It’s funny… even though the Celtics are “threatening” the Bulls all time win record, there is still doubt about Doc Rivers. A few people think the Celtics are winning in spite of him. I don’t think Kevin Garnett would agree:
“I love how we are as a team,” he said. “I love how we mesh. I love how a (expletive) can crack a joke on me and I can crack a joke on him. When I tell somebody something, it’s not like I’m trying to (knock) him. When they tell me something, it’s not like they’re not respecting me. Ain’t none of that. Man, we’ve got a really, really, really rare group of guys, and it starts with Doc. He laid that down from Day 1.”
I wonder what that first expletive was?
Doc lets these guys handle their business… and in return he asks them to act like pros. Part of that is not going totally nuts after beating Detroit. Sure, the emotion immediately after the win was understandable… but they were back to subdued the day after.
The Celtics are probably going to set the record for the greatest 1 year turnaround. I’ll be honest, if they keep going at this pace, it will never be matched. But Seattle (or wherever they end up) is probably going to give it a shot next year. They’ve got Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. They can make just about any deal they want because they’re under the cap, and they’ve got 2 trade exceptions, and they’ve got 2 first round picks and 4 second round picks in this next year’s draft. Let me repeat that. They’ve got 2 first rounders, and 4 second rounders. And Kevin Durant. And a whiz-kid GM that has already fleeced Orlando. Get ready for a Celtics-Sonics finals in 2010.
Globe: Play of bench sits well with mates | Celtics Parquet Magazine: Big Baby working through growing pains | South Coast Today: Celtics not quite acting the part | ESPN Power Rankings: Celtics #1 | Fanhouse: Arenas might sit out season | Isaiah Rider… still a douchebag | Amare Stoudemire causing problems in Phoenix?
I wouldnt expect much out of the Sonics next year. A team full of rookies and 2nd year players, and Wally Szczerbiak? How’d that work out here? Plus, they’ll be moving to Oklahoma City next year, and it’s very rare for teams to be good right after a move like that. The Colorado Avalanche are really the only exception, unless you want to count the Houston Dynamo.
I fully expect them make a move this year that would involve one of those #1′s or #2′s and maybe Kurt Thomas ($8 mil expiring contract). Maybe the Knicks would part with David Lee or something.
Then you have a few picks to play with. I think they’ll be better next year (meaning: They won’t TOTALLY suck).
In a few years, Durant will be a veteran… and who knows what other moves will be made.
Bottom line, they’re in a great position to improve. Under the cap, expiring deal, trade exceptions, ton of draft pics, and a young potential superstar.
Agreed on the Sonics.
I thought the same exact thing about the expletive. I stopped reading the paragraph and just wondered for about 5 minutes.
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Maybe it begins with the letter n.
Ah, good call Bill.
Really? I was thinking maybe something of the m-f variety.