Posey to Hornets

ESPN says it's four years, $25 million. No way the Celtics were going to match that. He'll be missed but he's replaceable.

This Sucks!

Nice job Danny Ainge....we finally get a great team together and you let one of the best pieces go for a mid salary amount? He is the ultimate 6th man and nobody on the Celtics can step in and do what he did defensively mostly, offensively he was a spark, and emotionally.

This is a sad day for the Green. JP will go down as one of my favorite athletes in sports history. He's a class act all the way. I have even more respect for him now that he showed up to the DVD in a Sox hat, and then was signing DVDs at Borders yesterday. It was almost his way of thanking the city for the support we have given him this year. Classy! I'm happy for him that he is getting a lucrative contract (4yrs and $25mm), but I'm also happy that the Celtics are choosing not to pay him that much. Unfortunately, it's not meant to be anymore. JP we will miss you. See you in the finals in '09

y didnt the celtics give him a 4 year deal

This is definitely not a surprise. The Hornets offered exactly what Posey wanted so of course he went there. It would have been foolish for the Celtics to offer him four years. I fully expect him to do well for the first couple of years on the new deal then fade as he gets older. It happens in every sport. It was nice to see Danny sticking to his guns on this one. Now, let's just hope he's right.

WHY JAMES WHY

I guess 2 rings are enough for him.

who will the celtics get to fill this role now? posey left for just 1 more year on a contract? sounds like he knows he wont be good then, because he could sign a 1 year contract when the 3 year offer from the celts expired.

How sad.. really thought he'd stick with us.

He'll be missed... for 5-minutes.

Go Celts!

Well, you can hardly blame him. It's the Cs loss, and that rookie isn't about to replace him anytime soon. It does make me chucke a bit since now Kobe now stands an excellent chance of seeing him in the playoffs, unlike the Cs.

Huge loss!

Damn Damn Damn...hear we go. (Do the 2 words "Miami Heat" ring a bell?)

no to be unexpected. 31 years old - coming off a great season and most likely his last contract - he took the security. Unfortunately its the American way -- not the way a sports fan looks at the game.

Punch to the gut. Ouch.

UUUGGGHHHHH

Thanks Boston!

Oh, no. This is the end of civilization as we know it.

Stupid of Ainge not to press harder for posey, i cant believe we let him walk away... Need to give him the years, and give him the money. posey was worth it

Well that sucks.....ape nards!!!

Too bad--he was a very good 6th man.

Years and not $$ I'm sure is the issue.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Marc... thanks for the article..... did you run out of things to say thought?

I think this might be the shortest article in the history of the interwebz... ;-)

I can see you going into your managers office....

"sorry boss, i just didn't have my A game today..."

cheers man.

Too bad--he was a very good 6th man.

Years and not $$ I'm sure is the issue.

So he was lying all along, another spoiled athlete, all for the money.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out! BURNED! Oh man, I just high-fived myself for that one!

Oh well....he's now considered just another mercernary......so much for loyalty.

Posey would have been more important this year as the Celtics attempt to repeat. A real mistake and I don't want to hear the crap about "exceptions". ainge made all the right moves last year and now this. As a fan I will give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

I guess than means New Orleans wanted him more than Boston did?
The question then becomes "Who will replace him, right?"

Celts are idiots. If there is one player on their whole roster who won't lose their value in year 4, its him. He's not a leaper, a speedster, he doesn't rely on skills that erode with time. He may not be as flexible a defender on the smaller guys, but he is veteran who is a role-model, hustles and is unbelievably crafty. Celtics, way to screw year 2 of your return to glory!

well that sux.

This can't be good....... He was a heck of a player

Why couldn't we just offer him the damn 4 years?!?! He's a great player & person!
Oh well..Good luck Pose!!! Thanks for the great effort in helping us bring banner 17 to Beantown!!!

What a loss! The Celtic organization could not reward a player for all the heart, guts, and unselfishness that he gave to their team. Wow! I'm surprised. I thought the Celtics were a classier organization then they just showed. Shame on them. He will be greatly missed. The New Orleans Hornets just got the glue for their pieces.

Way to go, James. You finally got the respect you are so deserving of. After 9 years, someone finally appreciated you for all that you give nightly to the game.

Unfortunate, but not unexpected, hopefully Ainge has been scouting out replacements.

Disappointing but not tragic. His offensive lift off the bench and consistent defense will be missed but no one is irreplaceable. Good luck in Nawlin's...hear its a great place to live...

That was the most profound article in the the history of sports in western civilization. Nice job stringing those words together and coming up with some provocative insight!

*$*&$!!!!!!!!!

there goes the repeat title.

Best wishes to James. I guess the silver lining is that he did not sign with a team in the East.

Well, I guess, the Celtics management didn't quite play the "initiation game" very well for which Posey had to do "what a man has to do."
So lonnnnnnng, Posey. we will miss you dearly.

see ya

He's a proven commodity. He was a good fit with the Celtics. Don't know who Danny will come up with to fill the considerable void, but we have to give him the benefit of the doubt these days. I hope we don't rue the day he left.

WTF?!

That sucks - hopefully Tony Allen will be re-signed and Eddie House!

HUGE loss..........

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The bit players of the Patriots past Super Bowl and Red Sox World Series teams, who cashed in on the championship ring in free agency, never achieved the same team glory later. Posey is going to find out the same thing those other players did . . . . he needs the Celtics more than the Celtics need him.

If he doesn't want to be here the thanks and best of luck. Danny will figure it out.

Dammit.

Tell me the contract terms and I'll have a comment. Sorry to see him go.

Now we need a veteran replacement. Like with most players it is all about the money

Well thanks for the memories Pose. Makes the repeat a little more difficult but not impossible.

At least now Danny can move on and rebuild.

Wtf?!?!?!?

This is why the NBA sucks now...It's all about the mighty dollar.

This is not good. He is the one player that we really needed to keep.
Who's next- House?

Nice job Danny. Giving up 4 years of mid-level exception money wasnt worth it for a guy who was PERFECT for the Celts? WTF.

He earned it

Well I guess Posey wanted the cash, we'll miss you Pos!!

Booooooo!!!

He will be missed! If the C's best offer was not that much different from what the Hornets gave him, I will be kind of dissapointed in him.

lame, weak very weak.
what, we did not have another few million for him, come on guys.
once it not enough.

Great. We are screwed now. He was and is a great player. This is a very bad day for the Celts.

That could prove costly. Danny better look for a strong 6th man at this point.

We all knew it was coming. He will be replaced. Have faith in the front office. They delivered a championship last season and Posey's 7 points and defensive intensity can be replicated by the right free agent or an aspiring rookie. All is not lost!

That's the way it goes. Can't blame James for getting what he can. We're going to miss him.

These things happen. Good organizations (like the Patiots and Red Sox) find a way to replace players like this. I think that this organization will do the same. Four years is a long time.

People under estimate what Posey brought to the Celtics and the Celtics should have done whatever it took to resign him.

New Orleans is getting a two-time NBA Champion and he could be the player that takes them to the next level.

Best of luck in New Orleans James.
I understand that your window for a big contract is
getting smaller and I will miss your play this year.
Thanks for your contribution to bring # 17 to Boston.

Art

Too bad, I thought he would come back but we can find a good fit that will work. I am not sure who yet but let's see who wants another championship.

he will be missed. One and Done...I'll still take it.

Now...what do we do with our mid level? Lure Josh Childress? Ryan Gomes? Matt Barnes?

Also - must sign Tony Allen and Eddie House

honestly, can you blame a man for trying to make a living?

What a huge loss to the Celts... personally and professionally. And the fans.

I think I'm gonna be sick!

Smart move 4 years is to long. P.S Dont forget PEDRO.

Johnny Damon all over again...

That's a major bummer...he was a key piece of the championship run. Definitely a casualty of winning it all. Let's hope Danny and crew had a plan B.

WTF

Good for him, and I'm glad that the Lakers didn't get him. Good for Danny to play some age calculations like "Theo," in that neither Damon or Pedro have been what they were with the Sox. The Celts will hurt for awhile but young players like Davis and Pruitt are the future and need more minutes with the big 3 so the Celts can have a balance like the Sox.
The Hornets will improve but the chemistry is not guaranteed.

Good...overrated! They can get someone else!! Bye Bye

Now what? No Pose; no repeat.

It's really a shame that the Celts didn't just go ahead and give Pose the 4 year deal he wanted. Number 18 will be very tough to achieve without him. Huge loss for our team.

now who are they going to sign....shame

So Glad we didnt over pay him.....Good Luck over there in NO, We'll make sure you have courtside seats to the Finals next year when we are repeating as Champs...!!

Big loss. Very good pick up for Hornets, fits in there perfectly. Glad he didn't stay in the East, would have hated to see him in Cleveland or Detroit.

Good luck, Posey, thanks for the memories.

I AM STUNNED!!! What the hell is Ainge thinking letting him go over one crumby year. The old Danny is back....God help the "C"s.

I... AM... S.....I.....C.....K.....NO POSEY.....WHY!!!!?????...DANNY...YOU KNUCKLEHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope Danny Ainge doesn't think that he redeemed himself this year from all of his previous stupid mistakes just by pulling off those trades and winning 1 title. The only reasons he made those trades was because Pierce demanded a trade (rightfully so) and Ainge's own job was in question. Well, this move didn't necessarily help matters. I mean, this is Boston! We're not a one and done city. I don't understand what was so difficult about giving Posey the money he wanted. Where does Ainge think that he'll find a suitable replacement? Just because the Patriots can be cheap and still win doesn't mean the Celtics can. I wouldn't mind, but you let him go to a championship team. I could see if he was going back to Miami, but my God! Ainge better hope that the ghost of Red steps in and works some of his spiritual magic or that his draft picks pan out. Judging from past experiences, however, I find that very hard to believe. Good luck James! You'll be sorely missed.

UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!WHY IS DANNY PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH??WE JUST LOST A KEY MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WHO IS GOING TO REPLACE his INTANGIBLES ??????????AND NO ONE HAD BETTER MENTION SCALABRENE WHO IS A 13TH MAN AT BEST.WHO ARE YOU GONNA GET NOW DANNY??????????????

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a mistake for not giving Posey what he deserves. Ainge is stupid, he better do the right thing and sign Eddie!! Unbeivable

What a mistake for not giving Posey what he deserves. Ainge is stupid, he better do the right thing and sign Eddie!! Unbeivable

It is a real shame to lose JP. As a role player he made significant contributions to many Celts victories. However, with the money we didn't spend on JP, maybe we can find a solid defensive player who can help us for less. Also, maybe this will assure us of keeping Eddie. Let's keep up our hope and remember how players like Big Baby, Leon Powe, and Rondo have only scratched the surface of their potentials. Go Celtics! Green 18!

I would have liked him back...but not for 4 years. People are going to say that they should have signed but those will be the same people to say in the third year of his contract that he's too old and Ainge is an idiot for singing an 'old-timer' for 4 years.

