Mavericks Vs. Celtics Preview: Five Questions With A CelticsBlog Writer

by Brendan O'Hare on Feb 20, 2012 2:44 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

The kind folks over at SB Nation Dallas (who's emails are littered with AWESOME sayings like "y'all") had me answer a few questions about the Celtics in preparation for tonight's game. Here's an example, and you can read the rest of the interview by clicking this:

2) How has the lockout-compressed season affected Boston's older players? Dirk is just finally getting his legs under him in late February.

According to Doc Rivers, the beginning of the season was hampered by the fact that the team was mostly out-of-shape, which is a horrible thing to announce about one of the league's older teams. This became obvious in the beginning of the season, when the Celtics would regularly fade away in the fourth quarter. Kevin Garnett has looked lethargic this season, which is either a testament to his poor conditioning or the fact that he's a 16-year power forward who rarely enters the paint anymore. Ray Allen is a crazy person when it comes to conditioning, but has held back with an ankle injury. Paul Pierce's numbers have decreased since January -- but whether that's lockout induced, a slump, or age gaining ground is hard to say. Going into the season, one had to think the elderly Celtics would benefit from a shortened schedule, but that really hasn't been the case. It seems age wasn't locked out.

The interview is not as depressing and ominous as this brief snippet is, trust me.

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Comments

Is it possible to trade rondo for gasol and sign Williams AND Howard in the offseason? I’m not asking if it’s probable. I want to know if it’s even a possibility.

by jurrasicearl on Feb 20, 2012 3:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions

No. Pau Gasol will make around $19m next season.

Figure in capholds + Paul Pierce’s contract + JJJ & Bradley’s contract + rookie salaries and we may struggle to even add one max guy

You just got Rondo'd

by RJ87 on Feb 20, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

I suppose you could amnesty Pierce to free up some more room

Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark

by Jeff Clark on Feb 20, 2012 4:38 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

I'm actually for trading Pierce if it's the right situation for us and him

But idk about amnestying him, it just seems cold to me. Yes, I know he still get paid either way but letting Paul Pierce – the face of the franchise for the past 14 years, the Captain – twiddle away on the waiver wire seems heartless to me.

You just got Rondo'd

by RJ87 on Feb 20, 2012 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

heartless?

He’s very well compensated, and this is a big business. Sentimentality like that is what’s killing the Celtics.

by green solution on Feb 20, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

Isn't this what most ppl expected?

The Big 3 had 2-3 good years in them & then a decline. I think that’s what we’re seeing now. Not just age & fatigue, but fatigue of each other, the coaches, etc. They still might pull it together, but I do think they’ve probably grown tired of each other at this point.

The best thing Ainge can do is to ride out the season & look for a free agent to pair with Rondo in the offseason.

by LuckyNumber07 on Feb 20, 2012 5:56 PM EST reply actions