2008 NBA Champions - Boston Celtics

[sixers_610]

I would name my children after them? Heck of an assumption considering you don't know me.

...or re-name them if they already have names, or hell, re-name yourself if you don't have kids.

It's hyperbole.

The point: You'd be ecstatic, and all "Mercenary what? Huh?"

Once again you don't know me (not sure why I can't get this point across), so you don't know that I'd be ecstatic. Winning a championship isn't black and white to everyone.

[wigglestrue]

Right, so...you're saying your happiness would be dampened because your team won a championship in the first season of a new era? Do you think us Celtics fans should have wished for a loss in the Finals so we could have another year to get more emotionally tied to the new guys before they won a title? Would you only be ecstatic if your favorite team won an NBA championship by hiring only local basketball players, regular people born and raised in Philly? Or do you have a phobia of big shiny rings and tickertape?

[sixers_610]

No, it's just more exciting to see players that are drafted by your team grow together and overcome hurdles and win a title. It's more fulfilling.

Trust me, i know, a title is a title. Just some things make it more exciting than others.

[sixers_610]

Phobia of rings and tickertape? I thought we were having a serious conversation, now you are just being a clown. Put me on ignore, I'll do the same for you. Bye.

[wigglestrue]

No, it's just more exciting to see players that are drafted by your team grow together and overcome hurdles and win a title. It's more fulfilling.

Trust me, i know, a title is a title. Just some things make it more exciting than others.

I'd imagine that would be ever-so-slightly more fulfilling, if it ever actually occurred much in the NBA, the sport where such loyalties . Which champions didn't involve key players who fit your criteria for "mercenaries"? Spurs, since their big 3 are were all home drafted (incredibly lucky drafting)??? Anyone else in, say, the last 30 years? Not the 80's Celtics, they acquired Mercenaries Parish and McHale from outside the franchise's precious womb. Not the Lakers, they'd bought Kareem in the 70's. '83 Sixers? Nope, Moses. Pistons? Does snagging Aguirre count as a mercenary move? Bulls surrounded their drafted talent with mercenaries. Rockets didn't shy away from mercenaries. The 00's Lakers??? LMAO. The '04 Pistons? "Mercenaries". The '06 Heat = some mercenaries.

[wigglestrue]

Phobia of rings and tickertape? I thought we were having a serious conversation, now you are just being a clown. Put me on ignore, I'll do the same for you. Bye.

Come on, lighten up a little (saying a lot coming from me)

[A.J.]

Big Baby looked funny without his shirt. lol

[Wade3Iverson]

Phobia of rings and tickertape? I thought we were having a serious conversation, now you are just being a clown. Put me on ignore, I'll do the same for you. Bye.

Come on, lighten up a little (saying a lot coming from me)

I thought it was funny.

[magicfan4life05]

Brad (Carlisle, PA): Leon, please explain to us what Big Baby Davis (BBD for the rest of my life) was doing without a shirt during the parade?? I'm scarred!

SportsNation Leon Powe: (1:00 PM ET ) I didn't know until I saw it on ESPN. My first reaction was, is he trying to be funny? Or did he just want to take his shirt off because it was hot. I gave him the benefit of the doubt. It was a little warm on those duck boats. But hopefully, next time, he keeps his shirt on.

[magicfan4life05]

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/vid ... Id=2459788

[Kefa461]

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3455016&categoryId=2459788

Yeah time for #18 baby........

[Kefa461]

No, it's just more exciting to see players that are drafted by your team grow together and overcome hurdles and win a title. It's more fulfilling.

Trust me, i know, a title is a title. Just some things make it more exciting than others.

You would take this title no matter how it came......and be happy you had it......

[Mahoney_jr]

Let it up. He (sixers_610) is just ecstatic about the young Sixers who had a nice playoff round against Detroit. And that is deserved.

But there is no historical evidence, that the learning curve of your team leads to an NBA championship. At least not without trades and salary-cap-related painful cuts.

Iggy's contract shows how difficult the transition can be, when a young player negotiates for the first time in his professional career. As long you don't have a sure fire franchise player on your hands, you will get the biggest break between per/salary, when signing your young talent to its 2nd contract.

Therefore I'm a strong believer in the "Ainge" strategy: Keep rather cheap defensive role players (Perkins, Allen, Rondo) and trade offensive talents before their rookie contracts expire (Jefferson, West, Gomes, Green) against ring-hungry, well-rounded and professional stars (Allen, Garnett).

[Curmudgeon]

Yes, but Ainge's strategy will only work if the ring hungry stars are willing to commit to defense and sharing the ball. It would never work with a player like Iverson.

[Mahoney_jr]

Yes, but Ainge's strategy will only work if the ring hungry stars are willing to commit to defense and sharing the ball. It would never work with a player like Iverson.

Absolutely. Partially, that was what I tried to express with "professional" and "well rounded". I should have added "team player mentality" and a "declining interest in personal achievements". Both things are uncommon for star players but could develop between 28 and 32.

Allen and Garnett are great team players. Iverson (or Marion or Artest or etc.) not so much.

[Ortho Stice]

Who was the last team that won a championship with their starting line-up being comprised of only players they drafted and nurtured? I doubt this has ever happened, and if it has, it was probably when the NBA first started. And if you didn't realize, three of Boston's starters were drafted by the team, including their best player, the Finals MVP.

[Curmudgeon]

Yes, Cheapskate Robert Sarver sold Boston the pick used to select Rondo. Thank you Phoenix!!