OUCh

This is an unmitigated disaster.. they think they can replace him, but I doubt it.. He'll be sorely missed.

I don't get the focus on 4 years - why not do another two years with the C's, get 1 or maybe 2 more rings, then follow in Robert Horry's footsteps? Every team that's on the cusp of a championship always wants a veteran guy around, he could be signing lucrative 1-year deals until he's 40.

I hate to see him go, he was perhaps my favorite player on the floor to watch and a great team guy.

Josh Childress??????

Losing Posey is a shame for the Celtics. Clearly he is multi-talented (Top "D"; clutch 3 pointers;tough and hard nosed;etc.) but the greatest loss will be the intangibles he brought every night. From the hugs at half court; the charges he took; the clutch baskets he made all year; to the experience he brought; --where are the Celts likely to find a replacement for this guy? I believe that he would have stayed right here in Boston for 4 years at the mid-level exception price of $5.6. As we have three players at ~$20M per year, it is difficult to rationalize not spending a bit more than that over four years to keep "Sweet Baby James" here in Boston where he was the glue.

this is a big dispointment I thought the Celtics could have got him........................................................good luck posey

What a mistake, Ainge needed to get this deal done and he failed. If we don't sign Eddie we will not repeat. What a shame. Posey deserves to get a 4 year contract, he's only 31!!!!!!!!!

danny ainge should be tarred and feathered and ran outta town on a rail! shame on you danny! shame shame shame

good decision, danny. great player, but that fourth year would come back to haunt us.

It's not the end of the world C fans. I loved Posey as well, but he was a 6th man. He will be missed, but has everyone forgot about players like Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. We'll be fine kids, we'll be fine.

Bald Walter would have given him a 5 year deal on lead guitar

I was expecting this, but not afraid of it. It may take two people to replace JP, but Danny will find them. You can expect Eddie and the other Mr. Allen to be back on the roster soon. Tony knows the system and has his health, both will help us on our way to #18.

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, RELAX!

The people we needed are still here.When did James Posey become a member of the big 4. He is very good, but you need to have an organization that can find another 6th or 7th man off the bench.

This was a tough but smart decision by DA. We did not think the C's bench would be that good this year, but they surprised us. Posey stepped up when we needed, someone else will next season.

nice job on letting posey go danny, i dont get it, was he too good to keep? did he make too many good defensive stops and hit too many clutch three pointers? The Celts will be fine but re signing posey i think would have made us pretty close to un stopable. He will be missed

I will try to give Ainge the benefit of the doubt re: not going 4 years.

But consider: (1) Ray Allen has a history of injuries; (2) Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are both getting older (and should play fewer minutes per game next year); and (3) Tony Allen - who I assume will be re-signed - has been inconsistent when given an opportunity to play a more significant role the last 2-3 years.

Ask yourself:

Who is the defensive "stopper" off the bench now? Tony Allen? J.R. Giddens?

Ainge should explore trading either Powe or Big Baby for a 2/3 guard. As much as everyone likes Leon Powe, his trade value will never be higher, coming off the Game 2 performance.

Ainge should re-sign Eddie House. Give him 2 years. He was a key player in a couple of those Lakers games. Spreads the floor and hits 3's.

Its odd... you go from a winner to a loser org. for what ? money ... where is the loyality when it comes to playing in a great team...

Time to sign Tyronn Lue for 1 year for either the veteran's minimum or the LLE as the backup PG. They should also split the full MLE between Ryan Gomes ($3.5m/yr) and Eddie House ($2.3m/yr).

Starting 5: Perkins, Garnett, Pierce, Allen and Rondo. First 5 bench: Davis, Powe, Gomes, House and Lue. O'Bryant, Scalabrine, Giddens and Pruitt round out the 14 man roster.

BIt of an over-reaction here, kids. Does anyone really think that a starting line-up of Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rondo and Perk doesn't win again? Hell, let Doc be the 6th man! This is still, by far, the best team in the NBA.

He would have looked good on stage for the Bald Walter Band

Most people won't see a million dollars in their lifetime.
Posey couldn't live on $16.5 million for 3 years with the Celts?
and that's on top of the millions he's already made.
Greed....pure greed.

This is not a big deal at all..replaceable spare part. The key is to figure out how to get more minutes for Big Baby, Powe and some others

Danny: Its time to work your Cap Majic...or your fired!

Posey was a player that we should have given the 4 years to. He deserved it and I bet he will be just as impactful in his 4th year of that contract as he was in the 1st. He's a special kind of player. People talk about the Big 3, but without Posey the Celtics would not have won the championship. Seeing him go hurts. I'll miss you Posey!!!!!!

2 words for James Posey...good luck
2 more words...Damien Woody

Aren't we missing the larger issue of the cap? They basically would have paid twice his salary by giving him the mid-level exception, correct?

You know, this is how the Pats have done it for the past decade and its worked for them. You put a price on a player and stick to it. I know basketball is different than football, but (nearly) everyone is replaceable. I loved Posey, but its better to not overspend and get stuck w/ a contrat that messes up your salary cap.

Ryan gomes is a restricted free agent, but is the perfect remedy to cover poseys stats from last year, maybee not the intangebles though. sign him and house and hope the pix pan out. Green 18 is not out of the question though. cmon all you bandwagon fans. The c's are the big three plus rondo and that is still in place. Pose deserves the money but it would lock up our ability to get mid levels in the next years and House would be gone if he signed here. good for both sides if you ask me.

oh well. 4 bigs games its worth 6 million a year. all these players care about is the money not the championships. now he can go buy a grill and some bling

Danny Ainge should know from his playing days in Boston that it's NOT easy to repeat!

Celtics won the title in 1984 and looked like they would be in good shape to repeat in '85. Instead, the Lakers beat them, in part because Cedric Maxwell had a drop-off in performance that year, and the bench was thinner (McHale, although a 6th man, was really a starter at that point).

C's won in 1986 ... but couldn't repeat in 1987. Not just Bias, but also Walton's injuries caught up with them. Slim bench!

If Ainge thinks a bench of Tony Allen, Leon Powe, Big Baby Davis, Gabe Pruitt and J.R. Giddens will be enough ... he's forgetting the last 2 times the C's tried to repeat.

Anybody think Marbury would help? He'll be cheap with the NYK buyout.

It's all about the luxury tax and the Celtics not being able to go through with a four year deal. It's a shame that he couldn't agree to our 3 year deal, but you still gotta thank him for putting in some great time here and helping us bring home a championship....

He got a lot of money and he's going to a contending team. I can't blame him for taking that deal....and I don't blame the Celts for passing on offering that deal. I'll always love him for what he did this year and will root for him when it's not against the Celtics, but the Celts don't need to pay that much that long for a non-starter.

I love everyone yelling at Danny for this. Look, I'm as upset as the next guy. I liked Posey and would love for him to stay in the Celtics green. But there was NO WAY we could match a 4 year/$25 million offer... and Pose was clearly going to follow the money, regardless (I mean come on... the Hornets?!?). I love Pose, but the Hornets just overpaid for him. As for those calling for Ainge to be fired -- sigh. Only in Boston would you hear talk like that less than a month after winning #17. Posey is great -- but he can (and will) be replaced.

BILL WALKER.......

if given the chance early, he will produce by seasons end. And, in the LONG RUN (2 or 3 years) be a better player and key part in the Celts continued winning tradition.

While it's certainly disappointing that Pose is bringing his 6th-man goodness to New Orleans, not tying up our cap for the next 4 years is probably a good move by the Celts. They had a great run last year, but their core is another year older. They need to develop youth on the roster as Paul, KG, and Ray won't always be able to play 35+ minutes each night.

The Heat are a good example of what not to do after winning a banner. They had all of their cap money tied up in rapidly-aging players and D-Wade. That lead to a roster re-shuffling and a series of high-risk trades for the likes of Ricky & The Cancer. Sustained success comes through integrating youth into the core...

We will miss his clutch 3 pointers.....but we can't let a guy get old on our dime. His replacement is NOT on the team now....not Powe, Not Baby. One of those guys might have to go to get the 6th man we need.

Hi all!!

I think that everyone is sad that Po went somewhere else and House is probably gone too. I am not trying to say it is a good decision, but here are some facts, or as close as I understand them to be, to consider. The "Big Three" take up almost all, if not all, of the salary cap and to sign Po, it would mean to have to pay dollar for dollar on a luxury tax. In other words, 5.8 million dollars turns into 11.60 million dollars of out of pocket expense for the first year. One would also need to take into account a "bump" of roughly 20% every year afterwards and then factor that into the luxury tax/out of pocket expense every year after that. With regards to House, a one year "veteran's minimum", roughly 1.10 million dollars, means that the salary would not count against the cap and the NBA actually "kicks back" about 30% of that salary back to the team.

The real thing to see is what Ainge has up his sleeve and who he can get here to repeat. Go Celtics and bleed forever Green.

What about a moment of silence for "Gino"/Joe Mastroni at opening game. How would one petition for that??

Who gave Scalabrine a contract?...Danny?....for how long and how much?...and Scal is....well...Scal....if you know what I meant!

Lets remember the following: The Celts are world Champs. See you Posey. Dont get me wrong. I loved what he did for this years teams. However, what most people forget is that the Celts are over the Cap and for every dollar they gave to Posey would be like giving him 2. So his 5.5M would have been closer to 10 in the books.

The question is who will replace him. I think the Celts are trying to infuse the young talent while they can. Giddens and Tony Allen (assuming the sign the latter) will be the defensive guys on this team. What this team also needs is back up point gaurd. Not sure there is one out ther ethat doenst come with some risk.

He was great and we all loved him but there are others who can do his job. If I were danny I'd go hard after Michael Finley hes unrestricted I think he could do alot of what Posey did, better offense not as good D but our team D can make up for that.

Garnett left and signed with WHO???????????? Oh wait, you're talking about Posey? Nevermind. Let's not overreact here people. Posey was a nice piece to the puzzle, but not irreplaceable. The NBA is a players' league and the Celts have 3 super stars and 2 young up and coming players in the starting lineup. They can find another defender who shoots 3's. I like Posey, but the way some people have been talking about him, you'd think he was an all-star. The guy is a journeyman and has been on SIX teams in 9 years now!!!

I love the "make a living" comment. We "make a living", pal. He's got more than he'll EVER need. It was all about the damn money. No loyalty whatsoever. I'm not wishing him luck. He's the enemy now.

Anyone who is bad mouthing James Posey is a complete idiot.

This guy played his heart out for the team and for the fans. He was instrumental in bringing banner 17 to Boston. We should be thanking him for that.

It was a pleasure to watch Posey play the game. He is one of the few players that has "it" however you want to define "it". He is clutch, he is a winner, but best of all he took tremendous pride in the way he approached defense. He would do whatever it takes to win, and you can't really say that about many players.

