Let the wheeling and dealing begin! At about this time last year, Danny Ainge was completing the deal of the century* (*it was at that point, nobody could have guessed that Pau Gasol would be traded to the Lakers for a wooden nickel and a bag of peanuts just six months later) after getting an assist form his old teammate Kevin McHale, bringing Kevin Garnett to the Celtics for one good player (Al Jefferson) and a hodgepodge of other NBA "talent." There were rumblings and expectations then of the potential greatness to come (as well as a fair amount of doubters), and thankfully, that potential was realized in one of the most spine tingling and electrifying NBA Finals in recent memory.
During the campaign to win Kevin Garnett the NBA MVP this year, there was much talk of a "culture change" that Garnett brought to the Celtics, making teamwork, sacrifice and defense (three incredibly elusive concepts in today's NBA) the everyday standard. The Big Ticket certainly was the centerpiece of this year's Celtics team and had an undeniable impact on the team chemistry and identity this year that made him far more valuable than any of the statistics that he routinely stuffs the stat sheet with.
But as big of an impact as KG made on the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics, I must say that there was another unsung hero who had a huge hand in this culture shift that created the Celtics' winning identity. I am speaking, of course, about James Posey, the epitome of the all-substance-no-flash-meat-and-taters-lunch-pail player that is so crucial to have on any championship contender.
Posey was a jack of all trades for the Celtics this season, defending guards, wing players and even power forwards with awe inspiring tenacity and intensity that was absolutely essential to the Celtics' regular season and playoff success this year. Need proof? Watch this year's Finals and take a shot every time Posey absolutely shuts down a Laker (take two if it's Kobe) or makes the perfect defensive play (you'll be drunk, quickly). Posey's tough as nails defense on the likes of Joe Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James made this year's championship run posible. Whether it was taking a charge, closing out on a shooter, drilling a three-pointer, making the extra pass, grabbing a tough rebound or clinching a playoff game with a backcourt steal, the veteran swingman was nothing short of indispensible to the Boston Celtics this season.
More than his actual on the court performance (which was mighty), Posey's full compliment of intangibles and attitude are what make him so valuable to this Celtic team. Remember that going into this season, Posey was the only player (or coach, for that matter) to have won an NBA Finals in the past, and his championship experience was a necessary security blanket for the Celtics going into this year's postseason. Additionally, Posey is the kind of guy who wouldn't hesitate to go to war for his teammates (kind of like Stephen Jackson, except slightly less thuggish), and his burly bear hugs before each game (aside from making Bill Simmons somewhat uncomfortable) are the best personification of his most favorable traits as a teammate and were central to the team buying into Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau and "ubuntu." Without Posey's attitude and experience, this Celtic team could have easily fallen apart during the tough playoff games against Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit.
While he's already 31 years old now, I think that it should be Danny Ainge's highest priority to resign Posey, even if it means giving him a four year deal. James Posey represents one of the few players in the NBA who is actually worth the mid-level exception, and the Celtics' chemistry and their trademark defensive versatility would be irreparably damaged were they to let this truly special player walk out the door.
Posey's production can be replaced, but there isn't anyone else in this league who canbring his unique combination of intangible traits to the table. Signing Corey Maggette won't replace Posey, and neither will anyone else. Much like Mike Lowell to the Red Sox, Posey (along with his close friend Eddie House) is a great "glue guy" and he's worth the extra money to keep him around for several years to come. Ultimately, the decision lies with Posey, but if the deal is there he won't be able to resist playing in Boston with the likes of Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen for a franchise as storied as the Boston Celtics.
