and hello KG. It’s great that a day before the MLB trade deadline and the Celtics are the one stealing the show in Boston. The Celtics won’t be done either. When they sign their two rookies (Gabe Pruitt and Glen Davis), they will still have two more spots to fill for the minimum 12 players on a roster. There’s now plenty of room for a veteran point guard (hello Brevin Knight), another small foward and a backup center. A few weeks ago, it was who has to go to make room? Now, it’s who wants to come join the fun?

Maybe in a few years we will have another banner hanging, but how long can Garnett, Pierce and Allen keep playing, let alone win? Danny is taking the now or never route, and maybe that was his plan all along. Build up some young guys, and trade them away for some stars. Just another path on the unpredictable Danny Ainge Road Trip.