He wanted to stay here but evidently Ainge did not think a 4 year deal was a good idea. I am not going to damn Ainge for this move but I think he is wrong. Another poster mentioned that Posey does not rely on speed, leaping ability or athleticism to be successful. And that is very true. Which means I think that Posey would still be a very effective player at 35.

I, for one, salute James Posey and wish him the very best for the remainder of his career.

All of you that are ripping Ainge for not giving Posey four years clearly do not follow the NBA outside of the Celtics. Posey was a very valuable player to the 07-08 Celtics, but it would not be wise to commit 25 million to a 31 year old 6th man when we can spend less money and receive the three point shooting, defense and intangibles for much cheaper. This is what we should do:

Give Tony Allen a one year deal-Tony is great defensively and will be extra motivated to play well to get a long term contract. Expect him to regain the form next season that he had in 06-07 before he got injured. This will cost one million

Sign Eddie House to a two year deal for 6 million-This will ensure we have a shooter than can spread the floor at a reasonable cost

-Sign Matt Barnes-He is long, athletic, can shoot and defend and can probably be had for a cheap amount-let's say two years at around six million. I wouldn't expect you fairweather hoop fans to know who Barnes is seeing that you probably watched your first Cs game in 15 years once they became good this year.

This gives them three players at less half the cost that it would have been to retain Posey. Wow I am a really smart man-maybe Ainge can hire me.

Signing Posey for 25 million would have given the Celtics no flexibility. Of course I would not expect you clowns to understand this.

Thanks JP for helping the Green to 17... We will miss you as will your mates. Out the door with 4 years and more money is a no brainer as is Mr. Ainges call in not going over the teams best interest. With 18 players listed on the Wolves roster would McHale allow us to get Ryan Gomes back for a few years please? Here is to knowing the entire team will pull together with a new 6th man. Best of luck JP.

Guys Garnett is the ONLY player that we have under contract through the 2011-2012 season. Ray Allen's contract is up after next year and Peirce's is done the year after that. Why the hell would we ever sign Posey to a 4-year deal and clog up cap space for a bench player? They're called the Big Three for a reason and we need to focus on keeping them together, the rest with maybe the exception of Rondo are replaceable. Good luck to Posey he was key to our championship run but if he's our biggest concern after having won it all then I'd say we're in pretty good shape

I can't blame anyone here. This is a smart decision for everyone. For Mr. Posey, he gets to sell his stock high, get an extended contract and play for a team that has a chance at the title. Mr. Ainge takes a lesson from Belichick and Epstein by not overpaying for an extended contract on an aging veteran. He was right to hold the line.

The happiest guy today has to be Tony Allen, who looks a lot more valuable to the organization.

James,

Thank you for your contributions to Banner 17. We'll remember the shutdown defense, and burying the open 3s. Good luck in Ok City, but not too much good luck.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Geez, we just celebrated the first championship in 22 years and some of you can't relax. It was purely a business decision on both sides. Would we have liked to see Posey on the C's next year? Sure. Would we want to see him on the team in four years Maybe not.

Obviously, Danny (and four other teams) wasn't going to risk having close to 10% of the cap tied up in a 35-year-old player whose skill set is intensity. This may turn out to be a bad move by Danny, but we've seen more blunders by GM's over the years rewarding past performance, when a new contract is supposed to be about future performance.

Celts are willing to keep Sam casell, PJ Brown, Scot Pollard, and even Scalabrene, and let Posey go??????????????
I really don't understand that!!!!!!!!!!!

The J.R. Giddens era begins...

Come on folks . . . the Sox let Pedro and Johnny D go, the Pats let lots of people go. This is the same thing. You only pay for value. I'm ready to see what Powe can do if he gets the minutes.

Come on folks . . . the Sox let Pedro and Johnny D go, the Pats let lots of people go. This is the same thing. You only pay for value. I'm ready to see what Powe can do if he gets the minutes.

Remember too that Posey got the advantage (offensively) of the D covering the big 3 and not him. I will miss him for sure but Powe, Baby, and a "new guy" will fill the role. I've gotten over the irreplaceable, Nixon, Damon, Pedro, and Walker, haven't you?
Good luck Pose! I remember Bernie Carbo fondly too.

People over-react big time. Listen, Posey was a great fit for the team LAST year. Howver the dynamic of teams in modern day sports, changes from year to year. You can't blame him for taking the cash, I would have done the same thing. How much money do you think Ainge has to work with, he has KG, PP and Ray under the cap. He only averaged 7 points a game, that can be replaced. Thanks for the championship.

People over-react big time. Listen, Posey was a great fit for the team LAST year. Howver the dynamic of teams in modern day sports, changes from year to year. You can't blame him for taking the cash, I would have done the same thing. How much money do you think Ainge has to work with, he has KG, PP and Ray under the cap. He only averaged 7 points a game, that can be replaced. Thanks for the championship.

Bad decision by the Cs, for whom the future is now...not to agree to give Posey a 4th year. As bad as it is that the Celts are losing him...its' worse because hes' going to perhaps the team thats' the poses (if you pardon the pun) the greatest biggest threat to the Celts repeating.

OK...both Posey and Maggette are gone. Whats' Plan "B", Danny?

People its only James Posey,,,relax not the end of the world.. Most people that love him on here probably never heard of him before last year. He is a 6th man, a good 6th man, but stll a 6th man..

As long as Danny has a plan to replace him we will be ok...

As much as I liked Posey ... his attitude, his energy, his all-around play ... you don't give a 4 year deal to a role player ... period. Any GM that does that is a fool, especially at $5M+ per year!

Team chemistry & finding the RIGHT role players for an NBA team is sooooo important. Posey was a great role player for the Celtics but he may regret making this move a year or two from now, especially if the Celtics get #18 sooner than he gets his 3rd.

I don't buy the argument from his agent that this was about Posey's "security". Are you kidding me? The C's offered him 3 years at $5M+ per year & that wasn't enough security? Give me a f*&#$$ break.

Poz played last season at a discount. He proved his worth, Ainge refused to reward it with the extra year....the extra year which would have made up for the lesser money he took to come to Boston in the first place.

Everyone is so over reacting to this. He was great for the one year run but he is NOT the reason we won.

You don't pay someone silly money for past efforts. He would be a very expensive old player is years 3 and 4.

Role players are easily replaced and Danny has proven he knows talent much like someone else we know in Foxboro.

Watch Danny's next move. It will be a good one....

Chris, if someone offered twice what you make to switch companies would you change. I bet you would. Why cant an athlete

What a pack of dopes these posters are! Ainge built this team, this is Ainge's team. The fair weather fans are the complainers. I trust Ainge, period.

Posey was a great role player, and they're all over the league, including our own JR Giddens, who will likely fill Posey's shoes and leave money for someone at the deadline in February. Learning to take fouls under the C's defensive instructors is not magic or special, it is standard operating procedure.

good for posey, bad for us.that's a huge amount of money and a long term
contract. posey is no kid,he's no chris paul and can be replaced.
we just have to shop around carefully and find another role player.
danny, you did the right thing.

DARREN,
Danny brought Posey and House here last year. To comments of "what does POsey give," and "House isnt a point guard." Everyone including Danny WANTED them, wish them the best, thank them for a special season, and don't blame Danny until you hit puberty or an IQ of 70. To blame a person that has worked tirelessly, was told by ownership no fourth year, causes me to wonder if you are truly a Celtic Fan or a passing by Troll.

They need to get rid of Scalabrine and sign House back......They are messing up team chemistry for sure if House dont come back now.

Why not give him 4 years? If at his 2nd or 3rd year in you want to get rid of him there is something called a trade in sports that could be an option especially players in their last year of contract. His defense, 3 pointers, and especially guarding the 2,3, and sometimes the 4 positions were key.

I think we should sign every player in the league, and pay them whatever they want. We should get Kobe, LeBron, Yao . . . oh, what's that, there's something called a SALARY CAP? -- Come on guys, you think Paul, Ray and KG are playing for minimum wage? Posey is awesome, but there is only so much pie to go around. GO CELTS!

It’s always about money with all these players. Someone said Celtic pride but you know what JP didn’t have it and took the money. This frees up some cash to resign House and pick up a few extra people for this next season. I'll miss JP but you know what I don’t have any respect for a man that doesn’t have respect for the team. I mean come on everyone talked to him and he just smiled in there faces while his blood sucking leech of an agent milked everyone with oh he’ll be back if you guys just toss in a few more years. If his agent try’s that with House then we’ll lose him also. I’m just glade its over and done with now so I can get ready for next season.

Oh well. Brings back memories of Pedro. Danny found people who were willing to play for a chance to win last year and the team provided proof they could. Too bad Maggette didn't take a chance.

I love it when people get all emotional and try to use the "make a living" argument. Like there's a single person here who wouldn't take an extra years salary guaranteed if asked to leave their job tomorrow.

Posey's salary was 13% of Garnet's, which equates to an employee making $50k versus the CEO making $380k. Makes sense to me, except that $50k employee isn't just 4 people behind the CEO.

If someone walked into your cube right now and said "you can stay here and I'll guarantee you 55k, 57.5k and 60k for the next three years, but you can't leave and get another job in what you've trained your entire life for unless you retire, or you can go to xyz corp and they'll give you 55, 57.5, 60, and 65 for four years guaranteed" EVERYONE here would bolt.

Oh yeah, that doesn't even factor in that after that 4th year, you'd probably (if lucky) drop down to $1600 a year + retirement savings (the same % drop from 3.2m to $100,000 assuming a basketball player can get a $100,000k gig).

Seriously people...who wouldn't take the extra coin?

I love it when people get all emotional and try to use the "make a living" argument. Like there's a single person here who wouldn't take an extra years salary guaranteed if asked to leave their job tomorrow.

Posey's salary was 13% of Garnet's, which equates to an employee making $50k versus the CEO making $380k. Makes sense to me, except that $50k employee isn't just 4 people behind the CEO.

If someone walked into your cube right now and said "you can stay here and I'll guarantee you 55k, 57.5k and 60k for the next three years, but you can't leave and get another job in what you've trained your entire life for unless you retire, or you can go to xyz corp and they'll give you 55, 57.5, 60, and 65 for four years guaranteed" EVERYONE here would bolt.

Oh yeah, that doesn't even factor in that after that 4th year, you'd probably (if lucky) drop down to $1600 a year + retirement savings (the same % drop from 3.2m to $100,000 assuming a basketball player can get a $100,000k gig).

Seriously people...who wouldn't take the extra coin?

I don't follow Ainge's logic. Being willing to go three years but not four on someone who played such a key role off the bench? Seems like everytime Boston needed a 3-pointer or a defensive stop, Posey was there.

I don't follow Ainge's logic. Being willing to go three years but not four on someone who played such a key role off the bench? Seems like everytime Boston needed a 3-pointer or a defensive stop, Posey was there.

J.R. Giddens can fill that 6th man role he is a defensive stopper and at 23years old he is mature and capable of coming in right away and produce. Plus his offensive game is way underratted.

