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| The Celtics shocked the world Thursday afternoon, trading away fan favorite Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green, center Nenad Krstic and a 2012 first round pick. |
Just like that, one of the most reliable contributors and overall cornerstones of the Celtics recent renaissance is gone.
As a fan of the Green, it's hard not to let our emotions get the best of us after being blown away but such an unexpected move. Perk wasn't just some bench player who gave us a few quality minutes off the pine each night. He was a Celtic to his core. After being acquired from Memphis in a Draft Day deal way back in 2003, the former 27th overall pick made the leap from Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas straight to one of the NBA's most storied franchises.
Over the course of eight long years, we've seen Perk grow right before our eyes through the good times and the bad, like a beloved child or sacred relationship. He has been in Boston ever since the beginning, way back when the Celtics were the laughingstock of the league, busy losing 19 games in a row. Light years before the pride was even close to being restored.
Along the way, we were overcome with an unparalleled sense of pride and accomplishment after watching Perk develop from a raw big man with undisciplined talent into one of basketball's most feared and physical forces down low. Then, with the Earth-rattling acquisitions of Garnett and Allen in 2007, Perkins quickly became the glue that held everything together, acting as an intimidating presence in the paint and the team's overall defensive anchor. Perkins was a battle-tested warrior whose influence went far beyond statistics and could not be valued in a box score. Of course, Boston's Big Three was most responsible for raising Banner 17 in 2008, but we must never forget how critical a role Perk played in dethroning the Lakers and restoring pride to basketball's most storied franchise.
Still, we must set aside our emotions and dissect the trade without bias. Entering the final year of his contract, Perkins was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season and made several inclinations to testing the free agent market. By acquiring Green and Krstic, the Celtics assure themselves of receiving more than adequate compensation for Perkins instead of letting him walk for nothing after the season ends. The move falls in line with a new perspective around the NBA of getting compensation for stars before they walk away and sign elsewhere as free agents, just as the Nuggets and Jazz did by who trading away stars like Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams,
If you remember correctly, the Celtics have always liked Green. In fact, they liked him so much that they drafted him 5th overall in 2007 out of Georgetown and then proceeded to trade him to Seattle along with Delonte West in exchange for Ray Allen and the 35th overall pick (Glen Davis).
In Green, the Celtics become younger and more versatile. At 6'9'', 235 lbs, Green has the size, strength and talent to play both forward positions, making him an extremely valuable asset to coach Doc Rivers. With a plethora of low post moves, Green has the ability to bang under the boards as a power forward. However, he also has the skills to shoot the three and spell Paul Pierce at the small forward position. In addition, Green is just 24-years-old while Perkins is 26. And, although Green becomes a restricted free agent after the season, the Celtics have the ability to match any offer he receives, ensuring Green sticks around for the long term.
In essence, the Celtics get two big men for the price of one. Nate Robinson, once a fan favorite, had fallen out of favor in Boston this season after losing his once-reliable outside shot. In Green and Krstic, the Celtics solidify their growingly thin front court. Krstic, after all, is just 27-years-old and a true seven footer. If Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O' Neal are able to return in the near future, the Celtics have more than enough big men to compete come playoff time.
So, while the Celtics lose one of their most familiar and reliable faces, GM Danny Ainge has found a way to solidify both the present and the future with Thursday's blockbuster move. In Green and Krstic the Celtics acquire enough talent to still win the title this season, but they also ease themselves into rebuilding mode, acquiring a young talent like Green as well as a 2012 first round pick that they can play beside Rondo for years to come, even after KG, Paul and Ray retire.
At the end of the day, the trade of Perkins is just another reminder of how much sports mean to us. Sure, basketball is just a game, but after pouring your heart and soul into rooting for a player who you had the unique pleasure of watching grow, develop and eventually help restore pride to your favorite team, you can't help but feel like a part of you has been ripped out of your chest. Having to say goodbye to one of your favorite players is one of the most challenging aspects of being a fan. I'm still optimistic, but right now I feel like I've been eaten alive.
No kidding. When Perkins went down during the Finals last year, Doc's words, that "this starting five has never lost a playoff series," took on an ominous ring. It sounds even more prophetic--and worrisome--now.
ReplyDeleteStill, Ainge has bought himself the benefit of the doubt throughout the last few years, and before rushing to judge, we have to see how this move pans out in the longer term.