Pistons Vs. Celtics
Posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 4:21 pm by Xteve
So enough about Kobe … seriously.
I’d love to see the Pistons upset Boston tonight; I know the refs are likely to do everything in their power to get that 80s dream matchup of a Celtics/Lakers Final.
Does Ray Allen have anything left after the 29-point explosion the other night? Apart from that he’s been frighteningly irrelevant for the majority of these playoffs.
I don’t expect another big game out of Perkins either; Detroit isn’t going to double or rotate off him any more; actually he was completely shut down at the end of the 4th quarter after the Pistons made an adjustment or two; let’s see what happens tonight.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I have to admit, this has been a great series for me…someone disagree with me to keep the trend going.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Great teams.
I hope Mr. Presti is watching so he can learn what real culture looks like. Note to Presti - it starts at the top with owners who aren’t liars & cheaters. And a GM who is not a patsy.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I don’t think I have a problem with Presti. So far I think he’s done a great job as Sonics’ GM.
What was he supposed to do, turn down the chance to be Seattle’s GM just because his new boss is a liar and a fraud?
The fact is, it’s not Presti’s fault that Bennett is a liar. Presti has a job to do and I think he’s been doing it well…
May 30th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Great series. I was going for Boston all season and now for some reason I have no idea why I feel like I want Detroit to win. Whoever wins though, wont get past the Lakers.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
First Presti rejects the local favorite for the Sonics coach (picking PJ instead). Lenny Wilkens is ushered out. Two all-stars are traded. He gives up to quickly on Delonte West. Drafts Jeff Green too high. Assembles too many 2nd round picks this year’s draft, but gave away a very high pick 2nd rounder in last year’s draft that became one of the top rookies. His team had the 2nd worst record, despite having a high payroll and it looks like it will be even worse next season. The GM has a hand in team promotions, which have been zilch. Public relations has been the pits. Player relations is awful.
The best things Presti did reminds me of the baseball player in the movies who is so scared he shuts his eyes and holds up his arms, only to accidentally catch a fly ball in his glove. Presti is like Barney Fife (Don Knots) on Andy of Mayberry. Sure, he got Kurt Thomas from Phoenix and some trifles from Orlando, but those were practically handed to him by the other GM’s. He also got to draft Durant, but that was handed to him too.
Look, we all know that Bennett is making the big decisions, Presti is just making the phone calls. He probably gives foot rubs to Aubrey McClendon to keep his job.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
This draft will tell more about what kind of GM Presti is.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Joe Dumars, the GM for Detroit, is a man of real character. He has a great eye for talent, knows how to challenge his players, finds ways to restock the team for the future without trading away the franchise players, motivates players to take a team concept, made Rasheed Wallace into a leader, etc. He has picked great coaches, and moved them at just the right times. I want to see Detroit go all the way.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
“First Presti rejects the local favorite for the Sonics coach (picking PJ instead). Lenny Wilkens is ushered out. Two all-stars are traded. He gives up to quickly on Delonte West. Drafts Jeff Green too high. Assembles too many 2nd round picks this year’s draft, but gave away a very high pick 2nd rounder in last year’s draft that became one of the top rookies. His team had the 2nd worst record, despite having a high payroll and it looks like it will be even worse next season. The GM has a hand in team promotions, which have been zilch. Public relations has been the pits. Player relations is awful.
The best things Presti did reminds me of the baseball player in the movies who is so scared he shuts his eyes and holds up his arms, only to accidentally catch a fly ball in his glove. Presti is like Barney Fife (Don Knots) on Andy of Mayberry. Sure, he got Kurt Thomas from Phoenix and some trifles from Orlando, but those were practically handed to him by the other GM’s. He also got to draft Durant, but that was handed to him too.
Look, we all know that Bennett is making the big decisions, Presti is just making the phone calls. He probably gives foot rubs to Aubrey McClendon to keep his job.”
I just really really disagree with your post here. I don’t know why you are so sour on Presti, but he has done a very fine job imo considering the circumstances. I don’t have the energy to refute you point by point. It’s sad that you are so down on him. Compared to GM Isaiah Thomas, he’s the friggin messiah. Sheesh.
May 30th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Something interesting I heard today on Dan Patrick. Mark Cuban was on and said he doesn’t believe there is any kind of conspiracy to get Lakers and Celtics in Finals.
