Bad news for Celtic fans, as James Posey just inked a 4-year contract with the New Orleans Hornets. Danny Ainge pretty much sums up the situation:
“We liked James and we wanted him back,” said Celtics general manager Danny Ainge. “He got a good deal in New Orleans. We were unwilling to go four years. We have to manage the business and manage the future and the present. We offered James Posey the most over the next two years than any other team, but fourth-year security was very important to him. We didn’t feel it was in our best interest as a franchise to do that. We wish him well. He was part of a championship team. We did what we could to bring him back.”
Posey will probably fill a similar role for the Hornets, serving as their 6th man. Their starting lineup of Chris Paul, Mo Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, and Tyson Chandler is one of the best in the NBA.
People always talk about Posey’s defense, but his 3-point shooting was a huge key for the Celtics. Few Celtic fans will forget his shooting against the Lakers in game 4 — 4 of 8 from 3-point land, 18 pts in 25 minutes.
Btw, this picture of Posey was taken by yours truly during game 1 of the NBA Finals. He often received the toughest defensive assignments (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James); after Kevin Garnett (who will go down as one of the best defensive players in NBA history), Posey was the Celts’ next best defender.
To say that this is a huge blow to the Celtics would be an understatement. Tony Allen, should the Celtics decide to bring him back, is a decent defensive player. But he’s no Posey, particularly on the offensive end where he won’t hit timely 3s for you.
The Hornets suddenly are looking like the odds-on favorite in the West. I’m not sure that I’m comfortable with this development.
Seriously though, who’s the main competition for the Hornets next year? The Lakers, obviously…but beyond that? The Spurs are getting old, the Suns have ruined themselves, the Mavs are developing into the San Diego Chargers of the NBA, and the Rockets just make me laugh.
I guess the Lakers get Bynum back and that makes them the favorite, but you wonder what the fallout will be from the Finals. Really, they have Kobe on offense and what else?
And I second your laugh on Houston. Ha. Ha. There you go. A second Ha.
Shall we start this comment with a third “ha”? INDEED we shall. The Rockets are going nowhere particularly fast. You can’t build a team around T-Mac.
I would also like to clarify a things as well. Tyson Chandler is not very good at the game of basketball. He has the offensive fundamental skills of an 11 year old. I only wish that I were 7 feet tall and on a team with Chris Paul. Life would be great. He literally catches oops for a living. However, he has started to rebound… peculiar… Tyson Chandler is merely a window through which you can see how great CP3 is (and I’m not talking about Candace Parker who also wears #3). Mo Pete is also not good at basketball. He is a glorified 8th man. He averages 8 points a game and less than 3 rebounds and not even 1 assist. They don’t have anyone else to start. What are they gonna do? Start Pargo? I hope that Posey starts. At least he is more deserving.
As for the Hornets being the #1 team. I just think the Lakers are going to get stronger. I really only see Kobe getting somehow better. Vujacic will be the next Posey, and Pau will have a better season and playoffs. He can’t be that soft in real life. Also, don’t forget about the Spurs. I still feel kind of strange that they lost last year. They could have a huge season.
Tony Allen might be good next year… but I will still only remember him from his missed dunk on a dead ball ACL tear…http://youtube.com/watch?v=Le8rMnL56w8