Celts: Twan Gone

[JangoFett4Hire 0]

The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics agreed on a five-player deal that sends All-Star forward Antoine Walker and Tony Delk to the Mavericks for three players, including Raef LaFrentz.

 

The deal also includes guard Tony Delk going to Dallas and Chris Mills and Jiri Welsch heading to the Celtics, who also will get Dallas' first-round draft pick in 2004

 

Raef LaFrentz signed a $69 million, five-year deal before last season. Welsch and Mills were acquired in an offseason trade with Golden State that also brought Antawn Jamison to Dallas.

 

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed the deal to The Associated Press, saying it was pending league approval. The trade was first reported by the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on their Web sites Monday.

 

Walker, a three-time All-Star, has spent the first seven years of his career in Boston, where he has averaged 20.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He will split time at forward with All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and Jamison.

 

Delk, a reserve guard, will give the Mavericks more depth at point guard behind All-Star Steve Nash and Travis Best, another offseason acquisition. Delk has averaged 9.1 points and 2.0 assists per game over his seven-year career with five different franchises.

 

LaFrentz has averaged 12.2 points and 7.0 rebounds a game in six seasons with the Denver Nuggets and Mavericks.

 

 

[razazteca 0]

Damn the Mavs are starting to get serious at challenging the Spurs.

 

Possible Mavs lineup:

 

Nash

Finley

Fortson

Nowinski

Jamison

Walker in small lineup

[Ripper 0]

Damn the Mavs are starting to get serious at challenging the Spurs.

 

Possible Mavs lineup:

 

Nash

Finley

Fortson

Nowinski

Jamison

Walker in small lineup

Nash

Finley

Jamison

Walker

Nowinski

 

 

There is your starting line up.

 

That is fucking scary offensively...and poor Finely and Jamison having to defend EVERYONE on the court because NO ONE else plays defense.

 

Adding Welsh and LaFrentz will make Boston a MUCH better team. LaFrentz was just in the wrong system in Dallas. Playing in Boston he will be a force. A shot blocker with a perimeter shot...works. Welsh is going to be good, and is a young player. he should get Delks minutes and will perform well. Mills...welll...he..he's got a nice haircut...he certainly does.

 

Delk, Best, Nash at the point is a good thing. They need depth there seeing as Nash will be spent by All-star break as always due to his style.

 

Walker gives you a deep threat and if Nelly can convince him to use his post skills and rebounding skills, it will work. We shall see what happens.

Edited October 20, 2003 by Ripper

[razazteca 0]

Is Walker going to play Center because Nowinski does not like to play that position.

[the pinjockey 0]

This deal seems odd for the Mavs. I can't imagine Walker staying a happy camper with all of these other weapons around him, limiting his opportunities to sit at the three and fire.

[Ripper 0]

Is Walker going to play Center because Nowinski does not like to play that position.

His 7 foot ass will have to get the fuck over it. WHO are they going to move to the bench so Bradly can come in? Jamison? Walker?...

 

He will just have to suck it up and play the position. Its not like he plays D ANYway. It just means he's not playing D on a different player.

[razazteca 0]

I think either Fortson or Badly will start the game for maybe 5 minutes then ride the bench the rest of the game.

 

It will be fun to watch all 5 players standing on the perimeter shooting 3 pointers and nobody going for the offensive rebound.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Good deal IMO as it allows Baker/Lafrentz to battle it out over who'll start the PF Spot assuming Battie stays at Center or Battie/Lafrentz can battle over Center with Baker taking the PF spot

 

Possible Starting Lineup now

 

PG: Marcus Banks(Backup being the other new guy that I suddenly can't remember)

SG: Paul Pierce(Chris Mills could battle here, decent 3 PT shooter)

SF: Eric Williams(Jumaine Jones could be here upon his return)

PF: Vin Baker(Jiri Welsh or Walter McCarty probably as the backup here)

C: Raef Lafrentz(Tony Battie coming in off the bench)

 

Our lineup has good size in terms of battling the boards and IMO, Baker's more well rounded then Walker and can do just as well/if not better starting rather then coming off the bench. We still have Pierce who's good for 30/6 or so and Raef gives us a better presence in the circle. Now we actually have a guy who'll play the post in Baker and Raef'll likely be a formidable defensive opponent manning the circle.

[JangoFett4Hire 0]

Waitaminute- VIN Baker?

 

He has a lot to prove:

1) If he still has game

2) If he's recovered from his off-court battles.

 

Me... I'm gonna miss the wiggle...

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I am fucking pissed. Walker was my favorite Celtic by far. Danny Ainge just pissed off alot of people. Also whoopity shit on Dallas' #1 pick which will probably be 30 overall. I guess its off to retire my #8 jersey.