Posey was a great fit for the C,s but with his skill level and age I would not tie up the money for 4 years, Time to see what big baby and the guy they traded for on draft night can do

Sounds like there are a lot of folks jumpin' all over management here....would any of you like to write the check ? NO??? I didn't think so. Nuff said about that!!!

James, we all enjoyed your being a huge contributor to the 17th banner....some of us understand also it's a business ... Thanks & best wishes!

Danny & Doc....I have faith that you will find a suitable player to fill the role! Life DOES go on!

Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Matt Barnes! Our last hope at the 6th man!

Give me a break...We are talking about James Posey here. James Posey, the guy you never heard of before this year...for 6.25 mil a year?

You folks are probably the same ones that were whining when Damon & Pedro were let go by the Sox. It's bad enough the Sox wasted millions on Schilling when everyone else in the world outside of Boston knew he was breaking down.

Good Grief.

Another player going against his own comfort and happyness just to take the best deal possible. You can live on 1 million dollars for your entire life. Probably much less. But as Patrick Ewing once said during the NBA strike, "yea, NBA players make alot of money, but they also spend alot of money." But you really got to "spend alot of money" to make one extra year on your contract that important to you.

I think this is a no brainer for the Celts - they had to let him go ... too much money, too many years. Trust in Danny Ainge to have a contingency ...

Hornets were a 1 year wonder. 1 injury to Paul and they are done. They will be a playoff team, but they still don't have enough D to make it to the finals.

Celtics have enough talent and will bring in a few more guys.

C's in 6 over the Spurs

He helped us win #17 and we helped him get $25 million. Neither would have happened without the other. Best of Luck Posey!

Last year was Danny Ainge's "perfect storm" of luck....absolutely everything that could go right, did go right. Looks like this year it's back to SNAFU. Good for James Posey.

I couldn't agree more, Gary. The intangibles Posey brought to the team cannot be replaced. I wish him well and will be a fan for life. Best of luck, James.

He went for the money. It was his time to cash in, and like I was telling my best friend, we "normal" folks cannot understand how they think when it comes to the salary scales.

However, if he is going to be a starter for New Orleans, which I think he will, he will not be nearly as valuable to them as the Celts. Part of what made him so valuable with the Celts was how he fit in. As a starter, he is not nearly as valuable.

That being said, he will be missed. I am now really hoping that House comes back, and that the others will step it up.

LACK OF MONEY BRINGS MISERY TO BOSTON ALWAYS!!!!!! JAMES POSEY IS THE NEW ROBERT HORRY.... HE'S REPLACEABLE!!!! EVERYTIME WE GET SOMETHING GOING WE SCREW UP.

It's a tough loss but from an economic and age standpoint it was the right decision for Ainge to make.

Get real gang.....I'm with Danny. Yes, Posey was a very big part of what the Green did last season. No disrespect to his season or career. That said, do you really think that 24 minutes, 7 points and 4 boards are worth $6.25 million per year over the next 4 years? Remember, he's getting older, and he won't be around the same cast of characters. James helped the big three, but the big three made him much better than he made them. Watch and see. Smart, Danny A., smart.

THE NEW KID FROM NEW MEXICO... WHATS HIS NAME?? I THINK HE'S LIKE POSEY, BUT HE'S NO POSEY...HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOME ONE A.S.A.P.

Yeah, we're all very unhappy about Posey signing with the Hornets; however, I'm quite certain that Danny and his people have other plans in mind. Well, I hope they do. LOL

Good luck Posey, and thanks for your effort in bringing #17!!!

Im happy for Posey.

For all those saying this was about money are wrong.....THIS was about the years.

James made sure that him and his family are financially set for another year the way all people are suppose to do.

you have to understand this is a league in which you hit 30 (which isnt even bad by the way) they say your TO OLD! James made sure the nba doesnt close that door on him just to soon.

ANYONE WHO SAYS THEY WOULDNT HAVE DONE WHAT HE DID....PROBABLY IS LYING TO THEMSELVES.

Good for you James..Thanks for everything! Good luck in Nawlins!

Ryan Gomes or if Memphis will buy him out, bring back Antoine Walker for a third time. KG will make sure he stays in line (and in shape).

Lets no over-react. He played amazing defense, and shot some great 3's. Both are replaceable, just maybe not with the same player. Also, he was essential to this year's team because others had never won a title, and he handled himself well in pressure situations, when almost no one else seemed to be able to. Now that the Big 3 have won one, they'll calm down and do fine in those situations. Quite frankly, I am more worried about how to replace PJ Brown.

One of the most important principle in sports free agency is:
Better to let a player go a year too early than a year too late.
The last year or two of this contract, Posey will be a drain on the Hornets salary cap - he won't play well enough to justify his salary at that point.
Good move Danny Ainge!

you would think this guy was havlicek by the way some of you are reacting. get over it, its part of the deal as a sports fan now. the guy is definitely replaceable, but he will be missed. get off the bridges already. we are the champs, surely there is another guy who can fill that spot.

NBA IS GOING TO CRACK DOWN ON FLOPPING NEXT YEAR..........POSEY WAS A GREAT FLOPPER.............MAYBE HIS DEFENSIVE SKILLS WILL BE DOWN A PEG BECAUSE OF IT............

The comments on this board are pathetic. Posey was great for the Celts and it would've been awesome to have him back, but a 4 year deal for a 31 year old player wasn't going to happen. We already have KG and Pierce locked up for the next 3 years and we can't keep getting older or we'll end up like the Miami Heat.

Anyone bashing Posey needs to shut their mouth. The guy hasn't made a ton of money over his career and this was likely his last deal before retirement. The deal he got from N.O. was probably worth about 7-8 million more than we were offering. Any of you criticizing him would have done the same thing in his position.

BRING IN BIRDMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it Posey or Poser? So much for the concern about winning , Celtics Pride, the fans and all those other factors that don't go cha-ching. How much money is enough, James? Is the difference between $20m and $25m really going to change your life? I'm guessing a year from now you'll be miserable, and you will have no one to blame but your greedy self. I'm not one of the sycophants who's going to kiss your feet for "playing hard" in a contract year. Thanks for the memories - don't let the Garden door hit you on the way out.

Devastating! ... We have about a 2 to maybe 3 year window to win another championship so why not do whatever's necessary to keep this championship winning team together? Posey brought so many things to the table that the Celtics NEED in what they do. He would've been a classic sixth man for the big 3 era. We would not have been the #1 defense in the league without him, Kobe may have ran rampant on us without him. Our offense will not make up for a weakened defense this year. Every team in the league is getting better(even the clippers) and so far we've gotten worse. Defense is what we are all about and Ainge just let go a key part of that. What's an extra $5.5 million for one year for a guy who fits perfectly in our system and who is appreciated and respected by the big three? This would not have been a bad deal compared to ones made on Mark Blount or Scal?
Good luck Danny, replacing Posey will be no small task.

Glad the Celtics didn't go the 4 years...

He's a good but definitely replaceable ball player.

20 MORE YEAR`S? NO! RELAX... LET ANGE DO HE`S JOB.

Yeah, but if he really loved the c's he would have stayed. 3 or 4 years, maybe he can find a team 3 years later who's willing to pay 1 year contract. The money could be a reason, but I think he earns well enough so it's more bout dedication to my opinion... It's guys like paul pierce, who have been foughting their entire carreer with the c's who I admire. Posey was very strong on and off the court but he let me down with this one. I wish him good luck and I hope the celtics can get another decent guy who can stick and finishes his carreer their. Or let's get a potential young player. I hope to see : NEW ORLEANS- BOSTON in FINALS 2009. Then posey I hope you are on the losing team.

So it is a 50/50 mix on emotions but remember a few facts...
The Big 5 (not 3) are still intact .
It was Danny who brought POZ (and others) here. Danny, just get another role player.
Red did it all the time. Reminds me when Maxwell left. Celts continued to win! Replace not reload... we are loaded already.
We also have a heck of a farm system (bench,Pruitt & Draft) with another year of experience.
We do have SOME cash to spend..
Not to worry, can't wait for the season!

Another Lawyer Milloy, Pedro, etc. Last contract. Guaranteed money. Salary cap.

It's business, not personal.

Replacing bench players is easier than replacing starters while managing cap space.

Relax. Just think...you could be stuck watching any of the other mediocre teams in the NBA.

Be happy that actually won something that most teams can't get close to achieving...

It's a business. Would you keep the same job if someone offered you to move and make a whole lot more? And for Ainge, it's also a business. If he fills the budget with Posey, he hasn't the degrees of freedom to do other things. They both made business decisions.

He (Posey) wasn't the greatest Celtics "sixth man" of all time (remember John Havlicek, Frank Ramsey, bill Walton?)...but he was an absolutely PERFECT
FIT in this role for THIS CELTICS TEAM! The chemistry on the team has been
greatly affected by his loss. I do not believe he can be replaced by any new player.
The young players (Rondo, Perkins, Davis, Powe and Pruitt will all need to improve
their games. This coming season we will find out just how strong (or fragile)
"UBUNTU" is.

This happens in all sports today. The players go where the money is and that's the "bottom line"! It's nice to see the Celtics hold the line and say "no". If Posey really wanted to play that badly for the Celtics he would have gladly taken a 3 year contract. Money talks...CC Sabathia is another who "loved Cleveland" as it was his second home but turned down a contract of 4 years at $18 million per year. The players in all sports are basically greedy along with their agents and team owners. I've had it with sports being an entertainment business today as only the above three profit and certainly not the fan. It's a sad situation!

Interesting connection in New Orleans - didn't West and Posey play for the late Skip Prosser at Xavier , and of course Paul had him at Wake Forest - it'll be tougher to come out the Western Conference - now the Lakers HAVE to obtain Artest...

Danny Ainge, GM of the year, you are soooo smart aren't you! You let the player who arguably got us to the finals with his defense against Detroit just go! Are you numb? You wanted three years for Posey, but to bad! He was a sixth man that did so much and you are such a hardass that you can't give him one more year. You made a BIG mistake that you will regret in the postseason when you would have needed his defense and scoring!

Huge Loss!!! Stupid!!!! Just remember Danny Ainge went out and got Vin Baker and Sebastian Telfair and all the other losers in the past. He is still a hopeless moron at heart even though he got lucky with Garnett.

How could he ,Posey on my birthday!!!
He was one of my favorite Celtics to watch

The ultimate catch-22...

Short term you always want a guy like Posey. He brings a serious edge to the game and he's very reliable. He's a great addition to any team looking to go the distance and New Orleans certainly seems like a nice fit. I certainly don't blame Posey for leaving as this was his last shot at making legit money.

As far as the C's are concerned I think it was a very wise move to let him walk instead of giving him a four year deal. The big three are all over 30 and this team needs to be real careful that they don't age quickly like the Bird-era C's did. While Posey is a quality player he's a bench player who averages 7.5 points a game. In
my opinion you have to find players of his caliber at a team-friendly contract. Once you start overpaying for role players tou will get yourself into trouble in a salary cap league.

