Luka’s Corner

The Boston Celtics followed up their emotional home defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night with another defeat in Boston at the hands of the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Sunday afternoon. San Antonio never allowed Boston to have a double-digit lead and hit big shots down the stretch to pull out a 105-99 win. With two home losses in a row, the Celtics once again look like they need help at certain positions.

In my opinion, in order for the C’s to reach the Finals, let alone win an 18th championship, they need to acquire another player who can score. A player like Joe Smith of the Oklahoma City Thunder is a prime example of someone who can shot the midrange jumper, play tenacious defense, and rebound. Also, at 6-10, Smith could give the Celtics size off the bench. Size is something they continually lack in games after Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins go to the bench, especially if the other team has a scoring big man (like Pau Gasol on Thursday night). Glen "Big Baby" Davis simply cannot guard somebody who has three or four inches on him.

Boston certainly has some pieces for a potential trade. Players like Patrick O’Bryant, who has exceptional length and touch for a big man, and Gabe Pruitt, who has deep range on his jumper, are two that could be on the trading block quite soon. O’Bryant especially has not worked out for the Celtics as a backup center and could bring interest simply for the fact that true big men are scarce in the NBA.

To me, the Celtics made a major mistake on draft day during the summer when they selected J.R. Giddens from New Mexico with the last pick in the first round. Mario Chalmers, the former Kansas PG, was still available (he was taken with the 34th pick) and he is now the Miami Heat’s starting point guard. Averaging 10 PPG and 1.9 SPG, Chalmers would have brought scoring and defense as a backup to Rajon Rondo. Instead, the Boston management now has to continue searching for a one more piece to the puzzle before the trade deadline.