Also made some other interesting comments about Stern and what not. If you can get his Download I suggest listening it’s pretty interesting.
Also, I haven’t really heard anyone say this yet maybe I just missed it, but isn’t it kinda like Karma what happen to The Spurs with The Foul? I mean wasn’t it last year they were the one’s who got the break against The Suns?
May 30th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
“…So enough about Kobe … seriously. …”
Thanks Xteve! Seriously.
Don’t forget to add a bizarre musicoid reference to yer post, man.
Cheers,
-Speed
May 30th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Yeah, I agree. I like Presti for the GM job next time I want to gut an NBA franchise for shipment to Timbuktu. Willing hatchet men are hard to come by…
May 30th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I like cake.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
The cake is a Lie
(geek reference)
May 30th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’m the opposite of Santa.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjGfgV7rJHI
May 30th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
So, Brian or Steve….or somebody from SOS. Can we please get a tally of how many people would be interested in the possibility of sitting in a VIP section as an SOS/SC.com group for the home opener next year?
May 30th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
K, one more thing, I haven’t really seen much thus far in the game to show that the refs are fudging things to work a Celtics win…maybe we will have to wait for the last few minutes of the game.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Re: Presti trading two all-stars, Rashard was not returning. It was good work to get anything for him. As for trading Ray, it is clear that Ray is on the wrong side of 30. The old adage is “better to trade a guy a year early than a year late.” Tough decision but had to be made. And Green will be a monster looooong after Ray retires. Two good trades IMHO.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I do agree that hiring PJ over Casey was stupid however. But I think on the whole Presti has done well. Especially collecting assets that soon will be turned into supporting players to KD via draft and trades of picks.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Presti-hand picked by a liar and thief. nuff said.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Joshu@, I assume interest in an SOS VIP section for the home opener will be easier to gauge once the lease case is resolved. Just a hunch.
May 30th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Agree with Sam K. We’re working hard on things here and now and haven’t even gotten past June yet, let alone into planning October…
May 30th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
speed, thanks for thanking Xteve, seriously.
Presti hasn’t done much yet. Pj was a budget hire, Durant was the only second pick to take, the trading of the aging Ray Allen for the 5th pick was good, using the 5th pick on Green has yet to be completely proven out, Kurt Thomas trade got two late 1sts, the exemption might have gotten him one better pick in this draft, Rashard was walking and both the Sonics and Rashard got what they wanted though the Magic will second guess this deal for the entire contract, the Cavs trade was crap, the Spurs trade was crap.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
That’s fine. Things are just about to get hectic for me….don’t mean to come across as hectic or ahead of the gameplan. I just want to make sure I have everything down and ready, because I will have no time come August. So the sooner the better.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Did the Schultz side issue something today? I might have heard that wrong on kjr.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Pistons rely too much on the jumpshot…
May 30th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Did SOS issue a press release about the Schultz case today? I saw an excerpt on TrueHoop but wasn’t sure if it was new.
Lakers vs Celtics…despite my hatred for Stern, I’m pretty excited for that series.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
No thank you…I could care less about the NBA and playoffs. I am ONLY focused on the Sonics. So until our situation is resolved…then NBA is dead to me.
Enjoy your playoffs though.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
This is what Schultzs lawyer released….not really new…just a press release:
From a Save Our Sonics press release quotes Seattle area lawyer and Save Our Sonics advisor Paul Schneiderman: “In a civil case, unlike a criminal trial, it is not necessary for a plaintiff to prove a legal case beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr. Schultz’s business entities, as the plaintiffs, have already presented a strong factual case, which should meet the necessary legal elements to prove intentional or negligent misrepresentation by clear and convincing evidence. In reality, the Oklahoma based ownership group had such interest in bringing an NBA team to their state that the owners were willing and did engage in misrepresentation in their purchase of the Seattle SuperSonics. The evidence shows that PBC never had any intention to engage in the one year good faith agreement to keep the team in the Seattle region, a requirement outlined in the sale contract. For example, PBC presented a flawed arena plan late in the 2007 Washington State legislative session while refusing to commit private money or pay for cost overruns. The recently released e-mail communications among PBC members leave no doubt about the group’s intent to defraud Schultz and the citizens of Seattle. Although the Schultz legal action may be considered unprecedented in the professional sports world, it is still a strong legal case. Mr. Schultz’s rescission lawsuit could change the landscape of how professional sports owners behave in the years to come. The PBC misrepresented their intentions to not only the former Schultz-lead ownership group, but also to the Washington State Legislature and the NBA. Rescission of the purchase sale agreement is the proper remedy for these misrepresentations. It is necessary for a judge to place this franchise into a constructive trust to ensure the franchise has an ownership group that will engage in a true effort to keep the Sonics franchise in the Seattle region, its home of 41 years.”