The bottomline is if there was no salary cap I would question this move. Yet, just as the Patriots have made some real tough decisions so will the Celtics if they want to remain a legit contender instead of being a flash in the pan. It would have been far easier for Ainge to look at this in a shortsighted manner and simply made the fans happy by signing Posey. As much as this hurts the right decision
was made by both parties. I give Ainge a ton of credit for making the difficult decision and having faith that he can find another player of Posey's caliber...just like he did last year.

I can't believe the extra year was the dealbreaker. Once you're in that fourth year, it's much easier to trade the player because the deal is expiring. So in reality, you probably wouldn't have to pay for that extra year, or at least for all of it. And if you had won another title or two in the next three years, it would be much easier to swallow paying for that fourth year. This should have gotten done, Danny.

Where will they get a guy to give hugs like that? James is a powerful motivator and inspirational player. He can illicit a crowd response and change the game's momentum with his sensational three's. Loved watching his play this past year and will feel bad for him when he gets soundly beaten by the 08-09 Celts, that he should have been a part of.

They'll really miss him but all teams change from year to year. I'm sure Ainge would've gone 4 years if Posey was younger. It kills a team to have money tied up in overpaid players...which he likely will be in year 4 and could be in year 3. Don't let Posey off the hook...he had a choice...3 yrs 18M isn't chump change if he really wanted to stay.

one of the worst all time moves in boston sports history...we lucked into a title and now just took it all apart over 1 year and $5 mil. how big is the window with kg, pierce and allen - 3 or 4 years at most? we have no shot next year without house and pose on the bench. pose will win another title in new orleans, which was a player or two away. he'll bring the D, the threes and have the whole team taking charges just like he did in boston. tyson chandler has a monster defensive year next year under pose's leadership.

could have been a dynasty, now we're one and done. ...pose did as much to create a defensive, team first attitude here as kg did. the clutch steal against detroit, the comeback in LA, the huge threes in cleveland....i don't understand how we let pose go.....it's insane

wait, we have giddens, and pruitt......ridiculous.

i bet the veteran's minimum in year 4 of pose's contract is like twice what his year 4 salary will be. his contract will be a steal in 4 years. his value to the team versus his salary level is crazy. $5 million is chump change in the nba.

why????????????

great move by Ainge not to go for 25/4. In three years from now, Posey probably won't even be averaging 15 minutes/game. And the Hornets are going to see diminishing returns on Posey if they choose to start him as opposed to bringing him off the bench.

He is a great sixth man today. Tommorow is an entirely different story.

Great job by everyone. New Orleans wanted/needed Posey more (their bench was really hurting for another veteran) and Posey got the security of a four year deal he wanted and deserved. Ainge did the right thing by not killing our cap in 2011-2012 when we'll have to think about whats happening with KG around that time too. Also, this way Powe probably gets more minutes off the bench, and he showed enough flashes in the playoffs to earn it.
(Also, possibility to bring back Ryan Gomes? ...he's also a free agent and would be much cheaper than Pose.)
Disappointed that we couldn't steal him back for a shorter contract but thems the breaks!

Heck!! it could take six people to replace Posey. After all he scored a whopping 6.4 pts a game and while that may be worth 25mill to most fans, it's worth almost zip to me. The celts will be better without him next year. Posey will be a big factor in New Orleans as they are always a major team in the mix for a championship! Get real...Posey was a lightwieght with dollar signs in his eyes. The Celts found Posey last year they'll find others this year. Let's shake the "hommie" mentality!

we will get someone else to do the job....don't u worry guys

Ainge is probably thinking than Leone Powe will, sufficiently enough, be able to fill in for Posey for now. Powe has got at least as much heart and even more ability in the paint. Powe's defense is okay compared to Posey's. What Powe doesn't do is shoot a lot of threes. Well, good thing we've still got Ray Ray. Others can shoot treys, too. We ought to just thank Posey for his contributions and wish him well. Let's not all of a sudden lose confidence in Ainge's competence!

In Danny we trust.

Posey was a very good bench player at times but if you think about it he was not the key to winning the championship. We'll find someone similar for a lot less money.

You can not blame him for wanting to get more years and money. He has never made the kind the money that the top players have made. Besides, he is going to a top team in the western conference that finished second in the standings. If everything goes right next year for the Hornets, who is to say that he won't be back to the finals again.

We could not give Posey 4 more years? As if his defense and 3-pt shot are going to fade away by age 35? Please, he only avg. 25 min a game and we act as if he will play 35+ a night like any one of the big 3?

Anyone ever here of Bruce Bowen? Posey is a mirror image of Bruce Bowen, who played the same role for the Spurs and helped them win 3 NBA titles by age 35 while avg. 30-33 a night. Ainge is going to regret letting Posey walk like Riley did.

The bench is going to be the Celtics biggest weakness next season. Devastating!
Oh well, at least pats camp starts in 7 days.

I figured Posey was going for the big bucks. It's his last contract and he's a role player who'll never have more value than he does now. Now, the logjam will break and the Celts can re-sign Tony Allen, maybe House, dump Cassell, Pollard, sign the draftees and get on with preparing for THE SEQUEL.

Talking Cheaps,

Great guy ... nice player ... $25 mil for 7 pts and 4 boards? ... move on ...

Step back from the ledge guys.

I loved Posey's play and he was a key member of the WORLD CHAMPIONS. I wish him the best of luck.

But we didn't lose KG or Pierce. True, we need to replace him. But if he was that freakin fantastic he wouldn't be on his 3 team in 5 years.

Going 4 years for Posey would have crippled us at the worst of times in a couple of seasons to come.

The blessing is he's in the West. Let the West sort it out and we'll focus on Detroit, Cleveland and the Sixers.

This is James Posey. Good player....Yes. Great player...No. He has never made an all-star team.

The great Celtics teams have always found good role players and this team will be no exception.

Rondo, Big Baby and Leon Powe will all need to signed (next year?) so keeping these young players and the "Big Three" will be a challenge. The luxury cap is another problem. As much as I loved Posey and wanted him back, I also understand that predicament Ainge was in.

Agree, bring back Ryan Gomes, and may be a big name like Marbury. Danny and Pose both did the right thing. can't wait to see them raise banner 17 in November

same as most championship teams-got our banner-lets save money next year he will be missed hope you enjoy 17 because 18 may take awhile

The Heat let him walk. The Celts let him walk. What are we missing that Danny and Pat see?

Lemme get this right. Scalabrine got 5 years.....Bush got 8 years and we can't even give posey 4??

I'm surprised by this. The Celtics always seemed to know the value of a great 6th man.

Well at least we got Scal locked up for two more years.

Good defensive players don't come along that often.It will be hard to win another championship without that quality of a defender.
We will now see how good our offense is when he is defending against us.

Ainge should have definitely given him a 4th year. Really now, what is the difference between 3 and 4 years, Posey is a key cog in the team, we needed his hustle, defense, and ability to make open shots. If he became old and unproductive by the 3rd or 4th year in the contract, he would be very tradeable considering that the celtics wont be under the cap anytime soon, and do not have many tradeble pieces right now

Where is Posey going to play after New Orleans gets wiped off the face of the earth by another Category 5 hurricane this summer?

Cool it guys, Posey was an excellent 6th man and will be missed but just remember TEAM defense wins championships and Posey was a product of a great defensive TEAM. I am sure Danny will plug in a free agent to fill that hole. Lets not make James Posey to be bigger or better than he was, he was a very good role player on the best team in the league. Maybe if Garnett or Pierce were leaving you would have to worry but lets not over react to James Posey leaving town.

Breaking News: Reggie Miller coming out of retirement to carry Celtics to 2009 Championship. ;-)

Those "thuds" that you just heard were the majority of so called "Celt Fans" that jumped off the bandwagon. What a huge mistake not re-signing the future Robert Horry. You can bet your bottom dollar he will be missed. No repeat for the Celts. Boo Whooo...

Remember when the Sox could have had Pedro for three years and he wanted four? Aren't the Sox happy they never gave him the fourth year? He is in year 3 now and about done. Posey will be 35 in his fourth year and won't be what he is now. Also, in four years, I think Allen, Garnett, and Pierce's contracts are up so we would have Posey by himself.

not everyone can be a Lowell or Bruschi

Tough loss in sense that his impact was immediate for 1st yr. player & as told he had the 'it' factor however that is defined, plus no one person is going to replace a James Posey as he just has uncanny versatility to his game combined with tons of 'in game' experience as a winner in playoff games.

Nonetheless, I believe by seasons end , the combo of Tony Allen's resurgence (don't forget before his knee injury he was 2nd leading scorer & had very good floor game & supurb finisher) and JR development by playoff time will be enough, perhaps Leone will/would have to cover more one-on-one isolation against Lebron in playoff series but I too am more concerned about replacing PJ Brown (playoff caliber wise in what he truely did defensively & in making such solid decisions in the paint)

I predict we will re-sign Eddie, Tony, & Sam (who I believe is motivated enough to remain in shape & give it his all one more season before retiring).

I think missing link here is Tony Allen. Not sure he is willing to give up on C's yet or even jump ship until given one more yr. prove himself in the mix , especially with Bill Walker being signed and waiting in wings possibly & surely to be part of 14 man roster.

Scal is solid defender at all big positions & knows system with high IQ yet I'd try to trade he & Scott Pollard & cash for a defensive minded small forward.

Whatever...not a key component ...a great contributor thanks for the Flagbut NEXT!!!

Can't blame him , a guy got to do what'sright for his home team (Family).

The celts can go over the cap (they already are over it) to sign their current players (if they've been w/ the team for 3 years). This is the reason we couldn't go over it to resign Posey. In a few years when Rondo, etc. need to be resigned the celts can step up to the table as long as they're willing to pay the luxury tax. As for Posey, I would have liked to have kept him but there's no way the celts should have matched that offer. Think we should use the midlevel to sign a couple of players (Gomes and House?).

Holy frigg'n crap!! Wawawawawawa.....I agree with Otis @ 4:08

It is sad to see James Posey go elsewhere. We will miss him. He has an element of toughness which helped, by example, stiffen the spines of the younger players on defense. That said, it is understandable. Ainge has to think in terms of the whole team -- including the owners -- in terms of paying fairly and dealing with the salary cap.

Posey felt -- with some justification -- that his market value would never be higher. So it is understandable that he was unwilling to accept $13 Million for two years (or even $19.5 Million for three years) when he could get $25 Million for 4 years.

There are many role-players for Ainge to recruit. As we have seen with Sam Cassell, some of them will integrate well with the team's offensive and defensive strategies, and some won't. If Boston is going to be able to use the "Five Shooters" strategy they need to re-sign Eddie House and acquire another spot-up shooter.

