Harden-to-Nets eerily similar to Pierce/Garnett trade. How's this one going to work out?

The Brooklyn Nets obviously didn't learn any lessons when they traded for fading Celtics stars Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, in effect for three first round picks and a pick swap. That deal brought rising stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to Beantown, while the Nets went into a slide.

Now comes a reported trade that is sending James Harden to Brooklyn in a transaction involving four teams. As part of the trade, the Houston Rockets appear to be gaining three future first-round picks (2022, 2024, 2026) and pick swaps in 2021, 2023 and 2027.

The Nets are clearly mortgaging their future (once again) to win a Championship as soon as this season. Conversely, the Rockets are obviously building for the future by potentially acquiring a bundle of talent via the draft should the Nets fail to live up to expectations.

On paper, the Nets Big 3 should virtually guarantee a Title this season or next. But Championships are not won on paper. They are won and lost on the hardwood. Many questions. Where is Kyrie Irving, and why is he missing? Who will be the closer for this team? Can three ball-dominant, volume scorers adapt their games and sacrifice for the welfare of the team?

Kyrie may be the wrench in the machinery here. Kevin Durant has repeatedly altered his game in order to adapt to a new environment. Although some may be skeptical, Harden not only will adapt - it is vital that he do so. He is the only member of the trio to not own a Championship ring. Irving seems to have difficulty adapting, and it is doubtful that he will accept being the third option on any team

Nets coach, Steve Nash did not need the stress of Irving's mysterious departure, and now this deal really puts him under the gun. Expectations are sky-high, so anything less than a strong Finals run will be deemed a failure. Nash had little to say in a recent interview relative to the trade and Kyrie's whereabouts, which is appropriate, but his subdued comment, "This is a star's league" tells me that he may not be totally thrilled with all that has transpired in the past week.

Comments

The Elm Street Nightmare

A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.) Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube Elm Street surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He resided on Elm Street in Townsend, Massachusetts 2.) He kidnapped a woman at gunpoint on Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was tried, convicted and sentenced for the murders at Superior Court , corner of Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the t...

In defense of Marcus Smart

Let me make it clear first of all that I am totally against making a threat of any kind that even hints at harming, or certainly killing, another human being. Marcus Smart was wrong in doing so in the Celtics loss to the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder , and he deserved the one-game suspension. But to be honest, part of me loved that it occurred. . This type of thing can happen when a player gets to a point "beyond frustration" and is having a bad game. Marcus and his teammates have been under-performing generally - were in the process of losing to a pathetic-and-tanking Thunder team - and Smart was having a bad game . And he let loose verbally at the closest target - an NBA official. Wilt Chamberlain did a similar act versus referee, Earl Strom when Wilt was having his usual tortuous time at the free throw line (per Chicago Tribune's Sam Smith): ''He was in one of those 1-for-13s,'' recalls referee Earl Strom. ''Nothing was getting close. S...

Did the Celtics Kevin McHale really have a wingspan of 8-feet?

According to many sources, the Celtics Kevin McHale did indeed have an estimated wingspan of 8-feet. One of those sources is Wikipedia, as seen below: Kevin McHale American basketball player DescriptionKevin Edward McHale is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Wikipedia Born: December 19, 1957 (age 61 years), Hibbing, MN Wingspan: 8′ 0″ Height: 6′ 10″ Spouse: Lynn McHale (m. 1982) NBA draft: 1980, Boston Celtics (Round: 1 / Pick: 3) Hall of fame induction: 1999 Number: 32 (Boston Celtics / Power forward, Center) Kevin was listed at 6'10" tall when he was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 1980 draft. Red Auerbach, in yet another heist, brought in both McHale and center Robert Parish (via trade) prior to the Celtics' 1980-81 Champion...

Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Search This Blog