May 30th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Re: Presti…
I thought he did a great job getting 2 firsts AND Kurt from Phx , but every player move after that was questionable from a BB/fan/competition standpoint. That made me go back and re-evaluate draft day, and it’s clear that trading our second pick to HOU for a future (and LATER!) second was clearly a move to benefit OKC and deprive Seattle. There’s no other justification for it. Seems all of his GOOD moves are good for the future sonics and his BAD moves (like at the trade deadline) made the current team worse with no upside.
I predict he will NOT draft Weaver or any other local favorite; trade away current players (who have spoken aginst him or moving) for picks; and probably trade some of the picks (after #4) for future picks.
I am of the opinion he is (justifiably) Clay’s yes-man, and will do his best to make sure the team continues to lose big while here. His non-player actions back that up– such as the complete invisibility of the team up here, lack of player accessibility, and rejection of any local players/coaches/personnel… Right now I think Collison (spoke out), Ridnour (local), and Wilcox (good & needs paid) are all in jeopardy…
I hope there’s a settlement soon (where we keep the team and Clay is GONE), so we can see how good Presti really is.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
“Does Ray Allen have anything left after the 29-point explosion the other night? Apart from that he’s been frighteningly irrelevant for the majority of these playoffs.”
He’s 33 and had a slump. Its happened before. The Celts don’t need him to score 25.6 like he did for us, and he makes plenty of other vet-savvy plays. While Pippen still stands as the only player who could score only 2 points and still dominate a game (per Jordan himself), Ray has made plenty of important plays at critical moments throughout the playoffs.
Plus, he’s our own piece of SuperSonics history currently in the finals. He didn;t want the trade anymore than us, and while I enjoy Green, I’ll be a diehard fan of Ray on and off court till he’s done.
GO RAY!
SAVE THESE KD & GREEN LED SONICS!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
If presti dtafts eric gordon I will change my opinion. I bet that is who clay wants. God I hate that lying thief
May 30th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Shout out to the Celtics for their win and the trip to the finals! Ray Allen is my favorite player and for him, KG, and Paul Pierce to have their hard work pay off and make it to the finals is what will make me watch still. Just seeing Ray Ray’s big smile when the award was presented made my night!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Yep! Congrats Ray Ray! Still love that guy - always will
May 30th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Mr. Baker, you really summed up how mediocre Presti’s tenure has been. The only thing you give much upside to was the Rashard trade, which was a good move after the Bennett/Sonics had completely miffed Rash by failing to make him an offer. When Rashard walked, Orlando had no choice but to make some concession to Seattle - the only team they could deal with, which created a trade exception under the rules.
I agree that Green will be fine long after Ray has retired, but Presti did not get enough for a 26.5 ppg scorer, just getting back a #5 overall pick and nothing else to show for it (plus we took Wally Z’s $24 mil contract when Szcerbiak was recovering from dual ankle surgeries).
glennpdx summed it up by calling Presti a “willing hatchet man”- not an endearing talent in my book.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
I agree that Green will be fine long after Ray has retired, but Presti did not get enough for a 26.5 ppg scorer, just getting back a #5 overall pick and nothing else to show for it (plus we took Wally Z’s $24 mil contract when Szcerbiak was recovering from dual ankle surgeries).
- Hmmmm, I think compared to the other star players that were traded this season that Presti got the most back. Not sure what makes you think that he didn’t get enough back:
- KG (Top 8 player in the league) –> Al Jefferson, and a low first round pick
- Jason Kidd (a player very similar to Ray) –> Devin Harris (a mid lotto pick too) and a couple of first round picks that will probably be low.
- Pau Gasol –> A big steaming pile of crap.
Ray Allen has hit the Gary Payton/Reggie Miller portion of his career. The “slump” that Clint referred to a few posts earlier is a season long slump as he was no where near the player he was in Seattle. The guy is talented so of course there are a few more bullets left in his gun. But any bullet should be considered a bonus…not an expectation.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
the Spurs trade was crap.