The Celtics put a price tag on Posey and were not going above that line. It's work for the Red Sox and Patriots sucessfully, so why not the Celtics...These are the same people who cried when Nomar, Pedro, Givens, Branch all left for bigger and better deals. Acutally Nomar refused the Sox deal...The Celtics will survive.

ughhh well i guess we'll have to let him go- it's sorta sad because he could have been a great player and i really thought he wanted to stay on with us, regardless of the money issues. oh well, wish him the best of luck. GO CELTS!!!

Let me see, we lost Posey because of $6.5 - $5.5 Million = $ 1 Million dollars per year, plus the final years $ 6.5 Million (which, at the rate of our current inflation, will be worth about $ 4 Million.

I know, it is not my money, but, who are the Celtics going to get that brings all of the things Posey brought to the table for, what, $1 Million dollars per year over the next 4 years?

Posey signed his last big contract and got the $$$ and the years. I thank him for
what he brought to Boston and wish him only the best.
Danny did not yield to a bad contract and also should be praised for his sense
of managing the cap. If this was a 'Patriot' event the voices would be stilled. Branch,Law,Lawyer were great in a Pat uniform; not so after leaving . In Bill we
trust and the way Danny has found players, I'll also trust him.

I hate loosing Posey. But in Danny we trust. You can't afford to get too emotionally attached to any one player. Hey, the Patriots have walked away from more than one player who got over paid elsewhere and last time I checked its worked out pretty well. I'm confident by November 1st we'll have a damn good team on the floor. Go Celtics!!

25 Million? I wouldn't have paid him that much. Too bad he couldn't display some REAL loyalty like Gilbert Arenas. Unfortunately, for most players, it's all about the CASH. I'm not sure how much money you all make, but most of us won't make 25 million in our lifetimes. How much money do you honestly need to live a comfortable life? Does this mean 1 Leer Jet instead of 2? I wish players could have a little love for the game and their team enough to say, hey, it's not only about the money. Go watch Jerry MaGuire... Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character in the beginning is what it's all about today with agents laughing all the way to the bank.

YOU FORSAKED ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE PRICE OF ONE MORE YEAR FOR POSEY! WHEN WE LOSE THE CHAMPIONSHIP NEXT SEASON DANNY REMEMBER THIS ONE EXTRA YEAR.

Huge loss on D and we will miss the spark on offense. One of my all-time favorite 6th men!

Ainge could always handle "so much success" before he couldn't help himself from BLOWING IT. I mean this is the same jackass that kept taking terrible 3 pointer when he had the greatest Front-line in the game. Well, this is just another one of those situations. Forget about Posey's stats. He brought intangibles. Who will replace those Ainge? Who?

I thought Boston had more knowledgable fans - maybe they just hide from this blog. Posey is an adder, not core, never been in his whole career. Wish him good luck and Aleen / GIddon and some free agents will more than suffice (remember people said he was washed up in Miami just 2 yrs ago). The key is the big three stay at the same level for 08-09, RR and KP stays healthy..everything else will fall into place (the competition will be tougher with Brand, Beasley and Rose around also)

OK OK OK OK OK... STOP overreacting people... this is DANNY'S team, everyone (with the lone exception of Pierce) was brought on board by Danny. He knows what he's doing, I think last year proved it. I see people whining about Scal's contract... he has 2 years left at 3 mil per... that is by NO means an albatross... However, one would have to figure, 4 years of Posey coming to 25 mil, the MLE is an escalating salary... which means, year 4 Pose would have been on the books for close to 7 million... that is just too much for a role player. Every year, role players are overvalued in free agency, this year happens to be his. Don't get me wrong, James contributed a LOT to this years title team. But, don't think that with that money, Danny can't come up with another plan. The goal of this organization is to remain near the top, yet still have an eye on the future. When Rondo is up for a raise, don't you think it would hurt to have Posey on the books for as much as he would have gotten (especially when you factor in dollar-for-dollar luxury tax). As of right now, KG is the only player under contract for 11-12, thus financial flexibility to make future moves. I'd be certain Danny is looking at the summer of '10, when there are numerous stars available via free agency AND RayRay's big deal expires. It might not seem like much now, but Pose's deal could have hindered the team from re-signing Ray at a lower value and STILL having space to lock in a younger superstar who may want to play with PGA... it might not look rosy right now, but trust in Ainge. He got us here -- he has a plan.

Sorry for the book, but it makes sense...

Posey was in a "bizaar-o" type of situation. Most athletes get the money then want the ring. He's the exact opposite, has two rings now he wants the security. I'm glad he got what he was looking for, he will be missed but he's not irrerplaceable.

i think danny ainge should be fired for makeing a stupid blunder like this first you let corey magetie get away then you let james posey get away he was the glue that kept this team focused he even kept kevin garnett focused in the playoffs. nice going danny where our you going to find a player like that that can keep the team focused for another title run. not to mention he was a key three point schooter.

7 pts 4 rebounds = 25 mil Wow, imagine if he was actually any good !

First,i wish James Posey all the luck in the world,but on the otherside,im angry,hurt,disappointed as a fan.Mostly disappointed with the Celtics organization,for not stepping up to the plate,for their fans and the team,in securing J.Posey for the next 4yrs.What was "Ubuntu" all about to the management of the Celtics?Was it something that stopped at the Celtics locker room door?Plan B,their is no player in this league,still on the table to get i will ever accept in my mind as a adequate replacement for J.Posey...their are not any combo players left out there can replace Mr.Posey.Danny Ainge can come up with all the plans he want,but i will never buy into it as the right move or choices,they have made in this situation.

Well, he'll be missed, but I believe Danny did the right thing by not handcuffing the team with a long term contract using up thir mid-level-exception. He can be replaced at a cheaper price.

Im reading alot of post on here that are downing James Posey. You can't blame the guy for wanting a fourth year on what will probably be the last contract he ever signs in the NBA. How could anyone turn down an extra 6 million dollars?!? He was great with the Celtics and will be missed. Someone mentioned going back after Ryan Gomes. I think that would be a great move. He's kinda a poor mans James Posey.

If anyone thinks James Posey brought a championship to Boston, they need to have their collective heads examined! He is a very good role player, but I think we have to trust thatt the Celts can replace his minor contributions. I am sure Danny Ainge and co have a more than adequate plan in place. Go CELTS!!

Good luck James Posey you were a trooper the perfect complimentary player. The C's are not the same, loyalty means nothing these days I guess.

Tough call for Danny; easy one for Posey.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gone four at age 31.
New Orleans was a tough match up for the Celts last year; they just got tougher. So who becomes the new 6? One of the baby bigs? Re-sign Tony Allen? Someone else from outside the organization?

Why can't we bring back Marty Conlin. He has got to be the greatest Celtics 6th man of all time. That mid range jump shot was poetry in motion

All you people out there crying in your beers after losing Posey, remember Pedro, Damon, and all the other long term contracts that have been disasters for the teams that signed them. Kudos to Danny Ainge. Let's see how Posey's contract looks in a couple of years.

good luck break a leg

go celtics go next year raise banner 18

Posey was good at what he did, at 31 he probably has 1 1/2 year good years left because let's face it, he's not a stellar athlete. He did what he needed to do and Danny did what he had to do so there were no repeats of that guy who coached in the mid 90's. what was his name???

one man don't make a TEAM,one man won't brake a team! wise-up loyalists!!!

They will be ok focus will get them over the hump

go celtics go next year raise banner 18

go celtics go next year raise banner 18

Losing JP is not as big as most think. His minutes at the PF spot were going to Powe and Davis next year. Danny wants Giddens and possibly T. Allen to get minutes at the 2 guard spot. So what we really are looking for is someone to fill in for Pierce at the 3 for maybe 10 to 15 minutes a game. You can not look at Pose as somone to rely on in case Pierce or Allen are injured.... he is not someone to run the offense through. Has anyone forgot the trouble we had beating the Hawks when Ray's jumper disappeared. Pose will be missed off the court more than on. I would love to see us get Childress, but doubt that will happen. Per minutes played he was much more effective than Pose in the post season series against us. He shot over 50% against us and on the year his 3 pt % was 37% vs. 38% for Pose.

Good move by management; you never ever go into a business decision thinking emotionally. He was a key player on a championship squad, but 4 years?!!? I know you all remember that Scalabrine signed for a similar amount over 5 years; what good is he now? The Celtics are trying to build a program; this is the way of sports now on the pro level where you keep the core intact and surround them with REPLACEABLE role players that are committed for the short term and low coin. All this means now is that they will need to get the backup PG situation straight (way more critical for this team as Rondo's style can lead to injuries). They have the money to go after a quality player in this regard that can score and distribute the ball to the core players. Posey is good, but he is one of those Robert Horry, type guys who teams acquire to get over the hump. The Celtics have done that and now over the next few years they can acquire better players who will accept less to win. They tried their hand with the Magette deal trying to squeeze Posey, but it all backfired in the end; however they still have cap space and will do what needs to be done.

A tough loss, but ultimately championship teams move on from players like Posey and they are replaced. There is a HUGE overreaction by some people here. People were predicting the Patriots downfall after Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Willie McGinest, Deion Branch, Adam Vinatieri, etc all left. The Pats seem alright to me. Dave Roberts, Kevin Millar, Derek Lowe, same deal.

There will be new heroes in the future for this team. All that matters is the Big 3.

Not the end of the world - will be worse if KG, Pierce, Allen or Rondo had left. The kids have an extra season under their belts and, as much as I loved Posey, he's certainly replaceable.

I'm disappointed, but surprised at the anger here at this deal.

First, from Posey's perspective- this deal was both more time and more money per season than the Celtics. Pretty big difference.

From the Celtics- they didn't want Posey under contract for 4 years. Understandable. They're just following the lead of the Pats and Sox- most people are expendable. Milloy, Law, Washington, Pedro, Lowe, Nomar...I can go on and on. You let people leave if you think they're asking too much...best of luck James!

So many morons posting. Four years for 25 million and you think the C's were going to match that. Lay off the crack. Posey did his job here and was a great C while he was here. Neither side is wrong on this one. He got his money and went to a contender and the C's cannot pay a role player 25 million over four years that is 31 years old. Period.

You guys are pathetic....."why didnt we just sign him for the 4 years?" are you nuts? He did what he did for us last year....helped us get our 17th banner and now he wants to get rich. All the little things he did will be missed dont get me wrong but 25mil over 4 years is ludicrous. It's robbery and I am SO HAPPY Danny didnt cave in and give him that much money for that amount of years. You will see....he is 31. His play will start to decline soon and that wont be our problem. Offering him 2 years was the correct move. Danny Ainge knows what he is doing. I would resign TA and allow Giddens and Walker to grow with the team. Pick up another wing (and yes there are some out there that are not looking for retirement money) and lets make another run at it. 4 years 25mil......are you freakin kiddin me?

if JP was not on your team you would hate him. He is known for flagrant fouls and fouls after the whistle. i loved him too but only when he's on 'my' team.

