Pierce out for a month.

[Johnny Mac]

Best move Ainge could've made.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Best move Ainge could've made.

Like which one:

1: Darn we are winning too many games

2: I'm gonna teach these kids to play ... they watch Pierce too much.

3: Doc needs to learn to really coach instead of Pierce helping him.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

They say 2 to 3 weeks how did you get a month.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2705279
http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/notes/notes122106-pierce.html

 

[Johnny Mac]

Heard it on Sportscenter or something.

Oh well, hope it ends up being longer.

 

[BradyManny]

Best move Ainge could've made.

Whaaa? You think tanking it for a draft pick is a good idea, then? Yeah, that worked out with Duncan.

This team's best shot at being good is to develop their youth and create some chemistry. They can't do that effectively with their best veteran out of the lineup. Losing Pierce is the worst thing that could happen for the C's.

 

[Johnny Mac]

It may not have worked with Duncan, but it was worth a shot. Just like it will be worth it to try and get Oden. Add Oden to this team and it's an immediate contender. Even if they miss out, a top 5 pick would be great. They're the 7th worst team in the league now. Take out Pierce, and they could be just as bad as the Sixers.

I think it'll be great for the young guys. Green will get more minutes, Al gets to be the man, everyone else can't rely on Pierce. It will be a good learning expierence.

Here's to a few weeks becoming a few months, and Pierce coming back next season with fresh legs to lead a team with Oden and the improved youngsters.

 

[BradyManny]

It may not have worked with Duncan, but it was worth a shot. Just like it will be worth it to try and get Oden. Add Oden to this team and it's an immediate contender. Even if they miss out, a top 5 pick would be great. They're the 7th worst team in the league now. Take out Pierce, and they could be just as bad as the Sixers.

I think it'll be great for the young guys. Green will get more minutes, Al gets to be the man, everyone else can't rely on Pierce. It will be a good learning expierence.

Here's to a few weeks becoming a few months, and Pierce coming back next season with fresh legs to lead a team with Oden and the improved youngsters.

Who knows, the lottery Gods owe us big time, that's for sure.

Still, I'd rather Pierce be healthy and we work on turning Boston back into a respectable place to play in the NBA - a place that our young guys will want to remain. We have to be competitive and be contenders to do that.

 

[Johnny Mac]

But we're not contenders this year. And we're not going to be next year. I like Al. I like Green. I like most of the kids. But they're still a few years away from being the players we need to contend. Who knows what Pierce will have left by then, or if he'll even want to stay.

In a year when the team can significantly improve through the draft, Ainge did the worst thing possible: put out another mediocre team. Without Pierce, well, we lose to the Sixers.

Even if they don't get Oden, with a top 5 pick you're going to have a shot at someone like Durant, Wright, Young, or Noah. The team will be a lot better off than getting swept out of the first round and having to make do with the 16th pick.

 

[BradyManny]

Even if they don't get Oden, with a top 5 pick you're going to have a shot at someone like Durant, Wright, Young, or Noah. The team will be a lot better off than getting swept out of the first round and having to make do with the 16th pick.

That's a good point - middle draft picks = middle of the pack team = middle draft picks - it's a vicious cycle we've been stuck in for quite a while.

It's the reason I was for trading for Iverson and making itself a legitimate franchise again - but I see your point, the other option is to tank and get a chance in the draft.

On the other hand, like I've said before, my biggest fear is these guys not wanting to continue their careers here, Al and Green, if they do blossom. They need incentive besides just $ - and that is the hope of winning.

 

[IcyPatriot]

If Ainge plans on keeping Tony Allen ... and I think he will. Then he also needs to complement him with a defensive forward...something we have not had in a very long time.

I scratched my head when we signed Scalabrine ... a useless player if ever there was one. Tall, big guys that shoot 3-pointers are a waste of time in this league. I'd rather see Gerald Green in there because he can at least rebound and tip rebounds.

McHale was a great defensive forward ... one of the reasons we won during his era. Ainge was there ... he saw this ... and hopefully he remembers when the draft rolls around. Package Telfair with a pick to move up a few slots if needed ... but we need a defensive forward or we are just going to spin our wheels.

 

[3 to be 4]

reality. this is the NBA. you dont win a championship without the superstar.
the Duncan strategy gave them the best chance at being contenders again. Had the ping pong balls come up, the Celtics would have been the team celebrating titles. It was worth the chance.
likewise, Oden is worth tanking a season for, especially when they are going to be rotten anyway. Would you rather win 30 and remain bad, or win 20 and have a chance to be great.
Take your time, Paul. a looong time.

 

[Boston Boxer]

i say trade for Bruce Bowen or (gulp) Ron Artest. both wold greatly improve D and O

 

[Johnny Mac]

Marginally improving the team at this point is futile. We are in full-tank mode, and there's no turning back. We've already improved from 7th worst to 5th. It's all down hill from here.

 

[Johnny Mac]

They say 2 to 3 weeks how did you get a month.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2705279
http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/notes/notes122106-pierce.html

It's been a month so I was right. :snob:

I think I read that he could be out for another month.

Celtics currently the third worst team in the league. Go Philly and Memphis.

 

[Pats Fanatic]

It's been a month so I was right. :snob:

I think I read that he could be out for another month.

Celtics currently the third worst team in the league. Go Philly and Memphis.

Yes you were but I really don't think that the draft will help as much as a different approach in the front office. Winning starts from the top, that is were this team needs the most help.