Bye Bye Antoine

Celtics and the Mavericks hook up for a trade that no doubt will hurt the Mavericks.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1642156

Now I know the mavs like to play a run and gun offense, which is exactly the way Walker plays, but I do think his lack of size will hurt Dallas. Dallas unable to get the big man they needed this offseason traded away the closest thing they had (LaFrentz) to get an undersized (Especially in the west) Walker. Walker can't guard the big men in the west for sure, and of course you can't really play him at the 3 either (especially since trading for Jamison). The Mavs have too many 'good' players in too many positions. They lack 1 thing, and the is Size in the middle. Needless to say this (better) be a career year for Bradley(7'6" stiff).

For the Celtics on the other hand, this might work out. LaFrentz certainly has the size to play center in the east or power forward as it may. He can step out and shoot whihc is a good thing for a bgi man to do in this celtics 3 point happy offense(a la Rodney Rogers). LaFrentz makes a three headed monster of Battie (rejuvenated, we hope) Vinny Baker and now Lafrentz. Combining these 3 at the center and power forward spot will make them a big team in the east. This also helps open the door for rookie, Kendrick Perkins, to get some playing time this year he other wise wouldve missed out on, due to lack of minutes to split, especially with walker getting 40ish a game.

However also thrown into this trade was tony Delk. I liked him and his guard play. It just means the reigns of starting PG are being handed to MArcus Banks the rookie from UNLV. We do get Jiri Welsch back form Dallas who played last year for Golden State as a European Rookie. He has the ability to shoot the three as the report on him goes. HE and Banks should see some playing time this year in addition to Mike James. Needless to say the starting 2guard will remain Paul Pierce and this team is now his.

Over all I think the participants in this trade will be happy with their new surroundings. Walker and Delk get dealt to one of the top 4 teams in the league. LaFrentz is out of the doghouse that he was always in in Dallas, where he was never appreciated, but shoudl fit in nicely with Boston. Jiri is a wild card in this deal fo sorts. When he was thrown in to the GS-Dallas trade this year i was shocked as he had value as an up and comer in this league. Now that the celtics ahve him and most likely will give him playing time, we need him to step up and produce. The only problem with this trade from the celtics persepctive is that they need to make up Walker's points somewhere. Given the amount of shots he heaved up, anyone can do that, but someone needs to whether it be Banks, Welsch Battie, Baker, or a combo, someone needs to.

As far as Chris Mills, I heard that Dallas was shoopping him due to his expiring contract. Not 100% on that though. Also Dallas throws in a draft pick which figures to be in the bottom 5 of the draft next year, but is still is a first rounder.


- posted by Doug @ 11:10:00 AM