Thank You Big Game James (& Please Stay)
by Jeff Clark on Jun 19, 2008 3:00 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
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I had a rough order in which I wanted to do these Thank You's but considering the fact that James Posey is opting out of his contract, I thought it might be a good idea to get his thanks in quick. Who knows? Maybe a little blog love would convince him to stay!
Thank you Big Game James! You brought a Championship swagger to this team. You were one of Tom Thibodeau's star pupils on defense. You got under the skin of opponents as the classic "guy I'm glad is on our side." And you had a tremendous knack for hitting dagger three pointers that either killed a run by the other team or started one for us.
It is impossible to say how many games would have swung in the other direction if we replaced James Posey with an average reserve swingman, but I'm sure it would be more than a handful.
Will he be back? The team wants him but it is no sure thing.
The key reserve is expected to exercise his option and forego the $ 3,462,480 he can take for next season. And the list of suitors should be lengthy. (How badly do the Lakers need a guy like this?)
The Celts are hoping they can bring him back with a deal that not only takes care of Posey but allows the club the ability to make other needed moves.
And there's the rub. I could not and would not blame him one bit for taking whatever deal was set before him with the most zeros and years on it. With that said, if the Celtics throw big truckloads of cash at him (perhaps matching another team's offer), then the team might be handcuffed in terms of other moves. If we want to reload for another title and keep an eye on the future, a little bit of cap flexibility would be nice to have.
Can they work something out? Paul Pierce seems pretty confident.
"I think he likes us," Pierce said with a smile. "I think he’ll want to stick around another year."
If there's one thing I've learned this year, it is never to doubt The Truth.
(also see SportsAgentBlog)
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Local LA sports radio is saying Odom will be gone (14 mill. expiring next year) and the Lakers will make a move for Posey. This could be costly.
by The Real Large James on Jun 19, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions
Let him go and bring back my main man Antoine Walker he is not washed up like some people think. He only needs a chance to play.
by Dr G on Jun 19, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions
Ain’t no way in heck Posey’s going to LA. Sorry it just isn’t happening. Don’t worry Danny is way too smart to let him go. If we know how important Posey is what do you think Danny thinks of him. The guy loves this team. He’s right where he belongs. He’s retiring a C right along with KG, Ray, and Paul. It might have took a longer time for them to get here but, they are all true C’s through and through.
none of the players are really worth what they get paid, including kg for 23 mil. with gas and food up,etc, who are we kidding to think that staying up all night to see the games, or to bear the unending season and the smoke junk intros and boola boola girls are worth 225 a ticket. of course, we all want posey to stay. if he goes somewhere else for big bucks, so beit. he has earned our love and respect and he is entitled to get what’s out there. it’s not his fault our society has become a land of the haves and the have nots and the corporations rule everything. he’s in the sweet spot and he is a great team player.
To End of the Game James:
Please stay! I’m assuming the Celtics offer you a similar deal to other teams, and if that’s the case: Stick around, become part of the Celtic tradition & family. You don’t have to be a hired gun any longer. You can have a home in Boston, win here, and have a life after basketball because of all the great things the Celtics and you do while here. Once you are in the Celtic family you will be set post career, you’ll have options available to you that you wouldn’t have had anywhere else. Stay in Boston, James. You win now, and you win later because of it.
My understanding is that, since Posey doesn’t qualify for the Larry Bird exception, the most the Celtics could re-sign him for would be 120% of this year’s salary, which comes out to $3,847,200. If they signed him to more than that it would come out of the mid-level exception, which would mean that the Celtics wouldn’t have much left over to sign other free agents. OTOH, if he takes a one-year deal, next year he would be eligible for Early Bird status, meaning that he could sign for a 75% raise, which would be more than the mid-level exception (and thus more than he can get on the market this year). So there’s some incentive for him to stay with the Celts for one more season even if he could get more in the short-run elsewhere.
by yamanin on Jun 20, 2008 2:18 AM EDT reply actions
What a difference a month makes…its been a long month waiting to here his decision,and now we finally know,my feeling are we made a bad move.I know the long term affect will or suppose to offset the short term loss,but who can really foresee the future?James is not older than KG,and we are expecting him to still produce in 3-4yrs.down the road,so what makes my feelings about Posey be any different?Does KG workout more,and has a better chance at remaining younger than Pose in 4yrs.?The theory about age,and his physical worth will be significantly less in 4yrs.is only speculation,not facts.I still wish things had gone differently,and Posey made Boston his home.
by jay_jay54 on Jul 24, 2008 3:08 PM EDT reply actions
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