PLOTSKY'S POSITION: What's Best for Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics

Dan P

Dan explains why Kevin Garnett should go to L.A. to play for the Clippers.  

Trades can happen for many reasons and happen when we least expect it.  Some NBA teams will be trying to: shed money (Chicago Bulls), rebuild (Boston Celtics), save embarrassment (L.A. Lakers/Brooklyn Nets), make one last run (San Antonio Spurs), make any run toward and in the playoffs (Milwaukee Bucks/L.A. Clippers), and play the role of “bored banker” (Dallas Mavericks/Bank of [Mark] Cuban).  

Last week, I covered the Bulls’ offer to the Toronto Raptors for Andrea Bargnani, but for the sake of my sanity, we’ll focus on two players who could be moved before the deadline that, perhaps on the right team, will dictate this year’s playoffs.  The first area NBA teams look to improve is in size and defense and there may be no better example of that available than Kevin Garnett.  Weeks ago, the Celtics lost All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo to a horrific ACL injury that dealt a massive blow to their title chances in 2013.  If not for a recent resurgence in record following that injury, a deal for Garnett would be more likely but for the right package.  GM Danny Ainge will still have to consider the future.  Let's say Kevin Garnett for DeAndre Jordan/Eric Bledsoe of the Clippers.  For the Celtics, they would obtain two young athletic, future assets to help replenish their decaying core and the Clippers believe they will get the piece to push them over the top this year.  

Despite Garnett's age and contract (3 years remaining) we can see below from this season what both players have meant to their teams defensively and the clear difference Garnett has been for the Celtics.  I have highlighted net points in yellow for both players and it's nothing short of astonishing. 

   

On Court / Off Court stats (Kevin Garnett)

Many stats are shown on a 'per 48 minute' basis

Stat	ON Court	OFF Court	Net
Minutes	1468	938	61%
Defense: Pts per 100 Poss.	100.2	109.7	-9.6
Net Points per 100 Possessions	+2.3	-4.4	+6.6
Points Scored	2812	1891	+921
Points Allowed	2741	1963	+778
Net Points	+71	-72	+143

On Court / Off Court stats (DeAndre Jordan)

Many stats are shown on a 'per 48 minute' basis

Stat	ON Court	OFF Court	Net
Minutes	1286	1213	51%
Defense: Pts per 100 Poss.	107.3	99.2	+8.1
Net Points per 100 Possessions	+5.8	+7.4	-1.6
Points Scored	2726	2459	+267
Points Allowed	2599	2273	+326
Net Points	+127	+186	-59

The Celtics are a 143-point-deficit team when Garnett is on the bench in exactly 52 games played this year.  143 points/52 games=2.75 points per game differential when Garnett sits.  This may not seem like too much, but considering the Celtics currently through the all-star break are 0.0 differential and only 4 games over .500, this is actually profound.  This of course is all happening while 36 year-old Garnett is averaging 30 minutes per game, the effects on point differential would only be worse if those minutes were to decline.  

The Clippers flushed with talent and a deep team could afford to lose Bledsoe, whom has been a god-send for the second unit this season.  This trade could be the evidence that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin need to see that the Clippers are serious title contenders this year.  The other sneaky part to this trade is what the Clippers will save in payroll if Garnett decides to retire after this season ($11.5 million).  But with a move to a contender and Garnett's love of Los Angeles, where he lives in the off-season, he may be too competitive to let it go so quickly.               

So clearly, there's still something left in Garnett's tank and though he might be useful to the Celtics, his services would be of better use with the Clippers.

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NBA LESSONS: v2.1

Dan P

Adidas, Nike: let's call it even?
(photo courtesy of Ed Mancia)

Random NBA thoughts by Dan P. 

1.) Somehow, the Boston Celtics are 7-1 without star point guard, Rajon Rondo. 

It's perplexing how the Celtics have been winning since the Rondo injury.  They’ve ranked near the bottom third of the league (18th overall) averaging a mere 96.3 points per game while averaging a tremendous 23.5 assists per game (4th overall).  How the Celtics will continue to keep the high assists numbers is highly questionable.

For all the hype surrounding this win streak, I chalk it up to the Celtics’ veterans who were tired of hearing they couldn't win without Rondo.  Poke an old elephant with a stick and it's still sure to charge.  Ultimately the age of the team and the rigors of the playoffs will doom them; it’s no mystery.  

That's not to say the Celtics can't make some noise come playoff time.  The East is wide open and no team has yet to solidify itself as the true No. 2 seed in the Conference.  

With all that being said, I just can’t picture them going too far without Rondo.

2.) The Brooklyn Nets are pursuing a trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Josh Smith.  

The Hawks are looking for a young center so a third team is likely in the mix.  Look for the following young centers/rebounders on the block: 

• Marcin Gortat-- 11.4 Points Per Game; 8.7 Rebounds Per Game
• JaVale McGee--  10PPG, 5RPG
• DeAndre Jordan-- 9PPG, 7.3RPG
• J.J. Hickson-- 12.9PPG, 10.6RPG
• Nikola Pekovic--  15.8PPG, 8.8RPG
• Kris Humphries-- 5.8PPG, 6.2RPG

3.) The Golden State Warriors will be displaying a new jersey this season with sleeves.

I'm on the fence with these new Golden State jerseys from Adidas, but I'll get to that in a bit. The fabled golden sleeves make their debut February 22nd against the San Antonio Spurs and the team is very excited at the opportunity to start a new trend in the NBA.  The jersey itself is golden yellow with less outlining and stripes than their regular home/road jerseys.  It has a two color "V" style neck design that is reminiscent of the official's jerseys and the sleeves themselves are really only quarter cut length or short t-shirt length.  

When we see changes like this, our initial thought is to run, run far away and cry foul.  However, it only takes a few valid stars like a LeBron James or Kevin Durant (both currently employed by Nike--Ed)  to vouch for them and have their teams also produce these alternatives and then the jersey becomes part of the NBA.  

Everyone thought the Oregon Ducks (also Nike--Ed) were crazy for essentially playing in a different jersey every game but that's what sells and that's what the players want to wear.  Everything is a brand and brands are meant to be recognized.  And if any sport can make it work, its the NBA where fashion is just as important as the tradition.  

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