 

THIS SUCKS

[Guest JohnnySwift]

I agree, I have a terrible feeling about this trade for the Celtics. Granted it would be worse if this was the Antoine Walker of the first 3 years of his career before he decided to camp out and shoot 3's. But at least the Celtics are gaining consistency, before last season they traded away Kenny Anderson and lost a good ball handler, now this preseason they traded Walker and Delk both above average ball handlers. Let's see what Jim O'Brien can do with this team now.

[Dangerous A 0]

I am not sure about this deal on both ends.

 

The last thing the Mavs need is ANOTHER 3 point shooter who needs the ball in his hands to make anything happen. Walker's game isn't one that gets people involved and such. He jacks up threes and when he's motivated, he'll rebound. Not what the Mavs needed. They needed a bruising PF or Center and got a smooth, perimeter happy forward who is going to complain when he doesn't get touches. If that happens, there may be chemistry problems. I thought the Lakers would have the bigger adjustment/chemistry problems, but the Mavs may have surpassed them with this move. The good thing is the Mavs finally picked up a backup point with Delk. When the Mavs lost Van Exel and Raja Bell in the off season, they had no backup for Nash. Now with Delk, they get a guy who can competantly backup the point.

 

For the Celts, this is just odd. Raef LaFrentz is an underachiever. However he is capable of putting up decent numbers like he did in Denver. For some reason, he didn't fit in with what the Mavs were doing. If he can return to Denver form, this could help the Celts tremendously. The other players involved in this deal are basically just throw ins. I heard the deal was also to help alleviate some cap room for the Mavs since this is Walkers contract year and Ainge has been looking to dump him since he got here.

 

We'll just have to wait and see. Also, there is a one and only free agent and trade thread and thread should have gone there. Just saying.

[the pinjockey 0]

I agree with not liking the deal much on either end, but Raef doesn't even need to return to Denver form to be a great big man in the pitiful Eastern Conference. So I can understand it from the Celtics end.

 

I am surprised they threw in Delk. The few games I saw he seemed to be a great change of pace off the bench.

[Ripper 0]

I am not sure about this deal on both ends.

 

The last thing the Mavs need is ANOTHER 3 point shooter who needs the ball in his hands to make anything happen. Walker's game isn't one that gets people involved and such. He jacks up threes and when he's motivated, he'll rebound. Not what the Mavs needed. They needed a bruising PF or Center and got a smooth, perimeter happy forward who is going to complain when he doesn't get touches. If that happens, there may be chemistry problems. I thought the Lakers would have the bigger adjustment/chemistry problems, but the Mavs may have surpassed them with this move.

 

Antoine is much more of a ball handler and playmaker than he is given credit for. If I'm not confused, I believe that he led the Celts in assist last year. He is a solid playmaker, more of a point forward. And as much as people hate to admit it, who else was going to shoot the ball besides Pierce and Walker.

 

When he DOES step in side, he is a physcial force at the PF position and can score well on the post and he is a good rebounder. If he gets forced into his role, he will produce. I don't see him complaining about touches. He didn't do it when the team went to PP as the primary option, requiring him to step aside for him, and I don't see him doing it here.

 

Adding Delk was huge, although he is another black hole when on the floor and if he is passing, its because he is about to cut to get it back. If anything, there are only 3 solid defenders on the Mavs team now (Jamison, Finley and Fortson). Jamison is a INCREDIBLE offensive rebounder, so he will help there, and Fortson rebounding is his sole purpose in life. Jamison and Walker are both good on the post, so they will be a interesting team.

 

For the Celts, this is just odd. Raef LaFrentz is an underachiever. However he is capable of putting up decent numbers like he did in Denver. For some reason, he didn't fit in with what the Mavs were doing. If he can return to Denver form, this could help the Celts tremendously. The other players involved in this deal are basically just throw ins.

 

I wouldn't call him a underachiever. He was just in the wrong system in Dallas. He is a great help defender, but Dallas would leave him on a island to defend alone. In Denver, they would never allow him to get posted up by putting him on the non offensive threat bigman so he could help off him. Thats how he could get so many blocks and rebounds per game then.

 

He is a GREAT scorer on pick and rolls, but in Dallas, he only got the ball on drive and kicks. The Pick and Roll was ran with the PG and Nowinski, not him. If they go to some Pick and Roll with him and Pierce the way Walker and Pierce would run it, he will give you 20 a game.

 

Jiri Welsh, if he continues to develop, will be a very good player for them, and I think Boston saw that. I don't think he was a throw in at all.

 

This trade depends on the play of Vin Baker. Boston seems to have confidence that he will return to form and if he does, this will be a good trade for them. If not, it still has potential to be a good trade...but it is more shaky then.

 

For both teams, this is a big roster change for less than 2 weeks away from the season and this will be 50/50 for the first month or two.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

 

who would have thought you could get rid of Walker and actually make your team worse?

 

[alfdogg 0]

Jeez, the Mavs already got Travis Best, now they need Delk too?