Ouch. The C's will feel the pain in the cameraderie department, but business is business. Both the C's and JP made a great business decision.

On the basketball end, it hurts. JP was great for the C's.

Best wishes to both parties.

www.imsointoyou.com

Congrat's to James Posey!

... Most of the people posting on this forum would take the better contract from an employer in an employees' market. Consider that.

Big disappointment. He brought a lot of intangibles to the table. A non-superstar that made everyone on the team more committed to team play. Great defensively. Offensive spark when you needed it. Gutsy performer. Inspirational. Not to mention - a winner. I wouldn't be surprised if he does for the Hornets what he did here. The Celts were pretty much championship material with him resigned. Now I don't know. Ainge will have a hard time bringing in a player his caliber who will give the team equal strength, depth and character.

I don't fault him for getting the best contract he could muster. But I do fault Ainge and the C's for not recognizing his value to the team.

Oh, he's going to love the weather here - 98 and humid from early April to late October with a hurricane thrown in every once in a while. Money won't insulate him from those horrors - it's not a fit place for man nor beast. And, Hornet "fans" are fairly ignorant about pro ball (they think the SEC is the pinnacle of all things sport and that means LSU only) and will not come out if Chris Paul isn't playing due to an injury - meaning they just want a show and don't really care about the team. Posey's spot on the C's roster will likely be taken by a younger player who will help the march toward another banner.

for the one who posted #195.. i think your a lightweight fan. how about posey's great d he plays or the big clutch shots he made all year? but you read a newspaper and saw he avg.6.4 ppg? so you say we will be better without him next year? cant get any better than a championship maybe we can go 82-0.
don't knock new orleans because until this year the celtics were only in the mix for the lottery. by reading all these comments you can tell who is a fair weather fan or a loyal fan. i fell better now knowing we can find another posey out there because he was only worth 6.4 ppg.... right hommie?

Thanks Rondo and Ringleader. He's a 6th man, he's old and has 2 rings. Talent comes easy, drive comes hard. Give me more guys like Perkins, he reminds me of Bruschi and I'm confident Danny can find to keep us in the mix. Meanwhile, congratulaions James, invest well and take care of your future.

i wanan sware really loud .. i loved posey

thanks danny... 1 more yr is all u neeeded wowww

bring back Gomes, and lets go get number 18

can anyone say ron artest?

WHO'S GOING TO HIT THE 3 POINTER NOW.........WHEN RAY IS HAVING A OFF MONTH..........NO ONE TO SAVE YOU NOW RAY!

MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES! MATT BARNES!

Make it happen Danny...

Red would have kept him.As for Matt Brnes,he couldn't get off the bench and Nelly goes deep in his rotation.

what did you expect when he kept saying I want to be in Boston but this is a business? He was clearly leaving and he will be missed this year and probably next year but two and three years from now that 5 mil could be helpfull.. I am going to miss him but he can be replaced

He is replacable. Forget him

He is replacable. Forget him

Huge loss, but good for him in the contract. He's the Celts Dave Roberts, and I wish him the best. He'll never have to buy a beer in Boston!

Posey's comments yesterday were right on. He would do what was best for him and the C's would do what was best for them. He brought clutch outside shooting and defense on the wings. He was great to have against LeBron and Kobe, but it isn't essential in the East. Who are the great wings for Toronto, Detroit, Orlando, Miami, Washington, Atlanta, etc.? Maybe Iguadala for Phily and Deng for Chicago...maybe. You need guard defense (Hamilton, Wade, Arenas) and bigs (Brand, Wallace, Howard, Bosh, Smith) more in the East.

NO POSEY???...RICK PETINO...PLEASE SAVE US...WE FORGIVE YOU...

This opportunities don't come around often. Twenty years between finals appearances and you let Posey go? This team is built to win now and they should have done whatever it takes to win. In a few years when Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are gone, the Celts are going to suck for another ten years. Ainge should have offered Posey 4 years and got as many titles for this group as he could have. Too bad.

We've had sixth men who gave good minutes before, and it'll happen again. Heck, dial it back to last October, and how many people thought the Celtics had three All-Stars and eight nonentities?

Ainge was right: 35-year-old quality players are rarer than hen's teeth, and he made the right call; it's not as if we need to lock in too many more senior citizens. Posey did the job here and he'll be remembered ... good luck to him.

i hope we'"ll find someone to at least do half the job he did

Posey deserves whatever he can make in what will likely be his final big payday. It's not as if he took the money and ran to a loser squad. The Hornets should be an elite squad for the duration of Posey's contract, but I hardly believe that Posey is going to earn all of that 25 million. After all he's 31 and he's really just a quality role player. Ainge did the right thing, sticking to his guns, and he will find another role player to fill his position without mortgaging the Celtics' future.

Loved seeing Posey in Celtics green a true old school player great intangibles. Cannot be replaced by todays type of player...this is a great loss... who is going to guard kobe and labron when "the TRUTH" needs a break??? Not paying the extra money for a title defense when we gave bigger money to a lotta BUMS over the past 22 years to me is inexcusable. oh well, i knew he wasnt gonna sign when we gave him that 1st offer. once he got on the market it was all over. good luck JP you have the heart of a CELTIC.

Can't blame Pose for taking the money, or Danny for not going that far. My guess: They will bring back House and probably T Allen plus a vet forward TBD. If healthy, T Allen is very solid defender who could help vs the likes of Kobe. House hits the big 3s too. Agreed the improved maturity of Davis, Powe and Rondo also help. I'd love for them to bring back Gomes if available.

DON'T try for psycho Ron Artest.

Giving Posey more than two years could make almost impossible to resign Rondo. We have Powe and Big Baby to be signed next year.
Hope we give T.Allen the chance to come back. He was really bringing A game when he crashed his knee. He can defend and provide you a dozen of points off the bench.
House is not clear for me. He is not a ball handler and we can't survive with Pierce playing the point and creating his own play as House waits at the corner for a three. Better we look for a pure PG to back up Rondo.

i dont like what boston celtics did to posey, what's wrong for 4 years? imagine for foue years you will have a great player. isn't that great? all posey wants to have a four year deal. this is a big loss for you guys. make sure you will find somebody who can replace posey. well i guess he is the best 6th man in the league. it is just a big lost for the champions.

What were they thinking............. Danny you have done it again why would you not want to sign him for four years. he is an absolute idiot for not being aggressive in signing him. one more year was not going to kill us to sign him. If you want a winning team you go after good players......i don't think Danny Ainge remembers that after a year.

It seems that Danny did all he could-better not to get caught up in long term deals which screw you cap- wise in the future. Good for Posey, he got his big contract.

I really liked james as a spark for us...but, he's an ex-celtic now...so, get steppin' james, it's been really nice. now we have to carry on.

The extra year should not have stopped Ainge from signing him, in fact trading someone with an expiring contract is usually a chip so you can make moves. Some team would have wanted to pick up that 4th year to free up cap room if the Celts did not think he was still productive after the 3rd year. Posey can always be counted on to nail that big "3" in the clutch and turn a game around. He is a Troy Brown player getting that 8 yards when you needed 7 for a first down in the last 2 minutes of a playoff game. This will be a huge emotional loss for the team and Garnett will miss the hugs that helped pump him up.

At least he went to the west...be thankful for that...

I will miss Posey's tenacious defense and clutch shooting for sure. However, from a business perspective we have a lot of money tied up in players in their 30's and there is strong free agent class coming up after next season. We need to have money to take advantage of those opportunities. This move does make New Orleans very scary though.

So we can sign Patrick O'Bryant a bootleg 7 footer who averaged 1.7ppg and 1.3 rbs per game and can't resign Posey? Horrible

He will be missed for sure. We will need to fill that swingman presence or at the very least Doc better work on our chase the Labron or Kobe defensive skills. Need to get creative here nonetheless.

First Asante Samuel, now Posey. Loyalty is a distant runner-up to $$$.

I'm glad the Celtics didn't go four years. I like Posey as much as the next guy, but 4 years at the mid-level for a guy who is in his 30's, and only played like 15-20 minutes a game seems risky.

I'm thinking that Ainge is trying to keep his options open for the 2010 season when a lot of the marquee free agents become available. Maybe if we win another title (or at least get to the finals) some of those guys might take the mid-level to be here. Just a thought!

Let's not throw in the towel now that Posey is gone. Remember, there are a ton of factors that go into winning a Championship. Health, chemistry, talent, coaching, etc. Posey was one ingredient. We still have the team to beat in all of Basketball, and who knows what the likes of Powe and others might do with more playing time.

Im a huge posey fan. Team player, class act on and off the court, an all around good guy from what i've seen. I wonder what a Mike Finley might want now that he is a free agent, considering guys like Antawn Jamison are getting 50 mill for 4 yrs. Granted he scores 20 pts a game. But its tough to find guys who you would want to put the ball in their hands for any important shot...posey is one of those rare guys. I personally think they should have kept posey even if it meant eating the 4th year when he's old. They have after all made much worse deals...Michael Olowokandi anyone? They will still be in the running next year. Heres to a REPEAT!!! GO C's!!!

Speaking from N.O., we're glad to gain a player of this quality. Hope he contributes here as he did in Boston.

On the side, I've a visited lot of fan blogs, and the Boston fans on this one are treating this situation with a lot of class. Of course you have the expected small group of jerks, naysayers and nimrods, but this is overall quality comment, praising his contributions rather than attacking his departure.
Unusual for NBA fans.

Welcome James, I thing you'll like it here.

Who cares!!!! Free agency stinks in all sports and money is the only thing that counts....There are very few Mike Lowells in pro sports.....The Celts will find a replacement.

I hear a lot of people complaining and don't really think they know what they are talking about. Look at this two thirds of his shots were 3's of which he hit around 40 percent. He only scored 8 points /gm off the bench. He was above average defensively and his rebounding skills are some of the best at SF in the league but the Hornets overpaid significantly for him 6.25 per year at 31 come on. I love Posey and he will be missed but not at that price tag. What type of production can he give the hornets till 2012? Perimeter players decline significantly in there 30's look at Rick Fox, Jalen Rose, Dan Majrle, Eddie Jones and Doug Christie. All of them allstars not bench players and they fell of the map in their early thirties. Production we can easily replace his fire and heart now thats another thing. But we still have PP, KG, and Ray Ray with some youngsters who are extremely competitive. This was a good move by Ainge can't believe I am saying that two years in a row!!!

VERY DISAPPOINTED! I enjoy basketball and love the Celtics! However, the Celtics's foundation is based on what won a CHAMPIONSHIP this year DEFENSE, TEAMWORK and PRIDE (skills, character, loyalty, competiveness - those are the paid expectations). Spectator sports have become just a "money game" - WE won 16 banners, by basketball savvy on and off the court, and loyal, savvy fans! Players (like James Posey) that do and have delivered should not be treated like just another business transaction. As a society, we continue to really let the $$ make our decisions for us, when perseverance and character really get the win. He will be missed!! Sorry to hear, another team showed more appreciation for a JOB WELL DONE. Onward for banner#18!!

thanks james. good luck in NO

I guess I can't blame him - it's good money. He'll be missed. Thanks James - you'll always be welcome in Boston.

