Daily Links 6/24

Peter May….what a disappointmment! Trade the 5th, Jefferson and Ratliff’s expiring contract for KIRILENKO???? If you want another Kirilenko, draft Noah and save Jefferson and Ratliff’s contract. Ratliff’s expiring contract has real value ….perhaps Phoenix’s two late round draft picks.

These trade ideas are getting really ridiculous. As if Kirilenko is worth that much!

I’m all for making a run at AK but come on. A) Kirilenko had a bad season because he had to play as small forward next to boozer when he is most effective as a 4. The Jazz face the same problem next year so why make them an offer of the 5th pick when their owner is admitting they are going to have a problem finding someone to take on AK’s salary? Ratliff, Green, Telfair and a future #1 or Gomes. Then draft Brewer or Green (I’d consider Conley as well but don’t expect him to be there at 5) and start

Rondo/West
Brewer/Allen
Pierce/Wally
Kirilenko/Scal’s
AL/Perk

The 32nd pick? You don’t waste that pick on size alone. This draft is deep enough that you require a DOMINANT skill as well. It could be a dominant offensive or defensive skill. Gasol is 7’ but lacks his brother’s athleticism, skill set and mobility. Enough about drafting soley because of genetics.

There are other more talented players to be had at #32. In looking at size, take note of wingspan and athleticism which makes gifted players function bigger than standing measurement as a sole criteria. As in Noah’s case, some athletes have a high basketball IQ and play with great energy. I’d look to those type of players before settling on a big stiff!

Armchair Gm says that our trading Jefferson, and the #5 (et al) to Minny will give them a great nucleus for years to come. Why can’t the same be said for us KEEPING Jefferson and the #5 (et al)?

Ratliff’s expiring contract, the most valuable and desirable one in the NBA this year, is being bandied about as though it had little value. Hogwash!!!

Ratliff’s expiring contract is a very valuable piece of real estate and should be acknowledged as such. Quit including it in contract proposals as though it were an afterthought!

I can’t believe that Theo, the number 5 and Green couldn’t get Kirlenko. He is worse than useless playing the three in Utah. The only real hope of him returning to being a productive player, is going to the JV East and playing the 4 again. He is a great fit for the Celtics. Utah could use the salary cap relief offered by Theo and then use the five pick to take Brewer or Green, a legit number three to pair with Gerald Green and Boozer and have a much better team. The Celtics could then let Kirlenko play the 4 where he belongs. Let him work to get his confidence back. He would be the fourth option on offense behind Pierce, Jefferson and Wally. All he would have to do is play defense, block, shots and rebound. The Celtics and Utah would both be much better off. There is no reason to offer more than Theo and the pick and maybe one young player for Kirlenko. The idea that he is worth Jefferson or Pierce is insanity. Truthfully, the number 5 pick is probably over paying for the guy. A more fair trade would be Theo and Green for him.

JohnCK, the owners are never paying the luxury tax that Peter May’s proposed Kirilenko deal would generate. It’s BS. They’d trade Big Al to Utah for Kirilenko before they’d trade Ratliff.

The other thing that annoyed me about Peter May’s article is the crap about Ionut Dragusin, which was obviously a favor to his agent. Good journalists should disclose that sort of thing.

take Yi,test waters on PP and maybe another pick with a decent vet eg-JJ??? then who knows and you still got Theo for Lewis or some other big contract guy…KEEP AL!!!!

Trading BigAl and the 5th pick would be steal for the trading team regardless of whom the Celts get in return. I have a bad feeling BigAl and the 5th pick are both gone based on Ainge’s poor trade track record.

Despite Utah claiming that they like Kirilenko (exactly what you’d expect them to say) they may be anxious to get out from his 60 million dollar contract. An offer of Wally, GG and our 32nd for Kirilenko and #25 should be quite fair.

Utah wanted more offense from Kirilenko which a healthy Wally could supply. Wally’s contract expires next year which could save Utah 35 million or so (on Kirilenko’s contract) and give them a valuable expiring contract as well. GG gives them the same hope for stardom that we have had. The exchange of #32 for #25 would merely give us the opportunity to expand our desirable list of draftees and still leave Utah with a pretty good player.

This scenario entirely depends upon what Utah thinks of Kirilenko’s overly generous long term contract and that his best position duplicates Boozer’s firm hold at the 4. Utah may be merely “posturing” their fondness for Kirilenko.

From the Herald article about Obie:
 Walsh can understand why O’Brien, during his brief run as Celtics head coach, got more productivity and control out of Antoine Walker than any other coach who has ever dealt with the mercurial star.
 
    The same can be said of O’Brien’s relationship with another former Celtic —the enigmatic Mark Blount.
 
    â€œThe thing about Jim is that he wants to put every player in the position where he can succeed,‘’ Walsh said. “That’s important with young players. I’m already convinced that we’re going to be well-coached.’’

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…..and we have Doc Rivers…..the antithesis of the above.