<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not that The Futile Lord isn't fully cognizant his construction job is fabulously faulty. How offensively deficient are the Celtics in the low docks? Let's put it this way, Ben Wallace and Tyson Chandler would be an improvement over Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins. No wonder, an enlightened source revealed to Hoop du Jour, Ainge has offered anybody and everybody for Pau Gasol and anyone else the Grizzlies want to discard in the deal to make it happen. The 6-11 Spaniard, whose country captured the World Championship last summer despite his absence in the final against Greece (fractured ankle that required surgery), is running sprints by himself, a good sign he may be closing in on activation within the next few weeks. Obviously, 3-9 Memphis is suffering dreadfully without Gasol's scoring. rebounding and a presence that demands strict defensive attention from two or three opponents. In the final year of his contract and guaranteed not to be re-hired - if for no other reason, the "incoming" owners can't afford him - Mike Fratello isn't quite as good a coach without Gasol; funny how that works. Yet, the thrice one-round-and-done playoff team isn't a big draw in Memphis. Who knows, maybe the franchise has no other choice but to trade him for a squadron of undeveloped, minimum-wage hustlers, the business blueprint (unearthed last week by the Commercial Appeal) of the under-funded group headed by Brian Davis and Christian Laettner. While that may, indeed, be something that could go down once Michael Heisley's 70 percent is sold, nothing is about to happen at this time. By all accounts, VP Jerry West is forbidden to make a trade no matter how insignificant (or change coaches) until the new group is either approved or disapproved in mid-December, maybe later. Again, until then, the Celtics, probably the Grizzlies, too, are on their own, while Rivers and Fratello coach from weakness. Should Ainge start to warm up in the bullpen (a la Gregg Popovich replacing Bob Hill when Tim Duncan joined forces with David Robinson), I suspect Boston may be on the brink of acquiring Gasol. </div> Link
<div class="quote_poster">Swish15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Very interesting. Does this mean Pierce could be involved in the trade?</div> It says the Celtics are willing to give up anyone for Gasol, but I think it excludes Pierce. There is no way the Celtics trade Pierce away for Pau Gasol, who is just coming off a season injury. I think the only reason why the Celtics would trade for Gasol is to give Paul Pierce some help on the court
I think this proves that Danny is finally under some pressure to get things going in Boston. This offseason, he wanted to be as selective as possible when putting together a package for Iverson. Now, he's offering anything and everything (obviously excluding Pierce) for Gasol and he's even going to take a bad contract off their books. I guess Wyc is also getting sick of this 4 year "youth movement" where the team gets younger and more inexperienced every year, just like the rest of us
Peter Vescey of the NY Post... This is interesting, though. If the Grizzlies were willing to part with Gasol to the Celts, it would really set them back, because the Griz would likely take youngsters like Jefferson, West, Gomes and/or Green, they would become an extremely inexperienced team, like Boston is now. Jerry West kept on saying he was going to get a big guy and mold the Griz into contenders, and he sort of has, but this would be a major step back for the organization, and going against what he's tried to do.
<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Peter Vescey of the NY Post... This is interesting, though. If the Grizzlies were willing to part with Gasol to the Celts, it would really set them back, because the Griz would likely take youngsters like Jefferson, West, Gomes and/or Green, they would become an extremely inexperienced team, like Boston is now. Jerry West kept on saying he was going to get a big guy and mold the Griz into contenders, and he sort of has, but this would be a major step back for the organization, and going against what he's tried to do.</div> It won't be West's call. See here: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Prospective Grizzlies owners Brian Davis and Christian Laettner plan to cut player payroll while maintaining a playoff-caliber team, using their basketball smarts to find bargain-priced talent. That ownership strategy is outlined in confidential information obtained Wednesday by The Commercial Appeal. The information indicates the team has 2006 losses of $29.7 million, but under new management could be profitable by the end of the 2008-09 NBA season. Advertisement It also explains how the former Duke University basketball teammates plan to fund their purchase of Michael Heisley's 70-percent majority share by selling approximately $170 million worth of "ownership units" of their Grizzly Acquisition Holdings LLC. Attempts to reach Davis and Laettner, as well as Heisley, were unsuccessful on Wednesday. Also unavailable was J.R. 'Pitt' Hyde III of Heisley's local minority-share partners. The local group faces a Dec. 1 deadline to act on its right of first refusal and buy out Heisley's 70 percent. If they pass, the Davis-Laettner group can proceed with its plan to buy Heisley's share for $252 million. Hyde said Tuesday afternoon that his group was still awaiting complete information on the Davis-Laettner group. According to the prospective owners' plan, ownership units start at $2 million. A $10 million investment buys representation on the advisory committee that will provide input on operations and strategic direction. But "ultimate discretion for most matters, including the budget," will rest with Davis and Laettner, whom the information portrays as keys to the franchise's success on the court and in the community. "Davis and Laettner, based on their collective knowledge of professional basketball and the NBA, believe talented players can be recruited at lower payroll costs in order to execute the Business Plan," according to the information. </div> http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzl...5164589,00.html
I don't so much like this idea. Though the "youth movement" does get agrivating at times. They have gotten this far and I do not want the Celts to part ways with guys like West, Jefferson, Green, and especially Gomes for Pau Gasol.