Posey to Hornets - $25,000.000

Hornets getting pass the Lakers in the playoffs with a Kobe stopper - priceless

This feels A LOT like '86; except the loss of the player is even more senseless.

Posey brought toughness and a winning mentality. We just won the NBA Title so now we have an entire team with those qualities. You people really want to pay a guy that averages about 7ppg $7 Million dollars when he's 35? He's a hustle player and each year going forward he's going to slow down more and more. New Orleans needed him a lot more than we did which is why they overpaid him.

Ainge tried to use the MLE on Corey Maggette which shows how great he is. He went after a 22ppg scorer who is 28 years old with that money a 31 year old just got. A player that could move into Allens starting spot in a year or 2. It didn't work but it shows Ainge has his sites on bigger things. I wouldn't be surprised if he split it up again and made players play as hard as they can to cash in on their next contract.

Anyone complaining about this hasn't been paying attention to what Ainge has done the last 5 years. Enjoy your summer and have faith that Ainge will put a better team on the court next season which is scary!!

Okay, okay, let's not lose our heads. Losing role players is one of the bi-products of winning a championship. Posey is worth more now than he ever will be. And with Garnett, Allen and Pierce taking up all the cap money can the Cs really afford a long term contract for Posey? What if one of their young players has emerges as a star in the next year or two? I loved the guy... The steal in game six against Detroit, the threes in game four and game six against the Lakers, the effort the "D" all season. But he was a role player. He benefitted from the C's system. You look at teams that won multiple championships and there's always a core group of stars and a rotation of key role players over time. The Celtics won in '81 with Tiny Archibald running the team. In '84 it was Gerald Henderson and DJ and Wedman was big off the bench. In '86 Maxwell was gone and Bill Walton came in for one great year before injuries caught up with him again. To win over time you have to expect to lose guys. We still have the core. The new big three. Expect Rhondo and Perkins to both be a lot better next year. They're both VERY young. Big Baby and Leon are both undersized for their positions and will have flashes of greatness but only when the matchups are favorable. It's up to Danny now to make a few tweaks to keep this thing going. And if they can repeat... We'll be in the same situation next year.

I like Posey and wish he could have stayed. He helped us and we probably don't win it all last year with out him BUT people need to remember that he was playing for a contract this year. In past years he has been suspended for being out of shape and overweight. I understand why Danny may hesitate to give 4 years. Pose - good luck, you earned it. Danny - good decision not to go 4 years on the full exception.

who cares if in 4 years posey would have been old? so will ray allen, pierce and garnett! Should have given him the deal and keep a 4 year window open for the team to be competitive and to win another championship. In 4 years we will have to begin rebuilding anyway!

The celts will still win their 18th title... take care James. We know the Hornet will never see a ring so good luck

We need to remember, we are talking about a BENCH player here. One could argue that Corey Maggette would not START on this team................this is Scott Wedman and Jerry Schiting redux. There are other players out there and Danny knows them all......I like this kid Walker a lot, and Giddens is very athletic, perhaps we could fill from within.....let us also not forget Tony Allen was hurt most of the year. We just won the title, everyone relax and let Danny be Danny.

Posey's biggest contribution to C's was his toughness. He never whines and he simply refuses to back down. He doesn't play dirty he just plays tough, all the time. He also inspired his teammates, especially the younger ones, to play the same way. This is why he is a playoff gem. When refs let them play Posey makes opponents pay.

Good post Ralph Smith #139

I hope that Danny will offer a contract to Tony Allen. Everyone seems to forget that in 06-07 he filled some big shoes when Paul Pierce went down with his injury. He was averaging 15 points a game during that streak until he tore his ACL. Tony Allen is a very similar player to James Posey, with a lot more slashing ability. Tony is also one of the best defenders on the team, and shut down Kobe during the regular season. Tony Allen played the 07-08 season on one leg and I think he deserves a contract.
Celts fans will be asking James WHO next season.

You Idiots!

Just when you have it all together, you let one of the key pieces leave town.
you mean to tell me that you COULDN'T work something out???? He will
be missed! You'll be sorry you let him go.......

I guess 3 years is nog enough for James Posey. I expect him to be good in Year 1 and Year 2. Year 3 he will probably decline and Year 4 he will be just about done. This is a loss but I think being that the Celtics just won a title they should have at least made the 4th year an option.

Upon further review, I like Matt Barnes. IF they can get him, re-sign House and Allen, then the bench may be even better next year. O'Bryant is a step up from Pollard, Allen, Giddens, Walker, Powe, Big Baby, will all be better. Barnes may be the perfect fit - anyone know his status? - once again, people, relax and enjoy our first title in 22 yrs. I live here in CA now and I am LOVIN' it - and I will NEVER give up my loyalties to Celtics and Sox....never!!

To Jimmy James:
My posts are better than Ralph's and they lack the sarcasm and criticism

good move by danny. resign TA and House, and we're good

Bleeding Green here in Northern Virginia...Come on you anti-Ainge bloggers. He has built a championship team for the City to enjoy for years to come. In Danny we Trust. We lost #41 and that is huge but the dollars didnt make sense to keep him. Doc and Danny will come up with the right mix again and do whats best for the team given the salary restrictions. Don't forget that any move would have to be approved from up above (read: Ownership). I am just anxiously waiting to see the next piece of the puzzle. I am not familiar with all the names that are being thrown around but whomever comes in to fill the vacancies will be better for playing for the Celts than their previous situation. Thanks for listening.

try to resign TA OR GIVE AN OFFER SHEET TO JOSH CHILDRESS

what about 6" 8 josh childress ????

Bottom line is if someone gives you the choice between $16.5 and $25 -- $8.5 more -- what would you do? How could he not go with the higher number?

How about Josh Childress or Ryan Gomes? If not then Golden State has two players who would fit. Austin Croshere or Matt Barnes. Come on Danny, restock NOW!

Sorry to see Posey go, but four years for a 31-year-old wing defender just doesn't make sense. His offense is easily replaced but his defense will be missed unless Tony Allen (if he is re-signed) or one of the rookies steps up. Walker has the body and hops to be a great defender, but his knee is sketchy right now.

LOL. Celtics fans crack me up. Like they just lost Jordan or Magic. Geez.

It will be a great loss and we will miss him...but Danny did the right thing, 4 years is too long a contract for Posey...a 2 year contract would have been perfect.

You wouldn't print what I think of this mistake - most of the 350 responses can't be wrong. Posey fit excellently in the C's defensive system, hustled like a starving dog after loose balls, defended anyone, & shot key 3-pointers. What else did Danny want? I've been a Celtics' fan since 1958. I don't have another 22 years to wait for another banner.

Huge loss...this could come back to haunt Ainge & the Cs. JP's impact on the team went far beyond the stat sheet. Glad he went to western conf though (as long as it wasn't the lakers). Best move now would be to get Ryan Gomes back here. He's younger and has more upside than Pose. Lacks the championship pedigree of course...but he's a great character guy who would prove his worth both now & in the future

Everyone saying that losing Posey is the end of the world and that the Celtics have no shot at repeating is a complete MORON!! Posey was good but don't forget about the rest of the team. Celtics are still going to dominate next year regardless of Posey.

It's not like we let Garnett, Pierce or Allen go. Get over it the Celtics are still the team to beat.

I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love witha wonderful guy. Posey you are my Rosie probably was the difference in three games all year. Sure he looked good in the playoffs but what sub wouldn't, going up against that bunch of quitters in LA. Calm down children, that wasn't Garnett that just went out the door.

Very bad indeed... The guy was a high flyer on both ends of the floor. I just do not know how anuone out there can fill those shoes.

Does anyone know if they are looking at Childress? Wouldn't he fit in nicely? He could replace Posey and the Celtics get younger.

Unlike the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, LOYALTY today in the NBA is almost non-existent - It's all about the DOLLARS - The Celtics DEFINITELY will not win the championship next season - And you can take that to the bank.... James Posey's Bank

We go through this type of thing every year. Someone leaves for bigger bucks, and everyone panics and starts calling out Ainge. Seems to me that there are 12 men that make up a TEAM. I'm pretty sure that JP wasn't THE reason that there's a championship flag flying at the arena. Yes, his play and his attitude will be missed, but remember, his talent level and his age do not warrant a 4 year deal at that kind of money. After what Ainge did in piecing together this current team, shouldn't we at least give him the benefit of the doubt. Don't be a naysayer, be a supporter of your team.

Admit I'm not a fan of Ainge -- hat's off to him for a series of coups that led to a world championship, but previously he hadn't proven he could trade (or draft) himself out of a paper bag. So was it a series of stars aligning themselves (llterally) or signs of real mgmt talent? I'd say the Posey loss is one more dark stain on the "Ainge is Brilliant" cloth. Posey was as intense on the floor as Garnett (abeit not in as demented a fashion), a true lock-down defender at the high-scorer positions, a crunch-time shooter of treys who regularly killed other teams' comebacks, a perfect fit for the team's physical structure and appeared to be a great addition to the locker room. There is no replacing him -- the question becomes did the Celts lose so much that they can't repeat. Only time will tell, but it was a huge and pointless risk to take.

4 years was just one year too much for a team with salary cap considerations. Thanks, James, for a great year and good luck in New Orleans. Now it's time to get serious looking for a defensive replacement. How about Josh Childress? What would it take to get him our of Atlanta?

As for Eddie House, great shooter, great team player, but can't handle the ball under any kind of pressure. Anybody looking at JJ Redick? Great pure shooter and has some ball handling skills.

Not sure what Danny has up his sleeve. We had an awesome bench, and now we need to rebuild it with a veteran or two. We now have the full mid level exception, and still have some cash, and a couple of assets. Hell, I am sure Danny is even doing some consulting with our beloved Bill. This is what the Pats do. We will be fine. I would have been nice is Posey had accepted the 3 year deal though.

ok heres the deal: IF THE CELTICS DO NOT SIGN RYAN GOMES WHO BY THE WAY IS SIMULAR TO POSEY (JUST DOESNT HAVE THE 3POINT SHOT) THEY WOULD BE STUPID. HES THE PERFECT 3 FOR THIS TEAM.

no real need to go further. glad that house and toney allen are back.toney is a tough defender,just give him time.why is leon powe being forgotten?he's another capable 6th man.give him the minutes and we'll get what we need.
now there's more time for everyone to be a star.
go celtics!

It wasn't even about the money in my opinion. Posey obviously knows the Celtics are going to be rebuilding within 2 years. The Hornets were the number 2 team in a very competitive West. And the Hornets are made up of all players under 25. They're going to be the team of the future. Chris Paul and David West would have been in the finals this year if they didn't go ice cold at the end of the Spurs series.

Very nice site!