GM posturing: signs and symptoms

In almost every interview Ainge gave before the NBA draft he talked about how much he believed in players who could shoot the ball. Whatever their other flaws, Ainge explained, players who could shot always put pressure on the defense, always contributed something on the court. How, you might ask, since only one player can shot per possession? Sush! True sports journalists just print what their sources tell them: thinking for yourself is not allowed. You wanna get fired like David Aldridge?

For weeks we got to hear speculation about the Celtics trading down to take J.J.Redick, or lusting after Adam Morrison. What does Ainge do on draft day? He takes two PGs with tremendous potential whose overwhelming liability is supposed to be their poor shooting. Hmmm, funny how that worked out.

Don't ask me why all this comes to mind as I read in today's Herald:

The Celtics are still in the hunt for Allen Iverson, but after taking some steps forward with their moves on draft day, they have grown a bit wary of giving too much up for the 76ers star.

According to league sources, the Celts are willing to let Philadelphia complete its check of the marketplace before making a final offer. And with the 76ers possibly needing to wait until the July 12 start of the free agent signing period (in case one of the returning players must be part of a sign-and-trade) to facilitate a multiteam deal, there appears to be some time to work things out.

The Celtics also are said to have varying degrees of interest in New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson, Seattle’s Rashard Lewis, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal and Phoenix’ Shawn Marion. But sources weren’t so sure the Nets would part with Jefferson, and O’Neal is said to be on the lower end of the Celts’ wish list.

The key has become how much the C’s must surrender to get a veteran who fits.

Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Wednesday that his team’s biggest need is experience, and while he acknowledged yesterday that the C’s are now in better position to withstand a 2- or 3-for-1 trade, he doesn’t want to overspend unless he’s convinced the impact warrants it.

Hah hah ha ha ha ha...

"O’Neal is said to be on the lower end of the Celts’ wish list"

...Hah hah ha ha... Oh, stop it, you're killing me...