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I’m a Hickman

Speaking of Facebook, maybe I should create a Celticsblog group there to promote this blog. Thoughts?

I see it like Jeff Clark sees it.

I was born and raised an optimist for all my sports teams (yes even the Sox). It’s been a tough two seasons for the C’s and they may or may not have to improve for me to continue my optimism. Although they are now fighting Sox spring training games for my attention.

Gilroy, with one and soon two eyes looking over at Hickman.

I’m a Clark. All the C’s need is a little luck, one savvy move by Danny, and another summer of basketball growth with the youngsters and we can easily be a top 4 team in the East next year! The one of these I’m most pessimistic about is the luck… Hopefully 2007 is the year we can look back at as the end of the C’s little ‘curse!’

I’m an optimist. Heck, isn’t everyone visiting this site an optimist?!

Ainge’s trades have been bad. To think that he resigned Blount, but ran off a defensive center like Battie is incredible. His drafting has been decent to great. And the fact that he somehow convinced PP to reup seems miraculous now.

He has the offseason to redeem himself or make a messy exit.

I think it is impossible to ascertain where the Celtics are headed until they find a better head coach.

i wish we were in Russia and the jeff clarks of the world were in power so we could make all of you think the way we do.

I am a Jeff Clark

No… I am Jeff Clark.

I’m closer to Jeff Clark than Hickman and Gilroy. Gilroy’s “placate Pierce by landing a veteran” plan represents the same kind of reactionary measure the Cavs made when they signed Hughes and Z to appease LeBron, and I strongly disagree with his assessment of Pau Gasol (whom he is trumpeting his praises for all over the radio and tv). As for Hickman’s stance, I think Pierce has shown a remarkable maturation in the last two seasons that will allow him to lead this group of young pups on playoff pushes over the next few seasons.

I share in Jeff’s optimism, but this is indeed a “do or die” summer for Ainge, and some of it (the draft pick) is out of his control. Let’s hope we get super-lucky for once. If not, well…

I’m an optimist.

I think this team and its staff are a lot better than this year’s record dictates, and it’s really starting to show with Al, Gerald and D-West making leaps in stats. I think Gomes and Scal are great role players, and if Pierce can be convinced to stay, he’ll put a banner up before he’s done. Perk should be a great backup center, which will suit him much better given his foot condition, but I don’t think he should have a starter role going forward.

I don’t think Doc is a great coach, although I don’t think he’s terrible one either. I think he’s been good for the youth. Look at Al and Delonte – they have a sense of loyalty and dedication that most players don’t find their whole career, and I think you have to give credit to Doc for instilling them with that pride. People are looking for Doc’s head on a pike, but I think fans need to have more patience.

In a way, Pierce’s injury was a blessing in disguise. The kids needed some time to learn how to perform under pressure, without relying on Paul so much. And yeah, they obviously weren’t successful, but now that Paul’s back, they’re a much better team than before his leave.

As for the team’s overall direction, if they can keep a healthy squad for 80% of next season, I see this as a .500 team, possibly better, high lottery pick or not. They’re only starting to develop some real chemistry now, and it can only go up from here.

I think we’re screwed if we don’t have a very good off season. Otherwise, it may be mediocrity for years.

Hey Jeff, sorry to speak off subject here, but I just thought of a really fun draft Cheap Seats for whoever has the time to write it: Brandan Wright vs. Joakim Noah. I mean, let’s just go ahead and assume our luck continues to vex us and we wind up not with the first or second pick but the third pick. Which string bean do you pick then?
Discuss…

I clearly come down on the optimistic end of the spectrum. Ainge has collected some terrific talent and has been patient. I recall his predecessor had a problem with patience. I think the new ownership really cares and has the right attitude. Doc has been about as good a coach as you could have with this kind of team. The players like him, have held together and have consistently played hard for him under difficult circumstances. And the fans reaction and excitement about a team endorses what management and the team have done despite its 17-42 record.

There are some stars that just may be coming into alignment for the Celtics and I think management has seen this kind of opportunity coming (excluding their higher than expected pick). The value of their youth has grown. The players that should be available in trades this off-season combined with the high draft pick theyâ€â"¢ll get (even if itâ€â"¢s the 3rd through 5th pick) should converge to give them a good opportunity to keep a very strong group of talented youth while acquiring another strong veteran. If they get lucky and get a top two pick I think the pieces are there for long fun ride. If not, the pieces are still there for an emerging championship contender. Howâ€â"¢s that for optimism?

Jeff,
 How much of an optimist are you? Do you think Doc is part of the answer going forward?

Well, if we can get lucky in the draft and Danny can get a current All Star this summer, how can I not be with Jeff.

ReadyFor17,
You mean two decades right?

I love how the analysts in this town don’t know anything well the locals. Pau Gasol…very soft. Boston maybe a great sports city but not many want to come play for the Celts. We shall see.

After seeing the photos, I’m not convinced “Jeff Hickman,” “Patrick Gilroy,” and “Jeff Clark” aren’t actually all the same person.

I’m with Jeff. It’s the darnes CBlog brainwashing and propaganda ;)

darnes=darned

  I kind of agree with Jeff, but until we know where the ping pong balls land, I can’t recommend a trade. Even if we got the number 2 pick, unless we had some uber assurance who was going numero uno, it would still be difficult to trade. But some of the younguns have to go, even if for low draft picks. Just no way we can keep em all. Per above: if we got Odom, would want to keep GG. But if we got Durant, then would trade GG. If we are down in the fivish, would like Gasol perhaps and draft one of the bigs who can bound at least.

“I also think that Wally will contact Barry bonds and have steroids shot directly into his ankles making them bloated but very strong. He will be our overpaid kyle korver..with giant steroid ankles”
That is exactly what this team needs: steroids (the secret of professional sport success). Maybe we can be in contact with the Doctor of Floyd Landis.

this has been the worst of seasons. having to root for your team to lose for the ping pong balls is not good for one’s well being. it makes it hard to be an optimist.i agree with brick, the absolute move is a new coach-crucial. keeping doc is a big mistake. don’t let the ’he’s a nice guy and the youth are loyal’stuff get in the way. he has been slow to move in games and making decisions about who plays and will not get better. telfair has been bad but this coach is part of his problem.

In the last analysis a GM has to be “lucky”. Red repeatedly admitted that he NEVER could foresee that COUSY would be THAT good, that Russell would be THAT dominant, That Hondo would be THAT great and even that Bird would become so SPECIAL.

We don’t need another Len Bias, Reggie Lewis, another Tim Duncan let-down.

While Danny has a knack for evaluating “potential” and over-rates their value because he envisions what “could be” (ala Jefferson) we need a 4-leaf clover most of all.

Hickman here. One more bad trade should sink the Good Ship Ainge. I hope Rivers goes down with the ship too.

Grasshoppers make great bait for bass fishing. :D

After all the bad-awful trades Ainge has made how can anyone defend him. Must be living in another planet