 

And I agree with Ripper. Dirk should just have to get over his "I don't wanna play center" thing...

 

And if I was Jamison, I wouldn't be too happy about having to possibly come off the bench for Walker.

[Ripper 0]

You know what I find funny though.

 

Antoine Walker Averaged 20 points a game, shot 38 percent from the field, 32 from 3, averaged 6 rebounds and 5 assist. He is univerally shit on by the press as a blah player that Boston should get rid of.

 

Gilbert Arenas averages 18 points a game, shoots 4 more percentage points more than Walker from the filed, shoots 2 more percentage points from the 3, averages 1-2 more assist from the point guard position and 2 less rebounds, yet he is the savior of the Wizards and they should be a playoff team now.

 

Funny.

[alfdogg 0]

Maybe I'm just stupid, but I'm not seeing your point.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

might have something to do with his contract...

[Guest El Satanico]

His point was that it's funny how despite both having similar stats, Walker has been shit on, while Arenas was considered one of the top FAs and an amazing addition for whoever signed him.

[Ripper 0]

Maybe I'm just stupid, but I'm not seeing your point.

They have similar stats. Yet from these similar stats, Gilbert Arenas is called the greatest young player in the league while Antione is called a detrement to his team. And Antiones team has done more with less than Gilberts team did.

 

My point is the NBA makes stars out of who they want when they want. A player with almost the same stats is called "talented, but overall a bad player" while another is praised.

 

Like that year everyone was screaming about Iverson shooting too much and having a HORRIBLE shooting percentage, but were praising Jordan in Washington despite him shooting a lesser field goal percentage, AND the team was losing.

 

I just find stuff like that annoying.

[alfdogg 0]

That's because Iverson is a BAD PERSON. After all, he has TATTOOS~!~!~!

 

/sarcasm

[Guest El Satanico]

Because Iverson is a selfish thug, while Jordan is a paragon of virtue.

 

 

Didn't you know that?

[Ripper 0]

That's because Iverson is a BAD PERSON. After all, he has TATTOOS~!~!~!

 

/sarcasm

and his hair is braided back to appear as rows of corn!!!!

[Dangerous A 0]

Where are you reading about Arenas making the Wizards a playoff team? Anybody with half a brain can look at the Wizards roster and see that that squad is going nowhere. Arenas will have the chance to have better numbers in Wash. because he will have the ball on every posession and will be the primary playmaker now that Stackhouse is out indef. Arenas is also the nice age of 21. He still has a ton of room to grow.

 

Walker's game hasn't really changed that much from 3 years ago and he's topped off. Everyone already knows what you get with him. I can see Walker and Jamison clashing for minutes and touches. That is my opinion.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I can see Walker and Jamison clashing for minutes and touches. That is my opinion.

And I can see my fantasy points dwindling at this prospect.

[Dangerous A 0]

Walker, Jamison, and Finley's fantasy values just took a bit of a dive.

 

I can see that there may be too much firepower here. I remember the Blazers of 2000 had the best roster from 1-12 and they weren't the best TEAM in basketball, the Lakers were. That was because the Lakers had role players who were willing to accept less. Time will tell if the Mavs will be able to adjust.

[alfdogg 0]

ESPN is projecting LaFrentz starting at PF and Battie still C.

[Cartman 0]

Celtics starting 5 will be THIS for most of the season:

 

PG Mike James (Marcus Banks will get starts IF he proves he can handle it)

 

SG Paul Pierce

 

SF Jumaine Jones(Only thing holding him back is an injury, he will be the starter when healthy)

 

PF Raef Lafrentz (Vin Baker will get time here, as will Macarty)

 

C Battie (Expect Baker to spell Battie as well, Baker has earned much playing time with his performances thus far)

[Ripper 0]

Celtics starting 5 will be THIS for most of the season:

 

PG Mike James (Marcus Banks will get starts IF he proves he can handle it)

 

SG Paul Pierce

 

SF Jumaine Jones(Only thing holding him back is an injury, he will be the starter when healthy)

 

PF Raef Lafrentz (Vin Baker will get time here, as will Macarty)

 

C Battie (Expect Baker to spell Battie as well, Baker has earned much playing time with his performances thus far)

Battie is solid, but seeing as Lafrentz is a better shot blocker and scorer than him, I see Lafrentz starting. Baker, who has been strong lately, will probably play at the starting PF spot.

 

In the end, I think this trade was really meant to put Vin back in the starting line-up. And if anyone ever saw Danny Ainge call a game that Baker was playing in, you could hear how much he liked the guy, he was just really frustrated with his problems. I think this is all to give Baker a chance. Worse come to worse, Battie will be back, but I see Baker Lafrentz being the starting front court.

 

But Jumaine Jones will definately be at the SF and is DEFINATELY a upgrade. Never could figure out why Eric Williams was there. He and Michael Curry starting on NBA teams always has baffled me.