FanPost

The Past, Present, & Future of the Celtics Franchise

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Anyone remember that picture? How about this one? Green3_medium

I was pretty young, about 11-12, when a picture just like that was on the cover of the Boston Globe. I remember that entire season opener hearing people talk about how this could not possibly work. Bringing in 2 stars to pair with another just isn't possible! Their egos would get in the way; they would complain about touches, there would be too much pressure and etc. Well, I'm pretty sure we all know how that season ended. Celtics came together and won Banner 17 for the Celtics and the first championship for the C's in over 20 years.

The term "Celtics Pride" became a mantra of all Celtic fans and will and determination became the NBA's most storied franchise's calling cards. Still, while injuries to the core held this trio from multiple championships, especially in the 08-09 season (where, in my opinion, they were playing the best basketball of their time together and went on that historic 18 game winning streak only to be hit with a season-ending injury to KG). Nonetheless, they continued to show that fighting spirit that makes up the team's Boston roots and continued to contend. Time and time again, people wrote off the Celtics as a team too old and banged up to contend for the Larry O"Brien Trophy and that they should break up while they still have something left, but they continued to fight until the end of that heart-wrenching game 7 lost to the Miami Heat.

After that, we know that Ray Allen left for the same team that had stopped him from what would had been his 3rd finals appearance with the Celtics, and the Green Gang would struggle through the 2012-2013 campaign, only to be decimated by the torn ACL of Rondo and then a 1st round exit at the hands of the New York Knicks.

Then the Trade Came...

In the immediate aftermath, I was in shock at the very thought of the Celtics moving their core in exchange for spare parts and future draft picks. It would have been the ultimate insult to the culture that was built(or maybe just reignited) back in the 07-08 season! But it was true and the Celtics entered the dreaded "rebuilding" stage of the franchise.

To make my point clearer, I will speed up to where we stand today. The Celtics, as we once knew as a perennial championship contender, now stand at 13th in the Eastern Conference and with the 3rd worst record in the entire association. To make matters worse, the Celtics just endured what was the WORST January in Franchise history! What a dark day for all Celtic fans....

But wait? This situation seems very familiar. In fact, the Celtics were in this very same situation during the 2006-2007 season when the Celtics had the 2nd worst record in the NBA. They also had a legitimate star on their team in Paul Pierce, who was considering leaving. Now, while it isn't clear that Rondo is disgruntled with the team, there is no guarantee he does not become angry considering how poorly they have been playing lately.

My Solution: Very simple actually and I will make it very clear.

WE HAVE TO TRADE FOR SUPERSTARS, in particular Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now, I know what you must be thinking: Who does this kid think he is? Neither of those teams would give up their cornerstone player? Carmelo Anthony is too selfish, Kevin Love can't play defense, Rondo needs good pieces around him in order to be good, so without these pieces which we probably won't get, he is better off being traded.

And to be honest, most of those statements are partially, if not 100% true. However, One can't deny the talent each one of these players possesses and how each would greatly benefit from one another. Regarding Carmelo Anthony and his well-documented ball hogging, I feel that he comes off as a selfish player who is only concerned about money (what many people called Paul Pierce before Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen came to town) acts this way because he is called upon to be the leader of not only the team, but the entire franchise and what it stands for. Well, I feel if Carmelo Anthony came to play for the Celtics and could focus more on his game and his godly ability to score and leave the leading to Rondo, as it is now his team, the I feel he would flourish. Also, in a lesser amount of explanation, Kevin Love is Kevin Love. Period. And while he is not the defensive stalwart that a player like KG was/is, he is without a doubt one of, in not the best rebounder on both ends of the court in the entire NBA.

Now it is easy to talk fantasy about acquiring these two players, but the hard part is really looking at each roster, including the Celtics', and realizing that it is very possible that these two players could end up in Celtics uniforms eventually.

To acquire Carmelo Anthony: Celtics Trade: Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, Kelly Olynyk, 2014 1st rnd pick(BKN/ATL picks), 2016 1st rnd pick. Knicks Trade: Carmelo Anthony

To acquire Kevin Love: Celtics trade: Jared Sullinger, Kris Humphries, Vitor Faverani, 2014 1st rnd pick, 2016 1st round pick Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love

Now one could argue that each player is worth a lot more to their franchise than I have expressed with these trade scenarios. However, considering the state of each of these franchises and where they appear to be heading leads me to believe that Trader Danny might be able to make a blockbuster trade of this magnitude. For Carmelo Anthony, I Feel that a trade for Carmelo could either happen at this trade deadline approaching or during the draft, while i feel the most opportune time for Kevin Love would be during the draft. Now, I know that there is not guarantee that either of these trades happens, but one can most definitely hope and maybe even anticipate one or both of these trades becoming a reality.

The bottom line is the Celtics as they stand now do not represent the franchise we have come to know and love. But just like in 2007 when the Celtics appeared to be coming apart at the seams, moves were made and a championship was brought back to a once basketball dominated city. I see the same being true regarding bringing in these 2 stars to pair with rondo, as each is on a franchise that does not appear to be moving towards a championship at this time. But hey, I think Kevin Garnett said it best...

Let me know in the comments what you guys think.




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