Extending the KG/Pierce Era

by Jeff Clark on Jul 23, 2008 7:55 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Elrod Enchilada has his latest article up on RealGM. A sample:

But the more important reason is that Danny is already thinking three or four years down the road, to when KG and Pierce and certainly Ray Allen are moving past their primes and the Cs will no longer be in contention. Although winning in 2009 and 2010 is job one for Danny, there is a job two: extending the Garnett-Pierce era another season or two to 2011 or 2012 or even 2013. Having James Posey’s 34 or 35 year old body and $7 million contract would undermine that. Danny wants to have the chance to use whatever money he can on players who are either off the books quickly, like Eddie House, or who will still be in their prime the duration of their contracts. So good-bye James.

Likewise, another way to extend the Garnett-Pierce era is to develop young players who can emerge within one or two or three years as valuable rotation players. This is how teams like the Patriots stay at the top in the NFL and it plays to Danny’s exceptionally keen eye for locating talented players in the bowels of the first round and the second round of the draft. It has the additional and crucial benefit of keeping the payroll down, as these players are paid relatively little their first few years in the league.

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Elrod Enchilada echoes my sentiments exactly.

by The Village Idiot on Jul 23, 2008 8:20 PM EDT reply actions

Which calls to mind the signing of Patrick O’Bryant, a “stiff” according to some yet an unrealized talent to others.

Memories must be short when they forget Perkins’ first two years as a Celtic. There were many who quietly considered his selection a bust and Perkins did little to alter those misconceptions.

7’ bigs that can play in the NBA are an endangered species. Survivors are often those that can contribute as role players offering offensive or defensive presence. Patrick may not arise above this level but if he makes a career of being a useful “piece” he’s worth the price we paid. Should he rise above this yardstick level, we’ve found another gem for the future of this franchise.

Let’s face it, we’ve got to start “cultivating” our own BIGS because no one is going to trade one of these to us without emptying our closet first!

by moskqq on Jul 23, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Great piece of writing….very well thought out. I really like the idea of semi-rebuilding w/ youth while at the same time winning in order to extend the careers of the big 3 and then trade for another superstar w/ the talent that has been developed.

It was also a good point that posey would not have gotten as much playing time this upcoming year with the development of Powe and Big Baby. In that case, posey would not have been worth the 4th, or even 3rd years.

by KobraKaii on Jul 23, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with everybody written there except for one point. With the Patriots it’s MUCH different. Through all the changes there’s always been Tom Brady. The quarterback is arguably the most important position in sports.

by celticsfan34 on Jul 23, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

A fascinating and well written article

The only insight that I would add is that the key to the Celtics is defense, and with the squad that they have for the next couple of seasons the D should continue to put them in a position to win every game. Heck, with Giddens and a healthy TA it may get even better.

Also, the offense may very well improve next year- if Rondo can hit a mid range jumper that alone will improve the offense.

by JAM on Jul 23, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

Certainly this is what Danny is trying to do, as well as most GMs. They either do it through trades, free agency, the draft, or some combination. But the bottom line is that teams want to stay winners. So where to from here? Danny’s MO has been to gather product (chips), and then deal. Most of the players Danny has acquired have had the physical skills, as do most of the players in the league. The key is finding the mix of the physical, mental, work ethic, team chemistry, and then coaching.

Nevertheless, if you look at who has contracts, and their length, there is a plan in place. Judging by the mess Danny inherited, I’d say he’s done a pretty good job.

by amenhotep04 on Jul 23, 2008 11:23 PM EDT reply actions

Really interesting article. While I was hoping for Posey to sign here I think Danny did the wise thing now. And he showed the guts to wait it out and risk loosing out on signing other players. Maggette included, I don’t think there was anyone out there, worth the price, who could be better for us than House and TA. I know there a doubts about TA, but I think he’ll get the chance to play this year and just that will allow him to achieve at least some of his potential. Last year we got off the developmental mind set and went for it all. We spent alot of energy during the season. This year I don’t think we’ll win as many games, but will return a bit to the developmental mindset and probably see less playing time for PP and Ray. Regardless of our record during the season we’ll be better prepared for the playoffs and we realistically can win it all again.

by TrueGreen on Jul 24, 2008 6:26 AM EDT reply actions

By this logic, Danny went from mortgaging our future by trading for KG and Allen to mortgaging the present by not re-signing Posey or (at this point) getting someone of equal value.
That’s fine if y’all don’t mind not being one of the top two teams next season.

by Big_Easy on Jul 24, 2008 7:16 AM EDT reply actions

Great article, Elrod.

by VT Hillbilly on Jul 24, 2008 8:04 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, great article. The necessary trait for a GM and a franchise is discipline.

Just because you have an MLE doesn’t mean you have to use it. Usually these moves are made to ‘appease the fan base’ until you get better. Plus, ’it’s only 4 million a year.’ Well, add those up for a few years and you can’t get better because you’ve got dead weight on your payroll, and Pervis Ellisons and Popeye Joneses on the court.

by Siggy on Jul 24, 2008 10:11 AM EDT reply actions