Would the Celtics have been better without the trade for KG?

[robertjanssen007]

I think NBA fans are in agreeance is that if you don't have a low post scorer, it's mighty difficult to win the NBA title. They had one in Jefferson (a dominant one, mind you) but traded him away for KG. Sure, KG is more qualified for the "win now" scenario but I'm sure the Celtics would have been just as good with Big Al and at least more suited for the playoffs. Yes, they had the biggest turnaround in NBA history in the regular season but are they "ready" for the playoffs without a player like Jefferson?

It could have been:

Perkins
Big Al
Pierce
Allen
Rondo

Also, they wouldn't be forced to win an NBA title in the next two years if they didn't ship Big Al. But this is all just my opinion.

[Raptorian]

There is no way the celtics would have been better without KG.

[NO-KG-AI]

KG is still a more efficient scorer by a fair margin, he's still a far superior passer, and a FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR superior defender.

[Celtsfan1980]

Last year's team suffered many injuries, and Boston was 9-7 with Pierce and Jefferson starting together. If they were healthy and with an addition or two, I think 50 wins is realistic considering their conference. They could also use the expiring for Gasol. I don't think he could have helped much.They're a legitimate contender now and could also be in good contention for free agency when the 3 leave, so I think it helps them out much more in the short- and long-term.

[dockingsched]

KG won defensive player of the year, jefferson is a below average defender. without their defense, the celtics are on the orlando magic level.

[The Rondo Show]

Not even close. The problem with the Celtics right now is that no one except Garnett has come to play this post-season, at least on the offensive end. Ray Allen has been consistently bad while Pierce and Rondo have been wildly inconsistent these playoffs.

We need more Kevin Garnett's, not less.

[Albanian Damien]

Yes, KG is the reason for the Celtics playoffs woes. He's the only who hasn't stepped up. He's so inconsistent it's irritating. He's good at home but on the road he sucks. He's choked in all the big games of this year. He's a red carpet to the basket. It's damn shame we don't have Big Al anymore. Big Al would make Perk finish his layups, Big Al would keep Rondo from making mistakes, Big Al would help Allen get out of his shooting slump, Big Al would help Pierce be aggressive. KG is a loser and always will be. He can't even exploit his opposing match ups unlike Pierce and Ray.

[Flash3]

I think NBA fans are in agreeance is that if you don't have a low post scorer, it's mighty difficult to win the NBA title. They had one in Jefferson (a dominant one, mind you) but traded him away for KG. Sure, KG is more qualified for the "win now" scenario but I'm sure the Celtics would have been just as good with Big Al and at least more suited for the playoffs. Yes, they had the biggest turnaround in NBA history in the regular season but are they "ready" for the playoffs without a player like Jefferson?

It could have been:

Perkins
Big Al
Pierce
Allen
Rondo

Also, they wouldn't be forced to win an NBA title in the next two years if they didn't ship Big Al. But this is all just my opinion.

-You're sure, but not 100% certain the C's would've been just as good?--Uhh, when you have the chance to add a player like KG, you do it. The intangibles a KG can offer, are just far and few between. And, I'm almost 100% certain that the C's would not be as good as they are, on both ends of the floor, as they were this past season.

-And, you throw the big turn around they had to the side as if it was nothing special. -- Come on!

[basketball royalty]

With Big Al instead of KG the C's would have been out a couple weeks ago rather than being eliminated just today.

[pballa]

With Big Al instead of KG the C's would have been out a couple weeks ago rather than being eliminated just today.

oh please.

[Rasheeed!!!]

They'd probably get more inside baskets with Jefferson. It'd be interesting to see Allens role with Jefferson instead of KG.

I wonder if Tom T would get Jefferson to play better D?

Celts would also have Gomes & Telfair. Gomes & Powe are very similar and Telfair is probably an upgrade over Cassell. If he stinks it up with his shooting & D like Cassell, @least he passes the ball and penetrates.

Overall....a 50+ win team.

[UDRIH14]

if you guys didnt trade for KG, but ray allen still comes,

all you needed was to get a guy who can rebound, and the celtics will be no different then the 05 sonics which had a really good run and into the playoffs.

[Basileus777]

They wouldn't be better this year, but they would have been better off in the long run. The thing about the Allen/KG trade is it effectively gives them a 2 year window. If they had kept the 5th pick and traded Pierce, they would have been well on their way to rebuilding, especially considering they would have another top pick this year.

