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Matt Geagan is a sports producer at WBZ-TV… which means he’s not just into basketball. You can email him at MattyG@RedsArmy.com. All Kevin Garnett photos courtesy Associated Press |
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Happy Days Are Here Again |
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This past week, the Celtics have turned their team upside down. Young is now old, worry is now excitement, and those bitter cold nights around the Garden might not seem so cold. The Celtics are the talk of the town for the first time in a long time, as well as some national mention as well. There is so much hype for this team, they have 19 games on national television (10 if you don’t count NBA TV) which is a huge bump from the big goose egg last season. How many people who weren’t going to buy tickets after the lottery have bought some now? The Celtics are once again important in Boston and could steal some headlines from the Red Sox and Patriots. The most amazing thing is that Danny Ainge is behind it all, with an assist from Kevin McHale of course. What are friends for? McHale needed to move a big star, and Danny needed to bring one in. That’s why Kevin Garnett will be wearing Green next season. |
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Garnett is easily one of the top ten players in the game, and possibly even top five on some peoples list. He’s put up the stats, has won an MVP, and had one deep run in the playoffs. But he has no championship ring on his finger. Unleashing him in Boston with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen (who also don’t have any rings) as his wingmen and it’s a whole new ball game. This could go down as one of those franchise changing deals that gets a team to the Promised Land. It seems that way at least. Three stars like this in one of the most storied basketball cities has all the making for a happy future. Garnett is the guy everyone loves too. He is great on the court, and an even better person off it. His smile fits his seven foot wingspan. He can score a lot of points, and even play a little defense. The Celtics have lacked solid rebounding, and Garnett will fill that void. It’s going to be an exciting season because of this move, and KG will be wearing green for awhile. So much for not wanted to come to Boston. |
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KG has reason to smile now that he’s with the Celtics… and so do we. I wonder how much those earrings cost? |
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Garnett signed a three year extension that will go into effect after his game changing behemoth expires at the end of next season. After making nearly $25 million dollars in 2008, he goes down to only $16.4 million in 2009 (Only $16.4 million, I love this game). The Celtics will most likely be over the salary cap anyways, but will still have some wiggle room. In the event things don’t work out, would that contract be as hard to move? On a more realistic note, it will be nice in case they have to bring in another decent player, something that has been hard for the Celtics recently. That really shouldn’t be a problem anymore though.
There is a lot to like about this deal, and it’s not just about the game on the court. The Celtics are relevant again. In the NBA, that goes a long way. Players who want to win will start to put the Celtics on their list of potential teams. Boston wasn’t the most attractive place to play in for the past five years. No one wanted to come and play with a bunch of young guns. But now that there are three guys on the cusp of superstardom together, people will want to come for the ride. Right now they need plenty of guys too. A five for one (seven for one if you count the two first rounders) deal will do that to a team. Decent players that want to have a chance to win will take a pay-cut if winning is an option. Look at Grant Hill tagging along in Phoenix and Gary Payton playing for close to nothing in both LA and Miami (and Boston in between). |
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Ok so the entire core of young guys we were all watching just last season (and some two months ago) are all gone. Like a Black Friday at the Bluth Company, Danny cleaned house. Only four of the 11 players he drafted remain (not including the two picks this year, they have not signed yet). Tony Allen is the only one left of the four pick 2004 class. Maybe Ainge was up to this. Building up all of the youth for all those years, and then dealing them off for an all star or two. Sorry kids. It’s Business. Did Ainge go a little overboard and give up too much? Maybe, but he did bring in Garnett. Was tossing in Ryan Gomes really going to put an end to a deal for The Big Ticket? It hurts because he would have been the perfect role player or even sixth man on this team. That is what the team needs most. Because all stars need a supporting cast too. |
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Ainge has said he wasn’t done three times this summer. When Gabe Pruitt and Big Baby finally sign on, the Celtics will finally be at the minimum 13 players. But they still need a few other guys, like another veteran or two off the bench. Names like Brevin Knight, Earl Boykins and even Chris Webber are all possibilities. Let’s hope they shy away from Troy Hudson and his terrible rap CD (it sold 78 copies, ouch). This year it may be tough to get a decent supporting cast here since there are so few good ones left. The key is next season, players will want to come play with the trio and try and win a ring. How many players have actually wanted to come to Boston recently? Brian Scalabrine? KG didn’t even want to come at first. It looks a lot better for free agents now. Bob Ryan is right to say that a supporting cast is needed for this team to be successful. But they will get players to surround them. It may take a year but players will come. |
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So is there really anything not to like about this deal? It’s tough to let go of potential, but Kevin Garnett brings a lot to the table. The team has a better chance to win in the next few years, and they actually mean something again. There is still some work to be done here, but the outlook is ten times better than it has been in a long time. Opening night is three months from now (on national TV too!) so let’s all just enjoy the summer. Once again we can all be happy to be Celtic fans. |