Author: sgabekahn

The largest trade in NBA history, eh?

Yesterday’s transaction that netted the Celtics two second round picks, Curtis Borchardt, Quyntel Woods, the rights to Albert Miralles, cash considerations and, all together, a $5.5 million trade exception doesn’t really fit my description of a “blockbuster,” given that the best players involved were, in no particular order, Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and Eddie Jones. However, it certainly was big, at least in terms of the number of bodies (and future bodies) being moved around. At last count it was up to 13 players and five teams. I would list them all here but I’m afraid I would run out of ink (rim shot!).

Boston fans have long had the reputation of being fickle, gloom-and-doom types. Living in a city with the pre-2004 Red Sox often bred this attitude amongst the loyal sports enthusiasts in Beantown, but that negativity has only recently permeated the air that surrounds the Boston Celtics.

As we all know, in the 1980s there was little if any doubt about the ability of Larry Bird et al to, at the very least, be a top contender for the NBA championship. Until some extremely unfortunate events at the backend of that powerhouse (such as the deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis), the franchise enjoyed 12 straight postseasons. Since then, the team has been mired in mediocrity or worse, the lowlight being the 15-win team of `96-’97 and the highlight being their 2002 run to the Eastern Conference finals. With the recent success of the Sox and the Patriots, it appears that the fans have shifted their low expectations toward the Green and White.

There were many smiles on display when two of the three Celtic draft picks, Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes were introduced to the Boston media on Wednesday. Everyone already knew that Celtics’ Executive Director of Basketball Operations was excited with his selections on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday he seemed downright giddy, joking about the hat worn by Mickael Gelabale, one of Seattle’s second-rounders.

When Green talked about watching former Celtic greats like Larry Bird and Bill Russell, on ESPN Classic, Doc Rivers quipped, “You should probably say Danny Ainge.”

Green, more than willing to get in on the fun, replied to his new coach, “You can’t leave me alone.” Green then jokingly apologized to Ainge, saying “Don’t be mad at me Danny!” We don’t think that Green has to worry about insulting his boss too much; trading Young Gerald is probably the furthest thing from Ainge’s mind.

It’s finally here, everyone, the 2005 NBA Draft. All the speculation
about who’s coming out and who’s staying in school, all the mock
drafts, all the trade talk. It’s all here. Most of what’s going to
happen will happen tonight. The wheels started turning this afternoon
when the Blazers traded the number 3 pick to the Jazz for their
numbers 6, 27, and a first -rounder next year. My crazy friend `Neal
and I had already made up our mock draft before that trade went down,
and we were forced to change it up once the deal was announced. We’re
positive that this one is our most accurate ever…which really doesn’t
say all that much considering our past performances. Come join `Neal
and I as we give our commentary as the first round unfolds:

Welcome to another round of NBA Roulette, more commonly known as the
NBA Draft. As always, my crazy friend ‘Neal and I get together and
see if we can predict where each player will land in the first round
using team needs, past tendencies and overall guess work that we like
to refer to as “logic.” It’s a lot like throwing darts while
blindfolded without even knowing if you’re facing the target. As if
it’s not challenging enough, general managers everywhere love messing
with our guesses by trading their selections even as the draft is
going on. Last year, we got five out of 30 picks right, and, here’s
the kicker, we felt pretty good about ourselves. So take everything
we say with a grain of salt, especially because `Neal is at his
caffeinated best during the draft. It’s a sight to behold. Trust me.

Like every year, these picks were all made with the assumption that
every team will select in this order, and that no trades will be
made. Also like every year, I’ll slow dance to Lady in Red with the 8- pound piece of machismo that is my dog if that actually happens. Onto
the picks:

By Gabe Kahn

Every year, about three weeks or so before the NBA draft, certain
players, initially thought to

be high first round picks, suddenly find their stock falling further
than Mike Tyson’s. At the

same time, some eligible players rise to prominence and become the
darlings of the dance,

and we begin to hear words like upside, potential, and athletic,
followed by whispers of

promises.

This phenomenon is a yearly occurrence and is happening as we speak.
Once surefire early

first round picks such as Monta Ellis, Jarret Jack and Chris Taft have
to hope they’ll be

selected in the first round. Channing Frye, Roko Ukic and Yaroslav
Karolev, on the other

hand, are all now being talked about as good shots for the lottery.

Thankfully, it appears that Billy Hunter was good on his promise to make one final phone call to NBA Commissioner David Stern before the June 30th expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

After marathon negotiations on Friday as well as over the weekend, the Players’ Association has come to an agreement with the NBA Owners and struck a deal on a new CBA. At the head of the line to show their appreciation for avoiding the second work stoppage in NBA history is the NBA’s Public Relations staff, thrilled that their services will not be necessary to rebuild the reputation of the league only seven years after having had to do it before.