[Worm Guts]

I think NBA fans are in agreeance is that if you don't have a low post scorer, it's mighty difficult to win the NBA title. They had one in Jefferson (a dominant one, mind you) but traded him away for KG. Sure, KG is more qualified for the "win now" scenario but I'm sure the Celtics would have been just as good with Big Al and at least more suited for the playoffs. Yes, they had the biggest turnaround in NBA history in the regular season but are they "ready" for the playoffs without a player like Jefferson?

It could have been:

Perkins
Big Al
Pierce
Allen
Rondo

Also, they wouldn't be forced to win an NBA title in the next two years if they didn't ship Big Al. But this is all just my opinion.

Post offense is important for 2 reasons, it's more efficient and it forces double teams which break down the defense. Since Garnett is more efficient and better at passing out of the double teams, I have a hard time believing that Jefferson would an upgrade in any way over Garnett.

[robertjanssen007]

I know KG is the only guy who's stepped up so far but can you win with a big man who prefers to take jump shots rather than being a dominant force in the paint? Dallas couldn't do it a few years back with Dirk. I know comparing Dirk to KG defensively is laughable but the rest of the Celtics team defensively is SOLID so if Big Al was still here, I'm pretty sure he'd be a good defender if in the right system. Hell, Wally Szrzberiak has become a good defender for Cleveland.

But my main point for this topic is the Celtics window closing too early with KG here. If the Celtics don't get anything in two years, they're going to have to consider rebuilding (ie: the current Dallas Mavericks) and they might regret losing Al. So far, they're in two seven game series--they're going to be worn out by the time they face the Lakers or even the Pistons for that matter. I'm just not sold right now--that's all.

[Celtsfan1980]

I know KG is the only guy who's stepped up so far but can you win with a big man who prefers to take jump shots rather than being a dominant force in the paint? Dallas couldn't do it a few years back with Dirk. I know comparing Dirk to KG defensively is laughable but the rest of the Celtics team defensively is SOLID so if Big Al was still here, I'm pretty sure he'd be a good defender if in the right system. Hell, Wally Szrzberiak has become a good defender for Cleveland.

But my main point for this topic is the Celtics window closing too early with KG here. If the Celtics don't get anything in two years, they're going to have to consider rebuilding and they might regret losing Al. So far, they're in two seven game series--they're going to be worn out by the time they face the Lakers or even the Pistons for that matter. I'm just not sold right now--that's all.

Money to spend + popular big market team with history=free agents. It depends on whether any big trades are made, but I think they have a bright future.

[Worm Guts]

I think I'd rather have a 2-3 year window with Allen, Pierce and KG than a 7-8 year window with Jefferson, Jeff Green and Rondo. I think the first trio is a lot more likely to pull a championship even with the shorter window.

[Basileus777]

I think I'd rather have a 2-3 year window with Allen, Pierce and KG than a 7-8 year window with Jefferson, Jeff Green and Rondo. I think the first trio is a lot more likely to pull a championship even with the shorter window.

Well you would add whatever you got for Pierce and probably another top 5 pick to the second option.

The biggest problem with the Celtics is Ray Allen's decline. If Ray Allen hadn't fallen off so suddenly their window would be a few years longer. How much is Allen going to give them in two years? Will he be anything more than an expiring contract?

[Flash3]

I know KG is the only guy who's stepped up so far but can you win with a big man who prefers to take jump shots rather than being a dominant force in the paint? Dallas couldn't do it a few years back with Dirk. I know comparing Dirk to KG defensively is laughable but the rest of the Celtics team defensively is SOLID so if Big Al was still here, I'm pretty sure he'd be a good defender if in the right system. Hell, Wally Szrzberiak has become a good defender for Cleveland.

But my main point for this topic is the Celtics window closing too early with KG here. If the Celtics don't get anything in two years, they're going to have to consider rebuilding (ie: the current Dallas Mavericks) and they might regret losing Al. So far, they're in two seven game series--they're going to be worn out by the time they face the Lakers or even the Pistons for that matter. I'm just not sold right now--that's all.

It is better to have tried to legitimately to win a title (as they've done so with the moves they made this summer), than hope to have your youngster develop and get as close to even being able to contend for a title, let alone make noise in the playoffs.

There's no way in my mind anyone can criticize the C's for making the moves they did. -- When you have a shot to get a player as a KG and others, and he's the "final" piece in what might be a title contending team, you do it 10 times out of 10....

[hatnlvr]

Without the KG gift! Boston is nothing more than another 20-30 win team!