Celtic Nation Decidedly Against Deal for Garnett

June 24, 2007

The possibility of bringing Kevin Garnett to Boston and sending Al Jefferson and the No. 5 pick in Thursday's draft to Minnesota may not be as dead as some people think.

And amazingly enough, Celtics Nation is not breaking down the door in an attempt to see it through.

As of Friday afternoon, in response to a question on bostonherald.com asking whether the Celtics should trade Jefferson and the pick, the answer was an emphatic no.

Out of 2,146 votes, an even 90 percent weighed in against a trade, leaving a Ralph Nader-sized 10 percent in favor.

Unless Big Al was at home on his laptop, voting and voting often in an attempt to swing the election, this unscientific poll made an interesting statement.

The oft-maligned ``You'll Love the Kids'' line that this organization fed to the crowd for three years actually grew some roots.

They believe in Al. They believe that some hope can come in the form of a Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah or Jeff Green on Thursday night, and they'd rather witness growth than a quick-fix attempt like the 31-year-old Garnett.

Of course, we've witnessed this kind of parochial madness before.

It wasn't that long ago when the Red Sox, in trade talks with the Cubs, heard that many of their fans didn't want to give up their lovable but inconsistent right fielder, Trot Nixon, for a future Hall-of-Fame slugger named Sammy Sosa.

Well, Jefferson is no Garnett. Jefferson plus the No. 5 pick is not the equal of Minnesota's future Hall of Famer, either.

Ted Williams was wrong. Boston fans do not always eat their young. In this case, the kids are being allowed to sit at the adult table. It's as if Celtics fans performed a body swap with the folks from Oklahoma City.

Jefferson blossomed into a legitimate double-double guy last season. Two reporters in Cleveland, after watching his performances against the Finals-bound Cavaliers, even cast their votes for Jefferson as the league's most improved player.

So what if he gives up as much as he scores and needed Greg Oden knocking on his door to cover up all of those defensive mistakes.

Offensively, Jefferson is one of the league's most unique talents. He scores with great touch and finesse out of the post. Put him on the floor for a full season with Paul Pierce, and you COULD have the best inside-outside tandem in the Eastern Conference.

For now, it doesn't seem that Celtics Nation is pressuring the team to break up this potential. But the Celtics have put pressure on themselves to make a trade for an impact veteran.

Pierce, fearful that he will go the way of ringless legends such as Dominique Wilkins and Patrick Ewing, has demanded it.

Management added to the stakes with comments such as this, from coach Doc Rivers, on the last night of the season, when asked about his job security if the team doesn't make the playoffs next April: ``I think I should be (fired). But we're going to make the playoffs. We're set up to make a nice run.''

Pierce, on the same night, strode to midcourt with a microphone and also talked big, promising the crowd that ``at this time next year, it won't be our last game.''

Danny Ainge has also christened the Celtics a 2008 playoff team. Perhaps even more ominously, so has Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck.

That's why the line between forcing the issue with a quick fix or allowing growth to continue has never been thinner than it is now.

The Celtics, more than their fans, have forced themselves into this dilemma with some very bold talk.

And by the way, there's a good chance that if Jefferson could stick a wrench in this trade he would.

The last thing he wants is to share a locker room again with Mark Blount.