- Why was the Spurs trade crap?? getting something out of nothing is crap? For that matter why was the Cav trade crap? It didn’t really do much..but we got something for useless parts..what is wrong with that?
May 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
“The “slump” that Clint referred to a few posts earlier is a season long slump as he was no where near the player he was in Seattle.”
Ray’s season “slump” was just him playing within the Celts system. He regularly did what needed to be done, and sacrificed his scoring for the good of the team. While he hit a legitimate slump in the playoffs, he’s still one of the greatest professionals in the history of the game. Further, I sincerely believe that while Kobe will win the personal battle in the finals, Ray will win the war and emerge a champion.
I hope his success is something we’ll all be able to celebrate, (on some level).
SAVE THESE KD & GREEN SONICS!!!
May 30th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Look, every move the Presti/Bennett Sonics have made has taken this team down another notch in the short term. When Wally Z turned out to have legs (literally) he was shipped out. Kurt Thomas was shipped. Brent Barry was simply released, so he could play a role in the conference finals. Delonte started for Cleveland in the playoffs. Ray is in the finals. Rashard was in the playoffs. The Sonics were run into the ground. No, make that trashed into the ground. The purpose is clear - to make the Sonics disposable to the community and unprofitable in Seattle, to posture for the benefit of their move out of town, so the could steal the team, even though it is a 41 year landmark that was born in Seattle.
I am not saying Presti is the worst ever, just that his mission is not to build a franchise with character, but rather to assassinate it and its ties to Seattle.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
In reference to the Reggie Miller slump: If Ray follows Reggie’s career path(by the way, I think Ray is better than Reggie) then over the next 3 years–he will average 18.4, 18.1, and 18.9 points per game while shooting above 44% from the floor, primarily as a jump shooter. I’d say that’s not too bad for a player between the ages of 33-36. People can’t seem to grasp that Ray’s numbers, production, and consistency are down because he is on a team with 2 guys that demand touches. He has went from being the absolute 1st option his entire life–to trying to find shots in an offense where he has to be much more creative off the ball. Ray is fine–we all watched him last year and the apocalypse has not occurred since last May…
May 30th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Re: the draft
Can someone tell me why Bayless is any different than, say, Devin Harris (or Monta Ellis for that matter)? Dallas eventually traded Harris because he COULDN’T run a team. Is Devin Harris what this team needs right now? Is Devin Harris a key piece around which the Sonics should build? Because that’s probably what you’re getting with Jerryd Bayless. IMO the Sonics should go with BPA at #4, period. We simply aren’t talented enough to exclude certain positional players from consideration (excluding SF). If Bayless is the BPA, fine. I think we should be honest about what we’re likely getting in him, though: a Devin Harris type of ballhandling, scoring guard, who may be undersized.
NBADraftNet has Mayo falling to 6. Why is his stock dropping? I think he’d likely give you everything Bayless would, plus more height and an NBA body.
My 2 cents.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
I completely agree, NJ. I think Bayless will be an athletic, fun-to-watch guard who will put up points. But I’m not sure if the guy is a winner. I think there’s alot more certainty with what you get in a player like Mayo. If it goes Rose, Beasley, Lopez/Love at 1,2,3… and Mayo is on the board, there’s no way I pass him over for Bayless. Sure Bayless is lightning quick, but Mayo has all the tools to be a better pro. Plus I LOVE the idea of teaming him with KD. Think about this lineup for a second:
PG: Mayo
SG: Durant
SF: Green
PF: Wilcox (if he’s still here)
C: Collison/Petro
Next season’s not even close to getting here, but those 5 starters would be fun to watch.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Beasley’s stock is dropping…. perhaps he will fall to #4.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Trust me, Beasley’s stock is not dropping. He’ll go 1 or 2.
I want Mayo or trade down and grab Love at PF and grab CDR at 24
“Compared to GM Isaiah Thomas, he’s the friggin messiah. Sheesh. ”
My friends grandma in South Korea,who has never watched an NBA game, is a messiah compared to Isaiah.
Kobe Byant is the 2nd best shooting guard in the history of the world.
And
Presti has made an obvious mistake trading Carl Landry, but who in the wolrd thought a undersized 6′7” PF would do what Carl Landry did. Besides that, Presti gets 2 thumbs up as an NBA GM for me.
Oh yeah, Clay “ugly man” Bennett Is the only one f’ing us here, not Presti.