<div class="quote_poster">CeltixQueen Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't so much like this idea. Though the "youth movement" does get agrivating at times. They have gotten this far and I do not want the Celts to part ways with guys like West, Jefferson, Green, and especially Gomes for Pau Gasol.</div>Wow. I mean, yeah... I like those guys, too. But Pau Gasol is an all-star. Any one of those guys you've listed would be lucky to someday be as good as Pau already is right now. And Pau's only 26 on top of that. I, personally, would be willing to part with anybody other than Pierce and Gomes (Ryan Gomes for personal reasons...I'm sure I'd get over it, though).
<div class="quote_poster">44Thrilla Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wow. I mean, yeah... I like those guys, too. But Pau Gasol is an all-star. Any one of those guys you've listed would be lucky to someday be as good as Pau already is right now. And Pau's only 26 on top of that. I, personally, would be willing to part with anybody other than Pierce and Gomes (Ryan Gomes for personal reasons...I'm sure I'd get over it, though).</div> Haha, well there is no way I would want the C's to deal Pierce OR Gomes. I can totally see your point of view, I do understand that Pau is an all star, and he indeed is a great player. But I don't see him being exactly what the Celtics need right now. Not to say that he can't rebound, but I think the Celts could really use a bigger, stronger, more physical centerto reside under the basket and grab some rebounds and block some shots. But that is only my opinion, and Im tired maybe it's impairing my judgement
<div class="quote_poster">CeltixQueen Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> a bigger, stronger, more physical centerto reside under the basket and grab some rebounds and block some shots. </div>That's how I would describe Gasol. People seem to think he's soft because all the other Euros are, but he's a legit 7 footer that plays down low all the time and doesn't rely on a jumpshot like Dirk, Okur, etc.. Yes, he could probably bulk up a bit, but he's still a big body at 7'0" and 270. And 20 points, 9 boards, 2 blocks, and 5 assists on 50% shooting is hard to come by in my opinion... I can't picture anybody on our roster putting up stats like that.
I love Pau's game, always have, and him and Pierce playing opposite one another makes an immediate contender for the East. I don't care who goes for him, that makes our team a winner, right now. Of course, there is a bit of a caveat with that, that being that Doc would have to tailor a game to his players, instead of playing his same old ridiculous game plan that he tries to pigeon-hole players into.
Wow, I guess I've been paying too much attention to college ball if I didn't even notice that West wasn't calling the shots there anymore
<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Peter Vescey of the NY Post... This is interesting, though. If the Grizzlies were willing to part with Gasol to the Celts, it would really set them back, because the Griz would likely take youngsters like Jefferson, West, Gomes and/or Green, they would become an extremely inexperienced team, like Boston is now. Jerry West kept on saying he was going to get a big guy and mold the Griz into contenders, and he sort of has, but this would be a major step back for the organization, and going against what he's tried to do.</div> I have read that the new owners want to shed payroll and they don't want Gasols contract. But i'm sure they would want quality youngsters in return, they don't want a big name like Pierce.
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I have read that the new owners want to shed payroll and they don't want Gasols contract. But i'm sure they would want quality youngsters in return, they don't want a big name like Pierce.</div> Well, that point is assumed, and otherwise moot, because we already know that the C's aren't getting rid of Pierce (the centerpiece of the offense, which is currently one of the best in the league), so they can alter their entire team for a player who is more complimentary than anything else. What I want to see this team do is let Pau play a little before coming on too strong, the man hasn't seen any action since the World's 'cause of that injury, so I say let him work off the rust before we pursue any harder.
<div class="quote_poster">Squishface Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> What I want to see this team do is let Pau play a little before coming on too strong, the man hasn't seen any action since the World's 'cause of that injury, so I say let him work off the rust before we pursue any harder.</div> Good call. Pau's a great player but from a star 7-footer you'd hope he'd be able to at least average 10 rebounds a game. Him and Pierce would be one of the best duo's in the east but they'd still be a ways away from contending against the Spurs, Mavs, Suns etc. for a championship
I can name a 7-footer who didn't average 5 boards a game for an entire career (hint: his name rhymes with C U Next Tuesday, oh, and he played for the C's up until the middle of last year, praise Allah). In his contract year, he had 7.2 a game, and other than that, never more than 5. And if Pau can make HALF the impact that guy did, then we're a lock for the East.
You guys should be thrilled if you get Pau for any combination of those youngsters - Pau is a winner and a combo of Pau and Pierce could easily get Boston over the hump and deep into the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Squishface Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I can name a 7-footer who didn't average 5 boards a game for an entire career (hint: his name rhymes with C U Next Tuesday, oh, and he played for the C's up until the middle of last year, praise Allah). In his contract year, he had 7.2 a game, and other than that, never more than 5. And if Pau can make HALF the impact that guy did, then we're a lock for the East.</div> Mark Blounts name rhymes with "C u next teusday"? that one totally went over my head. by "lock for the east" do you mean lock to win the eastern conference and go to the finals??? I think Pau would need to play a litttttle better than half as good as Mark Blount for that to happen. Even if he plays as good as he has for most of his career we could still lose to a handful of teams in the east.
