http://www.nysun.com/article/26661 <div class="quote_poster">Quoting NY Sun:</div><div class="quote_post"> "I think Danny Ainge needs to fire his brain doctor." Those were an NBA scout's first comments to me after hearing about the trade the Celtics' general manager made on Thursday. In the deal, Boston agreed to send guard Ricky Davis, center Mark Blount, forward Justin Reed, and guard Marcus Banks to Minnesota for forward Wally Szcerbiak and center Michael Olowokandi. Ainge's "brain doctor" in this case is consultant John Niednagel, who has created a cottage industry around the idea that how players' brains are wired determines how they react during games. It was his input that resulted in the Celtics' five-year, $15 million offer to former Net forward Brian Scalabrine this summer. Niednagel said that Scalabrine's "brain type" of ISTP (introverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving) was something he had in common with Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and John Stockton. While Ainge was the one who pulled the trigger on the deal, don't discount the brain doctor's influence. "You can take Red Auerbach, Jerry West ... all those guys that judge talent. I'd take Jon Niednagel," Ainge famously said a few years ago, and he meant it, prying Niednagel (who isn't really a doctor) from the Nuggets soon after taking over in Boston. ... </div>
wow, thats scary. If Ainge keeps listening to this quack the celtics will eventually be nothing more than a squad of intellectual chess playing introverts
Head Games Not sure what to think about Niednagel. What did he do that was so special in Denver? That team hasn't been able to turn the corner either. Kenyon Martin? Carmelo Anthony? Marcus Camby? These are good players, but I wouldn't call them chess players. As for Scalabrine, I doubt he's all that good at chess either. Or maybe he'd be good if the game was only fifteen minutes long, but after that he'd have to go to the bench. I just hope he doesn't start getting big minutes because of the trade. Play the kids, lose some games, and see just how good they are. I like a gamer as much as the next guy, but Scalabrine is horrid. Also, we knew this. Now, if Niednagel could make Al Jefferson understand defensive rotation, then that would make him worth his weight in gold. They'll keep being mediocre, but young players are fun to watch.
I think it's pretty obvious that the C's young players are developing, and this team is going to get better with them. I know it's hard for people to sit and watch while they dress a team that can't really compete right now, but it'll all work out for the best in the end. Right now, what's best for the team is to give meaningful playing time to the team of the future, and this trade was made as part of a dedication to developing talent. Sure, Ricky was great, but he wasn't really part of the team's plans due to his playing style. He needs to dominate the ball and create his own shot, but since that's also Pierce's game...and Pierce is the far superior player, he just won't fit in well. Having Wally alongside Pierce on the wing makes the Celtics an efficent and more fundamentally sound basketball team. In general, Wally is just a better fit for the team. He's a better shooter, a smarter player, a stronger team defender and post defender, and he opens up the opposing defense more than Davis ever did.