PS They should make Clay Uglyman Bennett the next bag guy in Megaman.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:41 am
Hey maybe we could have a clay bennett bobblehead night for the home opener. We’d supply the dolls of course.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:49 am
Carl Landry averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes/game. He really came on at the end of the season but let’s wait and see if he turns into a 30 min/game player before we call it a clear mistake. Of course, if he becomes a 30 min/game player then there are a number of other GM’s who made the same mistake.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:08 am
myk, was that the best deal the Sonics could have gotten for Kurt Thomas’ expiring contract, really?
The cavs trade made somebody better, left the team with the same two point guards that have been the delight of the posters here.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:03 pm
myk, was that the best deal the Sonics could have gotten for Kurt Thomas’ expiring contract, really?
- Well there are the reports of the Orlando trade so I am not sure for literally Kurt Thomas…but he was the only big man that was traded. Theo Ratliff had a bigger expiring contract and he was straight out released. If Kurt Thomas’ expiring contract was worth so much why did the Suns have to give us two first rounders to take it? Why didn’t they just trade it for a first rounder like the Sonics??
The cavs trade made somebody better, left the team with the same two point guards that have been the delight of the posters here.
- If the trade had not had happened would we have been better off right now or worse off? Is having a team with Wally on his last year of his contract (and he fell off during the playoffs) and Delonte walking away as a FA better than what we got back? Don’t know the answer to that…but I dont think it is as black and white as you make it out to be.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
In reference to the Reggie Miller slump: If Ray follows Reggie’s career path(by the way, I think Ray is better than Reggie) then over the next 3 years–he will average 18.4, 18.1, and 18.9 points per game while shooting above 44% from the floor, primarily as a jump shooter. I’d say that’s not too bad for a player between the ages of 33-36. People can’t seem to grasp that Ray’s numbers, production, and consistency are down because he is on a team with 2 guys that demand touches. He has went from being the absolute 1st option his entire life–to trying to find shots in an offense where he has to be much more creative off the ball. Ray is fine–we all watched him last year and the apocalypse has not occurred since last May…
- Not for a player that $16million a year. You are painting the rosiest of pictures. The bleakest of pictures can point to the fact that Reggie never had injury problems and Ray is playing on two bad ankles. Over the next two years the Celtics are going to have a player that one out of every 5 games or so plays like the guy who got the $16 million dollar contract. The other 4 games you will get results all over the board. The Detroit series was an excellent example. A couple of Ray Allen type games, a so so game and a a couple of stinkers.
He wasn’t the guy that was going to lead the Sonics anywhere (and I am/was a big Ray supporter) and getting the 5th pick is much better than any other team got for their aging superstar.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I think the obvious best comparison of the trade was the Jason Kidd trade.
- NJ was able to get Devin Harris and a couple of first round picks. They don’t know where those first round picks could land. Dallas could fall of the planet and one of those picks could be a lottery pick or Dallas could remain consistent like they have so far and the pick could be in the 20s
- Seattle was able to get the #5 pick in the draft…no hoping the team would suck for draft pick position…just a known quantity of the 5th pick. Then he also picked up a young PG (that apparently PJ didnt like) and salary cap relief.
I think they are similar deals…I just dont see how you can say that Presti botched that trade when you look at other trades. To judge Presti after the first year is silly because most of what he has done has set the team up for the next three years. If in three years the team has not capitalized then go to town on Presti…but you don’t have anything to judge as of yet.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 am
“People can’t seem to grasp that Ray’s numbers, production, and consistency are down because he is on a team with 2 guys that demand touches. ”
BS.
Shooting accuracy doesn’t go down with fewer touches and minutes. If anything for a shooter of Ray’s caliber, it should go up.
June 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
“BS.
Shooting accuracy doesn’t go down with fewer touches and minutes. If anything for a shooter of Ray’s caliber, it should go up.”
You’re the one who doesn’t get it.
If you’re Ray, and you’ve been used to handling the ball and getting into a rhythim from the get-go your whole professional life, it sure as hell is going to take a toll when you have to wait around to get your shot. Hell, most games Ray doesn’t get a shot until Kendrick friggin’ Perkins has already had 3 or 4 shot attempts. Even Doc Rivers has admitted on many occasions that he’s done a poor job of playing to Ray’s strengths.
But hey, he’s gone from the Sonics now, so he must be a washed-up, irrelevant has-been, right?